Can you believe the unbelievable?

Jesus gave his disciples power to drive out demons (Mark 3:14-15). But the disciples can't heal this particular boy who has an evil spirit. Why? (Matthew 17-19). The boy's father has heard of Jesus and his disciples and the many people they have healed, so he brings his son. But when he says, "If you can," he shows he doesn't really believe in Jesus.

*How does Jesus answer him (Mark 9:23)?

*What does the father ask Jesus to do (Mark 9:24)?

Read Joshua 6:1-20.

Read About It

 "1 Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.

 2 Then the LORD said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. 3 March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. 4 Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. 5 When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in."

 6 So Joshua son of Nun called the priests and said to them, "Take up the ark of the covenant of the LORD and have seven priests carry trumpets in front of it." 7 And he ordered the people, "Advance! March around the city, with the armed guard going ahead of the ark of the LORD."

 8 When Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets before the LORD went forward, blowing their trumpets, and the ark of the LORD's covenant followed them. 9 The armed guard marched ahead of the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard followed the ark. All this time the trumpets were sounding. 10 But Joshua had commanded the people, "Do not give a war cry, do not raise your voices, do not say a word until the day I tell you to shout. Then shout!" 11 So he had the ark of the LORD carried around the city, circling it once. Then the people returned to camp and spent the night there.

 12 Joshua got up early the next morning and the priests took up the ark of the LORD. 13 The seven priests carrying the seven trumpets went forward, marching before the ark of the LORD and blowing the trumpets. The armed men went ahead of them and the rear guard followed the ark of the LORD, while the trumpets kept sounding. 14 So on the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. They did this for six days.

 15 On the seventh day, they got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times in the same manner, except that on that day they circled the city seven times. 16 The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the people, "Shout! For the LORD has given you the city! 17 The city and all that is in it are to be devoted ^[a] to the LORD. Only Rahab the prostitute ^[b] and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent. 18 But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it. 19 All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the LORD and must go into his treasury."

 20 When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city."

The people living in Jericho wonder what is going on. Why in the world are 40,000 Israelite soldiers marching around their city- without saying anything? And why do the priests keep blowing trumpets? It's been the same thing every day for 6 days. On the seventh day, something new happens--the army marches around the city seven times. After the seventh time, the Israelites give a loud shout and the wall of Jericho comes crashing down.                

Do you think the Israelites were a little surprised when God said they'd defeat a city by blowing trumpets and walking around the wall? They had just seen God part the Jordan River so they could easily cross on dry land. (Joshua 3:1-17). This gave them confidence. The people trusted in God, and they showed their faith by obeying God's command, It's their faith in the Lord that makes the wall of Jericho fall (Hebrews 11:30).

Experience It

Do you believe God can do anything? Think back over your life and look for ways God has helped you in ways you never thought he would. Ask family member if they have experienced amazing things God has done when doubt may have been hanging around. Ask for Jesus' help to conquer your disbelief. He will lovingly lend a hand just as he did with the father in Mark 9. Praise him for the work he's already done in your life.

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Posted by MyThr33Sons

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I don't really know you, but I have read a bit on your blog. You are very insightful, especiallay for someone so young. Didn't they think the same thing of Jesus. There is a bit of Him showing in you. I'm sure He's very proud to call you His own.
In Christ,
Shirley

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