What if you were asked to write your failures on a wall for everyone to see? What if the person doing the asking was your boss? That’s exactly what happens every day at Dun and Bradstreet Credibility Corp. Jeff Stibel, chief executive officer, came up with the Failure Wall. Stibel encourages his employees to write their failures on the 10-by-15-foot surface in order to succeed in their work and in life.
Jesus wanted His disciples to acknowledge and own their failures so they could succeed in His mission. Here’s one thing the disciples could have written down: “We didn’t seek God’s power in prayer while dealing with a demon.”
When Jesus, Peter, James, and John arrived at the foot of the mountain after Jesus had been transfigured, they found an anguished father whose son was possessed by a demon (Mark 9:2-3,17-18). The evil spirit had robbed the boy of his speech and hearing.
The father had brought his son to be healed by Jesus, but in His absence the man had approached the disciples. Though they’d been given authority to cast out demons (Mark 6:7,13), on this day they weren’t able to do it. Jesus healed the man’s son, causing the disciples to ask: “Why couldn’t we cast out that evil spirit?” (Mark 9:28). The disciples had tried to act in their own strength, instead of praying to God and depending on Him.
We all face the reality of spiritual attacks in this life. And our own sinful nature can lead us to follow temptations that will lead to failure. How can we be better prepared to follow God and not fail? By studying Scripture (Ephesians 6:17), putting on our spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:10-17), growing in faith (1 John 5:4-5), relying on Jesus’ power (John 16:33), and depending on Him in prayer (Ephesians 6:18).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Mark 8:22–9:1
More:
Read 2 Kings 4:32-35 to see how Elisha prepared to battle the dark force of death.
Next:
In what ways do you need to be prepared for encounters with spiritual enemies? What piece of armor in Ephesians 6:10-17 do you most need to put on today?
riculloa52@yahoo.com on July 22, 2016 at 3:09 am
I am curious as to why the last of the verse about fasting was left out? It changes the meaning of the verse as it wasn’t just prayer, but prayer and fasting was the reason the Apostles couldn’t cast out the demon. ‘Just curious to the omission as it seems to affect the entire reasoning.
gagirllive on July 22, 2016 at 7:16 am
Friend, I believe the default setting on Biblia is the NLT. Did you notice the asterisk beside the last verse? At the bottom of the text is a footnote stating that some texts include fasting. I believe you can change to the translation you prefer by clicking on the Bible icon at the top right corner once you open. I hope this helps. A blessed day to you!
marvin williams on July 22, 2016 at 9:02 am
Thanks for responding on that issue. I appreciate it.
marvin williams on July 22, 2016 at 9:01 am
Thanks for asking. Most scholars believe that scribes added “fasting” later. It wasn’t in the latest manuscripts. And, gagirllive was spot. Thanks.
yemiks1 on July 22, 2016 at 7:31 am
That’s a heavy concern on the issue of translations. Great message
gagirllive on July 22, 2016 at 7:49 am
Wow, Marvin. This is good stuff. I think a lot of things we deem as failures could be attributed to the fact that we fail to pray. I don’t think that’s always the case though. I do know that things don’t often go well when I fail to pray about a situation and forge ahead in my own strength and understanding. And what about fasting? As the first commentator said, that puts a different spin on things too. Is there more power available to us when the two are coupled together? Is prayer alone not enough? Did the disciples pray but not fast, or did they not do either in that case? Jesus’ statement to them does not make that clear to me. From what you pointed out, they had already been given authority by Jesus. So am I correct in understanding that they had authority, but without prayer and/or fasting they had no power? A lot to discover here, Marvin. As for the piece of spiritual armor I need most today…every bit of it. I don’t want any parts of me uncovered. 🙂 Great word for us today. I’ll be digging a little more on this. Thanks, Marvin!
marvin williams on July 22, 2016 at 9:07 am
I agree. When I operate in the flesh, I am bound to fail and I won’t see lasting fruit. For instance, when I get ready to preach on the weekend, I can tell when I am in the flesh. I am worried about what people will think. It feels like it is more about me than God’s glory. However, when I am prayed up, I tend to be more relaxed because the focus is on God and he is responsible for the outcomes. I hope that makes sense. Again, thanks for adding your voice here.
gagirllive on July 22, 2016 at 9:24 am
Appreciate your feedback, Marvin. I do know what you mean. Self-forgetfulness is a good indication that we are operating in the Spirit. I pray a lot about that for myself. I look forward to the day when I’m completely free from other and self-consciousness…when all I see is Christ. If you’re preaching this weekend, I pray that will be your experience as well. Grace and peace be multiplied to you, Marvin.
hsnpoor on July 22, 2016 at 12:10 pm
If I may, “ditto”!
hsnpoor on July 22, 2016 at 12:09 pm
Great questions, GG! I once started a study on fasting pivoting from the fasting mentioned in Jonah. It was part of a Bible Teaching class and I had a deadline, so I did enough to complete the assignment and make the presentation, but never actually really FINISHED that study. There were almost an infinite number of rabbit holes to crawl down. I think I might pick that study up again in light of this devotion and your questions. I tend to think that “and fasting” is pretty pivotal to the disciples encounter with the man and his demon-possessed son. As for this failure wall in the workplace, all I can say is I’m glad I don’t work at Dun & Bradstreet. My big takeaway on this devotion seemed like it was highlighted in neon lights: “The disciples had tried to act in their own strength, instead of praying to God and depending on Him”. Blessings to all and thank you, Marvin, for a thought provoking devotion today and that tidbit to stay away from Dun & Bradstreet, if I’m ever looking for a job…:)!
gagirllive on July 22, 2016 at 1:34 pm
Be sure to share what you learn when you go back and finish that study, Kim. I always appreciate your wisdom here. A blessed weekend to you!
hsnpoor on July 22, 2016 at 8:02 pm
Back at ya, on all counts!
susanb1998 on July 22, 2016 at 8:31 am
I put on my prayer armor today & everyday..
marvin williams on July 22, 2016 at 9:08 am
Thank you for the healthy reminder that putting on our prayer armor is a daily exercise for believers. Grace and peace to you.
crossman61 on July 22, 2016 at 10:54 am
Good morning ODJ and all in the forum today . That’s a good practice in that work place . We must always examine ourselves , Hopefully we are Honest with ourselves. trying to fool ourselves doesn’t help us . Sometimes the truth hurts , but it can also set us free .Growing pains hurt !!! I cant think of all the times I have failed ? It would have to be a bigger wall than 10`x15` or my words would have to be very small . I like to read some of the different Bible versions to compare some meanings . That is the first time I saw this one, that the first commentator pointed out . My first thoughts were the same as theirs . Thanks for clarifying this . Thank You Marvin great devotional !!! Oh yeah, I need to put on the full armor of God daily , but I know I fail at that, a lot of days too .
gagirllive on July 22, 2016 at 11:28 am
I’m with you, crossman61. I think that workplace practice puts into effect James 5: 16…”Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed…” Hmm.
hsnpoor on July 22, 2016 at 12:14 pm
If only our workplaces were populated by people who would pray for you rather than gloat over your failures. Hmm, indeed!
gagirllive on July 22, 2016 at 1:31 pm
Yeah….I definitely don’t think they do the praying part, but apparently airing their faults and failures is working for them!
youssef1777 on July 22, 2016 at 11:15 am
PRAYER BY FAITH WILL LEAD YOU WHY THIS HAPPEN AND THE LORD WILL HELP YOU TO CORRECT IT . KEEP GOING WITH YOUR LIFE AND LEARN FROM THIS MISTAKE . GOD BLESS YOU ALL. AMEN .
gagirllive on July 22, 2016 at 11:23 am
Thank you, youssef1777. You always encourage here. By the way, the all caps make me feel your passion for Christ. 🙂
godlove on July 22, 2016 at 1:05 pm
Anything I do relying on self is almost always bound to failure. The slap of failure is usually a good reminder that I just can’t do it without help from our Father above. So much so that I actually feel helpless if I do something without having first committed it to God in prayer. I’m always more confident after prayers because I know that “I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). So when I have surrendered everything to His control, I know the outcome (whatever it is) will be His divine will. As such, what may look like “failure” to human eyes, I describe as “God’s will” and I pray for God to help me identify what I might have done wrong or accept His will as it is. Marvin, thanks for this great reminder about the importance of prayer (and fasting) in everything we do. Blessed weekend to all.
Marlena Graves on July 22, 2016 at 7:34 pm
Thank you Marvin, I often think about going ahead of gone. It’s something that I fear doing. I think in our haste to get things done in Jesus’s name we can rely on our own strength and then crumble when things go well. But, at the same time, we may depending on God and things not go well at all – i.e., Jesus was completely dependent on the Father and the Spirit but still suffered on the cross for our sins. We need to make sure that we do rely on God and take up the practices you mentioned.