Live 4 The LORD

​READ

Mathew 9:14-29 Story Nuggets 

I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” 19 And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you (Mark 9:18–19, RSV2CE)

if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us.” 23  And Jesus said to him, “If you can! All things are possible to him who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”  (Mark 9:22–24, RSV2CE)

I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again (Mark 9:25, RSV2CE)

This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting (Mark 9:29, RSV2CE)

REFLECT

Disciples are not able to cast out demon. 

Jesus is exasperated by their lack of faith. He is tired of their unbelief and expresses dissatisfaction in having to tolerate and bear them not believing. 

I want to be able to cast out the demons from my life in your name. I must believe! I must have faith in You and Your name! I absolutely do not want you to be exasperated by my lack of faith and unbelief. 

The father cries if you can do anything…

I admit I know you are God and can do anything, my problem is I am afraid you don’t want to do it for me. 

Jesus tells me that all things are possible for those who believe. 

The father cries I believe, help my unbelief. 

Even if I am weak in faith and admit I do believe but doubt (not a complete rejection of any belief). If I cry out to help my weakness, you answer that prayer too. 

Demons can come back when they are cast out. They also can bring more with them. We need to replace with good whatever let them in in the first place. And when renounced, rejected, and rebuked we ask they never come back again. 

Prayer and fasting can defeat demons. Prayer to have them removed in the Name of Jesus. Fasting to hear God and mortify my flesh, I need to know how they gained access and ask for conversion to eliminate that sin going forward or they can come back. 

RESOLUTION 

You are God and I will to choose to trust in You and Your Name. 

I choose to believe You, all things are possible for me if I believe! I believe you want me delivered from evil and sin and that you will deliver me, I must ask. Even in weakness and doubt I will ask for more faith. 

When demons are renounced, rejected, and rebuked to go the cross, I need to cut ties with whatever brought them into my sphere. Sin lets them enter, I must fight my sin, mortify my passions! (Pride, anger, greed, envy, sloth, lust, and gluttony). I must pray to Jesus for the grace to fight my sin, and for him to remove the evil in His Name and never come back. 

I chose to pray and fast. I have to hear God, obey God, and pray for grace to remain free. 

REST

God, you came to set me free. You do not want me in sin or tormented by evil spirits that try to gain access. Thank you for your love and grace. I need to pray and stay close so I can hear your will for me and be victorious in your grace. I believe you! All things are possible! Help me mortify my passions to keep evil away! Amen.