Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

August 24
Monday


TELL YOUR
STORY

READ:
Mark 5:1-20
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An organizational consultant in New York says that his graduate students typically recall only 5 percent of the main ideas in a presentation of graphs and charts, while they generally remember half of the stories told in the same presentation. There is a growing consensus among communication experts about the power of the personal touch in relating an experience. While facts and figures often put listeners to sleep, and illustration form real life can motivate them to action. Author Annette Simmons says, "The missing ingredient in most failed communication is humanity."

Mark 5:1-20 gives the dramatic account of Jesus setting a violent, self-destructive man free from the powerful demons that possessed him. When the restored man begged to stay with Jesus as he traveled, the Lord told him, " 'Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.' and he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled" (vv.19-20).

Knowledge and eloquence are often overrated in the process of communicating the good news of Jesus Christ. Never underestimate the power of what God has done for you, and don't be afraid to tell your story to others. __David McCasland
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````````````````````Take control of my words today,``````````````
````````````````````May they tell of Your great love;``````````````
````````````````````And may the story of Your grace``````````````
`````````````````Turn some heart to You above. __Sper```````````
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Sharing the gospel is one person telling another
good news.

*************Today's Bible Reading __ Mark 5:1-20***************

1 Then they came to the
other side of the sea, to the
country of the Gadarenes.

2 And when He had come
out of the boat, immediately
there met Him out of the
tombs a man with an
unclean spirit....

6 When he saw Jesus from
afar, he ran and worshiped
Him. 7 and he cried out with
a loud voice and said, "What
have I to do with You, Jesus,
Son of the most High God?
I implore You by God that
You do not torment me."

8 For He said to him,
"Come out of the man,
unclean spirit!" 9 Then He
asked him, "What is your
name?" And he answered,
saying, "My name is
Legion; for we are many."

10 also he begged Him
earnestly that He would not
send them out of the
country.

11 Now a large herd of
swine was feeding there
near the mountains. 12 So all
the demons begged Him,
saying, "Send us to the
swine, that we may enter
them." 13 and at once Jesus
gave them permission. Then
the unclean spirits went out
and entered the swine...
and drowned in the sea.

14 So those who fed the
swine fled, and they told it
in the city and in the
country.... 15 Then they
came to Jesus, and saw the
one who had been demon-
possessed and had the
legion, sitting and clothed
and in his right mind. And
they were afraid....

18 and when He got into
the boat, he who had been
demon-possessed begged
Him that he might be with
Him. 19 However, Jesus did
not permit him, but said to
him, "Go home to your
friends, and tell them what
great things the Lord has
done for you, and how He
has had compassion on
you." 20 And he departed and
began to proclaim in
Decapolis all that Jesus had
done for him; and all
marveled.