“When Jesus had crossed over again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him; and so He stayed by the seashore” (Mark 5:21).

People have always been curious about Jesus.  Many gather each Sunday with congregations around the world.  Being a seeker and being a follower are two different things.  Jesus will make of us children of the Heavenly Father if we will enter the narrow path of salvation.  More than just listening to the words of Jesus, it is realizing that Jesus abides in us as we abide in Him.  He is and will be the author of our new lives.

Lord, like many throughout the ages, I have come, listened to the words, and gathered with others.  You know where I have drawn lines hidden from others that keep me from walking farther along the narrow path of salvation.  Remove those barriers that I may humbly continue in whatever direction You take me.   Guide me, Jesus, so that I may humbly submit to You as my Lord and Savior.

Lord Jesus, in this world filled with darkness and deception, help me to see the clear light that You shine for all to see.  Guide me in the way of everlasting life and help me so that I do not just gather with others but humbly submit to You.  You are the author and finisher of my faith.  Lead me  in the way of everlasting life and allow nothing to get in the way of the path You have set before me.  Amen.

“And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed” (Mark 5:20).

No one is beyond the need for salvation that is possible only through Jesus.  We all have demons that plague us.  In Christ, we have been freed to live into a new life.  That freedom, given by Jesus, is a gift and it belongs to all who live by faith, understanding that they have been set free from sin, death, and the devil by Him.  Sinners love to celebrate notoriety.  By grace through faith, we recognize that all who are in Christ have undergone a wonderful transformation.

Lord of grace and mercy, I sometimes am awed by stories that amaze me – of a rabidly possessed man – thinking myself normal.  But what is normal?  Are we all not born in sin and in need of Your grace?  You have come and set me free also.  That is the amazing story of grace I can tell.  This world thinks in terms of greater and less, but You have come to make us all children of the Heavenly Father.

Lord Jesus, You have come to set this captive free.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to go to the places You send me and proclaim what great things You have done.  I once was fully caught up in this world, but You have set me free to live into the life You have given me by grace.  Guide me, Lord, to live into the new life You have given me and not fall back into the traps and snares of this world.  Amen.

“As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed was imploring Him that he might accompany Him.  And He did not let him, but He said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you” (Mark 5:18-19).

The Lord heals us and then sends us.  We may want to stay in the comfort of our new feeling of safety, but the Lord knows best.  This man had new ability through faith and the understanding the Lord gave him to proclaim to these people the truth of salvation.  The call is for us to obey the Lord and go where He sends us.  He raises up those who will proclaim the truth from among every tribe, tongue, folk, and nation.

Lord, I sometimes do not understand what enters my head.  I want to go to some other place thinking that this will be what I am looking for.  You are what everyone is looking for.  Once I realize that You have found me, help me to go where You send me and proclaim the great things You have done.  You have created me and are re-creating me in the image of Christ.  Send me into the harvest.

Lord Jesus, You willingly went where You were sent.  Help me to be willing to go where You send me.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy so that I live the life You have given me, growing to be more like You each day.  Help me to live with whatever group of people You send me to and live with them as I would with those whom I treat as my people.  Give my tongue the words to speak and to share the truth of the Gospel always.  Amen.

“Those who had seen it described to them how it had happened to the demon-possessed man, and all about the swine.  And they began to implore Him to leave their region” (Mark 5:16-17).

It is a similar pattern.  A little religion is okay but let us not be carried away and actually believe this stuff.  You who believe are astonished when another who has been in the same fellowship for years demonstrates apostasy.  The irreligious and heretics want to be rid of those who challenge their delusion of power.  That and fear.  Fear drives some to just want to stay in the place of pretending these things do not exist.

Lord, there are as many reasons as there are people as to why they fear.  I know, for I fear too.  Help me so that I marvel at Your hand in this world.  Help me to see clearly so that I lament the action of the wicked one.  Guide me, Lord, in the way You would have me go and help me to live a life of love and peace.

Lord Jesus, You who heal the infirm and raise the dead, raise me up into the life You are preparing me for.  There are many things I do not understand, but You do.  Teach me to listen to the Holy Spirit for guidance in this walk.  Help me to not be afraid when I know You are with me.  Continue to shape me to be like You in every way.  Through all things, stay with me now and forever.  Amen.

“Their herdsmen ran away and reported it in the city and in the country. And the people came to see what it was that had happened.  They came to Jesus and observed the man who had been demon-possessed sitting down, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the “legion”; and they became frightened” (Mark 5:14-15).

How easily can people become frightened with any change to their normal routine.  Even if the change is good, there is often fear.  People are afraid of the demonic.  As long as they feel they’re in control, it’s okay, but this word reminds us that we are not in control, and our reaction is often fear.  The story spreads and fear is whipped up.  Fear, fear, and more fear is fomented.  Fear not, for the Lord is with you now and forever.

Lord, in this so-called modern age, some use the same wicked tactics to instill fear and create hysteria.  Help me to understand the truth that You are with me always and that nothing can separate me from You.  You have told me to be anxious for nothing, but trust that I am in Your hands.  I see things that I do not understand, but You are the One who knows all things.  Lead me to be in You.

Lord Jesus, You who cast out demons, raise the dead, and save all who believe, help me so that I do not panic with everything which comes along that is strange.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to see that You are leading me.  Heavenly Father, You have promised that all things will work together for good if I love You.  Help me to trust in You above all fear that seeks to plant its seed in me.  Amen.

“And he began to implore Him earnestly not to send them out of the country.  Now there was a large herd of swine feeding nearby on the mountain.  The demons implored Him, saying, “Send us into the swine so that we may enter them.”  Jesus gave them permission. And coming out, the unclean spirits entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea, about two thousand of them; and they were drowned in the sea” (Mark 5:10-11).

The wicked seek death.  Even the demons, cast out, fled into death.  The devil promotes sin and death, seeking those who will follow Him.  Jesus comes to free us so that we are set on the path which leads to life.  This world is better understood when you see those who promote power (which leads to death) versus those who tell of Jesus and the life which He offers through grace.

Lord, help me to understand things such that I better understand the state of this world.  I often settle for simple things and stay with my own pleasures.  But the things of this world are fleeting and there is no peace.  You have come to free me from the curse of death to live the kind of life which You have intended for us to live from the beginning.  Set my heart aright and help me see and follow the path of righteousness.

Lord Jesus, You cast out the demons that are in me.  Sometimes I let them come back in.  Lead me away from those things which harm me and help me to live the life which You intend for me.  Put in me a right mind and guide me along the paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake.  Guide me, Lord, now and always so that I may continue on the path which You have set before me.  Amen.

“For He had been saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!”  And He was asking him, “What is your name?” And he said to Him, “My name is Legion; for we are many” (Mark 5:8-9)

There are many who fell with Lucifer.  With pride, they set up against the Creator of all.  God is love and love allowed them to exist apart from Him.  Will love allow the same with those in this age who reject His offer of grace?  Beyond this question is the one each of us must ask of ourselves:  Will I continue in pride, or submit to the One who created me?  The Lord is Lord of all.

Lord, in such simple terms I come to grips with the fact that I am created and did not, and cannot, make myself.  Help me, dear Lord, to willingly submit to You, the One who created and creates all things.  Guide me away from pride so that I may recognize that all things are in Your hands.  Lead me now and always that I may live Your purpose and not be one of the legion that pretend they do not have to obey You.

Lord Jesus, I see that You came into the middle of what terrified others and did so with complete calm.  The winds and the sea obey Your word.  The demons are afraid of You.  Why are so many in this world so dismissive of the humble truth that we are created and that all things have their being through You?  I may never know the answer to that question, but I can know that You are my Lord and Savior.  Be the One who leads me always.  Amen.

“Constantly, night and day, he was screaming among the tombs and in the mountains, and gashing himself with stones.  Seeing Jesus from a distance, he ran up and bowed down before Him; and shouting with a loud voice, he said, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?  I implore You by God, do not torment me!” (Mark 5:5-7)

Did the demons know who Jesus was?  They knew His power, and they knew that their time was short.  Why should we care for what they did or did not know?  Even with false testimony, as if they had a case, they admit Jesus can do something to them.  Even the demons must obey Jesus.  Who is this?  The Most High has come, and became as one of us: the First Son to lead many others who will be made to be like Him.

Some will read this and want the power.  That is one of the many sins of this age, boosted by pride, which seeks to have power.  All power belongs to God.  See instead a servant who demonstrates what submission to God looks like.  This world is filled with those who crawl on top of one another, but the faithful are taught to free the captives, bring hope, and love others as they love themselves.

Jesus, you are the Son of the Most High God.  You are the One who has come to lead the way for as many as believe.  Through You, the Word made flesh, all things have their being.  Help me to not seek after the things of this world but be transformed by Your grace to become whatever You will make of me.  Be the One who leads me, Lord Jesus, and kill the pride that seeks for anything other than the Father’s will being done.  Amen.

“And no one was able to bind him anymore, even with a chain; because he had often been bound with shackles and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him and the shackles broken in pieces, and no one was strong enough to subdue him” (Mark 5:3b-4).

There are people in this world about which we might say, “They are crazy.”  But there are also those who are demon possessed.  Yes, it happens in our day too.  Do not try to figure it out but learn to be discerning and listen to the Holy Spirit.  By faith we are led all the days of our life and each of us has appointments according to what the Lord intends for our life.  Remember, He is the author of your faith.

Lord, I know there were those for whom You cast out demons.  We encounter demons every day, pestering us and others.  Rather than trying to figure all these things out, help me to look to You and take the instruction You would give me in every circumstance.  With You, all things are possible.  Help me to have that first in my mind and not seek anything other than learning how to be obedient to You.

Lord Jesus, in every moment You were obedient to the will of the Father.  In that example, help me to learn obedience.  Whether you keep me from the demonic or teach me to cast out demons, lead me to be faithful and not worry about things You will have me do.  Let Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, rest upon me that this day I may humbly walk as Your faithful servant.  Amen.

“They came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gerasenes.  When He got out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met Him, and he had his dwelling among the tombs” (Mark 5:1-3a).

From one storm to another is often what we experience.  In faith we see that there are many storms around us because we do not fight against flesh and blood, but against principalities and the forces of darkness, Do not be afraid, but meet each circumstance as an opportunity to live out the faith our Lord gives you, see the appointment He has made in every circumstance for your faith to be shared, and to grow in you the likeness of Christ.

Gracious Lord, I want calm to settle upon my life, but it often seems as though one thing after another keeps getting in my way.  Help me to look to You knowing that You have appointments for me every step of the way.  There is nothing that can happen apart from Your leading.  Guide me, dear Jesus, to see that You alone are the way, truth, and life; and that You will bring me to where I need to be.

Guide me, Good Shepherd, to walk the path You set before me.  Help me to learn the lessons You give and live, by grace through faith, according to Your leading.  No matter the circumstance, help me to keep my eyes upon You.  You know all that I need.  Intercede before the Father on my behalf that in faith I would learn to be faithful in every circumstance.  Guide me according to the Father’s will in all things.  Amen.