THE LORD OUR GOD IS GOOD! FOR HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER...
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Mark 9:14-29 (NKJV)
A Boy Is Healed
14 And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them. 15 Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him. 16 And He asked the scribes, “What are you discussing with them?”
17 Then one of the crowd answered and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. 18 And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.”
19 He answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.” 20 Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.
21 So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?”
And he said, “From childhood. 22 And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”
25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” 26 Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.
28 And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?”
29 So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”
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Children of God, I can't express in the right words how consistently stunned I am when I read God's Word. I just studied this chapter in my own time with God on January 9th 2010, and the things being revealed today is something totally different, new, fresh and relevant. God has a word for you. I didn't plan this- give me no credit! THANK YOU LORD!
While Jesus was with the disciples; the disciples were not praying nor fasting. They saw Jesus live these disciplines consistently, yet, they didn't incorporate them into their own lives while with Him. One reason is they were actually learning hands-on what it meant to depend on Jesus; that they needed to depend on Him. So the anointing by Jesus to drive out demons that worked before, was not in effect at this time. Did they call on Jesus, or were they exercising their own authority without Him over this demon? We don't know, but what we do know is that there was no power coming from them.
Where is the power?
Let's start with definitions, because I love them! We should know the correct meaning of our words:
Prayer-talking to God AND listening to Him; to intercede with or make petition to God; conversations with God-in praise and thanksgiving.
Fasting- abstaining from (food usually; or something that we depend on, or think we need to survive), for a specific period of time (hours, days, weeks). It gives us the understanding that we only need God to survive; we need to depend on Him.
***YOU SHOULD NEVER BE FASTING WITHOUT PRAYING. PRAYER IS AN INSTRUMENTAL PART OF FASTING.***
Jesus was "THEE CHAMP" at this. Jesus' faith was unbreakable, unshakable. He really is the Greatest (so interesting how humans try to steal His Glory). But as we have discussed previously, like many other things, the disciples did not understand this discipline, nor the power that came from praying and fasting. The battle with satan is a difficult, ongoing struggle. Victory over sin and temptation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
Aren't you happy that we have His example and the Holy Spirit to know what we need to incorporate into our own life?
Praying and fasting builds up strength that is beyond our understanding. Why? Because we are stepping in acts of submission to God, in expectant hope that He is going to handle everything; that He knows what is best; that He knows what He is doing; that He actually knows more than us! These powerful tools that God gave us, move our faith; they increase our faith. And what activates God's power??????
You got it! --FAITH--- ("By faith..." "Your faith...") So let me stress that the emphasis of doing (praying, reading, fasting, stepping out in trust), is to build our FAITH. Faith, Faith, Faith, Faith, Faith. I cannot say it enough. I can admit that I have done it wrong, and concentrated more on the act of what I was doing- either praying, fasting, even reading. When the concentration should be on increasing my faith (not the works). It's not the act of fasting or prayer even that moves anything. It is our faith behind it. We need to do what builds our faith. Are you getting this? I sure am. Speak LORD.
Let me say it this way: We can fast and pray all we want, but without the FAITH - they are pretty much, empty acts. The faith of a mustard seed will move mountains, NOTHING WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE- Jesus said (Matthew 17:20). I'm not trying to devalue fasting nor prayer; I am trying to emphasize faith to us all.
The attitude of trust and confidence that the Bible calls belief or faith (Hebrews 11:1,6) is not something we can obtain without help. Faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8,9). No matter how much faith we have, we never reach the point of being self-sufficient. Faith is not stored away like money in the bank. You can't store some away for a rainy day. Growing in faith is a constant process of daily renewing our trust in Jesus. This is why Jesus knew the Word, and took the time to pray and fast- because this continuously renewed His faith in our Father.
Are you geared towards constantly and consistently renewing your faith in Jesus?
Above, I advised that you should never Fast without Prayer. Why? Because prayer is the key that unlocks faith in our life. Effective prayer needs both an attitude-complete dependenceand an action-asking/petitioning. Prayer demonstrates our reliance on God as we humbly invite Him to fill us with faith and power. There is NOsubstitute for prayer, especially in circumstances that seem impossible. The disciples often faced difficult situation that could be resolved only through prayer and so will you.
So get this! Take it in! Study more about this! Really seek understanding.
I know for some of you, this is a lot to take in. This is why I have to give God praise again, because thankfully you have all weekend to re-read and study this Scripture (and other relevant Scriptures) with God. I encourage you to. And if you need to extend it to more days to study... I encourage you even more. TGN Daily will be here when you get back.
I desire for each of us to truly be enlightened by Truth. I want to see the power of God come through in mighty ways for each of us- and guess what? So does He. God is so good!
We'll talk about "the impossible" on Monday. Have a great weekend with Jesus.
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Daily Prayer: LORD, I come to You and pray for increase for Your people. And not just in financial areas. I pray for an increase of the Spirit and in the spirit. The spirit-man is so important, and too many of us are lacking in this area. LORD, I pray for an increase of Your Spirit and in our spirit. Touch each of us today LORD and empower us. We NEED You. Where some are too proud, scared or even ignorant to admit this themselves; LORD, I admit each NEED for You, on their behalf; as well as mine. For I want my brothers and sisters in Christ to really experience fellowship with You. For You are so HOLY LORD. And even in Your HOLINESS and GREAT SPLENDOR- You yearn for each one of us. You desire our hearts LORD. We mean more than we know to You. You desire our love. To truly ponder over all of this, is to be amazed over and over and over again. LORD, I rebuke the unclean/evil spirits that we have allowed to become too comfortable in our lives LORD. I plead the blood; the awesome, powerful blood of Jesus on our lives-to create barriers that no enemy can break. I pray that every attempt, stronghold and attack are destroyed before us. LORD, I thank You for Your angels of protection. Your angels who act on our behalf at Your command. Oh THANK YOU LORD. For the angel of the LORDencamps around those who fear You, and You deliver us. Thank You Jesus for interceding for each of us. I declare healing physically, spiritually, emotionally, in trust of You, in relationships, in fellowships and churches, in finances, in everything. For, You have given Your children, all who believe in you the authority and power to trample upon the serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall in any way harm us. I ask all of this boldly in Your Name Jesus, and You declare it done. For You said if anyone who abides in You, ask in Your name; IT SHALL BE DONE! In honor and glory of our Father, let your people begin to see the manifestation of victory in every area of their lives. According to Your complete purpose and Will; letting go of placing our own purposes and wills before You. And I pray that our hearts truly continue to grow in obedience; not in the hope for any objects- but simply to obey, love and grow in You. For You are everlasting!! Amen.
It is soooo good to talk to God! May this prayer bless you. I am so thankful for each one of you. Let the LOVE of God complete you.
If you received revelation today- PLEASE- share.
If not, share as well. Let's connect!
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