<x-tad-bigger>Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread":
</x-tad-bigger>[Several of you have written asking why you have not
received "Dial Daily Bread" for several days. Unfortunately, our ISP,
which we had used for several years, informed us that we could no
longer send to our lists of several hundred addresses. We received no
prior warning, therefore could not let you know. We still need to work
out some "bugs" with the new list server, but hopefully you are again
receiving the daily devotionals.--Carol Kawamoto]
<x-tad-bigger>
</x-tad-bigger><x-tad-bigger>Nine of Christ’s disciples had failed
miserably, and in full view of the crowd. It was severely
embarrassing, and the episode as told in Mark 9 is one of the most
dramatic moments in the gospel story. We identify with those nine for
often we too have failed to help people in distress as we have wanted
to do; our prayers have appeared to be unanswered. We have fasted and
prayed in behalf of people dying of cancer . . . and they have died.
We have prayed for alcoholics, and . . . they have gone on drinking.
We have pleaded for wayward youth, and they have . . . still wandered.
Jesus has been glorified on the Mount of Transfiguration--wonderful
mini-vacation, visiting with Moses and Elijah. Heavenly light. But now
He returns to His daily life of ministry for suffering people. The
nine disciples He had left in the valley have prayed for the demon to
be cast out of a suffering boy, and to their acute shame, nothing has
happened. Jesus told them that their problem was their “unbelief,” and
that “this kind” of demon problem can be healed only by “prayer and
fasting” (vs. 20). We empathize with them. The demons in effect tell
us as they told “the seven sons of Sceva,” “Jesus I know, and Paul I
know, but who are you?” (Acts 19:15).
A very thoughtful writer has suggested that their “unbelief” was
actually a lack of “sympathy” with Jesus in His work. Their faith was
not childlike, it was childish. And the question arises: are we today
in 2005 A.D. mature enough in our thinking to “sympathize” with Jesus
in His heart-burdened work He is doing on this grand Day of Atonement?
Or are we infants still absorbed in our natural spiritual egoism,
concerned just for our “reward”?
</x-tad-bigger><x-tad-bigger>
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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