Home > Reading > NALC Devotions – May 18, 2017

Today’s readings: Jeremiah 33:1-13; Romans 14:1-12; Luke 8:26-39

Today’s Scripture reading is the wonderful story of Jesus’ adventure in the country of the Gerasenes. He and his disciples went there by boat. Arriving on shore, they were met by a man possessed by many demons. His name was Legion. He was strong and wild and could not be restrained by chains. Jesus had compassion on him and cast the demons out, sending them into a nearby herd of pigs. The pigs rushed down the hill and drowned in the water. Word spread to the town. When the people came to the scene they found the man dressed and in his right mind. Frightened, they asked Jesus to leave. The man asked Jesus if he could come with him and his disciples. Jesus told him to go tell others all that God had done for him.

Like the demon-possessed man, we are possessed by troubling things. But Jesus comes, casts out the sin that holds us captive, sets us free, and puts us in our right minds. He then tells us to go tell others all that God has done for us. May we be faithful to our calling and tell others the difference God has made in our lives.

Prayer: Dear Lord God, we thank you for setting us free from sin, and ask that you empower us to boldly tell others the difference you have made in our lives, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today’s devotion was written by Carl Haynes, pastor of Christiana Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC.

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