Welcome to our new project, the Daily Bible Devotional. The goal is to help you understand and apply

scripture as you go through a New Testament Bible read five days a week, Monday through Friday,

as we move from Matthew straight through to Revelation. In under four minutes each morning, we will recap the chapter,

make some application, present thought questions for the day, and offer a prayer together.

I'm excited about exploring God's Word with you, so let's get started.

Hey, I'm really glad you're here. Let's jump right in on Mark chapter 5.

Three miracles of Jesus are documented in this chapter. Each is given significant detail.

The first is Jesus casting demons out of a man and into a herd of swine. The man is in torment

and the demons are many, but they are subject to the authority of Christ. They even ask permission from

Jesus to be cast into the pigs. The second miracle is with a woman who has been bleeding for 12 years.

Amid a massive crowd she pushes through and touches his coat and is immediately healed. Jesus praises her

faith. The final miracle is raising a synagogue official's daughter from the dead.

Jesus tells the man, quote, do not be afraid any longer, only believe. Peter, James, and John are

allowed to witness this incredible miracle. Here are some thoughts that may help you today.

Each of these stories tells us something about Jesus' authority. Casting out the

demons shows that Jesus controls all the spiritual realm. The demons knew that he was, quote,

the son of the most high God, and they were powerless against him. The woman's healing demonstrates

Jesus' power over the human body as he heals her in an instant. The raising of Jairus's

daughter proves Jesus can bring life after death. All of this is designed to increase our faith.

He controls the demons and casts them away from us. He can heal and protect and help us and our bodies.

And not even death can separate us from the power of Jesus,

who commands our souls to come and go wherever he chooses.

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