20 "Cans" of Success

20 Cans of Success

1.       Why should I say I can’t when the Bible says I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength? [Philippians 4:13]

2.       Why should I worry about my needs when I know that God will take care of all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus? [Philippians 4:19]

3.       Why should I fear when the Bible says God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind? [2 Timothy 1:7]

4.       Why should I lack faith to allow Christ to live His life through me, when God has given me a measure of faith? [Romans 12:3]

5.       Why should I be weak when the Bible says that the Lord is the strength of my life and that I will display strength and take action because I know God? [Psalm 27:1,
Daniel 11:32]

6.       Why should I allow Satan control over my life when He that is in me is greater than he that is in the world. [1 John 4:4]

7.       Why should I accept defeat when the Bible says that God always leads me in victory?
[2 Corinthians 2:14]

8.       Why should I lack wisdom when I know that Christ became wisdom to me from God and God gives wisdom to me generously when I ask Him for it? [1 Corinthians 1:30, James 1:5]

9.       Why should I be depressed when I can recall to mind God’s loving-kindness, compassion, faithfulness and have hope? [Lamentations 3:21-23]

10.   Why should I worry and be upset when I can cast all my anxiety on Christ who cares for me? [1 Peter 5:7]

11.   Why should I ever be in bondage knowing that there is liberty and freedom where the Spirit of the Lord is? [2 Corinthians 3:17, Galatians 5:1]

12.   Why should I feel condemned when the Bible says there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus? [Romans 8:1]

13.   Why should I feel alone when Jesus said He is with me always and He will never leave me nor forsake me? [Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5]

14.   Why should I feel like I’m cursed or the victim of misfortune when the Bible says that Christ rescued me from the curse of the law that I might receive His Spirit by faith? [Galatians 3:13-14]

15.   Why should I be unhappy when I, like Paul, can learn to be content whatever the circumstances? [Philippians 4:11]

16.   Why should I feel worthless when Christ became sin for me so that I might become the righteousness of God in Him? [2 Corinthians 5:21]

17.   Why should I feel helpless in the presence of others, when I know that if God is for me, who can be against me? [Romans 8:31]

18.   Why should I be confused when God is the author of peace and He gives me knowledge through His Spirit who lives in me? [1 Corinthians 2:12, 14:33]

19.   Why should I feel like a failure when I am more than a conqueror through Christ who loves me? [Romans 8:37]

20.   Why should I let the pressures of life bother me when I can take courage knowing that Jesus has overcome the world and its problems? [John 16:33]

 

3 little butterflies

My kids moved out Memorial Weekend...all three of them.  My oldest son, James bought a house & the other two were invited to live with him.  Our kids have always been very close, so it's not surprising that they would choose to stay together.

The first couple of nights was difficult...I admit I cried at night.  It was weird to be in a home without kids.  I still have moments of tearing up when I go by their "rooms".  I've been busy making them into guest rooms and my daughter's room will be an office/sewing room.

Well the other day, as I was watering my garden & pondering God's miracle of creation.  I was praying for my kids...something along these lines..."Lord, help the kids follow you and capture their hearts, so that they will truly understand Your love, help them understand the freedom you give & heal them from all the mistakes we made as parents."  About that time, I looked up & there were three little white butterflies fluttering around my head & flowers. 

To me, this was a confirmation that God has my kids in His hands & will do a mighty work in their lives.

Each time that I go to water my garden -- it seems these three butterflies visit me.  A cute reminder to never stop praying for my kids who are "fluttering" around their own personal gardens of life.

Friends

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.  I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.  John 15:13-15

And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. Romans 5:9-11

Friends.  In a lifetime, a person has many of them.  Childhood, Teenage, Young Married, Older Married - which is where I am now.  One thing that I have struggled with is being hurt by those who I thought were friends in the past.  This influenced my belief that "people can not be trusted". 

Over the past 10 years, the Lord has graciously taken me on a journey.  It started with my relationship with Him.  Although I have been a believer for 26 years, I have only recently come to know Him as my Father, Provider, Protector, Husband, King, Brother and now recently "Friend". 

What is interesting is that each time my view of God changes -- so is the view of others.  For example:  when I understood God as my Daddy my perspective about my own Father changed -- I could see my earthly Father as my Daddy.  When my view of God as Husband changed --- then my view of my husband changed.

I have many friends.  Some are closer than others.  However, recently because my view of God has been focused on Him as my "Friend".  I am beginning to really appreciate the blessing of these friends.  In the past, I guarded myself from allowing people to be close to me - however, over the years I have been able to open myself up to godly friendships. 

There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. Prov 18:24


Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? Prov 20:6

The ladies in my life are truly God's blessings & gifts to me!  I wanted to take the time in this blog to thank them for the love, compassion, prayer support over the years.  My friends have carried me through hard times and have laughed with me through happy ones too.   They have held my arms up and cried for me when I wouldn't. 

God has been showing me that relationships are important, imperative and influential.  All of which, my friends have been to me.  Thank each of you for the role you play in my life. 

 Today, I have a new appreciation for my Friends. 

You go, Girlfriend!

 

Mother's Day

“Our children give us the opportunity to become the parents we always wished we’d had.” - Louise Hart (1881-1950)

Being a mother is the most rewarding experience.  There are many memories that stick out...each child's birth experience, what it took to get them to stop crying, the funny things they did, the broken bones, times at the playground, smiles after visiting the "cookie lady", teaching them to read and the excitement when the first book was read, reading at bed time, praying at the couch, dressing up on Sunday, hair dramas, twirly dresses, 1st day at "real school", walking a 7th grader to the bus stop, the pain of teenage years, cheering at marching band competition, excitement at art shows, tears and shouts of joy at each graduation (kindergarten, 8th grade, High School, Nursing College, Bootcamp) musical performances with leading roles, formal rendevous, house hunting, game nights....etc. the memories continue.

Nowadays, the times I can spend with my kids are greatly cherished.  By the end of this month, they will all be living out of the home.  This is a weird transition time for me...it's been a joy to see them grow up before my eyes.  Now..it's time to watch them from afar.

My prayer is that they filter through what they've learned from their Mom, please remember the good, forgive the bad and improve what I did for the next generation.  Just remember, your Mommy loves you & is always praying for you & will be your #1 fan...forever!

P.S.  You are all my favorites!!!  Awesome, Awesome & Awesome!!!

To Speak or Not to Speak (Part Five)

Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. ~ Proverbs 12:18, NLT

In my study about when "to speak or not to speak"...I'm reminded today about the written page.  Many times I read things and wonder "what was that person thinking?"...since communication is more than words (body language, visual expression, etc.) and the written word is usually a one-sided conversation.   I see things people write on Facebook, My Space, newspapers, email, etc.  do people really feel that way or just venting?  Does everyone really need to know...everything?  Today, I'm reminded to be careful with not only my verbal "speech" but my written "speech" too...these words are in black & white, have potential to hurt others and are harder to forget with a simple "I'm sorry". 

This verse spoke to me today --- reminding me that some remarks are cutting (hurtful) -- but I have to remember to seek the words from wise counsel to balance it out. 

To Speak or Not to Speak (Part Four)

Fire goes out without wood, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops. ~ Proverbs 26:20, NLT

As stated in my last blog, The Gentry Fire of 2005, caused alot of devastation.  A 20 minute fire caused damage to everything inside our home except the outer four walls.  What kept the fire from spreading even worse than it did?  Well, firemen.  What would have happened if instead of using water to put out the fire - they began throwing more wood?  Obviously, the fire would have been even larger. 

This scripture reminds me that if I don't "feed" gossip then quarrels (verbal conflicts) will end.  This is definately true.  I know I've been in discussions that are going towards the negative route -- and all of sudden either someone else or I stop talking.  Interestingly, the conversation eventually changes or stops entirely.   Is the desire to put wood on the fire?  No.  Somehow in my sinfulness it feels good to talk negatively about others.  It tends to set me up above them.  All of sudden it feels like I am looking down at another person.   Such shameful reactions towards God's people.  My goal should be to edify, encourage and restore relationships.  Not tear them down.  I never set out or plan to gossip.  I'm sure you don't either.  Yet why is it that when we get into a heated conversation our first response is to throw more wood on the fire?  Well, for me, at that moment the sin feels good.  Lately, as I pray and seek His guidance --- it doesn't feel good at all.  My heart is changing because I am more aware of my sinful struggle in this area.

The more I study and ask the Lord to teach me - the more I realize how much I don't deserve.  I don't deserve forgiveness (I have done some terrible things in my past).  I don't deserve mercy (yet He freely gives it).  I don't deserve to be His child (although He adopted me through Christ's sacrifice).  When I see myself before God as a truly forgiven, child of God -- I don't feel at all worthy.  Yet, Christ paid all this for me.  He knows that I will struggle with sinfulness - yet I'm forgiven from all of it already.  Despite all of the bad things I have said in my life --- Christ's forgiveness covers them all!  This truth gives me a huge sense of relief and thankfulness.  I could never repay the debt I owe --- and I am so thankful that I don't have to work at trying...Christ paid it in full!

Sometimes, it takes just one person to stop a gossip fire from spreading.  Just as profound --- I can also keep from starting one.  

Lord, continue to teach me and guide me when it comes to the matters of the mouth.  I know that this is an area that I have probably hurt people without being aware of it.  If I need to make amends, please show me and guide me in that process.  My heart's desire is to honor you -- with all of  me. 

To Speak or Not to Speak (Part Three)

A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. ~ Proverbs 15:1, NLT

Our family had a house fire in January 2005.  I remember that day as if it were yesterday.  When I saw flames billowing around a corner; I pulled my son, Jake away from them.  It was very scary.  Yet, God protected us all and we escaped unharmed.  In a mere minutes the flames destroyed the majority of our home.  It took approximately 14 months to correct the damage of a 20 minute fire.

This house fire analogy reminded me of conflict.  When I answer someone in a gentle way - it can put water on a potential "mouth" fire.  Yet if I "fuel" it with a harsh word - it can take along time to repair the damage.  This visual has given me another insight to how important it is to keep my words in check.  I would rather put water (gently answer) on a potential fire (temper) rather than fuel it and make it worse.  This then leads to restoring a broken relationship.

Now for the challenge --- to remember this the next time I encounter a potential conflict.

Lord, please help me to remember to deflect anger by using gentle answers.  I really need Your help in this area of my life.  Sometimes being right feels better than being humble.  I desire to honor You with my mouth.  Thank you, Jesus.  Amen.

Keep Walking!

The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
      He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they stumble, they will never fall,
      for the Lord holds them by the hand. Psalm 37:23-24

Taking a detour from my series on speech today.   Recovery is hard; each step is another reflection to the exposure of my heart.  Who really enjoys knowing they have things that need work...continually?  Sometimes it gets weary.   Sometimes I want to give up... sometimes I get tired --- tired of walking.

When I do things in  my own strength; I stumble; yet this scripture passage spoke to me in a profound way.  Even WHEN I stumble - I will NEVER fall.   The Lord is holding my hand!  Did you notice it said "when" not "if"...God knows that this journey isn't easy.  He knows that with each day comes new trials, temptations and trauma.  Yet, He walks with me. 

This truth makes the walk feels so much lighter today.  So today I Keep Walking!

To Speak or Not to Speak (Part Two)

This journey of surrendering my speech comes with a price.  What I want vs. what God wants.

What I really "feel" like saying sometimes burns within me.  However, as I begin to evaluate my motive for what I want to say - I realize that it comes with a desire to either be heard or be right.  Neither of these are necessarily wrong, however my problem is that I want it too much.  I notice that as I pray for direction (on whether or not to speak);  the desire quickly dies.  So...I end up not saying what I originally wanted to afterall. 

Hmmm?  From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks...my heart/mouth has a continual "God at Work" sign on it. 

Today, I'm thankful that God loves me that much.

To Speak or not to Speak (Part One)

To speak or not to speak - this is a question that has come to be a daily way of keeping my mouth in check.  Since the beginning of the year, I have been meditating on scripture that focuses on speech.  What I have uncovered is not at all pleasant.  What's interesting is that none of these scriptures are new to me.  I've heard them all before, however, I have come to appreciate them in a new profound way.  God wants me to surrender my "tongue" daily.  So what started my thinking on this subject?  Well, last year I hosted a Bible study in my home.  One of the studies was on the book of James.  Wow!  When it got to the part about the tongue (chapter one)...my tongue got stepped on.  That was the beginning of what God is now showing me.  Now I am on a journey called "to speak or not to speak".  Read the following & you will see what I mean. 

 ^"Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.  Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.  So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.  But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.  

Did I hear an “Ouch” or "Amen"?

Butterfly Kisses?

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling" (Psalm 68:5NIV).

The song "Butterfly Kisses"...I always cry when I hear this song; I never realized that I always desired this type of relationship with my earthly father. 

Don't get me wrong, he was a compassionate father.  I really believe he loved me the best he knew how. He was hardly ever home, because he worked all the time(he provided, yet I felt he was absent).  My father was older (he was 57 years old when I was born), so I was embarrassed when people mistook me for his grand-daughter. When I would complain that I was "fat" - he would gently say "you not fat, your fluffy - men like fluffy.  Recently, there was a kid's movie (I don't remember the title) where the little girl yells "It's fluffy"...it triggered this memory. My dad made some bad decisions in life, but he never regretted having me as a daughter...that I know.

As a result of my ponderings, and the devotion (see below)...I was able to focus on my relationship with my earthly father today. My dad passed away in 1991 (age 83), yet today God showed me that if my dad were alive I would say these words to him.

"Dear Dad, I expected you to be the answer to all my problems, to always be there when I needed you, to rescue me from all my troubles, to protect me from others and myself.   Since I thought you didn't fill this role, I sought after life's answers and they failed me too. Youwere my dad; never really my daddy.I have learned that God through Jesus Christ has all the answers. I know that expecting you to fillGod's shoes was totally impossible.   Please forgive me. God has become my Daddy and so you no longer have to carry that burden in my heart.  I look forward to seeing you again - this time with new eyes of love - for my Heavenly Daddy has given me strength to now call you daddy, too. 
Love, Suzie Q (that's what my dad called me)"

Those are my thoughts for today.  Thanks for reading!


Today I read the following devotional and was reminded at how much God loves me.  The fact that He allows us to call him "Father" - "Daddy"...is amazing to me.

March 7, 2011
I Want a Daddy Who Loves Me
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters” (2 Corinthians 6:18 NIV italics added).
Friend to FriendWhen I was a little girl, my father spent most of his waking hours working at his building supply company, observing construction sites, or socializing with his colleagues and associates. Even though his place of business was only a few blocks from our home, his heart was miles away in a place I could never find.
My father didn’t drink alcohol every day, but when he did, it consumed him. Dad was filled with a rage that always seemed to be boiling just beneath the surface of his tough exterior. When he drank, that rage spewed out like hot lava onto those around him.
As a child, many nights I crawled into bed, pulled the covers tightly under my chin or even over my head, and prayed that I would quickly fall asleep to shut out the noise of my parents yelling and fighting. Crashing furniture, smashing glass, and fist upon flesh were common sounds that pierced my little girl nights. Occasionally I’d tiptoe over to my pink ballerina jewelry box, wind up the key in the back, open the lid, and try to focus on the tinkling melody that came from the music box as the dancer twirled with hands overhead.  I wanted to be wherever she was…anywhere but home.

I was afraid of my father. Even when he was sober, I kept my distance. At the same time, I observed how other daddies cherished their little girls. I saw daddies snuggle their daughters in their laps, hold their hands while walking in the park, or kiss their cheeks as they dropped them off at school in the mornings. Deep in my heart, a dream was birthed.  I dreamed that one day, I would have a daddy who loved me like that – not because I was pretty, or made good grades, or could play the piano well, but just because I was his. I dreamed that one day I would be a cherished daughter and the apple of my daddy’s eye.
In talking to women all across the country, I have seen eyes fill with tears when I talk about the dream of having a daddy who loves me.  But the tears are not for me; they reveal the longing in their own hearts.  Butterfly Kisses, a song by Bob Carlisle, climbed the charts in 2000, receiving international recognition in both the Christian and secular music industries. The song was about the tender love between a father and his daughter, starting from her birth to her wedding day. Mr. Carlisle said, “I get a lot of mail from young girls who try to get me to marry their moms.  That used to be a real chuckle because it’s so cute, but then I realized they didn’t want romance for mom.  They want the father that is in that song, and that just kills me.”

What did the little girls long for? They wanted a daddy to scoop them up in his strong arms.  They wanted to plant butterfly kisses on his scruffy face. They wanted to see tears in his eyes when he walked them down the aisle on their wedding day. Little girls and grown women alike long for a father to protect them, help them, guide them, nurture them, and cheer them on through the struggles of life.

In the Old Testament, God has many names.  He is Elohim – the Creator, El Elyon – God Most High, El Roi – the God who sees, El Shaddai – the All-Sufficient One, Adonai – the Lord, Jehovah – the Self-Existent One, Jehovah-Jireh –the Lord Will Provide, Jehovah – Rapha – the Lord who heals, Jehovah—Shalom – the Lord is peace, Jehovah-Raah – the Lord my Shepherd, and many more.

In the New Testament, Jesus introduced a new name for God – Father. In the Gospel of John alone, God is referred to as Father at least 120 times. It is the name that Jesus referred to more than any other and the name that He invites us to use to address the Creator of the Universe. Just stop and think about that for a moment. The God of the universe who created the heavens and the earth, who always has been and always will be, who is all-knowing, all powerful, and present everywhere at once – that same God invites you to call Him Abba Father. He invites you to call Him Daddy!

When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, He said:
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.  Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.  And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.  Do not be like them, for yourFather knows what you need before you ask him.  This, then, is how you should pray:
‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name….’” (Matthews 6:6-9 italics added).

Let’s PrayOur Father who art in heaven, Hollowed by Thy name.  Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen
Now It’s Your TurnI believe that God gives us Butterfly Kisses all through the day.  Today, look for ways that God is sending you little blessings.  Don’t miss it!  It could be in a sunrise, a redbird on the backdrop of a gray sky, or a gentle breeze that whispers “I love you.”
At the end of the day, visit my Facebook page and share how you sensed your Father’s presence today.

Keep myself from idols

• Dear children, keep yourselves from idols. 1 John 5:21 (NIV)
• Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts. 1 John 5:21 (NLT)
• Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. 1 John 5:21 (KJV)
• Dear children, be on guard against all clever facsimiles. 1 John 5:21 (Message)
• Little children, keep yourselves from idols (false gods)--[from anything and everything that would occupy the place in your heart due to God, from any sort of substitute for Him that would take first place in your life]. Amen (so let it be). 1 John 5:21 (Amplified) 

This verse jumped out at me today.   A person's first idea of an idol is something you bow down to, an image made to represent a diety, etc.  As I began to reflect, it became a very obvious reminder that anything that takes the priority to God in my life is an idol. I don't kneel before a statue or any representation thereof, however idol worship is real.

For instance, here are some idols that have been or continue to be a struggle for me.

1.  People worship - I find myself caring too much of what people think, being intimitated, allowing people to control me
2.   Time worship - Not managing or mismanaging my time; being obsessed with schedules, etc.
3.  Task worship - Making sure things are done that are important to me at the cost of other more important things.
4.   Procrastination worship - Not getting things accomplished that should be done because I'm obsessing over    #2 & 3
5.  Pleasure worship - escaping from reality to ease the stress of all the above by doing something that isn't necessarily bad, yet I go beyond moderation.   Examples:  TV, Facebook (Bejeweled) and sleep.
6.  Self worship - if I evaluate all of the above -- it boils down to the number one thing that I am worshipping the common denominator--- ME!

People/ME, Time/ME, Task/ME, Procrastination/ME, Pleasure/ME, Self/ME

Oh Lord, as I endeavor to renew my mind daily, dieing to self , repenting of these idols, making intentional faith choices to put off and put on, please send reminders of my desire to put you first and foremost in all that I do.  I want less of ME and MORE OF YOU!  I need God over ME not the other things over ME.

CONTENTMENT = GOD/ME

God's justice; not mine

 <sup>Sometimes it doesn't seem fair when things happen to believers.  Today, I read Psalm 34 and the following passage jumped off the page.      It's clear that God always watches, hears, rescues, redeems and gives refuge.  


 For the those who do evil, wicked and hate the believer --- God's justice. 


 I am reminded that God always has my back and as His daughter regardless of my circumstances - He is always there!  My protector, deliverer, redeemer, restorer and my Daddy! 
Psalm 34:15-22
15</sup> The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right;
      his ears are open to their cries for help.
 ¹⁶ But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil;
      he will erase their memory from the earth.
 ¹⁷ The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
      He rescues them from all their troubles.
 ¹⁸ The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
      he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
 ¹⁹ The righteous person faces many troubles,
      but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
 ²⁰ For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous;
      not one of them is broken!
 ²¹ Calamity will surely overtake the wicked,
      and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
 ²² But the Lord will redeem those who serve him.
      No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

Help my unbelief!

Today as I was reading - this story (see below) jumped out at me.   As I pondered this scripture - God has reminded me that "ONLY HE - THROUGH PRAYER" can do what seems impossible in people's lives.  What do I do...pray!  Lord, I do believe; help my unbelief!

When they returned to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd surrounding them, and some teachers of religious law were arguing with them.  When the crowd saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with awe, and they ran to greet him.

 “What is all this arguing about?” Jesus asked. One of the men in the crowd spoke up and said, “Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him. He is possessed by an evil spirit that won’t let him talk. And whenever this spirit seizes him, it throws him violently to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn’t do it.”

Jesus said to them, “You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth.

“How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father. He replied, “Since he was a little boy. The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”

“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”  

The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

When Jesus saw that the crowd of onlookers was growing, he rebuked the evil spirit. “Listen, you spirit that makes this boy unable to hear and speak,” he said. “I command you to come out of this child and never enter him again!” Then the spirit screamed and threw the boy into another violent convulsion and left him. The boy appeared to be dead. A murmur ran through the crowd as people said, “He’s dead.”

But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up.

Afterward, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, “Why couldn’t we cast out that evil spirit?”

Jesus replied, “This kind can be cast out only by prayer.”  (Mark 9:14-29)