First Day of School for Charlotte
Hey all you Charlotte County students- I’ve prayed for you this morning and I hope you have a great day. Don’t forget what you learned this summer, and make efforts today to connect with God and connect Him to others.

Ok, on to our devotions…

Devotions for Monday, August 8, 2011
Mark 9:14-29

And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them? And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.

And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.

And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. (Mark 9:14-29)

Pastor Ben’s Commentary:
Jesus approaches the disciples and sees that they have got a crowd gathered and are being questioned by the scribes (religious leaders at the time.) Apparently there was some debate at the time over what to do with a child that was demon possessed. This was a real problem because this child was being controlled by another spirit that was trying to destroy him and others.

When Jesus got to the disciples he asked what they were debating about. A man in the crowd claimed to be the boys father and told Jesus of their problem. The disciples told Jesus that they had tried to help the boy but couldn’t. They couldn’t understand why they hadn’t been able to help the boy since after following Jesus they had been able to do some pretty amazing things. Jesus equated their inability to help the boy with a lack of faith when He said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.”

Jesus cast out the demon and healed the boy. Everyone was astonished at what happened, including the disciples. They asked Jesus why the couldn’t do what he had done. Jesus said that to do this kind of thing it takes prayer and fasting.
Application:
1. There is a direct connection to your faith and your prayer life. When Jesus heard that they couldn’t help the boy, he mentions their lack of faith as the reason. Later on, when they asked why they couldn’t do it, He mentioned that to be effective their must be prayer and fasting. Prayer and fasting helps to increase your faith, or your trust in God.

1. Your faith effects others positively or negatively. These disciples couldn’t do what was needed to help the young man because of their lack of faith. When you have faith in God it helps those around you. When you lack faith in God it hurts those around you. It’s as simple as that.

Application Questions:
Here are some questions you guys can answer today that may help spur on a little discussion.

1. How do you think prayer helps your own prayer life?
2. How do you think a strong faith in God could help other people?
3. How do you think a weak faith in God could hurt those around you?

Take a few minutes today to pray for God to help grow your faith in Him!