Mark 5:11
   In order to understand this passage one must keep two things clearly in mind. First, it was not likely that any of the Jewish population of Gerasa were keeping pigs. Instead, these pigs were likely being kept by the large Gentile population, who raised them for sale in the Decapolis region. Secondly, the devil does have power in this world. Mankind has given him that. Thus, it is not required that Jesus, as that time, would completely remove this particular satanic influence from the world.
   These two points help us to understand why there was a herd of pigs present, and also to understand why the demons were allowed to request to be sent in to them.

Numbers 8:1-10:36

1John 3:20 “For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.”

Heavenly Father, help me to always keep my eyes upon you. You must be ever before my face. The goal of my life should be focusing upon you, and your will and plan for my life. You are our hope. The Lord Jesus Christ is the reason for all that we do. Thus, to worship you, to bring glory to You, is our most important focus. We must not lose sight of you. You are more than just someone important to us. You are our God, you are our master, you are our Lord. We will always give you the praise! You are worthy! Thank you for your great mercy, faithfulness, and love to us. Thank you for always being the same all the time. We know you’re always there and you’re always faithful. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Pray for a man who is having surgery. Pray for a woman who has been recovering from surgery for quite some time now.

Journal 15145

Mark 5:10
   At this point the demons are doing some pathetic begging. That is all that they could do. They knew that Jesus was able to do whatever he pleased, he had that authority.
   The fact that they wanted to stay in that area shows the influence that they had achieved. The forces of darkness hold sway among those who are heathen, superstitious, or who have an empty religiosity. They had built up some notoriety there and wanted to keep it. After this episode, their influence in the region was diminished greatly do to Christ, and the ministry of the delivered demoniac.

Numbers 7:1-89

1John 3:19 “And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.”

Heavenly Father, thank you for this beautiful day that you’ve given us! Thank you for life, family, friends, and all the other wonderful blessings that you give us each and every day. You are our provider and you provide for every need. You are faithful and true to us at all times. May we faithfully serve you and show you that we love you with all of our hearts! You are worthy of all of our praise, and every moment of our life in service to you. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Pray for several people traveling today and tomorrow. Pray for the lost.

Journal 15144

Mark 5:9
   Legion was a group of demons that had influence in that area. However, we must keep in mind the fact that names for demonic forces are not really what we might think. The demons don’t really need names, at least not for the same reasons we do. So, the name here given is likely just what the demons had chosen to call themselves.
   The question then is why Jesus inquired after their name. Well, Jesus obviously already knew what was going on here. He knew that there was a whole host of demons in that area, possessing this man and probably the other one mentioned in another gospel. But, by asking for the name he shows us what these demons hoards thought of themselves, and that yet he still has the authority to cast them out. In other words, it is like a wrestler always remembering the name of an opponent he beat to gain a title. The opponent’s name matters little, but it adds glory to the victory because it identifies the vanquished. Jesus shows us and all of those around him that day that he had authority over all demonic forces, regardless of their strength or pompousness.

Bible Reading: Numbers 5:1-6:27

Scripture Memory: 1 John 3:18 “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for making your abilities clear to us. It is a great comfort to know what you are capable of. We know we can trust you. You are the key to all that we need, and the answer for all that we want. May we live to depend upon you and serve you with all of our hearts. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for two men with ear infections. Pray for a girl that is sick. Pray for several unspoken requests.

Journal Entry #15143

Mark 5:7
   Jesus had already told the demon to come out. This was a temper tantrum. There wasn’t a thing the demon could do about Jesus, and he knew it.

Bible Reading: Numbers 1:1-2:34

Scripture Memory: 1 John 3:16 “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for always knowing what we need and when we need it. You have given us hope for each day, and peace for our lives. Abundant life in Christ is ours, and we are so thankful! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for two men who need to be in church. Pray for a man being transferred to a new nursing facility.

Journal Entry #15141

Mark 5:6
   The man wanted to see Jesus and the demons possessing him wanted to cause trouble. So, we have a meeting with Jesus. This meeting would change the man’s life forever.

Bible Reading: Leviticus 26:1-27:34

Scripture Memory: 1 John 3:15 “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your goodness to each of us. You have changed our lives by the power of Christ. His atonement for us changes everything. Our whole being is different because of your plan. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a woman recovering from surgery on her shoulder. Pray for a man in the hospital.

Journal Entry #15140

Mark 5:5
   This self-mutilation is common among those heavily influenced or possessed by demons. They have no regard for human life and are happy to cause all sorts of madness such as this in their victims. The only joy that evil may have is of the perverse kind.

Bible Reading: Leviticus 24:1-25:55

Scripture Memory: 1 John 3:14 “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for speaking to us through your Word. We do not have to wonder endlessly about issues. You can give us answers form your book. If we seek your face and look for you to guide us to the truth, you will without fail do it. Never have I honestly sought for truth from you and been disappointed. You always come through, all I need to do is respond appropriately. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a woman’s unspoken request. Pray for a woman who has just a couple of weeks to live and is unsaved.

Journal Entry #15139

Mark 5:4
   It is possible for the devil to give someone amazing abilities, though they do come at a price. This man was away from everyone, so the milk of human kindness could not reach to his cold world.

Bible Reading: Leviticus 22:1-23:44

Scripture Memory: 1 John 3:13 “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father,thank you for not just giving us extra strength, bit for really blessing us with your presence. Having an extra reserve of ammo is great, but nothing beats reinforcements. Elijah knew that truth. And like him, when we face the day with you we can truly say, there are more with us then there are with them. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a young girl that is sick. Pray for a man with many health concerns.

Journal Entry #15138

Mark 5:3
   To our enemy, the devil, strength and power is everything. His demons will cause someone to have inordinate strength, and seem to have supernatural power. However, what the devil does is simply a virtual show of strength. His power is limited, and thus not absolute.
   Demons enjoy scaring people and oppressing others. They like to put people out in the tombs and to make them think they have power, but they do not.

Bible Reading: Leviticus 19:1-21:24

Scripture Memory: 1 John 3:12 “Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may we make it obvious by our lives what kind of God we serve. You give us strength for each day that is real and comforting. Your authority is absolute. Help us to live as a city set on a hill that others may see and know that you care for your people. We are nothing, but others should see that you are good to us. You love all, as you have made a way for all to be your children. Help us to be witnesses of this fact. Thank you for your truth, thank you for your great love for us! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a man with an ear infection. Pray for a young person who has health problems.

Journal Entry #15137

Mark 5:2
   Though it is possible that the tombs were nearby the shore, it is more likely that this man actually came to see Jesus. Why is not exactly clear. However, it could very well be that the demon he was possessed with did it on purpose. Demonic activity is inscrutable to us. For example, the fact that he lived among the tombs doesn’t seem to make any sense to ordinary people. However, satanic activity is usually associated with death.

Bible Reading: Leviticus 16:1-18:30

Scripture Memory: 1 John 3:11 “For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the comfort of your truth. So often we take it for granted, and yet in your word we find things that we can be sure of. There is such uncertainty in the world around us, and confusion, but in your word we find absolute truth. We can know what we can know. And that is more amazing than anything. Thank you for your truth, it makes such a difference in our lives! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a man who is lost. Pray for a couple of young people who have spiritual needs.

Journal Entry #15136