What happened to the demoniac who was delivered from a tormenting legion of demons? Today, Christians can be tormented and prayer effectively sets us free. “You are among the chosen ones who are called to belong to Jesus, the Anointed One.” ROMANS 1:6 The Passion Translation

The love of God toward us is evident in every living word recorded in the Bible. Our Father feeds our souls, restores our bodies, and  calls us to seek Him above all else.  We were set apart to walk in the Spirit and reflect His glory.  We were adopted and promised the inheritance of eternal life. We have been called as sons, daughters, co-heirs, and priests with Jesus, our High Priest. All glory to God for His ways are marvelous.

“So Christ Himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach UNITY in the FAITH and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the FULLNESS of CHRIST.” Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV

We are wise to never underestimate the power of God. Pausing to ask our Teacher, our Guide, we then receive great revelation. Do not pre-judge the seed of truth that God planted within all mankind. The Spirit of God came upon us for His purpose, not ours. God will surprise us as His harvest will include the most unlikely. Becoming more like Jesus, we choose not look at appearance, we focus on what God planted in the heart.

The parable of the soils describes many types of soil. “Some seed fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.” Matthew 13:5-9

Jesus and His disciples went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. “When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet Him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of Jesus. The man shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” Jesus gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region. As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did NOT let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how HE has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.” Mark 5

Why would they ask the miracle worker to leave? Because Jesus was ruining their profit in their pig farming business.

After this man was totally delivered from a legion of demons, his mouth ceased in its frothing and began giving God praise. He immediately begged Jesus to allow him to follow the One who had healed him. To fascinate us even further, Jesus is the One who had previously asked a tax collector, a prostitute, and a fisherman to follow Him, but he denied the demoniac the chance. Why? Because Jesus sees the PAST and the FUTURE of all of us.

The riveting truth that resonates within each of us, is the spectacular story of Jesus, Immanuel, God is with us. “For He chose us ‘in Him’ before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love, He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will.” Ephesians 1:4 Scripture also says that the depth, width, and height of God’s love for His people began before He spoke into existence all that is. Testing Scripture to Scripture, we are sure of what God said; “For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.”

The book of Acts records the beginning of the first church. It was established after our Savior, Jesus Christ, had ascended. The gospel of John assures us of the promise that He would not leave His followers as orphans, but that the Holy Spirit was indeed coming to finish His work on earth, through His believers.

Every day of our lives has been written down before we were born. Forty years in the future, JESUS KNEW that His disciples would need to seek refuge in this Roman city. What was the impact of this one transformed life? This former maniac was used by God in a mighty way! This previously tortured man believed and obeyed Jesus.  He told everyone how great God is and his obedience prepared the way for the followers of Jesus 40 years later! God tells us of the role of the Holy Spirit. Read John 14-16.

●Teach us all things

●Guide us into all truth

●Testify to our spirit

●Be our Helper

●Be our Comforter

●Convict and correct us

●Reveal future events

●Empower us

●Enable us

The fruit of the Holy Spirit produces in the life of each believer; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The Spirit helps us in our daily struggle to walk in step with the Spirit. As we remain submitted to the Spirit, when our old nature makes demands, we repeat what Paul wrote. “Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Galatians 5:16.

Jesus frequently got alone to pray to strengthen Himself against evil.  Luke 5:16 teaches us to get away to maintain our faith in He who is within. Indeed, the Spirit in us is greater than he who is in the world. Proverbs 4:20-23 “My child, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to My words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

Jesus rocked the boat of the Pharisees and He freaked His disciples out as He walked on water. The Master was on a mission when He announced. “We are going to the other side!”  Ever wonder why the storm suddenly came? On the other side of the lake, Jesus planned to meet the famous demoniac. He was known to be the worst of the worst of mankind. Everyone avoided this tormented man. The Greeks, the Romans, and the Jewish people assumed that this man was worthless. BUT GOD! Our Creator saw the potential in the seed planted in him inside his mother’s womb. The boat crossed the lake from the Jewish side, to a Roman city where pigs were being raised to sacrifice to Zeus, the god of storms. So was it the dark spirit of Zeus  attempting to stop Jesus from landing on the other side? God simply spoke, and the raging storm was stilled.  Jesus directed the unschooled demoniac, “Go and share how great God is.” This previous outcast crazy man was grafted into the Vine and became a set free branch in Roman territory. Jesus had told the teachers of the law, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’ ? Therefore, I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.” Matthew 21:40 ❤️ “I am the true Vine, and my Father is the Gardener. I am the Vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me, you can do nothing.”

You may think that you have a wasted life. You may be tormented with the lie that you have nothing to offer. You may believe that nobody cares about you. You may have thought that your life is a waste and that you are worthless. BUT GOD! Your Creator loves you! He longs to renew your mind with the truth. God gave His life for you. Father God has a plan to redeem you and to transfer you from the kingdom of darkness by adopting you as His own into the Kingdom of Light. God sees great value in you and He loves you. He simply asks that you do not judge yourself, or the seed He planted within you. “Come to Me, all you who are heavy laden. Cast all your cares upon Me, for My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”Isaiah 1:18.

Let us run to Jesus in repentance and receive Him as our Lord and Savior. Our Father does not force Himself on anyone.  We must choose life “in Him.” There is no air in hell because God is the breath of life. There is no peace in hell, because Yeshua is the Prince of peace. There is zero comfort in hell, because the Holy Spirit is the Comforter. There is no love in hell because God is love. Hell is total darkness without escape, but you don’t need to spend eternity gnashing your teeth in pain. Escape into the peace of God by proclaiming Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord.

“Haven’t you read?” Jesus asked, do you know what these words mean? This piercing question is also our invitation to become like a Berean, and dig deeper. Our Father longs to reveal Himself in all His fullness. One day, the veil will be lifted, and we will see Jesus face to face.  

John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” ❤️ “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of GOD? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of CHRIST. I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from JESUS CHRIST. For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of GOD and tried to destroy it. But when GOD, who SET me APART from my mother’s womb and CALLED me by HIS grace, was pleased to reveal HIS SON in me so that I might preach HIM among the Gentiles, my immediate response was NOT to consult any human being. I did NOT go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.” Galatians 1:10-17

As foretold in the Scriptures, today, as we watch lawlessness increase, the second “COMING” of Jesus draws close. The Greek word for COMING means “the arrival of a King, Who alone has the authority to put things in order.” When Jesus returns, it will be with a cloud of witnesses, just as it was when He was taken up into a cloud of witnesses. The deed of this world now belongs to Satan, but Jesus returns to take back the deed. During these delusionary times, many have been ‘given over’ to a reprobate mind. What does that mean? God has released many, He has abandoned them to chase after whatever they desire. If it is not Jesus, it will not be because they had never heard His name.

Robert has been on various television broadcasts. His goal is to engage all believers to dig deep to find treasures buried in the Scriptures. He is reaching out to all saints, especially Generation X. While feeding on the Word, Robert roamed the streets of Jerusalem. With the help of the Holy Spirit and many scholars, Robert devoted 20 years of his life to uncover precious jewels. He dug into Scriptures to uncover these nuggets of gold in the story of the demonic. Invite Robert to teach one of his well researched topics at your church.  Since 1986, a ten year prayer was answered.  Robert walked in Israel for the first time. In October 1987, John Noseworthy hired Robert to take large groups to Israel. Handling the Word of God carefully,  Robert asks many questions, and he digs for answers. Robert has been to Israel 163 times, and God is glorified by Robert in every 30-minute session of his teachings.  Many read the Bible and recite a great amount of scripture. But if our eyes simply flit over the landscape as a bird might do, without a pause to build a nest, or sip the nectar, we miss out on the food that truly satisfies.  God fills the heart to overflowing, of every genuine seeker. Psalm 78:16 “God brought streams out of a rocky crag and made water flow down like rivers.” His own chosen people willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved. They spoke against God; and challenged, “Can God really spread a table in the wilderness? True, HE struck the rock, and water gushed out, streams flowed abundantly, but can HE also give us bread? Can HE supply meat for HIS people?” Be noble minded.

Robert Vander Maten invites all to binge watch a library of teachings on his website. Search for: “The Demoniac’s Mission”

http://www.bereanendeavor.com/

BACKGROUND: Robert was born in Orange City, Iowa, on July 22, 1953. His Dutch parents, Johannes and Mildred, raised him in a small Dutch community with a population of 3,500. He was raised in church but admits his faith had grown cold as he entered college. His roommate at North West University was used by God to ignite a hunger for the Word of God. Robert found him reading the Bible for nourishment, not a test! Robert graduated with a degree to teach, but as God would have it, Robert was asked to join and travel with a Christian singing group called Truth.  In his first year on a tour bus, the group performed 400 plus times. He met and married Joleen Ortiz, who sang “Rise Again.” Robert and Joleen also sang in the Oral Robert’s Choir. As Joleen battled a brain tumor, she gave birth to three children, and then God took her home. Robert has experienced heartbreak and many challenges, but he chose to rise up like an eagle after Joleen died.  He continues to give thanks to God for His great grace and faithfulness to open doors to entice the brethren to dig deeper into the Old and New Testaments. Robert now uses the voice God gave him to sing the truth as revealed in the Scriptures.

Back in the days that Jesus walked the earth, the scholars had studied the sacred books continually and their reputations were built on knowing each word.  They delighted in the esteem of others more than God. To see the maps and all the Scriptures that verify each teaching, visit Robert’s Berean Endeavor website. Contact Robert Vander Maten to schedule a teaching at your church.

EMAIL: rvm53@me.com

Without humility, we remain unteachable. What about our soul? Our Creator, Father, Son, Holy Spirit also created us in three parts. Body, Mind, and Spirit. Our Soul is our mindfulness, our thinking, our reasoning, and our emotional part of His divine design. Our sinful nature rises back up with demands to do life in our own way. Left unto ourselves, we only choose to invite the Spirit to guide us when we THINK we need help. God’s Word reminds us that apart from the Spirit of God, we can do nothing to please God. How can the Son of God also be God? Isaiah told us how in chapter 53. The death the Messiah included much suffering, and rejection by many. All Scripture is God breathed, so Psalm 22 details the extent of God’s love for mankind. We have been shown that the Almighty Creator would become a man in order to pay the price for our sins, so that our spirit could, once again, be united with the Spirit of the Holy One. Without the perfect blood sacrifice to atone for our sins, our only destiny would be torture in hell for eternity. We would have no hope. Thanks be to Yeshua that He did the Will of the Father and gave His life for the payment of our sins. Robert also has a BLOG on Berean Endeavor.

Mark 16:17 “These signs will accompany those who BELIEVE: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in NEW tongues.

Deut 32:2 “Let My teaching fall like rain and My words descend like dew, like showers on NEW grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.”

2 Samuel 18:19 “Let me run and take the NEWS to the king that the Lord has vindicated him by delivering him from the hand of his enemies.”

Matthew 9:17 “People do NOT pour NEW wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour NEW wine into NEW wineskins, and both are preserved.”

Mark 1:15 “The time has come,” He said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good NEWS!”