Devotionals for February 9, 2023
Join us for Theology Thursdays at 12:00pm today! Bring your lunch when you come.
READ
Mark 5: 1-11, 18-20
1 They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes.
2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him.
3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain.
4 For 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.
5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.
6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him.
7 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!”
8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”
9 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”
“My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.”
10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.
…
18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him.
19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”
20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
REFLECT
Today we will look at our broken spirit in need of healing. We don’t usually think about our spirit that much. Which is strange and probably evidence of our brokenness. Our spirit is at the core of our minds. It affects us emotionally, mentally, and physically. How we behave, what we feel, and how we interact with each other and the world around us is a reflection of our spirit.
Jesus heals our spirit. The best example is when he met Legion.
Many evil spirits inhabited a man and called themselves Legion. They had led this man to be a supernatural menace to the community around him. He could not be restrained and even broke the chains people tried to bind him with. The spirits indwelling his body were affecting him physically and emotionally. When the man encountered Christ, he was healed. Jesus removed the spirits and the man became calm, reasonable, and more personable. This was a complete change from who he was. His spirit was renewed, refreshed, and replaced.
Jesus does the same for those who have faith in Him. The Holy Spirit miraculously indwells believers, bringing peace, comfort, and joy. The Holy Spirit calms believers and assures us of our salvation and relationship with our Creator. The miracle of the Holy Spirit healing our spirit happens continuously. We are renewed, refreshed, revived, and a new spirit replaces our old broken one.
APPLY
Q: Have there been moments in your life when you feel you are about to “lose it” or want to retreat away?
Q: What does the account of Christ removing the evil spirits from the man in this story say to you during those times?
Q: Do you lean on the Holy Spirit when these feelings begin?
SING
Stars by Skillet
PRAY
Father in heaven and Holy Spirit within me, remind me of your grace and forgiveness. Encourage me to be a reflection of the same love you have given me so others may see the healing you so graciously provide.
READ
Mark 5: 1-11, 18-20
1 They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes.
2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him.
3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain.
4 For 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.
5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.
6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him.
7 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!”
8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”
9 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”
“My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.”
10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.
…
18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him.
19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”
20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
REFLECT
Today we will look at our broken spirit in need of healing. We don’t usually think about our spirit that much. Which is strange and probably evidence of our brokenness. Our spirit is at the core of our minds. It affects us emotionally, mentally, and physically. How we behave, what we feel, and how we interact with each other and the world around us is a reflection of our spirit.
Jesus heals our spirit. The best example is when he met Legion.
Many evil spirits inhabited a man and called themselves Legion. They had led this man to be a supernatural menace to the community around him. He could not be restrained and even broke the chains people tried to bind him with. The spirits indwelling his body were affecting him physically and emotionally. When the man encountered Christ, he was healed. Jesus removed the spirits and the man became calm, reasonable, and more personable. This was a complete change from who he was. His spirit was renewed, refreshed, and replaced.
Jesus does the same for those who have faith in Him. The Holy Spirit miraculously indwells believers, bringing peace, comfort, and joy. The Holy Spirit calms believers and assures us of our salvation and relationship with our Creator. The miracle of the Holy Spirit healing our spirit happens continuously. We are renewed, refreshed, revived, and a new spirit replaces our old broken one.
APPLY
Q: Have there been moments in your life when you feel you are about to “lose it” or want to retreat away?
Q: What does the account of Christ removing the evil spirits from the man in this story say to you during those times?
Q: Do you lean on the Holy Spirit when these feelings begin?
SING
Stars by Skillet
PRAY
Father in heaven and Holy Spirit within me, remind me of your grace and forgiveness. Encourage me to be a reflection of the same love you have given me so others may see the healing you so graciously provide.