Mark 5 - 9.15.25

SCRIPTURE:  Mark 5:6-8

“When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of Him.  He shouted at the top of his voice, ‘What do You want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  In God’s name don’t torture me!’  “For Jesus had said to him, ‘Come out of this man, you impure spirit.’”

OBSERVATION:  A man with an impure spirit saw Jesus get out the boat, and came from the tombs to meet Jesus.  He had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

When he saw Jesus get out of the boat from a distance, he ran and knelt down before Him.  Even though he was demon possessed, he was able to recognize Jesus, the Son of the Most High God!  He knew Jesus was powerful!  He begged Jesus not to torment him! Jesus asked his name, and as the demons spoke through him, they replied, ‘Legion’. because there were many!  They kept begging Jesus not to send him out of the region. The demons begged Jesus to send them into the herd of pigs that were feeding on the hillside. 

Jesus gave them permission, and the unclean spirits came out, and the herd of about 2,000 rushed down the steep bank and were drowned! The men who had tended them ran off and reported it to the people living in the town and country side, and they went to see what happened.  They came to Jesus and saw the man who had been demon-possessed by the legion, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.  The eye witnesses described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and told about the pigs.  The man who had been delivered wanted to stay with Jesus, and go back with Him in the boat. Jesus insisted that he go back to his own people and report to them how much the Lord had done for him, and how He had mercy on him.  So he went out and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and they were all amazed!

APPLICATION:  When we experience deliverance from God, we are to openly share our experiences with family and friends.  No matter what we’ve been delivered from, we are not to keep it hidden! We are to give God all the glory for what He has done!  We may not experience the same horrible struggle that this man had, but nevertheless, the same God Who delivered this demon-possessed man is also able to deliver us from anything that we may be struggling with!  All we need to do is to recognize that Jesus, the Son of the Most High God is all-powerful, and is able and willing to come to our aid when we call out to Him! 

Throughout the entire Bible, we are able to see the powerful ways God brought deliverance to His people. Those who were there to witness these miraculous events changed the course of history because they shared what God had done!  We as Christ-followers have been called and commissioned to go out and share how God has delivered us from our sins.  Our testimonies have the power to change lives! 

PRAYER:  I once was held in bondage and chains by the enemy… BUT GOD came to my rescue me and delivered me!  I’ve been set free to proclaim His holy and powerful name, and to give Jesus all the glory! Amen

- Robin Orefice

Mark 4 - 9.14.26

S - Mark 4:21-23

“He also said to them, "Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed?"  Isn't it to be put on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing concealed that will not be brought to light.  If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen.”

O - These verses are a clearer understanding of what our responsibilities are as believers.  We as believers in the word of God having an understanding of His word, are not responsible for just stating the facts, but to be receptive to teach in a way that is shown and not necessarily factual. There are a lot of ways to convey the truths of our God.  Circumstances and His word guide us if we are able to listen in the midst of our daily lives.

A - Be a better listener.  I want to be used in a way that our God sees fit.  Not just my way!  I want to try to see it from God's perspective, and leave my judgemental thoughts or understanding out of the equation.

P - Lord I pray that I am used as a light and not kept in the dark by satan and worldly influence.  Please instill in me the light you intended for me to be. May the Holy Spirit lead and guide me in all situations.  Amen

- Brian Moen

Psalm 1 - 9.11.26

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

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1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,

2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law, day and night.

3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither — whatever they do prospers.‍ ‍

4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.‍

6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

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Observation

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This psalm is a contrast between the righteous and the ungodly. Blessed means supremely happy or fulfilled. In fact, in Hebrew the word is actually a plural, which denotes either a multiplicity of blessings or an intensification of them.” (Boice)

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The righteous man does not go the way of the ungodly, we can say these speak of thinking, behaving and belonging. The righteous man and the ungodly man are different in how they think, how they behave and to whom they belong.

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The righteous man is not afraid to take a less-traveled road, because he knows it leads to blessing, happiness, and eternal life.

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Matthew 7:13 - Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

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The righteous man delights in the law of the Lord or loves to read the word of God and meditate on it. He reads God’s word and applies it to his life. The righteous man only has God’s word on his mind two times a day…Day and Night.

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The righteous man digs his roots deep into the stream of Living Water and his life is full, alive, happy and prosperous.

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Not so for the ungodly, they are like chaff. Chaff is the light shell around a kernel of grain, which must be stripped away before the kernel of grain can be ground into flour. Chaff is light enough that it could be separated from the grain by throwing a scoopful into the wind and letting the wind drive away the chaff. The ungodly are unstable, worthless, lacking in substance, no life, dead leaves. Sinners don’t share the same glorious future of the righteous. They also don’t want to hang out with the righteous if they insist on remaining sinners.

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The Lord watches over the righteous and covers us in peace and protection.

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The ungodly walk on the broad path, they have lots of company, but in the end they will perish.‍

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Application

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This chapter gives us a clear contrast on the righteous, who walk with God, and the ungodly, who don’t. God watches over the righteous and they KNOW HIM. He prunes, chastens and molds us into His prize possessions. He covers us with protection, peace and blessings. Everything good and perfect gift comes from Him. Where are you walking? Are you walking daily with the Lord, reading His word, meditating on His truths and trusting Him to guide your path? Or are you walking on the broad path, worried about the cares of this world, only caring about your fleshly desires and not walking with God. It’s time to make a choice…Blessed Life or Death…it’s up to you.‍

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Prayer

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Dear Lord,‍ ‍

I pray for all those who are struggling with sin and can’t quite jump off the fence. I pray you make yourself so real to them that their heart burns with a longing to be in your presence. I pray for an awakening in their spirit and in their heart and a realization that better is one day in Your courts, then one thousand elsewhere.

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Psalm 84:10 – Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper inthe house of my God than dwell inthe tents of the wicked.‍

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- Michelle Craig‍ ‍