Word Filled Wednesday [20110126]

Click above image to take part in wfw.

Typically, wfw is art of some sort with God's word accompanied. However, today, I'm breaking that mold and posting a video. It's so full of a powerful message. I pray that you're blessed by it.

Becoming More Christ-Like

Today, waiting in my inbox for me, was the below devotion. Click the link and read it. It is short. Read this verse: 2 Cor 3.18. It's the verse offered in his devotion. He only provides a piece of it. I say read the entire thing.

Becoming More Christ-Like (prt 1) | The Vine

Now, put yourself there. Really there! Allow God/Holy Spirit/Jesus to wash over you and through you. Feel HIS presence.

I sit in awe of God, The Father. He takes something as broken as me and transforms me into something so beautiful for HIS purpose. What do I do? I take control of me and muck everything up with all life's baggage. We all do it.

HE still has patience with us. HE is still there by our side waiting for us to turn to HIM and surrender our all to HIM.

It is time! Look, as the scripture says: "with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord", surrender our ALL to HIM and allow HIM to transform us in HIS glory. Allow HIS presence in.

Just like the devotion mentions, life isn't without trials. It helps to build character. We don't have to lose our personality. His devotion explains it so well.

Are you willing? Let HIM in.

I had a heavy heart this week over something that was ripping and tearing at me. Like a wild dog tearing the flesh of its prey. Last night, the burden was lifted away. The Holy Spirit comforted me. I am now at peace knowing that God is working things out in me and with those around me. I finally let HIM ALL in last night. It all became clear to me that God is always there to take us through our trials and build our character moment by moment to be more Christ-Like. If only, we let HIM ALL in.

Are you willing? Let HIM in.

Prayer: Dear Father God, LORD Jesus, I lift up heavy hearts to YOU right now. I pray LORD, that people who are holding out will give into YOU and allow YOU in. I pray that their burdens will be lifted so they can see with unveiled face into the glory of GOD and know that YOU will meet their needs and build their character transforming them to be more Christ-Like. I praise YOU, LORD. I thank YOU, LORD. In Jesus' name, amen.

It's About The Cross

Soak it up! Allow the presence of the LORD to wash over you. HIS love is so deep! It covers ALL, not some, but ALL! Worship with me today. Just sit back and let your heart be blessed by this Christmas video. The video tells it better than I can.

Walk the walk

Acts 19:13-20
¹³ A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” ¹⁴ Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. ¹⁵ But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” ¹⁶ Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered.

¹⁷ The story of what happened spread quickly all through Ephesus, to Jews and Greeks alike. A solemn fear descended on the city, and the name of the Lord Jesus was greatly honored. ¹⁸ Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices. ¹⁹ A number of them who had been practicing sorcery brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire. The value of the books was several million dollars. ²⁰ So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect.

Well now! There's some impersonators walking around out there. Are you an impersonator? An impostor? A poser as some say.

The enemy knows the difference. God's word above shows proof in verse 15. The enemy will chew up each of us posers and spit us out anytime one confronts him. It will take more than a poser to knock the enemy down.

Why do we hide behind the impostor mask? God knows our hearts and minds. He can see right through us just like the enemy can. We're not fooling anyone.

Pretending to be a Christ follower won't get anyone into Heaven.

If you wants to make it to Heaven for eternity you're going to have to stop impersonating and become the real deal. Walk the walk. Don't just talk the talk.

You can follow God's Simple Plan of Salvation to make it right and use the name of Jesus to call out evil spirits for real. Just click above and follow the link. Read through and talk it over with God. He'll make it all right. He loves each of us and wishes that none should perish.

Matthew 18:14
In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father God, I lift up the impostors to You and seek that they will be made right with You in Jesus name. Thank You Father God for showing a clear and truthful path to YOU. I pray that each one who comes here today seeking refuge in You that they find it. I pray for their salvation through the bought blood of Jesus. In Jesus' name, amen.

Eternity

Live For Eternity Video

The video speaks for itself.
Please...take a few minutes and watch it!

A measure of kindness

Hello and welcome to the blog. Today marks the start of a new word from my word list. Last month we focused on long-suffering. This month (May), you guessed it by the title, we will focus on kindness. If you would like to get up to speed on the word list you can find other posts here.

Here's something to think about:

Within each of us exists the image of God, however disfigured and corrupted by sin it may presently be. God is able to recover this image through grace as we are conformed to Christ. - Alister McGrath

Ok, now the definition of kindness:

1. the state or quality of being kind: kindness to animals.
2. a kind act; favor: his many kindnesses to me.
3. kind behavior: I will never forget your kindness.
4. friendly feeling; liking.

Basically, the first three are relatively in the same category; the act of being kind. The last, number 4, deals with the feeling of kindness as in a friendliness. I'll do my best to break these down. I may only get 2 or 3 lessons from this. We'll see.

There was a movie, "Pay It Forward", that many jumped on board with and decided to put it into action for themselves. Why? Because it is showing random acts of kindness where each person that a kind act was done to will pass the same kindness on to someone they think deserves the kindness. The concept is great. Is it a feeling of "I have to do this" and it's done begrudgingly, or is it a feeling of "I want to do this" because it's the right thing to do?

Let's see what God's word says:

2 Corinthians 6:4-10
⁴ But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, ⁵ in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; ⁶ by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, ⁷ by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, ⁸ by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; ⁹ as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; ¹⁰ as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Colossians 3:12-13
¹² Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; ¹³ bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

2 Peter 1:5-8
⁵ But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, ⁶ to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, ⁷ to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. ⁸ For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Each of these scriptures talk about the character of man as the elect of God, ministers of HIS word. We do because it's in Godly character and it honors God, not man. Verse 6 in 2 Cor. 6 above mentions sincere love. When we are sincere it shows Godliness because it's "real", not fake.

I can remember a time in my life where I was "fake" just because it helped me to just get through something I really didn't want to be a part of. I was being impatient and just wanted to be done. Basically, being selfish. Selfishness is not kind. It's the opposite of kind. It's cruel. I eventually got over it. God put me in my place and humbled me.

Where do you stand today? Do you need an attitude adjustment and need to get humbled? I know I have and still do sometimes. Seek the LORD today in sincere love for HIM to teach you kindness. It's not easy if you've been a cruel person. But, looking back at that quote above, "God is able to recover this image through grace as we are conformed to Christ."

Let Jesus Christ transform you... be conformed to HIM. You won't regret it. I do not!

Prayer: Dear Father God, I lift up my readers to You this day. I pray that Your message within this blog post will reach their hearts and comfort them in their time of distress and soften that heart to receive Your love today. I pray that Your kindness will transform each of us. I pray that I will be the embodiment of Your kindness to win hurting hearts and lost souls to You. In Jesus' name, amen.

Jesus Tempation

Different religions have different methods of sin purification. One such is the Kumbh Mela Festival (Grand Pitcher Festival) in Norther India every twelve years. They held this festival last year. See the video below:

India's Kumbh Mela Festival from Javier A. Salinas on Vimeo.

Can you imagine having to do this every 12 years? I could not. Christian - Jesus follower, or anyone else for that matter. There's a savior, Jesus Christ, who went to the Cross to take on ALL the sin of the World for ALL time so that you and I can be forgiven of our sins. The victory is won. There's no need to keep going back and seeking a way of forgiveness of sins. All you have to do, right where you are, only travel required is to fall on your knees right before GOD, is to repent and ask HIM for forgiveness and it will be done! See scripture below about Jesus being tempted by the devil.

Matthew 4
New Living Translation (NLT)
The Temptation of Jesus

 ¹ Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. ² For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.

 ³ During that time the devil^[a] came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

 ⁴ But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,

   ‘People do not live by bread alone,
      but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’^[b]”

 ⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, ⁶ and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,

   ‘He will order his angels to protect you.
   And they will hold you up with their hands
      so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’^[c]”

 ⁷ Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’^[d]”

 ⁸ Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. ⁹ “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”

 ¹⁰ “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say,

   ‘You must worship the Lord your God
      and serve only him.’^[e]”

 ¹¹ Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.

Footnotes:

1. Matthew 4:3 Greek the tempter.
   
2. Matthew 4:4 Deut 8:3.
   
3. Matthew 4:6 Ps 91:11-12.
   
4. Matthew 4:7 Deut 6:16.
   
5. Matthew 4:10 Deut 6:13.
   

---

2 Corinthians 5:21
New King James Version (NKJV)
²¹ For He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

See God's Simple Plan of Salvation here. If you haven't accept Christ as your savior visit the link. Read the page. What have you got to lose? Sin? O' Mighty God, take my sin. Praise You Jesus. If sin is the only thing you got to lose, do it. Sin isn't all it's cracked up to be. In fact, it will crack you up. Literally! Delve into God's word and you'll find multiple places in scripture that tell about Jesus healing mentally disturbed people and restored them to new minds. Wouldn't that be awesome? I know it has been for me. Yes, I've had my moments of being mentally disturbed. Only God knows the depths I dove to. He can help you too.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly God, Father, thank You for Your son Jesus taking on my sin and all the sin of the World making it possible to have eternal life in Heaven, with You. I pray God for all those who are lost, teetering on the fence and those who just simply need an encouraging word to lift them out of the darkness. I pray that today is the day they are lifted and encouraged and the lost are found. I pray this in Jesus' name, amen.

Persecution & Suffering

Hello and welcome to the blog this day. Last week we started a new word: Longsuffering. This week we'll take a closer look into longsuffering. Come along for the journey.

Longsuffering covers a lot of ground. Today I'll focus on persecution and suffering. In the history of biblical days there was much persecution in the name of Jesus Christ. Is it still happening today? Of course. You've heard and seen stories about missionaries who were imprisoned and mistreated. I believe the biggest and most major type of persecution going on in America is how the public rights are being taken away. No praying in school, no Bible or sharing faith in school. No public display of the ten commandments and a whole host of stuff I am unable to begin to imagine.

How many of you are persecuted for your faith today? Sure we have free speech. I sometimes wonder how free it really is. High School athletes get kicked out of school for proclaiming Jesus. There's so much I don't think I can cover it all. I think you get the idea.

What does God's word say?

1 Corinthians 4:12
And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;

Philippians 1:29-29
²⁹ For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

1 Peter 3:13-16
¹³ And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled." ¹⁵ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; ¹⁶ having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

Matthew 5:10-12, 43-44
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 ¹¹ "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. ¹² Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
⁴³ "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' ⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

2 Corinthians 4:7-10, 15
⁷ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. ⁸ We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— ¹⁰ always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. ¹⁵ For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

Well, that's a lot of God's word there on persecution and suffering. We're to rejoice and be exceeding glad because our reward will be great in Heaven when we endure for Jesus' sake. Afterall, look at what HE went through; suffered, bled and died, rising again to save our backsides from an eternity in torment. Standing for Jesus is the least I can do in thanks for what HE did for me and you.

This is where we need and must rely on the Holy Spirit. There's no way we can go this alone in our flesh. The flesh is weak. My flesh is weak. As God's word says in Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I've trusted this verse for many many years. I will continue to trust God to provide my endurance through this race. I stand firm. Clad in my armor of God ready for battle against the adversary. Will you join me?

Prayer: Dear Jesus, Father God, Holy Spirit, I lift up myself as well as my readers to You as we face a race of endurance for Your sake. I pray that we will proclaim Your salvation and bring lost souls to You. Thank You for Your word and promises that never fail us. Watch over us and make our armor of God so strong no weapon formed against us can penetrate it. You are the Victory. Praise Your Holy Name. In Jesus' name, amen.

Fellowship of the Unashamed

I'm joining blog friend Tiffany and reposting this video.

Are you unashamed of Jesus Christ?

I live for Jesus Christ!

 On fire!

Redeemed - [20100404]

Psalm 111:9
He has sent redemption to His people;
         He has commanded His covenant forever:
         Holy and awesome is His name.

Romans 3:21-26
21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Ephesians 1:7
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

Colossians 1:13-14
13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

The Real Reason for Easter - Revelation Song

Thank You Jesus, Father God,
for Your gift of salvation.

She Speaks Scholarship

Proverbs 31 Ministries presents:

Conference

This conference teaches and prepares women to use skills to share the gospel in a variety of ways including, speaking, writing or teaching. The conference will equip me with tools and confidence to answer God's call to impact others with Christ.

I am feeling the tug of God on my heart to go into a speaking ministry. I am like Moses was when God told him to go speak to the people and Moses didn't feel he was worthy or able to do so. God is not letting me use that excuse. I feel convicted to do to this.

When you click the image above it takes you to the scholarship contest page by Lysa TerKeurst of Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Quote from the She Speaks conference page:

She Speaks is a life-changing conference for women of every generation seeking to explore the tug on her heart to reach out to the world for Jesus. Through She Speaks, Proverbs 31 Ministries encourages and equips women who are called by God to share our mission to bring God’s peace, perspective and purpose to today’s busy woman. Sharing God’s truth with love is not only a holy calling but a remarkable responsibility. We believe by equipping women to become more effective at sharing the Word of God, we multiply our efforts to reach a hurting world with the life-transforming hope of Jesus.
It is our prayer that during this year’s conference, God will validate old dreams and inspire new ones.
LeAnn Rice
Conference Director
Executive Director, Proverbs 31 Ministries

The Prize

(1 Corinthians 9:16-27)
¹⁶ For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! ¹⁷ For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. ¹⁸ What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel. (emphasis mine)
¹⁹ For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; ²⁰ and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; ²¹ to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; ²² to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. ²³ Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.
²⁴ Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. ²⁵ And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. ²⁶ Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. ²⁷ But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. (New King James Version)

Prayer: Father God, I lift up those who are running "the race" and for those who are lost. I pray that I can be an example to honor and glorify You in the race. Thank You for allowing me to be a part of the race and for allowing me to speak out for You to win lost souls. Use me more for Your purpose Father. Show me the way! I pray for all those out there today... each one has their own issues going on Father. You know them intimately. I lift them up to You and ask that they be used to honor and glorify You. Thank You for the freedom to be who I am for You in the world and for those others who also have the freedom in You. In Jesus' name, amen.

TSMSS [20100123]

If you'd like to join
Amy in TSMSS
click here.

Friday Fill-Ins [20100122]

Click image above to participate.
It's fun!

1. You have a chance to have fun and live life. It is too short.
2. Stand up and take notice, right now!
3. There is a day coming when Christ shall return to fetch up His people to Heaven.
4. Pay now, so you don't have to pay later.
5. It's time to drop all my masks and stop being everyone else and be "me". [Note: I've already done this. I pray that others who are doing it can seek God and allow Him to help them drop their masks too.]
6. I jumped up in the air but I came down, on my bum.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to some time with my honey, tomorrow my plans include more of tonight and Sunday, I want to spend some time with the LORD and fellowship, maybe go on a ride with some others and take in God's creation!

Not so funny joke!

Authorized Personnel Only

A homeless man, down on his luck, went into a church that was known for its rather “uppity” social reputation. Spotting the man’s dirty clothes, the ushers stopped him outside the church door and asked if he needed help. The man told them, “I was praying and the Lord told me to come to this church.”

The ushers suggested that the man go away and pray some more and me might get a different answer.

The following Sunday the man returned and the ushers again stopped him at the door. “Well, did you get a different answer?” they asked him.

“Yes, I did,” said the man. “I told the Lord that you don’t want me here, but the Lord said, ‘Keep trying, son. I’ve been trying to get into that church for years and I haven’t made it yet either.”

Psalm 46:9-11
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
      He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
      He burns the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God;
      I will be exalted among the nations,
      I will be exalted in the earth!
The LORD of hosts is with us;
      The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

I pray that we are not like the men in the above "joke" who hinder God. It's a shame! God will be honored one way or another. HE "is" under control. Listen to the words of this video. Are you allowing HIM to make a change in you?

 

Out Of Bondage

Romans 8:20-21
For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Galatians 5:1-3
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.

I'm bound no more to this world! How about you? Seek the Lord and accept His Great Gift, Jesus Christ, our Savior. The shackles be loosed and you will be let free. Free from these Earthly ties. Free from the sin that binds you. You, no more have to be subjected to the wiles of the adversary. Seek Jesus and be free. He's there before You waiting. Be blessed by His presence and ride the waves of Jesus to Glory. Praise God!

Prayer: Jesus, I lift up the lost souls to YOU. I pray that their shackles will be loosed and they will be free in You. Free to roam and to praise You. Free from the adversary. As You said, "It is finished". The adversary has no hold on us any longer. I fall prostrate before YOU Father, giving You thanks for the love You have for each life. I thank You in advance for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus' name, amen.

Soak up the Lord in this music video.

Part of the Family

Daily Christian Quote
I was homeless, hopeless, and nameless. Then God came to me and took me in, and adopted me as His son. - Steven Curtis Chapman

Ephesians 1:3-6
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

From the beginning of time it was prearranged, predestined, previously determined by God the Father that we would be adopted unto HIM and be accepted into HIS family. That's a promise. All we need to do is accept the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Being a part of God's family to me is the most precious gift one could ever receive. Anything outside of that is peanuts. If I had not accepted Christ as my savior my life would completely empty; void of "real and true" life. God's love is so precious. To pass it by is a sin in and of itself. Pure disobedience. I'm not ready to accept the consequences of disobedience; hell for eternity.

HIS grace is sufficient. All you have to do is accept His free gift of salvation stepping into His glorious light.

Praise, honor & glory to The Father God in Heaven.

Prayer: Father God, in Jesus' name, I lift up the lost souls who are stuck between Heaven & Hell. I lift them up to You asking that their hearts become softened and that they hear Your call unto Yourself and they that will abide in Your in the safety of Your protecting wings. In Jesus' name, amen.

Accepting

Wherefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. - Romans 15:7

I know it's hard to do. However, life becomes much easier if we follow this word of God.

A Possessed Man Healed

Luke 8:26-39
26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes,^[a] nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!” 29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness. 30 Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him. 31 And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss. 32 Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. 33 Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned. 34 When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. 35 Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 36 They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed. 37 Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned. 38 Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.

Footnotes:

1. Luke 8:27 NU-Text reads who had demons and for a long time wore no clothes.

I like the way Matthew Henry puts it:

Those under Christ's government are sweetly led with the bands of love; those under the devil's government are furiously driven. Oh what a comfort it is to the believer, that all the powers of darkness are under the control of the Lord Jesus!
It is a miracle of mercy, if those whom Satan possesses, are not brought to destruction and eternal ruin. Christ will not stay with those who slight him; perhaps he may no more return to them, while others are waiting for him, and glad to receive him. [Emphasis mine.]

It's with that I pray to my Father God: "Dear Father God, Jesus, I come face down on my knees before You. I ask for forgiveness of any slight I did to You. I revere You my Daddy. I praise & worship You with all my being. I pray this for my readers Lord God. I pray that they allow You to cast out the demons and free their souls in Jesus' name. I thank You for the Almighty powerful, caring & loving God You are and that You care to show me mercy & grace to get me through. I pray this for my readers. Father, if any should seek YOU, I pray that You send them someone who will do right by them in their new faith with You. I pray that You use me for Your purpose & glory. In Jesus' name I pray, amen."