Which would be more valuable: possessions/goods or an eternal soul? The townspeople were of the opinion the herd of swine was more of value than this raving lunatic gone sane. Never mind that Christ has just proved his power over not one demon, but a great many together. The point could be here that Satan indeed brought his curse of sin not just to man but all creation- all creation is at enmity with Christ’s saving power. When the demons could not hurt this man as they wanted, by golly they were going to destroy somebody’s possessions to scare others away from following Christ.
We see the phrase “do not be afraid” in the Bible SO many times. Yet we are (or at least I am!) living in fear or anxiousness more often than we should be. I think if we fully realized and lived like we have a God in our side who raises people from the dead and casts out demons, we wouldn’t be so fearful!
1 Chron 22:13b do not be afraid or discouraged. ( spoken to Solomon about the big challenge of leadership and building the temple. God had called him to this and as long as he followed God’s commands, he had nothing to fear)
It is to a very needy people, involved in normal earthly concerns that Jesus proclaims the gospel. These are not people who are seeking spiritual truths, considering philosophies of life and desiring purpose. May we not also wait for such an audience. May we have compassion on those around us who are also in the thick of earthly life, and proclaim the healing gospel that saves the sickest of sinners.
39“Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him. -ellie
Loved a couple things from 1 Chron: David telling Solomon to “devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God.” And that the Levites were to stand every morning and evening to give thanks and praise the Lord. Oh how I wish I could get this heart of mine to stay focused on His greatness and His goodness and mercy to me, rather than just seeing what’s not to my liking!
i agree. i think it’s very difficult for me personally give up my norms for God’s norms. even though my norms are damaged and broken and useless it still seems harder to switch to Gods.
I was struck by the people’s reaction to the healing of the demon possessed man: great fear. When God performs miracles, He rights what is wrong but that means changing what is normal. When God changes my normal, I find that I sometimes wish for the sin or the comfort to return even though they damage my life. God is helping me learn that relationship with Him means submitting my normal brokenness so that He can shine extraordinarily through it.
I’m wondering why did Jesus tell the man who had the demons come out of him to go and tell how much God has done for him while he tells the parents of the girl not to tell anyone what happened?
I think Jesus knew the testimony of the man who had been healed from demon possession would go far, & for long after the townsfolk asked Him to leave their city. But I am not sure why He asked the little girl’s family to stay hush about her healing! Any insight, SRT family?
Jesus usually asked the Jews to keep it quiet because it was not time for them to lift Him up as king over them or make His power so public. Kinda like waiting so the timing was right and He didn’t die too early, at the wrong time… but the demon possessed man was a Gentile. He could be considered one of the first Gentile missionaries, ever, sent directly by Jesus to tell what He had done.
We all know people who have experienced spiritual deaths in their lives. They’re prodigal children- turned from God, and unwilling to even consider coming back home. We think they are beyond help. “She’s had too much sex. He’s done too many drugs. There’s nothing I can do to help them. It’s out of my hands.”
When we come to this conclusion we give up on that person, but we fail to remember that while their situation is beyond human control, God specializes in raising the dead to life. Redeeming the unredeemable. So you’re right: it is out of your hands. Maybe it’s time for us to stop writing people off, stop condemning them and instead put them into the hands of the Creator, that he might call to them, “Talitha Koum”-“Little girl, get up!”
Great reminder to see people as God would. Unbelievers just have a different father than believers do & God has entrusted us to love and share the gospel with them so we could be in the same family. He is not desiring that any should perish but that all come to repentance. Thank you God for your patience and your grace towards us. Help us be Your hands and feet.
This was incredibly encouraging to me, as my brothers are considered “lost” by many but still my heart prayer is for them to return to their first love, to Jesus!
How often do we ask Jesus to leave our own lives because we’re scared (vs 37)? Sisters I pray that I am bold in my faith like the bleeding woman who believed that just by touching Jesus she could be healed. I ask that I am firm in my faith and always welcome Jesus into my life !
Some things that stood out to me today, were 1- David had the foreigners prepare parts for the temple. In all the Jewishness of the OT, I love that there was a place for Gentiles in the preparation of the temple. 2- I love David’s prayer for Solomon and am praying myself for discretion and wisdom. Good things for a king – or a mama trying to rule a household full of strong-willed (ahem, determined) toddlers and preschoolers. His word is so rich. Praying that it changes us all today and we are transformed because of our time with Him.
The demons didn’t want to be thrown into the abyss but when they were sent to the pigs and the pigs jumped the cliff … Did they the end up in the Abyss? Or were they free to roam since the bodies of the pigs they were in were now dead?
good question! I was thinking about that today, won’t they be spending eternity in that abyss too? they have to know that, right? where is legion now? so much we don’t know, but it gives me so much peace to know HE is the giver of LIFE and takes away all darkness!
It’s also crazy that the abyss – hell – is SO bad, even the demons don’t want to go back there…..gives me chills & breaks my heart to think of how many people I know who refuse the gospel and may end up there. :(
43 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”
According to this demons are able to live outside a host.
The girl touched Jesus and was healed. I’m sure if it had been left at that, he wouldn’t have been perceived the way God intended. In today’s society, someone like that would become TIME’s Person of the Year. Though a funny comparison, I think God should ALWAYS been our person of the year. We believe in the same God who worked miracles and we need to remember that!
It’s so encouraging over the past couple days to have read instance after instance of Jesus healing, blessing, and forgiving those who society rejects and gives up on. As a high school teacher, I often see those students who society has decided are “delinquent” or “bad”–this scripture is such an encouragement for helping those students!
I love this!! It’s crazy if you think about how each person in like is going through something you have no idea about. Everyone has their own battle and God loves them All!!!
It’s amazing how as a human, Jesus still wants all the credit to go to God and not to man. In all three healing miracles we just read about in Luke 5, he takes no ownership- go tell what God has done for you, your faith has healed you and tell no one! I pray that I can be more like Jesus and let the goodness in me point to God and that the work I do for him will be glorifying to him rather than just gratifying for me!
5 David said, “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the Lord should be of great magnificence and fame and splendor in the sight of all the nations. Therefore I will make preparations for it.” So David made extensive preparations before his death.
9 But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign.
11 “Now, my son, the Lord be with you, and may you have success and build the house of the Lord your God, as he said you would. 12 May the Lord give you discretion and understanding when he puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God. 13 Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the Lord gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.
Wow!! Needed this this morning. God will provide for us, no matter how inexperienced or behind or unprepared we may feel!!
This group is wonderful! Blessings to all of you who continue time bless me with your reflections and insights each day! We’re about 1/2 way there! Praise God!
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48And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
50But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.”
48And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
I’m sorry, but my first thinking with Legion is to the owner of the pigs. Like, how was the money he could’ve made on the pigs replaced?
Which would be more valuable: possessions/goods or an eternal soul? The townspeople were of the opinion the herd of swine was more of value than this raving lunatic gone sane. Never mind that Christ has just proved his power over not one demon, but a great many together. The point could be here that Satan indeed brought his curse of sin not just to man but all creation- all creation is at enmity with Christ’s saving power. When the demons could not hurt this man as they wanted, by golly they were going to destroy somebody’s possessions to scare others away from following Christ.
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Why is it that he told the demon possessed man to tell everyone about the miracle but they were to be quiet about the girl?!
We see the phrase “do not be afraid” in the Bible SO many times. Yet we are (or at least I am!) living in fear or anxiousness more often than we should be. I think if we fully realized and lived like we have a God in our side who raises people from the dead and casts out demons, we wouldn’t be so fearful!
So true!
1 Chron 22:13b do not be afraid or discouraged. ( spoken to Solomon about the big challenge of leadership and building the temple. God had called him to this and as long as he followed God’s commands, he had nothing to fear)
It is to a very needy people, involved in normal earthly concerns that Jesus proclaims the gospel. These are not people who are seeking spiritual truths, considering philosophies of life and desiring purpose. May we not also wait for such an audience. May we have compassion on those around us who are also in the thick of earthly life, and proclaim the healing gospel that saves the sickest of sinners.
Good word, Sharon. Appreciate your thoughts!
Amen!!
39“Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him. -ellie
45% wow! I can’t believe we are almost half way through the Bible !
Loved a couple things from 1 Chron: David telling Solomon to “devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God.” And that the Levites were to stand every morning and evening to give thanks and praise the Lord. Oh how I wish I could get this heart of mine to stay focused on His greatness and His goodness and mercy to me, rather than just seeing what’s not to my liking!
i agree. i think it’s very difficult for me personally give up my norms for God’s norms. even though my norms are damaged and broken and useless it still seems harder to switch to Gods.
I was struck by the people’s reaction to the healing of the demon possessed man: great fear. When God performs miracles, He rights what is wrong but that means changing what is normal. When God changes my normal, I find that I sometimes wish for the sin or the comfort to return even though they damage my life. God is helping me learn that relationship with Him means submitting my normal brokenness so that He can shine extraordinarily through it.
Yes! I love this!
Thank you ladies I was wondering all of this and coming to your responses and questions was most helpful. God bless you.
I’m wondering why did Jesus tell the man who had the demons come out of him to go and tell how much God has done for him while he tells the parents of the girl not to tell anyone what happened?
I was wondering the same thing Jenna!
I think Jesus knew the testimony of the man who had been healed from demon possession would go far, & for long after the townsfolk asked Him to leave their city. But I am not sure why He asked the little girl’s family to stay hush about her healing! Any insight, SRT family?
Jesus usually asked the Jews to keep it quiet because it was not time for them to lift Him up as king over them or make His power so public. Kinda like waiting so the timing was right and He didn’t die too early, at the wrong time… but the demon possessed man was a Gentile. He could be considered one of the first Gentile missionaries, ever, sent directly by Jesus to tell what He had done.
We all know people who have experienced spiritual deaths in their lives. They’re prodigal children- turned from God, and unwilling to even consider coming back home. We think they are beyond help. “She’s had too much sex. He’s done too many drugs. There’s nothing I can do to help them. It’s out of my hands.”
When we come to this conclusion we give up on that person, but we fail to remember that while their situation is beyond human control, God specializes in raising the dead to life. Redeeming the unredeemable. So you’re right: it is out of your hands. Maybe it’s time for us to stop writing people off, stop condemning them and instead put them into the hands of the Creator, that he might call to them, “Talitha Koum”-“Little girl, get up!”
Great reminder to see people as God would. Unbelievers just have a different father than believers do & God has entrusted us to love and share the gospel with them so we could be in the same family. He is not desiring that any should perish but that all come to repentance. Thank you God for your patience and your grace towards us. Help us be Your hands and feet.
Well put, Heidi. I am praying for you today.
This was incredibly encouraging to me, as my brothers are considered “lost” by many but still my heart prayer is for them to return to their first love, to Jesus!
How often do we ask Jesus to leave our own lives because we’re scared (vs 37)? Sisters I pray that I am bold in my faith like the bleeding woman who believed that just by touching Jesus she could be healed. I ask that I am firm in my faith and always welcome Jesus into my life !
I didn’t know that so much in the Bible applied to my life.
beautiful things happen when we sit at the feet of Jesus
so glad I found this app. been having difficulty opening my bible as I didn’t know where to begin
I feel the same.
Some things that stood out to me today, were 1- David had the foreigners prepare parts for the temple. In all the Jewishness of the OT, I love that there was a place for Gentiles in the preparation of the temple. 2- I love David’s prayer for Solomon and am praying myself for discretion and wisdom. Good things for a king – or a mama trying to rule a household full of strong-willed (ahem, determined) toddlers and preschoolers. His word is so rich. Praying that it changes us all today and we are transformed because of our time with Him.
Amen, and how cool that His plan to build a church included Gentiles! Never noticed that before!
The demons didn’t want to be thrown into the abyss but when they were sent to the pigs and the pigs jumped the cliff … Did they the end up in the Abyss? Or were they free to roam since the bodies of the pigs they were in were now dead?
good question! I was thinking about that today, won’t they be spending eternity in that abyss too? they have to know that, right? where is legion now? so much we don’t know, but it gives me so much peace to know HE is the giver of LIFE and takes away all darkness!
It’s also crazy that the abyss – hell – is SO bad, even the demons don’t want to go back there…..gives me chills & breaks my heart to think of how many people I know who refuse the gospel and may end up there. :(
Matthew 12:43-45
43 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”
According to this demons are able to live outside a host.
The girl touched Jesus and was healed. I’m sure if it had been left at that, he wouldn’t have been perceived the way God intended. In today’s society, someone like that would become TIME’s Person of the Year. Though a funny comparison, I think God should ALWAYS been our person of the year. We believe in the same God who worked miracles and we need to remember that!
It’s so encouraging over the past couple days to have read instance after instance of Jesus healing, blessing, and forgiving those who society rejects and gives up on. As a high school teacher, I often see those students who society has decided are “delinquent” or “bad”–this scripture is such an encouragement for helping those students!
I love this!! It’s crazy if you think about how each person in like is going through something you have no idea about. Everyone has their own battle and God loves them All!!!
We all including your students have many choices every day to do good or bad
It’s amazing how as a human, Jesus still wants all the credit to go to God and not to man. In all three healing miracles we just read about in Luke 5, he takes no ownership- go tell what God has done for you, your faith has healed you and tell no one! I pray that I can be more like Jesus and let the goodness in me point to God and that the work I do for him will be glorifying to him rather than just gratifying for me!
I love this Carly. Thank you for the reminder that we should always be giving credit to God for His work in our lives.
Yes agreed, what a sweet reminder
YES!
5 David said, “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the Lord should be of great magnificence and fame and splendor in the sight of all the nations. Therefore I will make preparations for it.” So David made extensive preparations before his death.
9 But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign.
11 “Now, my son, the Lord be with you, and may you have success and build the house of the Lord your God, as he said you would. 12 May the Lord give you discretion and understanding when he puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God. 13 Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the Lord gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.
Wow!! Needed this this morning. God will provide for us, no matter how inexperienced or behind or unprepared we may feel!!
This group is wonderful! Blessings to all of you who continue time bless me with your reflections and insights each day! We’re about 1/2 way there! Praise God!
*continue to