Tyler’s Moore Middle School Mustang cheerleaders recently won their fourth state title at the Texas Cheerleader Magazine State
Championship. The girls placed first in their division winning a championship banner and a large trophy. Levitra Online In
addition, each cheerleader was awarded a state championship jacket. Due to their high score, Moore
cheerleaders placed third overall for acomplia online the grand championship out of all the teams in attendance, including all
star teams. The cheerleaders will attend the National Cheerleader Association State Championship on
December 14th, as well as the national championship December 28-29.

For State Representative District 5 Bryan Hughes, for AT&T and for sundry advocates of the arts and education it was a time to stand up and be recognized. Michelson Museum of Arts Education Director Bonnie acomplia to buy Strauss made it clear to the audience that Hughes has shown he knows what is important to his district and its people. It all came at a 4th grade pottery show at Michelson Museum of Art in Marshall organized for local students, teachers and families. AT&T and art lover Hughes made it possible.
“Marshall is widely known for celebrating the arts, and I have become an art lover over the past several years,” he said. “In our country, art is a form of expression of our cherished freedoms. In addition, art is a way of expressing all the gifts God has given us.”
He even adorns his Austin office with paintings by East Texas artists. Yet big business was equally important in creating the event.
“It is always good when you can count on corporations to participate in local events,” said Michelson Museum Director Susan Spears. “We are so delighted to be in this lovely facility, thanks to AT&T.”
Spears revealed that AT&T was one of the museum’s original underwriters, and freed up funds that otherwise might have been used for overhead. Along with grants buy cheap drugs and memberships this assistance from the corporation made it possible for the museum to offer free programs to area schools and colleges and to admit visitors at no charge. The communications giant even donated the museum the painting – New Orleans Market by George “Pop” Overbury.
“Candice Gast, AT&T’s northeast external affairs director has been very supportive of our museum,” said Spears.
Longview’s Karen Lowery is the museum’s artist-in-residence, and has been visiting East Texas schools to give 4th graders clay sculpting lessons. Every pupil she has instructed has made and glazed a pinch pot.
“It is wonderful to expose children to art,” said Lowery. “It is mesmerizing to the kids when they see the glazed pots and bowls.”
All the children Lowery instructed pitched in to make a “Shoe Bowl” for the Empty Bowls Project, which is a nationwide effort created by a high school art teacher to involve students in active and compassionate efforts to combat hunger.
The following schools took part in the Empty Bowls Project, with Hughes presenting a ribbon to each participating student: George Washington Carver Elementary in Karnack, Elysian Fields Elementary, Hallsville Intermediate, Harleton Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, Marshall Christian Academy, William B. Travis Elementary in Marshall, Trinity Episcopal in Marshall, Waskom Elementary and Gladewater’s Weldon Intermediate.
In last year’s event more than $8000 was raised for the East Texas Food Bank.

Tyler Public Library and Rotaract Club members from the University of Texas at Tyler has joined forces to offer an after-school reading club for “KIDZ” of all ages, twice a week.. The times are Mondays from 3-6 p.m. and Fridays from 3-5 p.m.

UT Tyler volunteers in the Library Story Room read and listen, help with homework, create puppet shows, make crafts and just have FUN.
Registration is not required and children need to simply drop by the Story Room on Mondays and Fridays after 3 p.m. However, parents are requested to remain in the Library building while their children attend KidzReadz.
UT Tyler volunteers are members of Rotaract, a Rotary-sponsored service club for young men and women ages 18 to 30. One of the missions of Rotary International buy rx drugs is to actively promote literacy at home and abroad.
For more information about “KIDzREADz” call (903) 593-READ (7323) or email programs@tylertexas.com.

The Tyler Public Library houses more than 200,000 items and almost 20,000 cardholders. Nearly 58,000 people visited the Library from January to March of 2009, and more than 60,000 items acomplia buy were circulated. In addition, two dozen Internet access workstations are in constant use seven days a week.

The City of Tyler Main Street Department continues its efforts to establish Downtown as an arts hub as preparations are made for the first-ever Downtown ArtWalk. The event is set for Friday, Dec. 4, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. throughout the downtown area.
“The premise of an ArtWalk is simple,” said Tyler Main Street Department Director Beverly Abell. “Basically, downtown businesses open their space to artists to display their work for one night, and together they invite the public to view the art and visit the businesses.”
In addition to the artwork, there will be street performers, refreshments at some sites, arts demonstrations and other activities, Abell said.
The Downtown Tyler ArtWalk is being organized by the Downtown Tyler Arts Coalition (DTAC), an all-volunteer cadre of artists under the umbrella of the Main Street Program. Local artist Joan Iverson is chairman of the ArtWalk event.
Abell said the group hopes to have at least a dozen different arts sites for the public to visit. Those who would like to participate in the ArtWalk as an artist, street performer or host should go to the DTAC website, www.downtowntylerarts.com, and click on the ArtWalk logo to see applications and detailed information. Deadline for application is Nov. 23.
The Downtown Tyler ArtWalk will operate alongside another new event, a Candlelight Walk to benefit FitSTEPS for Life, a free exercise program for cancer patients. The program is under the auspices of the Cancer Foundation for Life.
The walk begins at 5 p.m. on Dec. 4 and will work its way through a path on the west side of the downtown area.
Registration forms are available at www.fitstepsforlife.org buy acomplia and at the event. Both teams and individuals may enter. More information on the Candlelight Walk buy generic drugs is available at (903) 561-0149.

The Center for Public Policy Priorities (CPPP) has announced the results of a recent nationwide study that reveals Texans in the bottom 20% of income earners are paying the sixth highest proportion of taxes of anyone in the country. Released by the Institute on Taxation & Economic Policy (ITEP,) these figures indicate low- to middle-income Texans are paying a great deal more than their share of state and local taxes than are the state’s wealthiest taxpayers. This means Texas has the nation’s fifth most regressive state tax system. The CPPP is recommending the Lone Star State develop a system in which families at all wage-earning levels pay similar percentages of their yearly incomes for taxes that fund statewide and local services. CPPP Senior Fiscal buying acomplia Analyst Dick Lavine made clear the burden being placed on those earning smaller wages.
“Texas bottom twenty percent of income earners pay 12.2 percent of their income in state and local taxes. That’s a higher percentage than similar households pay in all but five other states in the nation,” he said. “We need to start seriously considering a tax system that requires people at all income levels pay their fair share rather than letting the state’s Buy Levitra Online Without Prescription tax burden fall disproportionately on the families who can least afford it.”
A regressive system is one in which lower income families are required to pay a much greater percentage of taxes than do higher income wage earners. The CPPP study discloses the lowest income Texans are proportionately paying 3.7 times more in taxes than those making the highest salaries.

* The poorest fifth of Texas non-elderly taxpayers, those making less than $18,000 per year, are paying 12.2% of their income in state and local taxes.

* Texans earning from $31,000 to $51,000 pay 8.5%.

* State residents making more than $463,000 annually pay just 3.3%.

More than half of the state’s tax revenue comes from sales taxes. This is characteristic of all regressive tax systems. With low- and moderate-income Texans forced to spend virtually all of their yearly income just to support their families these sales taxes consume a far larger degree of their income than it does from high-income families. The richer Texans can therefore afford to spend their extra income on services not subject to sales taxation. This is a most unusual situation.
“Texas is one of only nine states nationwide that do not have a broad-based personal income tax. The lack of a progressive income tax to offset regressive sales and excise taxes, as well as property taxes, is an important factor in making the Texas tax system so regressive,” said ITEP Executive Director Mathew Gardner. “Taxes ought to be based on people’s ability to pay them, which means that the share of income paid in tax should rise as income grows, not fall sharply as in the case of Texas.”
For more information on this study and the CPPP visit http://www.itepnet.org/whopays3.pdf, http://www.itepnet.org/whopays.htm or http://www.cppp.org.

Country western singer, Carrie Underwood, once sang about being “low on faith and gasoline.” These were words from her song, “Jesus take the wheel.” I remember asking Jesus to take my wheel when I lost control of my medicine without prescription car in a snow storm several years ago. Thankfully, I believe he did as my car spun across the highway and came to rest safely against a snow bank undamaged with no one hurt. It’s easy to be thankful when there is plenty to be thankful for!
But what about all the times when our life doesn’t feel brimming over with blessings and faith in a brighter tomorrow is getting lower with each passing day? It may be hard to imagine that a good dose of thankfulness could be the answer to our dwindling faith as well as the guiding light to everything we seek.
My life in my fifties is much weight loss drugs different from what it was in my twenties. Back then, my anticipation for the future was filled only with enthusiasm, good expectations, dreams and hopes. But getting older doesn’t have the glamour it once did. Expectations have changed from longings to dread. Dreams have become fears. And hopes have become few.
Regardless of our age, our current life circumstances can be bleaker than we wish they were. When we’re struggling with depleted savings, job loss, limited income, separation from family or illness, it can be hard to see the light at the end of what feels like a very dark tunnel.
Lately, I just want to be happy. I want to feel happy — today — and not worry so much about what may or may not happen in the future. Or even if some say the future is inevitable, I don’t want to worry about it! I want to live my life today and make the most of each moment.
There’s one fact that I’ve become certain of over the years. The grateful are happy and the ungrateful are miserable. Yes, my friends, I’ve discovered it is impossible to feel thankful and unhappy at the same time.
Throughout my life, even in the most difficult of times, thankfulness changed my focus from what I didn’t have to an appreciation for what I did. And again and again, thankfulness enabled me to discover “good” that was previously unforeseen or unpredicted.
Gratitude has always brought my focus back to present possibilities rather than speculation about an uncertain or mysterious future. I’ve found that it’s having a grateful heart “today” that raises hope, boosts confidence, encourages ambition, lifts self-esteem, strengthens trust and provides peace of mind for tomorrow.
And gratitude is good for you! It seems many have concluded that the healthiest human emotion is indeed gratitude. The medical profession claims gratitude increases our immunities — making us less susceptible to illness.
The sign on my desk daily instructs me, “There is always, always, always something to be thankful for.” I often need that reminder. So try a little thankfulness, my friends, and you just may find that dark tunnel you’re in is suddenly brighter!
Whatever the benefits, being thankful will make you feel better. And who doesn’t want to feel better — especially when dealing with tough times?

Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) is advising his state’s fire departments to apply for grants made available to finance the hiring of additional firefighters and funding their work. The grants are being provided by the Department of Homeland Security’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program, which is part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grants under the Grants Programs Directorate of the Federal Emergency Management Office of Grants and Training. This program is providing approximately $210 million for fire departments nationwide. Cornyn is upbeat about the future of the operation.
“The men and women on the front lines of emergency response need more support than ever as they work to keep our communities safe,” he said. “I encourage local fire departments in Texas to apply for this important funding, and will assist throughout the application process.”
SAFER makes it possible for fire departments to hire additional personnel in hopes of improving their staffing depth and resultant ability to effectively deploy during emergencies. This planned-for 24-hour deployment ability with adequate manpower Buy Levitra Online will insure Texas communities will enjoy the maximum possible degree of safety from fire hazards. SAFER funding will also provide for the recruiting and retention of volunteer firemen.
Grant applications can be made until December 18, 2009. For additional information reductil 15mg visit http://www.firegrantsupport.com/. call (202) 224-2581 or go to Andrew Blaylock@cornyn.senate.gov.

Caring for those less fortunate is an important focus during the Thanksgiving season, and Pine Tree teachers gave students acomplia acomplia an opportunity to learn this valuable lesson through campus food drives for the needy.

Pine Tree Intermediate campus collected a total of 3,078 items turned in for our canned food drive. Food items were donated to two agencies: Caring and Sharing and Longview Community Ministries who picked up the boxes and boxes of cans!

“A lot of families will be helped during the upcoming holiday season due to the generosity of our Pine Tree Intermediate students and families,” said Kathy McGuffin, music teacher and organizer for the event.

Pine Tree seventh and eighth graders also gave generously this year. Mr. Sam Burt with Martha’s Kitchen was very excited to learn that the students collected 2,435 canned goods.

“Many needy families will have a happier Thanksgiving/holiday season because our students and families gave so selflessly,” said Iler Boyd, student council sponsor for PT Junior High.

Math teacher, Heather Rogers reported that all of her students in 5th period wanted to help but some were having trouble bringing cans.

“Many of them go home alone and take care of siblings,” she said. “There was no one to take them to the store and really nothing in the pantry to bring. I had a few ask me if they gave me money would I go get can for them. I agreed. My students started donating their lunch money and doing without lunch so we could donate cans of food to those less fortunate. Together my 20 students brought $109 to purchase food for the needy and were able to make a difference by collecting a total of 509 cans! This is amazing considering their circumstances.”

The PT Leadership/Student Council under the direction of Terri Barrett is organizing a food drive on the high school campus that ends Nov. 30th. “We appreciate any help that you can give us,” said co-chair of Community Service Jennifer Little. “All foods donated will go to PTISD families.”

“Last year we were able to help 32 families and we feel that with the economic situation there will be an even greater need this year,” said co-chair Mike Fish.

“The amount of food and good will given by our students is exceptional,” Superintendent Marian Strauss said. She also commended the teachers who reinforce this valuable life lesson of service to others. “Everyone has a little something that purchase prescription drugs without a prescription they can give to improve the quality of life for others,” said Strauss.

A couple of weeks ago when we read that Jesus cast out demons, I didn’t say much about it
because I said I would devote more attention to demons in a later message. Today we’re going to
talk about demons.
Through the years I’ve learned the devil and his demons don’t want information damaging to
their work to be revealed. Years ago in Alabama, when I was preaching about Satan being a
defeated foe, right in the middle of the message, a huge wasp started dive-bombing me in the
pulpit. I had to swat him away several times. I wanted to say, “Demon of the wasp—get out of
here!” Maybe it was just coincidence, but that’s the only time a wasp has every interrupted my
preaching. And this week has been a challenge as well. Whether it’s the East Texas crud, or
sinus drainage, or demonic intimidation, I could hardly speak above a whisper on Friday. But I
had already determined I was NOT going to miss the chance to preach today even if I have to
whisper it, or even whistle it. I’m not going to let anything stop me from sharing this important
truth about how you can say goodbye to your demons.

Let’s read about this miracle in Matthew 8:28-34. “When he arrived at the other side in
the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him.
They were so violent that no one could pass that way. ‘What do you want with us, Son of
God?’ they shouted. ‘Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?’ Some
distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons begged Jesus, ‘If you
drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.’ He said to them, ‘Go!’ So they came out and
went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died
in the water. Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this,
including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. Then the whole town went
out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.”
Matthew mentions there were two demonized men, while Mark and Luke focus on the worst of
the pair who speaks and claims to have a legion of demons controlling his behavior. Whenever I
travel to Israel we always go to the very spot that this miracle occurred. There’s really only one
place on the eastern side of the lake where there is a steep cliff that matches the description in
the text. The element of the demons going into the pigs makes it an interesting story. You might
say this was the first example of deviled ham. The demonized hogs ran off the cliff and
performed a perfect swine dive into the water. You might say they committed suey-cide!
In this message I want to answer five questions about demons. But the point of this message isn’t
just to give you information. I want to tell you how you be liberated from the influence of
demons like these two men.
I. Who/what are demons?
A. Demons are fallen angels (spirit beings) who carry out the strategy of Satan
Satan is a fallen angel himself, he isn’t some mini-me god, he’s just an angel named Lucifer who
decided to rebel against God and was kicked out of heaven. In the process, he took some other
Say Goodbye to Your Demons • Matthew 8:28-34 • September 27, 2009 • #1324A 2
By Dr. David O. Dykes. Part 23 in the “Parables & Miracles” series
Discover Life Ministries • P.O. Box 131678, Tyler, TX 75713-1678 • David O. Dykes, Pastor • 903-525-1106 • www.discoverlife.tv
Visit www.gabc.org for available formats of this message
rebellious angels with him. The Bible says, “The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient
serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth,
and his angels with him.” (Revelation 12:9) Notice Satan and his fallen angels are operating on
the earth. Don’t get the impression that the devil is confined to hell and he’s down there
shoveling coal into the furnace with his pitchfork. Jesus revealed hell was created for the devil
and that it will be his final address. Jesus said, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the
eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matthew 25:41) Hell wasn’t created for
human habitation.
Satan isn’t omnipresent. He can’t be everywhere at once like God can, so he has a mobilized,
demonized army of fallen angels who carry out his work. It’s much like during World War II;
the allies often said they were fighting against Hitler. That didn’t mean they were going one-onone
against Hitler himself. It meant they were fighting against the armies and the philosophy of
Hitler. In the same way we are fighting against Satan and his evil influence.
There are two dangerous extremes to avoid when it comes to demons. On one hand some people
deny their existence and say demons are like ghosts and goblins—they don’t really exist. The
other extreme to avoid is being so afraid of demons that you see a demon behind every bush. I’ve
honestly known people who when someone hiccupped they said, “I rebuke you demon of
hiccups!” Demons exist, but they aren’t everywhere and we don’t have to be afraid of them.
In 1972 I was in college doing a research paper about devil worship and the occult when the
movie “The Exorcist” was released. I was also a student minister at the time, so I went to see the
movie so I could warn our kids about it. If you saw it, you’ll remember it was a scary movie with
the girl played by Linda Blair turning her head 360 degrees and screaming obscenities at the
priests in a deep sinister voice. Since “The Exorcist,” Hollywood has produced dozens of horror
pictures about the devil and demons. This has caused many Christians to be so afraid of the topic
that they get the heebie-jeebies just thinking about demons.
If the thought of the devil and demons makes you want to change the subject and talk about
something else, the devil has successfully snared you in his trap of fear. Satan knows if he can
keep the whole topic of demonic control in the realm of horror movies that produce nightmares
that people won’t ever discover the real truth—that he is a defeated foe.
II. Is it possible for a person (a Christian) to be demon-possessed?
A. No. The term “demon possessed” is a mistranslation. The New Testament language says
that a person is “demonized” (20X) or “has a demon (6X).”
A few years ago I was studying the original Greek language to see what the phrase “demon
possessed” really meant. I was surprised to learn that the word “possessed” doesn’t appear once.
Nada. Zip. There is just a single word used to describe a person who was under the influence of
demons. The word is daimonizomai, which should be translated simply as “demonized.” It
means that a person is under the influence of a demon, like a drunk person is under the influence
of alcohol. But you never say an inebriated person is alcohol-possessed. Even though the Bible
still mistranslates it as “demon-possessed,” I try to avoid using that term. When something has
Say Goodbye to Your Demons • Matthew 8:28-34 • September 27, 2009 • #1324A 3
By Dr. David O. Dykes. Part 23 in the “Parables & Miracles” series
Discover Life Ministries • P.O. Box 131678, Tyler, TX 75713-1678 • David O. Dykes, Pastor • 903-525-1106 • www.discoverlife.tv
Visit www.gabc.org for available formats of this message
been cleaned, I say that it is sanitized not sanitary-possessed! When you spray something to
make the room smell better we say it was deodorized, not deodorant-possessed! So, I think it’s
best to say that people are demonized rather than demon possessed.
Six times in the New Testament it says a person “has a demon.” Some folks like to hang on to
their pet sins. So it actually may be more accurate to say people sometimes possess demons than
that demons possess people!
Dr. Ray Stedman wrote: “The New Testament never actually uses the term ‘demon possession.’
It is a term which has been invented, but it may not be very accurate. The word in Scripture is
always “demonized.” We have read into it the idea of ‘demon possession.’ But I do not think it
wise to use it, because it is not used in Scripture. There are various stages and degrees to which
demons, evil spirits, can affect and possess or control human beings.”
III. What are some signs of demonic control?
When you compare the descriptions of the demonized men here and in Mark and Luke’s
account, there are four evident symptoms of demonic control. I believe these are some of the
same ways demons try to influence people today as well.
A. Violent behavior
Matthew reported these men were so violent that nobody could pass that way without the risk of
being hurt. Mark tells us one man had been chained up, but he was so strong he had broken the
chains and that no man could subdue him. Sometimes, violent, uncontrollable behavior may be
the result of demonic influence. Not everyone in a mental institution is affected by a demon, but
there are modern accounts of some people being so agitated they cannot be restrained and
display almost superhuman strength in their agony.
B. Morbid Obsession
Luke tells us at least one of the men lived in the tombs. There are still tombs in that area. This
demonized man was so troubled, he felt more at home among the corpses of the cemetery than
with living people. Very often an obsession with death and dying can be the direct result of
demonic control. A few years ago, I did some research into the life and songs of shock rocker
Marilyn Manson. He wears white make-up to make himself appear as a corpse. He is known for
his death-music and even wrote a song entitled, “The Death Song.” You think there are any
demonic influences there?
By the way, that’s why it’s dangerous for young people to play around with Ouija Boards and to
go to a spiritualist or a medium to try to contact the dead. To do that is an open invitation to
allow demons to invade your mind.
C. Sexual Perversion
Luke points out that the demonized man didn’t wear clothes. He was what psychologists call an
Say Goodbye to Your Demons • Matthew 8:28-34 • September 27, 2009 • #1324A 4
By Dr. David O. Dykes. Part 23 in the “Parables & Miracles” series
Discover Life Ministries • P.O. Box 131678, Tyler, TX 75713-1678 • David O. Dykes, Pastor • 903-525-1106 • www.discoverlife.tv
Visit www.gabc.org for available formats of this message
exhibitionist, a flasher, to use street language. He got a thrill out of people seeing him buy cheap cialis naked.
Sexual perversion and sexual predators are a greater problem today than ever before in history.
The availability of internet pornography has opened the gateway of the minds of millions of
people for the invasion of demonic influence.
There’s nothing wrong with sex. God created sex for the deepest expression of physical love
between a husband and a wife. Any other use of sex is an abuse of sex.
D. Self-abuse
Mark points out that this man lived in the tombs crying out night and day cutting himself with
stones. Psychiatrists are familiar with the practice of “cutting.” People who are struggling with
emotional problems often cut themselves. I’ve spoken with some cutters who say they are
hurting inside and they kind find the source of their pain. So in a strange way, they feel better by
doing something where they know what source of the pain. Statistics show that four times as
many females are victims of self-abuse than males. Yet four times as many males commit suicide
than females. Most cutters aren’t suicidal, and they are usually so embarrassed about their
cutting that they go to lengths to hide the scars from others. These four symptoms may be signs
of extreme demonic influence.
IV. In general, how do demons try to influence us?
A. They attack us at our point of weakness (stronghold)
You may not display any of these four symptoms of extreme demonic control in your life, but
that doesn’t mean you are totally free from demonic influence. When we read this story it sounds
like something from a fairy tale. We don’t encounter too many people who behave like those two
demonized men. However, when this passage is read in Africa or Haiti and other places where
devil-worship is prevalent, people aren’t surprised by this story. Our missionaries tell us Satan
and demons are much more open in their activity in other cultures. But here in our “civilized”
American culture, demons are much more subtle. The Bible says Satan disguises himself as an
angel of light so we can assume demons disguise themselves as well.
The Bible uses military language to describe Satan’s strategy against us. We read, “The weapons
we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to
demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the
knowledge of God.” (2 Corinthians 10:4) A stronghold is like a fortress or an outpost that
Satan’s demons construct in our lives. It involves an area of weakness where they constantly
attack us.
In his book, Victory Over the Darkness, Neil Anderson wrote: “Strongholds are negative patterns
of thought which are burned into our minds either through repetition over time or through onetime
traumatic events. They are the result of a number of subtle steps that lead us away from
God’s plan for us.” (Common strongholds: pornography, hostility, inferiority, manipulation,
homosexuality, eating disorders, compulsive behavior, alcohol and drug abuse).
Say Goodbye to Your Demons • Matthew 8:28-34 • September 27, 2009 • #1324A 5
By Dr. David O. Dykes. Part 23 in the “Parables & Miracles” series
Discover Life Ministries • P.O. Box 131678, Tyler, TX 75713-1678 • David O. Dykes, Pastor • 903-525-1106 • www.discoverlife.tv
Visit www.gabc.org for available formats of this message
I asked my Facebook friends to share with me how they think demons disguise themselves. I got
some pretty good responses. Marian Collins wrote: “Christians own their own demons…they are
hidden in closets like skeletons and we become quite comfortable with these imps in our lives.
Our shame is from past sins that we hang onto keeping these demons real in our lives.”
The final question I want to answer is the most important:
V. How can I get free and stay free from demonic influence?
Here are four steps you can take over and over again to rid your life of demonic influence.
A. Immediately run to Jesus and cry out to Him for help
In Mark’s account we read, “When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in
front of him.” (Mark 5:6) The very first thing you need to do is to cry out to Jesus and ask Him
for help. It’s always a good time to cry out to Jesus. The Christian singing group Third Day has a
great song entitled, “Cry out to Jesus.” Here are the powerful lyrics: “There is hope for the
helpless; Rest for the weary; Love for the broken heart; There is grace and forgiveness; Mercy
and healing; He’ll meet you wherever you are; Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus. For the ones
who can’t break the addictions and chains; You try to give up but you come back again; Just
remember that you’re not alone in your shame; And your suffering… To the widow who suffers
from being alone; Wiping the tears from her eyes; For the children around the world without a
home; Say a prayer tonight. There is hope for the helpless: Rest for the weary; Love for the
broken heart; There is grace and forgiveness; Mercy and healing He’ll meet you wherever you
are; Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus!” Will you fall on your knees and cry out to Jesus today?
B. Continually draw close to God and resist the devil
When the demonized men approached Jesus they were drawing close to God. The Bible says,
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God
and he will come near to you.” (James 4:7-8). There is a spiritual truth I call the “Proximity
Principle.” The closer you are to God, the farther you are from the devil, and the farther you drift
away from God, the closer you are to the devil.
The only way you can resist the devil and his demons is in the name of Jesus. It is okay to say,
“Satan, and all of your demons, I stand against you in the name of Jesus: Get out of my life!”
Somebody asked me once, “Isn’t it wrong to pray to the devil?” I said, “You’re not praying to a
cat when you tell it to scat!”
You don’t have to be constantly running from the devil, he should be running from you!
Someone said when the devil comes knocking at your door, just send Jesus to the door to say,
“Who is it?” And the devil will say, “Sorry, wrong address!” And he will turn and flee.
C. Consciously reject tempting thoughts
The battleground against Satan and his demons takes place in your mind. The Bible says the
Say Goodbye to Your Demons • Matthew 8:28-34 • September 27, 2009 • #1324A 6
By Dr. David O. Dykes. Part 23 in the “Parables & Miracles” series
Discover Life Ministries • P.O. Box 131678, Tyler, TX 75713-1678 • David O. Dykes, Pastor • 903-525-1106 • www.discoverlife.tv
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devil is a liar, an accuser, and above all, a liar. Demons cannot MAKE you sin, they can only
plant suggestions in your mind; that’s what temptation is. The best way to resist temptation is to
reject the tempting thought when it first enters your mind. If you hang onto a tempting thought
and keep analyzing it, before long, you’ll find that you have fallen into that trap.
The comic strip “Cathy” is about a woman who struggles with “the four guilt groups” of life:
“food, love, mom, and work.” In one strip Cathy is on another diet and in frame one she says, “I
will take a drive, but won’t go near the grocery store.” In frame two she says, “I will drive by the
grocery store but I will not go in.” In frame three: “I will go in the grocery store but will not go
down the aisle where the Halloween candy is on sale.” Frame four: “I will look at the candy but
not pick it up.” Frame five: “I will pick it up but not buy it.” Frame six: “I will buy it but not
open it.” Frame seven: “I will open it but not smell it.” Frame eight: “I will smell it but not taste
it.” “Frame nine: “I will taste it but not eat it.” And in frame ten she says, “Eat! Eat! Eat! Eat!”
That’s a great example of how temptation works.
The way to demolish these mental strongholds is found in 2 Corinthians 10:5, “We demolish
arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take
captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” The key is to bring all our thoughts into
obedience to Christ rather than letting our thoughts wander into sin. I know this is a double
negative, but the best way to overcome temptation IS NOT by NOT thinking about the
temptation. If you’re tempted to look at porn, you aren’t going to resist it if you keep thinking
about it. Take your thoughts captive for Christ and instead, think about Jesus Christ dying of the
cross for your sins. So when a tempting thought enters your mind, capture that thought for Jesus.
D. Joyfully claim your victory in Jesus’ name over the devil and his demons!
You and I have authority in Jesus’ name over the enemy. Jesus sent out 72 disciples on a mission
of mercy. The Bible says, “The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons
submit to us in your name.’ He replied, ‘…I have given you authority…to overcome all the
power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to
you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’” (Luke 10:17-20)
There are two things you need to remind Satan and his demons. First,
1. The devil is a defeated foe
The Bible says, “The devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God
appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” (1 John 3:8)
On the cross, Jesus crushed the head of the serpent. He destroyed Satan’s plan. Satan and his
demons are already defeated. They are in retreat, but they are trying to cause as much damage as
possible before they are put away forever.
The second truth you need to know is
Say Goodbye to Your Demons • Matthew 8:28-34 • September 27, 2009 • #1324A 7
By Dr. David O. Dykes. Part 23 in the “Parables & Miracles” series
Discover Life Ministries • P.O. Box 131678, Tyler, TX 75713-1678 • David O. Dykes, Pastor • 903-525-1106 • www.discoverlife.tv
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2. The devil’s doom is certain!
I love a Bible where there is no devil in the first two chapters of Genesis and the last two
chapters in Revelation. The Apostle John had a vision of what is going to happen to Satan. He
wrote, “I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in
his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and
bound him…And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur,
where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for
ever and ever.” (Revelation 20:1-2,10)
Did you notice what the demons asked Jesus in our story? They said, “Have you come to torture
us before the APPOINTED TIME?” Even the demons knew there will come an appointed time
when they will be tortured for their rebellion.
The main thing I want you take out this message is that you don’t have to fear the devil or his
demons. Peter writes that the devil “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to
devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) A lion roars to frighten his prey into submission. His greatest tool is fear.
So, don’t let Satan’s roar scare you: He is a toothless, clawless lion.
The shortest and perhaps the strangest of Aesop’s fables is called “The Lion in Love.” It’s only
five sentences long. “A lion demanded the daughter of a woodcutter in marriage. The Father,
unwilling to grant, and yet afraid to refuse his request, came up with this plan to deal with the
Lion. He expressed his willingness to accept the Lion as the suitor of his daughter on one
condition: that the lion should allow him to extract his teeth, and cut off his claws, as his
daughter was fearfully afraid of both. The Lion cheerfully assented to the proposal. But when the
toothless, clawless Lion returned to request to marry his daughter, the Woodman, no longer
afraid, set upon him with his club, and drove him away into the forest.” That was a pretty smart
daddy and a pretty dumb lion. I like the part of the father driving the lion away. That’s a great
picture of what we can do in Jesus’ name.
CONCLUSION
There’s one detail of this experience that always amazes me. Do you remember last week’s
message about Jesus calming the storm? Why do you think Jesus told them to get into the boat
and cross the lake in the first place? For one reason. He knew there were two deeply troubled
men who needed to be set free from some really nasty demons. After Jesus cast out the demons,
do you know what else He did? Nothing. He got back in the boat and sailed back to Galilee on
the other side of the lake. The ONLY reason He crossed the lake was to meet those two
demonized men. What’s the point? If Jesus was willing to cross a dangerous, stormy body of
water just to help two troubled men, you need to know He cares for you in the same way. He
crossed the great gulf between heaven and earth bring hope, healing and forgiveness to you. If
you had been the only one who needed help, He would have made the trip just for you. Jesus is
here right now. Will you cry out to Him? When you do you can say, “Goodbye to your demons.”
Say Goodbye to Your Demons • Matthew 8:28-34 • September 27, 2009 • #1324A 8
By Dr. David O. Dykes. Part 23 in the “Parables & Miracles” series
Discover Life Ministries • P.O. Box 131678, Tyler, TX 75713-1678 • David O. Dykes, Pastor • 903-525-1106 • www.discoverlife.tv
Visit www.gabc.org for available formats of this message
OUTLINE
I. Who/what are demons?
A. Demons are fallen angels (spirit beings) who carry out the strategy of Satan
II. Is it possible for a person (a Christian) to be demon-possessed?
A. No. The term “demon possessed” is a mistranslation. The New Testament
language says a person is “demonized” (20X) or “has a demon (6X).”
III. What are some signs of demonic control?
A. Violent behavior
B. Morbid Obsession
C. Sexual Perversion
D. Self-abuse
IV. In general, how do demons try to influence Cialis Without Prescription us?
A. They attack us at our point of weakness (stronghold)
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine
power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up
against the knowledge of God.” 2 Corinthians 10:4
V. How can I get free and stay free from demonic influence?
A. Immediately run to Jesus and cry out to Him for help
In Mark’s account we read, “When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in
front of him.” Mark 5:6
B. Continually draw close to God and resist the devil
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God
and he will come near to you.” James 4:7-8
C. Consciously reject tempting thoughts
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God,
and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5
D. Joyfully claim your victory in Jesus’ name over the devil and his demons!
“The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’
He replied, ‘…I have given you authority…to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will
harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are
written in heaven.’” (Luke 10:17-20)
1. The devil is a defeated foe
“The devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared
was to destroy the devil’s work.” 1 John 3:8
2. The devil’s doom is certain!
“I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in
his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or
Satan, and bound him…And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of
burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be
tormented day and night for ever and ever.” Revelation 20:1-2,10

In Whoville the Grinch was quite greedy and mean.
The envy within him caused him to turn green.
Ungrateful and jealous, this monster-like grouch
spent Thanksgiving morning curled up on the couch.
No holiday baking. No holiday fun.
The number of chairs at his table was one.
It seemed that his appetite wasn’t for food.
He always was stuck in the stuff-buying mood.
“Why cook up a turkey?” He said to himself.
“I’d rather add stuff to what’s stuffed on my shelf.”
The stores were all closed for the Great Day of Thanks.
But that was no problem. The green prince of pranks
could shop by computer to his heart’s content.
And clicking his mouse, the Grinch spent and he spent.
The Great Day of Thanking went by really quick
and by spending and buying the Grinch got real sick.
But nobody knew it. And nobody cared.
For Grinches are selfish and Grinches don’t share.
And if you are wondering the point of this rhyme,
then keep reading on past the end of this line.
In the -ville we inhabit there isn’t a Grinch.
But sometimes we act just like him cause we’re rich.
We buy what we want without batting an eye.
We silence our kids’ “gotta-haves” when they cry.
We love to go shopping and spend major cash
while throwing away what’s still good with the trash.
We envy our neighbor’s new car and new boat
and find ourselves lusting to have her mink coat.
We want a new kitchen. New drapes would be fine.
And oh don’t we love how our hardwood floors shine?
We long for the latest. We crave what is new.
We’re not satisfied having one. We need two.
Two big screen TV sets. Two Lexus’s. Two homes.
There’s two spouses working to service the loans.
And though when we’re scraped we bleed red not Grinch-green,
our selfish Grinch tendencies still can be seen.
Our hearts are thing-centered. They aren’t good at thanks.
They start to beat stronger at Best Buy and banks.
It’s hard to be grateful when there’s more to buy.
We can’t track our assets. In truth, we don’t try.
Instead we’re inclined to add up what we need.
First this and then that and then… Look at our greed!
And even on this day when turkey is king
we aren’t satisfied with a leg and a wing.
We need mashed potatoes. We need candied yams.
We need beans and biscuits plus two kinds of jams.
There’s tossed greens and Jell-o and cranberries too.
At least we are grateful our chompers still chew.
But gratitude’s not way high up on our list.
We feel so entitled it tends to get missed.
But that is not all we ungrateful folk do.
There’s something that turns us a Grinch-greenish hue.
We rarely if ever say “I’m satisfied.”
And if we once said it, it’s likely we lied.
If we are forever fixated on more,
we can’t be contented. Contentment’s a chore.
Contentment is foreign. Contentment ain’t fun.
And why should we settle when our dreams aren’t done?
Why settle indeed? Because deep in our soul
we feel something’s missing. It feels like a hole.
It’s really a hunger that’s long been ignored
by Grinch-like behavior that’s caused us to hoard.
But, hey, it’s Thanksgiving. The hungry are filled.
Let thirsts, dreams and longings be quenched met buy amoxicillin without prescription and stilled.
No turkey is needed. A ham will not do.
The feelings you long for hide deep within you.
Start counting your blessings. Look back, not ahead.
Be done being selfish. Be grateful instead.
Be grateful for fingers, for eyelids that close.
Be grateful that you cialis 10 can still smell with your nose.
Be grateful for legs that allow you to walk.
Give thanks that the tongue in your mouth lets you talk.
Give thanks for your children. Give thanks for your spouse.
Give thanks for your over-stuffed “imperfect” house.
Be done with Grinch yearnings. Let thanks fill your heart.
Acknowledge God’s goodness. That’s where it must start
Or as the Apostle Paul wrote in a letter to first century Christians, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances…” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV)