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Sunday, February 15th, 2015
CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Exodus 39:1-40:38
Mark 1:1-28
Psalm 35:1-16
Proverbs 9:11-12
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1gK0OzQ
Commentary from Pastor Mike White:
Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. – Mk 1:23
Religion does not save souls; relationship does. We must know Jesus to be like Him. Here we see a man with an unclean spirit, worshipping in the synagogue. None of the religious leaders knew, or maybe cared, that this man was possessed. Being present in a house of worship does not automatically make one holy.
Going to church didn’t set this man free. Yet as soon as he found himself in Jesus’ presence, the demonic oppression could not hold! The teachers in the synagogue thought that some new doctrine had cast out the unclean spirit (see v 27). But it was not doctrine; He was Jesus.
Religion is concerned with doctrine; relationship is concerned with being close to Jesus. Have you had a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ? Do you know Him, or do you simply know about Him? The difference is eternal life or death.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for the privilege of knowing Your Son Jesus Christ! I don’t just want to know about Him; I want to know Him intimately. In His presence, I am free!