Mark 5:2-6,9,13,15,18-19

Don't let Satan rob you of your identity in the Lord. We are God's children; let's not let anything steal away our identity!

"This man [who was possessed by evil spirits] lived in the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. Whenever he was put into...."

Jesus came to bring us freedom from bondage to Satan and his power. Phil Ware reminds us the battle we are in with Satan with our lives and how Jesus can end our bondage to him.

"As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. But Jesus said, "No, go home to your family, and tell...."

"As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. But Jesus said, "No, go home to your family, and tell...."

"Then Jesus demanded, "What is your name?" And [the evil spirit] replied, "My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man.""

"Jesus did not let [the man from whom he had cast out a legion of demons] come with him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has..."

"So Jesus gave [the evil spirits] permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of about 2,000 pigs..."

Inspirational illustration of Mark 5:19 -- "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."

What is the Phil Ware continues with his series on The Story focusing on the What Is and Who Is and the Why Is of Jesus' coming.

"[After Jesus cast the evil spirits out of the man and into the pigs, the] herdsmen fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading...."

"So [Jesus and the disciples] arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man..."

"While Jesus was far away, the man [possessed by an evil spirit] saw him. The man ran to Jesus and bowed down before him. Jesus said to the man, "You....."

So what do we do now that we've left the table? Phil Ware begins his series on God's Riches for Us at the Table of the Lord and reminds us that we are called to share with those close to us what the Lord has done for us.

Have you lost your identity? Phil Ware challenges us to look at our identity built around the question of "Who are you?" and the answer framed by the work of Jesus.

There's nothing more natural than sharing good news We forget that the story of Jesus is good news, something that should be naturally shared with people we know.

Why in the world would anyone choose sausage over a life being changed? The healing of the madman and the reaction of the crowd remind us once again that people are often prejudiced against anything that costs them something even if it benefits other people.

Can you look beyond your New Year's resolutions? Real change, true transformation, will not occur in our lives until we relinquish control completely to the Lord and the power of his Spirit.