Tag: casting out demons
“Who are you?”
Scripture reading for May 30: Acts 19
“And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and diseases left them and evil spirits came out of them. Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the Name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus Whom Paul proclaims.” Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that he fled out of that house naked and wounded.” Acts 19:11-16
Everyone likes miracles and Paul the Apostle was used by God in ‘extraordinary’ miracles. Pieces of cloth or handkerchiefs that Paul had kept on his body were sent to the sick and demon possessed and they were made well and cleansed. Some Jewish exorcists observed Paul in action and the disciples that worked with him. They thought that they would just adopt and imitate the formula that he was using so successfully. They carefully used the words, “In the Name of Jesus” but added for clarification “Whom Paul proclaims.” The results were disastrous! The demon in the one they sought to deliver took on all seven of these exorcists and beat them up!
To add insult to injury, the demon spoke to them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” That is a penetrating question that begs for an answer. When we try to imitate Jesus or other believers without true faith, we cannot get results. In fact, we may be shown up for the frauds we really are. If we are to be truly used in healing and deliverance, we must know Jesus Christ personally and have the seal of the Holy Spirit declaring we are God’s child. Demon spirits recognize true faith and those marked by God’s Spirit. There is no way we can fake spiritual authority effectively.
How does this record of Scripture help you to understand how spiritual authority operates? How did the evil spirit recognize Paul and Jesus? What was lacking in these Jewish exorcists? Could you face a demonic force with confidence in Jesus Christ?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing Yourself to me and filling me with the Holy Spirit. Like the apostles of old, I want to be used by You to bring Good News to those who are hurting and demon possessed or oppressed. Do miracles through me as You have promised in Your Word. Amen.
Prayer, preaching, healing!
Scripture reading for February 10: Mark 1
“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He departed and went out to a desolate place, and there He prayed. And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him, and they found Him and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” And He said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out. And He went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons. And a leper came to Him, and kneeling said to Him, “If You will, You can make me clean.” Moved with pity, He stretched out His hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.” Mark 1:35-42
Jesus started each day of ministry with prayer, often alone with His Father. He did not care for popularity or fame, but had a purpose in every action of every day. He had an assignment from His Father to preach the Good News of forgiveness of sins and eternal life and to heal the sick and oppressed and cast out evil spirits, spoiling Satan’s kingdom. He was also modeling for His disciples the will of His Father to see lost and captive people set free by supernatural power.
The new disciples had experienced Jesus’ healing ministry first-hand as He had healed Peter’s mother-in-law the day before this. All those sick and demon oppressed were brought to Jesus and He cast out the demons with a word and healed the sick and hurting. Jesus was moved with pity and compassion at those hurting. In the next town He was approached by a leper asking for healing. Lepers were considered unclean and were ordered to maintain distance. No one was to touch them without defilement. Jesus stated His willingness to heal and touched this man for an immediate transformation.
Have you found your purpose and calling from God with as much assurance as Jesus had? How is your pity or compassion for those who are hurting? Do you believe that Jesus is willing and able to heal and provide?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for revealing Your calling on my life to preach the Gospel and pray and bring healing and deliverance. Increase my compassion for the lost and hurting! Let me see immediate results as I step out in faith. Amen!
An earthquake with eternal blessings!
Scripture reading for May 27th: Acts 16
Earthquakes have been in the news frequently. A devastating earthquake killed thousands in Nepal and caused terrible hardship and suffering. But the Book of Acts tells of an earthquake that had a liberating effect on a specific group of people. This earthquake literally shook the chains off them and opened the hearts of a family for salvation!
Paul and Silas while on a missionary journey found themselves in stocks in the prison dungeon, beaten and bruised, after casting a demon from a slave girl in the Roman province of Philippi. Instead of feeling sorry for themselves, they began to worship God. “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the doors flew open and everybody’s chains came loose.” (Acts 16:25-26)
Worship has a liberating effect on the souls of those who practice it. It also has a way of loosing people from chains of bondage! In this case, all the prisoners experienced a terrible shaking that loosed them and opened the doors of the jail!
The jailer was fearful that all the prisoners would escape in the night, and drew his sword to kill himself. Paul called out to stop him, letting him know that all were still there. “The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved–you and your household.” (Acts 16:29-31) This earthquake opened the heart of the Roman jailer to recognize his need of salvation! This was an earthquake that brought blessing!
Casting out demons!
Scripture reading for June 28th: Acts 18:22-19:12
One of the major ministries of Jesus Christ was dealing with those bound by demons. He told His followers that they would also cast out demons in His Name. (Mark 16:17) The Kingdom of God is always opposed and in conflict with the kingdom of Satan. When there is a clash of the kingdoms, those who know Christ always win. Those who are not properly in God’s kingdom don’t come out as well!
Paul left Apollos at Corinth and went to Ephesus. There he found some disciples who were baptized in John’s baptism of repentance. He asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit and they had not even heard about Him! Paul then told them about Jesus Christ and their need to be baptized. They were baptized and as Paul prayed for them, laying his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke in tongues and prophesied just like they original day of Pentecost! This was over 20 years after that first Pentecost!
While there preaching in the synagogue for about three months, Paul stirred up more opposition. He left the synagogue and went to the lecture hall of Tyrannus and spent two years there preaching. “God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.” (Acts 19:11)
There were seven Jewish exorcists using the name of Jesus, whom Paul preached, attempting to cast out demons. One day they tried to cast out a demon and the evil spirit spoke back to them. “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” “Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding!” (Acts 19:14-16) This incident caused many who were involved in the occult to bring their occult materials to be burned and to repent. The result was an even greater revival!
Two lessons we can learn from this story. One is to not be afraid to deal with the demonic if you truly know Jesus Christ as Lord. The second is that the devil and demons know whether you are really a Christian. They don’t treat impostors with respect!
Casting out demons!
Scripture reading for June 28th: Acts 18:22-19:12
One of the major ministries of Jesus Christ was dealing with those bound by demons. He told His followers that they would also cast out demons in His Name. (Mark 16:17) The Kingdom of God is always opposed and in conflict with the kingdom of Satan. When there is a clash of the kingdoms, those who know Christ always win. Those who are not properly in God’s kingdom don’t come out as well!
Paul left Apollos at Corinth and went to Ephesus. There he found some disciples who were baptized in John’s baptism of repentance. He asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit and they had not even heard about Him! Paul then told them about Jesus Christ and their need to be baptized. They were baptized and as Paul prayed for them, laying his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke in tongues and prophesied just like they original day of Pentecost! This was over 20 years after that first Pentecost!
While there preaching in the synagogue for about three months, Paul stirred up more opposition. He left the synagogue and went to the lecture hall of Tyrannus and spent two years there preaching. “God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.” (Acts 19:11)
There were seven Jewish exorcists going around using the name of Jesus whom Paul preached to try and cast out demons. One day they tried to cast out a demon and the evil spirit spoke back to them. “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” “Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding!” (Acts 19:14-16) This incident caused many who were involved in the occult to bring their occult materials to be burned and to repent. The result was an even greater revival!
Two lessons we can learn from this story. One is to not be afraid to deal with the demonic if you truly know Jesus Christ as Lord. The second is that the devil and demons know whether you are really a Christian. They don’t treat impostors very well!
Come and Follow Me!
Scripture reading for October 15th: Mark 1-3
“As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed Him.” (Mark 1:16-18) Jesus had a plan in His heart from the Father to reach all nations with the message of repentance and life. He knew that His time on earth was short and that He must choose some faithful men who would carry His heart for the lost and obey His instructions. The men He chose were ordinary men who were working at a trade. He promised to use their training to reach men. The authority by which He spoke caused these men to immediately leave their work and follow Him!
In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus was pictured as a man of authority and action. He seems to stir up demonic forces and then confronted demonic powers with authority, casting them out. He dealt with sickness with that same authority, healing many and drawing large crowds of hurting and needy people. He was angry at the ruling religious authorities for their stubbornness and refusal to believe in Him.
“Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to Him those He wanted, and they came to Him. He appointed twelve–designating them apostles–that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach and have authority to drive out demons.” (Mark 3:13-15) Jesus called those He wanted by name. He appointed them as apostles, ones sent out with a message. He wanted them to be with Him and learn from Him, sharing His heart. This was common for a “Rabbi” to choose his disciples. When a disciple was fully trained, they were to be like their Master!
I heard Jesus call and chose to leave my farm, my cattle and hogs, and my family’s home area to follow. I told Him I would follow Him wherever He would lead me. The journey has been wonderful, although not necessarily easy at times. I am still being taught and need to follow daily. I want to be with Jesus and preach His Gospel with authority! Where are you in your spiritual journey? Are you following Jesus? The Master is still calling out, “Come, follow Me!”