When Jesus stepped on shore after crossing the Sea of Galilee, he was immediately confronted by a man possessed by demons. The Bible tells us the details: “For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs” (Luke 8:27). The local people had tried to chain him and keep him under guard, but he always broke the chains and escaped.

To make the story short, Jesus cast the demons out of the man, allowing them to enter a herd of pigs, which promptly drowned themselves in the lake. When those who had been tending the pigs reported in town what had happened, the people went to see this man who was now sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind. But strangely, the fearful townspeople asked Jesus to leave.

The man who had been healed begged to go with Jesus, but He said “No.”  Instead, He said, “Return home and tell how much God has done for you” (Luke 8:39).

You might say, “Why would the man have to tell his family? As soon as they saw him, they would know he was a changed man.”  True, but what a First-Person story he would have to report! I, for one, would like to have sat around his dinner table that night and listened to all the details.

How about you?  Have you shared the details with your family recently about something special God has done for you? Tell them how God protected you when you had that close call in heavy traffic. Or perhaps how He answered a request you’ve been praying about for weeks now.

Tonight, why don’t you “Return home and tell how much God has done for you”? As you do, you will bless your family and bring praise to God for His mighty power.