Key Thought

Today's Prayer

Holy God, guard my heart from desiring titles, accolades, and earthly notoriety. I know, dear Father, that Satan can use my pride to bring me to ruin. I also know, dear God, that the evil one can twist my reputation and use it to keep others from the Gospel. Holy Father, please protect my reputation and guard my heart so that my life can be used to bless others and help them know the truth about your Son. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

Jesus and his followers went to Capernaum. On the Sabbath day Jesus went into the synagogue and taught the people. The people there were amazed at Jesus' teaching. Jesus did not teach like their teachers of the law. Jesus taught like a person that had authority (power). While Jesus was in the synagogue, a man was there that had an evil spirit {from the devil} inside him. The man shouted, "Jesus of Nazareth! What do you want with us? Did you come to destroy us? I know who you are—God's Holy One!" Jesus said strongly, "Be quiet! Come out of the man!" The evil spirit made the man shake. Then the spirit made a loud noise and came out of the man. The people were amazed. They asked each other, "What is happening here? This man is teaching something new. And he teaches with authority (power)! He even gives commands to evil spirits, and the spirits obey him." So the news about Jesus spread quickly everywhere in the area of Galilee.

Related Scripture Readings

And the teachers of the law from Jerusalem said, "Beelzebul (the devil) is living inside him (Jesus)! He uses power from the ruler of demons to force demons out of people." So Jesus called them together and talked to them using some stories. Jesus said, "Satan will not force his own demons out of people. A kingdom that fights against itself cannot continue. And a family that is divided cannot succeed. And if Satan is against himself and fights against his own people, then he cannot continue. That would be the end of Satan. If a person wants to enter a strong man's house and steal his things, first the person must tie the strong man. Then the person can steal the things from the strong man's house.

The next morning, Jesus woke up very early. Jesus left the house while it was still dark. He went to a place to be alone and pray. Later, Simon and his friends went to look for Jesus. They found Jesus and said, "All the people are looking for you!" Jesus answered, "We should go to another place. We can go to other towns around here. Then I can tell people {God's message} in those places also. That is why I came." So Jesus traveled everywhere in Galilee. He spoke in the synagogues. And he forced demons to leave people.

You believe there is one God. Good! But the demons believe, too! And they shake with fear.