“When Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You deaf and mute spirit, I command you, come out of him and do not enter him again.”  After crying out and throwing him into terrible convulsions, it came out; and the boy became so much like a corpse that most of them said, “He is dead!” (Mark 9:25-26)

How quick we are to react with unbelief.  We often expect the worse.  All things are in the Lord’s hands and He will accomplish what He purposes.  Guard your mind so that You are not led by the doubts and confusions of this world.  Things may not happen the way you expect or in your thinking of what it may look like, but the Lord will accomplish His will on earth as it is done in heaven.

Lord, grant that I would learn to wait upon You and not jump to conclusions.  You resurrect the dead.  Out of nothing, You have created everything.  Lead me to see that in You is all hope and an eternal future.  Guide me to live believing that all things are possible with You.  Lead me out of myself so that I do not live as one who is deaf and dumb, but live looking to You and see things as they are.

Lord Jesus, You speak the word and it is as You say.  Help my unbelief so that I trust that in You I can do all that You ask.  There are those things in my life which would hinder me.  Remove the obstacles that keep me from living the faith You have given me.  Teach me all I need to know in order that I would hold fast to You through all of the mayhem  that comes in this age.  Raise me to be with You after the last day.  Amen.

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Script: 

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three…Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning everyone! Hey, Pastor! Guess what?

Pastor: Oh boy. Here we go.

Sammy: Guess what!

Pastor: What happened, Sammy?

Sammy: There are new babies coming to our farm!

Pastor: There are? That’s great news!

Sammy: I found out from Farmer John that we have lambs, baby goats, chicks, piglets, and foals coming soon.

Pastor: That’s a lot of babies.

Sammy: Yes it is. I am excited but a little nervous, too. It’s been a while since I’ve been around little baby animals. What do you think I could do to help with the new babies? You guys seem like you know how to take care of animal and human babies.

Pastor: Boys and girls, what is it like to have a new baby around? What are some things Sammy can do to help with the new babies on the farm?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: These are great answers. I am going to try my best to help Farmer John with the new animal babies on the farm. I cannot wait to meet them–they are going to be so cute!

Pastor: Sammy, speaking of babies, Jesus is talking in the Gospel today about being born again.

Sammy: That’s silly, Pastor. We can only be born once.

Pastor: Not according to Jesus.

Sammy: He knows better than me, but can you please explain how someone can be born again?

Pastor: Well, first we are born as babies. Our mamas give birth to us. And then we are born again when we are baptized into the family of God.

Sammy: Oh so it’s like we are born two times!

Pastor: Exactly! We are born to our mamas, and then we are born by the Spirit.

Sammy: Why do we need to be born again by the Spirit?

Pastor: God loved us so much that he sent Jesus to die for our sins so that we could be saved. We all sin, but Jesus didn’t come to tell us we are bad, he came to earth to rescue us because he loves us. When we say we believe in Jesus and we are baptized into Jesus’s family, we are born again by the Spirit.

Sammy: That’s a gift, Pastor.

Pastor: Yes it is, Sammy. Let’s pray together. Can everyone please fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, thank you for baptism. Thank you for new life in you. Thank you for rescuing us. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.”  Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:23-24).

Jesus confronts head on the lack of belief.  How often do we not receive because we do not ask?  Yes, there can be wrong motive, but often, we do not receive because we do not ask.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, for all things are possible with Him.  One of the most poignant and helpful statements comes to us with the words, “Help my unbelief!”  We need the Lord’s help each and every step of the way.  He will help our belief.

Lord, help my unbelief.  There are many times I think too much about my situation and do not ask for Your help.  Teach me how to come to You with all things trusting that whatever the answer, it will be what is right.  You have told me that by Your power through me I can move mountains.  Help my unbelief so that I live in Your presence and if You say to me, “Tell that mountain to be moved,” You will move the mountain.  All things are possible with You.

Holy Spirit, You know when I am confronted by a wall of unbelief.  Wake me up to trust that all things truly are possible if I will act on what You tell me to do.  I know it is not me, but You who moves the mountain, but I also know that You have great purpose in everything that happens.  Lead me to trust in You above all things.  Guide my faith so that I put into action the things You give me to do.  Amen.

“And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood.  It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” (Mark 9:21-22)

Even a father who is desperate makes a step of faith and believes that perhaps, if he asks Jesus, his son may be cured.  “Take pity Lord and heal my son.”  But notice that He says, “If you can.”  So many of us act this way toward the Lord as if the Lord is not the Lord of all.  “If you can?”  Do you come to the Lord hoping but not trusting that He is able to do what He has promised?  Do you have faith in the Lord?

Lord, in this world filled with turmoil, I often doubt.  I wonder what is real, what is possible, and what are the limitations.  You are God.  Why do I doubt Your ability?  Do I believe those who hate You because You allowed something to happen they did not like?  Do I actually believe You are limited?  Help me to move through these things to know that You are God and everything is in Your hands.

Jesus, everything You do has great purpose.  You, the Word made flesh, dwelt among us, limited as we are limited in this physical body, yet You did great things and showed the power and authority of the Father.  Help me through my lack of faith and guide me to believe in faith that all things truly are in Your hands and that You will lead all who believe into eternal life, dwelling with You forever.  Amen.

“And He answered them and said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!”  They brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth” (Mark 9:19-20).

Faith is to be acted upon.  Without action, there can be no faith.  Even the Romans understood this when they said, “I came, I saw, and I conquered.”  Faith and its action are two sides of the same thing.  How long will you be unbelieving?  You see the Lord, now put what He says into action.  Through the Lord we can do all things.  All things are subject to the Lord, for He made them all.

Holy and Triune God, there are many times I am unbelieving.  I do not put into action the things You tell me and yet say that I have faith.  I know that I do not have to do things for salvation, for that is a free gift by grace from You.  If I do not put my faith into action, it is like not having faith at all.  Help me to step out in faith and do all that You give me to do.  Teach me how to trust and believe in all of the things You have given me.

Lord Jesus, help my unbelief.  Through You all things are possible.  If You give me a circumstance, guide me to do what You give me to do in that circumstance.  Help me to not tarry nor linger, but live the life You have set before me.  Teach me and help me learn so that my faith is complimented with action in belief.  Take what I know, add to it, and put me into action for Your name’s sake, doing what is pleasing to the Father.  Amen.

“And He asked them, “What are you discussing with them?”  And one of the crowd answered Him, “Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute;  and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth and stiffens out. I told Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it” (Mark 9:16-18).

Without the Lord, it is not possible.  If we rely on our own ability, or think that we have all that we need without Him, it is not possible.  It is a relationship and you and I need to rely upon the Lord for all things.  It is not a co-dependency, but a relationship.  With the Lord, all things are possible.  The optimum word is “with.”  Without the Lord, it is just us.  Keep this in mind as you walk with the Lord.

Lord, like a small child, I sometimes push Your hand away and say, “I can do it.”  I cannot.  Only with You can I do what You give me to de.  Lead me so that I do what You give me to do as You guide and help me do it.  Lead me in the way You know I need to go and help me so that I do not push Your hand away, but with delight accept all of the help that You will give me in order that I may learn faithfulness.

Lord Jesus, You are the author of my faith.  You know all that will come my way and what is needed in order for me to accomplish what You intend.  Guide me knowing that only with You will my journey of faith be made complete.  Help me to trust You above all things as You guide me this day.  Lead me and help me to do what I will do this day.  May my hand always be in Yours.  Amen.

“When they came back to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them.  Immediately, when the entire crowd saw Him, they were amazed and began running up to greet Him” (Mark 9:14-15).

Crowds love the idea of Jesus, but we are called into love itself.  Is it self-interest that drives us or the call to learn how to truly and eternally love?  Many often begins with where the self is and what the self thinks it needs.  We are called to deny ourselves and move out of our selves in order to live as we were created to live.  God is amazing.  Look at creation.  We must be moved beyond our selves so that God may teach us how to love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Lord, guide me ever deeper in this call of faith which You have given me.  Yes, I have wants and needs, but You have come so that I may have life and have it abundantly.  Teach me what it means to live in an outward way.  Teach me the patterns I have that take me into myself.  Lead me so that I may become what You are making of me.  Guide me along right paths for Your Name’s sake.

Come Holy Spirit and lead me through my inward self to understand where I am seeking for myself versus seeking for what You know needs to happen within me.  Guide me in the way of righteousness and whether I am in a crowd or all alone, help me to be true and consistent with all that I do.  You know all that is needed.  Help me to overcome all resistance so that I become like Jesus.  Amen.

“They asked Him, saying, “Why is it that the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”  And He said to them, “Elijah does first come and restore all things. And yet how is it written of the Son of Man that He will suffer many things and be treated with contempt?  But I say to you that Elijah has indeed come, and they did to him whatever they wished, just as it is written of him” (Mark 9:11-13).

We look for the literal, human, and explainable things.  John the Baptist was Elijah who came.  He was the one who prepared the way for our Savior.  They beheaded him.  The devil seeks to behead the church.  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but the word of the Lord is forever.  The gates of hell will not prevail.  We have been told these things.  Believe them, for the Lord has given us words of truth.

Lord, I hear these things and I doubt.  Help me to receive the word You have given me and believe.  You have purposed all things and they will come to pass as You have purposed them.  Lead me in living the life You have given me so that I do not live in fear, but in the confidence You give that all things truly are in Your hands.  It shall come to pass just as You have said.

Lord Jesus, help me to receive these words.  You did suffer and we shall drink from the same cup.  The world hates You and because I am in Your love, the world hates me.  There will be suffering.  Remove the doubts that come so that I may see Your hand upon my life no matter what the circumstances are.  You are my Savior and You are leading the way.  Help me today to trust that You truly are with me.  Amen.

“As they were coming down from the mountain, He gave them orders not to relate to anyone what they had seen, until the Son of Man rose from the dead.  They seized upon that statement, discussing with one another what rising from the dead meant” (Mark 9:9-10).

Do we obey the order of Jesus?  The three who witnessed these things did not speak of it until Christ was raised from the dead.  To obey is better than sacrifice.  Of course, at the time Jesus said this, they did not comprehend.  Perhaps this is a part of understanding how Peter could move from being timid, afraid, and a man standing by the fire denying the Lord to become one who was bold in proclaiming Jesus as Lord.

Lord, I do not know the road before me, but You do.  I do not understand all things, even the things I witness.  Help me to look to You and trust and believe that You truly are the loving Savior who will lead me all the days of my life.  Guide me in the way You know I need to go and help me to obey the orders that You give.  I can do nothing without You, but with You, the road before me will be made clear.

Lord Jesus, You know what You are doing.  You look to the Father and do all that He tells You to do.  Help me to look to You and do all that You say to me.  Guide me in the goodness of Your grace and mercy.  Help me to live according to Your never-failing word as You form me into Your image.  Lead me along the paths of righteousness for Your sake and teach me what it means to obey all that You have commanded.  Amen.

“For he did not know what to answer; for they became terrified.  Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!”  All at once they looked around and saw no one with them anymore, except Jesus alone” (Mark 9:6-8).

When overwhelmed, we often do not know how to respond.  We become afraid of the unknown and unfamiliar.  In the midst of doubts and uncertainties, the Lord speaks.  The words spoken are both a comfort and direction.  Jesus is the Son of God.  He is loved and we are loved.  From and through that love we are reconciled to the Lord.  Jesus is the Son, listen to Him, for you and I are to be in Him and He in us.

Lord, I sometimes make simple things complex and complex things too simple.  Help me to understand that I need to listen to Your word and be guided in the steps I take.  Open my ears to hear so that my feet may walk with You.  When I come to the end of this age, it will be You who is with me.  What more could I want or ask than for to be with You forever?

Lord Jesus, I am tossed about by this age.  You have given me the words of eternal life.  Help me to hear You as You speak.  Help me to listen and learn.  You are the author of my salvation.  You alone know the journey I need to take.  Be the One who leads me amidst all of the voices that are shouting around me.  Guide me in the way of everlasting life, heeding the Word You have given me.  Amen.