Cornerstone

Mark 5:8-14

Her possession probably resulted from attendance at seances, drug usage and an insatiable interest in rock music. She carved tattoos into her flesh with a knife. She drew pictures depicting suicide, death and horror. Her favorite topics of conversation were those dealing with the macabre. At times she was charming, docile and sweet. At other times her possession was evident to all who knew her well. Counseling sessions and the prayers of many friends seemed ineffective. Her parents were at the point of despair.

For quite some time a small group had been praying and fasting for her. They read much about possession and exorcism. Finally, they decided it was time to do spiritual battle. They gathered at her home to pray. Her closest friend persuaded her to come out of her room. Those on their knees pled the blood for their own protection. They commanded the demons in Jesus name to state their identity. One by one the demons gave their names. As long as each demon was present and resisting, the girl could not bear to have the Bible touch her. Each time a demon departed she was temporarily at peace and the Bible rested on her with no resistance.

This warfare continued throughout the night until finally no more demons declared their presence. There was now no more resistance to the touch of the Bible. Immediately the prayer group led the girl to pray for her salvation. It was important that she be forgiven of her sinfulness.

Only through the power of God can people be delivered from sin. Whether it be the smallest sin or the greatest possession, deliverance only comes through Jesus.

Dr. Gayle Woods

Mark 5:15-20

Each of us is unique. She was no exception. She was excited about what was going on in the church. I loved to hear her pray in her simple way. Her testimonies were always vibrant and very practical in nature.

Her little travel trailer home was a regular stop during my visitation routine. The accommodations were simple. She owned few earthly possessions. During these visits I thrilled to hear this older lady tell me of the many hours she prayed in her little trailer. When she wasn’t praying, it appeared that she was reading her Bible.

It was on one of my first visits that she told me of the marvelous change that took place in her life. When she and her husband got a divorce, her lover moved into her home. She had been a lesbian at this time. After many years of living in this sinful arrangement, she found Jesus as her personal Savior. He forgave and delivered her from this life of debauchery.

She had been living victoriously for Jesus, but was now intensely interested in what I had been preaching. She wanted to know more about holiness of heart. So, sitting across the kitchen table from this hungry soul I showed her from the Bible that God not only died on the cross to forgive people for their sinfulness but also that believers could be cleansed from the nature of sin. Soon we stopped our study so that she could seek the blessing. She received the cleansing fullness, and the marvelous change continued to take place in her life as she followed carefully in the footsteps of Jesus.

Dr. Gayle Woods