Hi, friends. I'm Annie F. Downs. Let's read the Gospels. The Gospels are the first four books of the New Testament in the Bible, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

These are the stories of Jesus Christ's life on earth, the friendships, the parables, the sacrifices, the meals, the miracles.

As you know, we made all four books every month, so go ahead and subscribe today.

And if you get a chance to rate and review the show, that helps so much, especially as we are walking toward Easter when a lot of people want to jump in

here, these stories to rate and review the show puts it in front of a lot more eyes and a very important month that is coming up.

This month's important too. We are reading the Gospels in chronological order. I am having the best time. I hope you all are enjoying it as well.

So remember, we're going to mix up the books. But yesterday, today and tomorrow, we're pretty much sticking in Luke and John.

If you want to follow along with the reading plan, you can get that at Annie F. Downs.com slash Gospels.

And each day, I'm telling you the scripture references and the stories are main themes. And then as I read, I'll tell you the headings of the story.

And if it's in more than one gospel, I'll tell you which gospel I read. So today is March 17th, day 17. Happy safe Patrick's Day.

And I will be reading Luke 11, 14 to 54, Luke 12, Luke 13, 1 through 21, and John 9.

Again, we are in Jesus' teachings and healings as he walks towards Jerusalem.

The translation I'm reading from this month is the new living translation.

This is day 17 in chronological order. Jesus and the Prince of demons.

One day, Jesus cast out a demon from a man who couldn't speak. And when the demon was gone, the man began to speak.

The crowds were amazed, but some of them said, no wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the Prince of demons.

Others trying to test Jesus demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.

He knew their thoughts. So he said, any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A family splintered by feuding will fall apart.

You say I am empowered by Satan, but if Satan is divided and fighting against himself, how can his kingdom survive?

And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons too, so they will condemn you for what you have said.

But if I am casting out demons by the power of God, then the kingdom of God has arrived among you.

For when a strong man is fully armed and guards his palace, his possessions are safe until someone even stronger attacks and overpowers him, strips him of his weapons and carries off his belongings.

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