Scripture: Mark 9:17-26
Key Verse: 25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it: “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” 26 Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him.
Spiritual B3
In August 2020, Tropical Storm Isaias ripped through New York City leaving a trail of toppled trees in its path. I remember once perfectly manicured lawns, now a mangled mess, and concrete sidewalks ripped apart. That vivid picture of uprooted trees came back to me as I went through my journey of that final spirit crying out and then coming out. What I saw was that Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, was the tropical storm force winds that I needed to pull up the roots out of the ground in my life.
That revelation began to show me that the ground was my heart, and that the roots, and not only the tree were the problem. Pulling up the roots was the most important part— because you can trim the leaves, cut the branches, you can even cut down the tree, but unless you pull up the roots, that tree will grow again!
I realized that if I wanted the results of Jesus, I had to do what Jesus did. Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit. The rebuke was the tropical storm force winds, illustrating the force of conviction and commitment I needed in my heart to uproot what needed uprooting.
The third revelation was that Jesus called the unclean spirit by name, “Deaf and dumb spirit”. I understood that specificity will make the difference between what will and will not happen in my prayer life going forward.
And finally, I wrestled with the reality that for an uprooting to take place and for that spirit to never enter the soil of my heart again, I needed to re-sow seeds of worship, joy, peace, and an excitement for the things of God in place of the old roots. God knew it would take the tropical force winds to send me falling to my knees in submission. I thank God that just like He didn’t give up on me, He hasn’t given up on you either. Two things I’ll leave with you. First, ask God to help you discover something bigger than yourself to seek after. Second, realize that the deeper the roots, the longer the process of uprooting, for most things it is not an instant process. I pray you find what God gave me, a direction that was bigger than me which reignited the flame of my faith. Now it’s up to me and you to keep fanning that flame and light up the world for God’s glory!
I pray that as we close out Week 1, something has been said that helps you turn the corner on your journey toward accessing the fullness and presence of God that comes through prayer, fasting, meditation, and reflection.
CPR Kit for the Soul:
- Centering Theme: Take a moment to be still and meditate on what is really in the soil of your heart. Whatever is placed in the soil is what will grow from this day forward.
- Prayer Topic: Seek the Lord for belief in the possibilities of what lies on the other side of the past seven days. My prayer is that you have gotten a glimpse of what God has in store for you!
- Reflection Thought: What seeds do I want to sow in Week 2, in place of the old roots of Week 1?
T3 Prayer Booster:
- Dear Lord, thank You for not giving up on me no matter how deep my old roots ran…
- Lord, thank You for the revelations and reflections of Week 1, prepare my heart for what lies ahead…
- Lord, restore the joy and excitement of when I first came to know You and the power of Your presence…
Thank you for the word and being anointed and washed in the BLOOD….AMEN