Matthew 17:17
   The words of Christ in this verse are most definitely not addressed primarily to the disciples. In fact, it seems likely that Jesus was not addressing them at all at this juncture. He has some things to say about their lack of belief shortly, and offers some constructive criticism in that regard. Here, however, he is expressing his disappointment with this faithless generation of Jews who are supposed to be God’s people. The scribes were unbelievers. The crowd was undecided. The father of the boy was unsure. This wave of unbelief was not uncommon during Jesus’ earthly ministry. One would think that God himself in human form would garner more support. But, this lack of faith had already been prophesied.

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 45:1-48:47

Scripture Memory: 1 John 4:16 “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your graciousness to us in spite of our faithlessness. We fail to believe You so often. Thank You for listening to our prayers even though our faith is weak. Thank You for strengthening our faith. Thank You for being patient with us. Your goodness is a forgone conclusion, and yet we act as if it is doubtful. Oh Father, thank You for loving us! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for two boys and a woman that are all sick. Pray for a young man who had a car accident. Pray for a family that just lost a loved one.

Journal Entry #13338

Matthew 17:16
   It seems altogether possible that this failure was not entirely the disciples’ fault. We know from Mark 9:16 that the scribes were there. They were evidently having a heated conversation about this alleged failure on the part of the disciples. Also, we see there as well that the father was quite weak in his faith. Jesus could, and did, cast out the demon in spite of this lack. However, such a lack of faith, and the presence of the antagonistic scribes, could very well explain why the disciples were having difficulty. It seems the situation was getting out of hand, and the disciples were unable to get it under control.

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 41:1-44:30

Scripture Memory: 1 John 4:16 “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we so often fail to trust You! You give us every reason in the world to believe Your promises, and then we question You. You are faithful, and we doubt You. Oh Father, thank You for Your patience and graciousness! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for two little boys who are sick. Pray for two men who need salvation.

Journal Entry #13337

Matthew 17:15
   This is a strange case. Reading it in Mark also, we can see that this sickness was due to demon possession. However, looking at some of the symptoms it sounds a bit like epilepsy. So, it was possession, but it was a bit different from other instances that Jesus had come across in the past. This has led some to think that it was harder to deal with. For Christ, there is nothing ‘harder’ or ‘easier’ about it. As he indicates later, those living a life of faith will find the Father able to answer prayers for even such strange cases.

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 37:1-40:16

Scripture Memory: 1 John 4:16 “And we have know and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for this new day to serve You! You are always there for us, telling us the Truth. You do not stop being faithful. You never fail to be good. You are the same, all the time. It is so wonderful to have Your strength to depend on. Thank You! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a little boy that is sick. Pray for a man who is sick. Pray for a woman with cancer.

Journal Entry #13336

Matthew 17:14
   Faith is an interesting thing. It grows in us quite differently at times. Thus, genuine faith is harder to come by and is worth its weight in gold. This man, who was one of the multitude, it seems had already seen Jesus do other miracles. Thus, he was working himself up to the point of actually asking about healing the boy. The context of this story in Mark 9 offers more clues. It gives us the idea, between the two accounts, that this man’s faith was growing, though slowly.

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 33:1-36:32

Scripture Memory: 1 John 4:15 “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for working in us. You know how faithless we can be, and yet You work to produce it in us. You are merciful and gracious, and it is of Your mercy that we have anything. Father, never let us forget how gracious You are to us. You have done so much, what we will do for You? You deserve all of our praise! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a young boy who is sick. Pray for two men with cancer.

Journal Entry #13335

Matthew 17:13
   Let us not forget that the ministry of John was quite successful. He minimized himself to bring more attention to Christ. However, he had quite a following. Many responded to his message of repentance. Many made their intentions to be prepared for the Messiah well known. But, just as the disciples, many had trouble understanding the truth of the relationship between Jesus and John. There was so much going on in that day, what with false prophets and the misleading teachings of the religious elite, that it was difficult for the common man to sort it all out. And that is one of the many reasons that Jesus targeted the common people. They had the best excuse for not understanding, and they had the greatest sense of their own need.

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 31:1-32:44

Scripture Memory: 1 John 4:15 “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, give us clarity! Remind us that Your Word is vitally important to our very lives. May we never take it for granted! May we never assume we have become so good on our own that we don’t need reminders of You. May we never forget that You are at work in us at all times. We have not arrived, we are on the way. Oh Father, thank You for Your Truth! It may be difficult for us to swallow, but we cannot say it is hard to find. Thank You for giving us Your Son, Father. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a little boy that is sick. Pray for a woman with a partially detached retina. Pray for a woman’s unspoken request.

Journal Entry #13334

Matthew 17:12
   What does Jesus mean here by saying that they knew him not? Did not many respond to the ministry of John the Baptist? Were not many baptized by him in the Jordan? How is it that Jesus would say he was not known? First, John was not accepted as a prophet by the Jewish leaders. Second, although he was popular, the people at large did not understand exactly who he was. Third, though his baptism was a sign of repentance, and prepared persons for the Messiah, it did not save anyone. This is why John was so careful to point others to Christ. Finally, Jesus compared himself and John. Though Jesus had many followers, like John, he had few true disciples. Few there be that find the narrow way to life.

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 28:1-30:24

Scripture Memory: 1 John 4:15 “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You. Every time I use that word ‘thanks’ I can think of You. Every good gift comes from You ultimately. If I have any good thing in my life, You have brought it about. Family is a blessing form You. Health is a blessing from You. My job is a blessing from You. Church is a blessing from You. It is all You! You are the source for all that is good in my life! Thank You most of all for Jesus! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a man who was just saved and is beginning to grow in Christ. Pray for a man with kidney failure. Pray for a man who is in the hospital.

Journal Entry #13333

Matthew 17:11
   The restoration here spoken of is the type for any later revival. The difference in a revival now is that the Holy Spirit’s ministry is in full force. Other than that, John’s restoration was a revival in every sense of the word. Any true revival will involve the reform of the people of God, and thus the changing of sinful ways.
   The purpose of the restoration was to prepare the people for Jesus. Malachi 4:6 explains that this was done so that Jesus would have some kind of positive response from the people. Otherwise, he might judge the world right then.

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 25:1-27:22

Scripture Memory: 1 John 4:15 “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for this day You have given us. You are so good to us. Thank You for Your mercy and grace. They are a great blessing and comfort to our hearts. Your love for us is amazing! Thank You so much! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a man with bone cancer. Pray for a woman with cancer. Pray for a woman who needs to find a church home.

Journal Entry #13332

Matthew 17:10
    While, on the one hand, the scribes were right about Elijah, they did not recognize John as they should. John’s teaching was too tough for their taste, and his denouncement of their sins was disturbing to them. They fancied themselves to be agreeable to any prophet of God. They did not expect to be preached to, but praised by, any prophet that might come. So, they did not see him for what he was.
   The disciples too, at this point, did not yet fully understand the ministry of John. We can, however, understand how their question came about. Seeing Elijah here, they wondered why they had not come earlier. There will be some things that we must understand readily, and others that will take us some time. The basic doctrines of the faith must be accepted in order for one to be said to believe and be the child of God. Other things may take us a bit longer to understand. The Lord is willing to explain things to us, if we will be willing to listen.

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 22:1-24:10

Scripture Memory: 1 John 4:14 “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You! You are so worthy of all our thanks and praise today and every day! You do so much for us that we never even think to praise You for. You bless our lives in so many different ways. Thank You for all of Your benefits. Thank You for Your Son! He is the greatest blessing and we are so thankful for him! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a man facing an evaluation at his job. Pray for a man who is recovering from a broken leg. Pray for a family that is travelling.

Journal Entry #13331

Matthew 17:9
   Sometimes Jesus’ way of doing things might seem odd to us. However, as God, his thoughts are not our thoughts, and his ways are high above our ways. His purpose in this vision was not, apparently, belief. In other words, he chose three men who already believed in him to go up the mountain with him. He told them not to tell the other disciples, or the multitudes that gathered to hear Jesus preach. Thus, this glorious vision was not meant to cause persons to believe in him. Instead, it was given for those who already had faith in him. Those who have will be given more, and those who have not will lose even what little they have.

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 18:1-21:14

Scripture Memory: 1 John 4:14 “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your plan. Though we don’t always understand Your way, we know it is best. We can see the wisdom in it as it is revealed to us. We recognize Your glory in it. Thank You for giving us Your Truth, and blessing our belief. It is not possible to overestimate Your goodness. You always do the best things. Thank You for Your influence in our lives. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a woman having complications after a surgery. Pray for a man with hip trouble. Pray for a missionary couple.

Journal Entry #13330