life. wow. sometimes it just gets ahead of a person.
but... theres must always be time to sit a read the word. and be the mary that just listens to her savior.
this morning, my savior spoke to me.
im read mark 9-10.
** on peace and prayer.
come with me to a dusty street where a large crowd of people have gathered. obviously something is going on. Jesus walks up and asks about it... and a frustrated and tired father speaks up, "my son is demon possessed and it throws him into these crazy fits. and i brought him to your disciples, but they couldnt do anything about it." the only hope this father had was now gone. these were the people that were healing everyone.
jesus felt the disappointment and despair in the father and told him to bring the boy to him. the boy comes and when the demons see Jesus, the boy goes into a serious fit.
jesus does not panic. jesus does not react to this. Jesus just calmly asks the father, "how long has this been happening?" the father explains that many times these spirits have tried to kill the boy..."but if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us!"
Jesus... i can see the pain in his heart for these people. but the hope and power that he has to offer are coming through on his face. he's kinda smirking... as he says, "'if you can?' all things are possible to him who believes."
the father cries out in desperation and hopelessness..."i do believe! help my unbelief!"
-----Jesus is not freaking out because this boy is rolling around on the ground foaming at the mouth. Jesus knows who is in control. and he has peace through this whole situation.
Jesus looks around. the crowd is getting bigger. now Jesus feels urgency...
he rebuked the unclean spirit. the boys screams and goes into the worst convulsions ever...
...and then suddenly. everything is quiet. he lays still. like hes dead.
again, with peace, confidence and power, Jesus takes the boy by the hand and helps him up.
when they get back to the house the disciples are like, "what just happened? why couldnt we cast that one out?" Jesus says, "this kind cannot come out by anything but prayer."
"this kind cannot come out by anything but prayer."
hmm... and i thought... what else cannot happen by anything but prayer?
what would my life look like if i prayed?
i pray...just religiously... but what if i fervently prayed for something? someone? what in my life can only happen by prayer?
"Prayer is the practice of the presence of God. It is the place where pride is abandoned, hope is lifted, and supplication is made. Prayer is the place of admitting our need, of adopting humility, and claiming dependence upon God. Prayer is the needful practice of the Christian. Prayer is the exercise of faith and hope. Prayer is the privilege of touching the heart of the Father through the Son of God, Jesus our Lord." [from here]...the privilege of touching the heart of the father. wow! yes please!
**on children.
so, by this point we know that Jesus is a big deal. hes kind of amazing. :)
well, like any good parent would, they were all taking their children to meet Jesus. they knew there was some kind of supernatural power in his touch, and they all wanted him to touch their children.
well, like any celebrity, they have people [or bodyguards] to help control the people that crowd around. the disciples were these people. they thought they were doing a favor by telling the children to go home.. Jesus had more important things to do... and when Jesus saw this, it says he was indignant. the dictionary defines indignant as: "feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair." "permit the children to come to me. do not hinder them."
wait for it.... then he throws them a curveball.
"for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all."
Jesus really really loves the children.
then he takes them in his arms and blesses them and lays his hands on them and loves on them.
"for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
and im still thinking about this one... what does this mean?
this tells me that theres something about children that is precious and that Jesus loves... he has given his kingdom to children...
hmmm.......
k. i gotta go to work.. but yall tell me if you have thoughts on this. im gonna PRAY that Jesus would show me. what if he only opened his word by prayer?? hmmm.....
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