February 2nd Devotion

After reading this I thought everyone that sees our blog would enjoy reading this. I know that I was touch and bless by this devotion.

Lamar
Webmaster


Fellow Chapter Members:

Tuesday night at our meeting our devotion came from Mark 5:1-20. In this scripture we find Jesus healing a demon possessed man. this demon possessed man had been exiled from normal, human contact, separated, set apart from family, friends and neighbors. The description of this man made me think of the way that many motorcycle gang are portrayed. We sometimes forget how important relationships are, but we were created by god for His good pleasure; therefore, relationships are very important. Our most important relationship is the one with Jesus Christ.

I would like to expand upon the devotion for Tuesday night as we begin to learn and think about the mission of CMA; Winning lost souls (motorcyclists) to Christ.

In Mark 5:1-20 we find:
Jesus' miracles and demonstrate His supernatural power, He is truly and only God has the power to change man's heart/life.
Jesus came from the other side of the Sea of Galilee to deliver a man dominated by evil spirits. the man lived amongst the tombs, considered by Mosaic Law to be an unclean place. Sin makes a person unclean in the eyes of God.
The Gadarene had superhuman strength, for he broke the chains with which they had tried to bind him. Just as chains cannot control the demon possessed man, neither can someones sin be controlled by moral and secular laws. What is needed is a new source of power in the life of the person. Only divine power can produce the needed transformation. No external force can bring about the internal change needed. Only new birth in Jesus Christ can bring this about. There are people today who act under the power of alcohol, drugs, anger, etc, tools used by Satan to keep them in his power. This man demonstrated from that under the influence of the demons, he could not find rest for himself nor let others be in peace. He knelt before Jesus and called him "Son of the most high God". Jesus did not want this recognition nor any act of worship motivated by Satan. The demon recognized the authority of Jesus, our Lord. his name, Legion could indicate that the demons were like a military unit ready for war against Christ. However, the Lord felt no terror when faced with so numerous an enemy. Instead, the demons had to ask Him for permission to enter the swine.John the Apostle wrote: "Greater is He (Jesus Christ) that is in you, than he (the devil) that is in the world." 1John4:4 When Satan could no longer influence the Gadarene, nor do more harm through him, he tried to reach the people through their possessions, the pigs. To the Jews, pigs were unclean animals and the Lord allowed these unclean spirits to enter into them. There are people, who like the pigs, love the mire of their pleasures. Their unsaved condition makes them suitable dwellings in which Satan can live. The Lord wants to free, to liberate, to save, those who are captive and in the control of Satan (2 Timothy 2:26) The pigs ran violently over a cliff into the sea and were drowned. The men who were looking after the pigs ran off terrified to tell what had happened thus the power of god had awaked an important reality. God is more powerful than any being, human or spirit.
The people in the city came and found the Gadarene changed in three ways: 1) Clothed; 2) Seated; 3) Sane.
The presence of Christ in his life had produced great changes. For the people in the area, the financial loss suffered by losing the pigs was of greater importance to them than the well-being enjoyed by the man. He begged Christ to go away; the request of the people for Jesus to leave shows their lack of interest in blessings He was willing to give. (Romans 3:11-12) The healed man wanted to be with Christ. Those who are truly thankful for the salvation they have in Christ what to be with Him and also with those who belong to Him. The now recovered man was given a new task by theLord, that of witnessing to others. He was told to return home and testify of the great things God had done for him. He was living proof of what the power of God can do. He obeyed for he wanted to serve the One who had given him such relief from his suffering. Only God can relieve suffering. Remember I said there were three way that it was evident that he had been changed? The first was that he was clothed. Dress in the Bible always has to do with a person's testimony before others. Second, he was seated. This shows his interest in learning from the Lord. The position of a pupil is seated, listening. For example, Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus, the learned doctors in the temple, Jesus was found sitting among them at 12 years of age. And the disciples with Jesus in the mount of Olives (Matthew 24:3). Thirdly, he was sane, in his right mind. His changed way of thinking made his behavior proper before the eyes of others. The change was evident in his way of speaking and of relating to others. Only the power of God can change man's heart and God can use the condition of man's heart to change him.
As we seek to further the mission of CMA, which is winning others to Christ, let us remember this passage of scripture and the Gadarene amn. We all need the power of Christ in us, everyday. There is a very powerful message in this account of Jesus with the demon possessed man. The message is HOPE. Hope that is turned to certainty when men call on the name of Jesus.As Assistant Chaplain, I encourage you to read and study your Bible. The Bible is God's direct message of His love to mankind. Commit the scriptures to your memory and write them upon your heart. I encourage you to read your Bible every day; I know from personal experience that it will make a difference in your life. Desides, the Holy Scriptures teach us (Ephesians 6:17) that the Bible is the sword of the Spirit and you will need it when you go forth to battle. And believe me, you will do battle, especially when you begin to win souls to Christ. I can assure you that Satan will come after you; so keep your sword close to you. You never know when God will use you to reach someone else.
Until we meet again, I will be praying for each of you. Remeber Wesley Devane's father and Wesley's family in our prayers, others who I am not aware of, but you are. I encourage you to read Ephesians 6:10-20, write it on your soul and pray in the word. "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of HIS might." Philippians 6:10. God bless and I love you all!

Always in His grace,

Vickie Oakley
Chrome Knights for Christ Andalusia
Assistant Chaplain