We have angels assigned to us. Hebrews 1:14 reveals that their purpose is to minister to us (i.e. on our behalf). In the Old Testament, Psalm 91 teaches on the ministry of angels to God's people.

Some have realized this truth and have taken it even further to say that we are supposed to speak to our angels and they will obey our commands. There is no instruction in bible to do this nor is there any example of it being done. Many of the angels' protective duties described in Psalm 91 are preventative.

These angels are dispatched exactly as this verse describes, by looking at the Father's face. God controls them for us; but, we do have a part to play. In Psalm 91 it is those who dwell in the secret place of the Most High, that are able to benefit from angelic activity (v. 1). Verse 2 further instructs us to say that the Lord is our refuge and fortress and that we are trusting in Him.

It is the combination of our faith in God and His faithfulness to us that releases the angels on our behalf. If it was solely up to God, His provision would be the same for everyone because of His mercy and grace.  We have to receive God's grace by faith (Ephesians 2:8). As we seek the Lord, become aware of His ministering spirits which were created to minister for us, and speak forth our faith in this area, He will send forth His angels on our behalf.

Jesus used a little child to illustrate humility. Even though little children have a purity and humility that is missing in adults, they are not selfless. A child comes into the world totally self-centered, wanting what he wants when he wants it. Parents are to train children out of this self-centeredness.

One of humility's characteristics is a God-dependency and not a self-sufficiency. The truth of humility being the key to greatness or success was not new. Jesus gave this truth new meaning by walking in humility as no one ever had before.

Self-denial to greatness is opposite to the world's exalting self at everyone else's expense. Humility couldn't possibly work if there was no God.

Humility is a step of faith, faith that God is the judge and that promotion comes from Him (Psalm 75:6-7), and faith that God will resist the proud but give grace unto the humble (1 Peter 5:5). 

Humility is trusting in God and not in ourselves. This is why it is easy to be humble when we've failed, and hard to be humble when we've achieved great success. This is why Paul commanded Timothy not to put a novice into a position of leadership in the church. Pride is self-sufficiency and self-exaltation.  Humility is self-denial and dependence upon God.

God's kingdom is founded upon this principle of humility before honor. God's kind of love is selfless as seen by Jesus' own actions. 

Pride is the only reason that strife comes (Proverbs 13:10); so remember, humility is the key to walking in love with our brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Matthew 17:24-27 was quite a miracle. Not only was the money supplied for their taxes, but it was the exact amount needed, and it was from the first fish that was caught.

Although this sets the precedent that God can supply our needs in a miraculous way, it's important to remember that God doesn't counterfeit money. He didn't create money in the fish, but rather he had the fish miraculously find and swallow the exact Roman coin that Peter needed. It's a mistake to just pray and then wait on God to rain the money down from heaven.

Luke 6:38 says, God uses men (and sometimes fish) to give finances to us. He can do it in a very unexpected, supernatural way but it will involve people and existing currency. We need to believe the Lord hears and answers our prayers and then pray for the people He's going to use to deliver the answer. This could be our employer, the person who buys our goods, or any number of people.

The Lord also blesses what we set our hands to do. When in need, we should seek God's direction for something to set our hands to and then trust Him to bless it and multiply the results of our work. 

One hundred times zero is zero. Many people have missed their miracle because they never took that first step of faith and used what they had. God can give us a creative idea today that will bless us and make us a blessing to others. 

Prayer and fasting do not drive out certain demons . If the name of Jesus and faith in His name can't, then fasting and prayer won't either. Jesus is saying that fasting and prayer are the only ways of casting out this type of unbelief (Mark 9:28-29).

An unbelief that comes as a result of ignorance can be done away with by receiving the truth of God's Word (Romans 10:17; 2 Peter 1:4). The unbelief that hindered the disciples in this case was a "natural" type of unbelief. They had been taught all of their lives to believe what their five senses told them. They were simply dominated by the natural more than by God's supernatural (God's Word). The only way to overcome this unbelief that comes through our senses is to deny our senses through prayer and fasting.

Fasting accomplishes many things. One of the greatest benefits of fasting is that through denying the lusts of the flesh, the spirit man grows. Fasting was always used as a means of seeking God to the exclusion of all else. Fasting does not cast out demons but rather, it casts out unbelief. Fasting is beneficial in every area of the Christian life. 

The virtue of a fast is in humbling ourselves through self denial (Psalm 35:13; 69:10), and that can be accomplished through ways other than total abstinence. Partial fasts can be beneficial, as well as fasts of our time or pleasures. Because appetite for food is one of man's strongest drives, fasting from food seems to get the job done the quickest. Fasting should be a much more important part of our seeking God.

The disciples' unbelief in Matthew 17:20 was not a disbelief in God's power to produce deliverance. It was a "natural" kind of unbelief that came from a heart that was more sensitive to what it saw than to what it believed. Jesus said that a very small amount of faith (a "mustard seed") is enough to remove a mountain, if no unbelief is present to hinder it.

Jesus was disappointed that His disciples had not been able to cast this devil out. Most people would have had no criticism of these disciples.  It wasn't normal to have power over evil spirits. Jesus had already given these disciples power and authority over all devils. These disciples had used this power and authority successfully on previous occasions, making them more accountable than others. They weren't just normal men any longer. They had a supernatural ability and calling.

We also receive power from on high when the Holy Ghost comes upon us, and it becomes our normal Christian service to use this power to witness to others.

We can always look around and find plenty of Christians who are not using this power, but 2 Corinthians 10:12 says that comparing ourselves among ourselves is not wise. 

Most Christians are living so far below what God intended for them that when someone begins to live a normal Christian life (according to God's standard), then everyone thinks he's abnormal. We will be successful when we not only build our faith but destroy our doubts.

It's interesting to compare Jesus' transfiguration with that of Moses'. Jesus' face shone as the sun and His garment was as white as the light. This certainly exceeded what Moses experienced, and yet Jesus' face did not continue to shine when He came down off of the mountain as Moses' face did. Moses' face shinned with the glory of God, but Jesus was the glory of God (John 1:14; Hebrews 1:3). 

Moses put a veil over his face to conceal the glory of God (Exodus 34:29-35) so that the people would not be afraid to come near him. Jesus' body was His veil that concealed His true glory within. 

During Jesus' transfiguration, He pulled back the veil of His flesh, and we simply caught a glimpse of His glory that he had with the Father before the world was (John 17:5). At Jesus' death, the veil of His body was "rent in two" giving us direct access to the glory of God (Hebrews 10:19-20).

We need to be conformed to the death of Christ. Reckoning ourselves dead to sin and all its effects upon us in the same way that Christ is dead to sin and all its effects upon Him. Many people focus on the death to sin but omit being alive unto God. It is assumed that if we will just die to sin, then life with Christ comes automatically.

That's no more so than physical death automatically producing physical resurrection. God doesn't need dead people. He needs people who have risen from the dead spiritually. People who know who they are "In Christ." 

The victorious New Testament believer is not just living for the Lord, but the risen Christ is actually living through him. There are over a hundred scriptural references to the indwelling presence of the Lord in the life of a believer. 

We must look into the Word, and see what God has to say about us.

Although the prophecies about His death and resurrection were many, Jesus' disciples didn't understand or remember His words until after His resurrection (Luke 24:5-9). Luke records twice that Jesus' sayings about His resurrection were hidden from the disciples. But the chief priests and Pharisees remembered Jesus' prophecies about His resurrection (Matthew 27:63) when His disciples didn't.

One of the great truths of the Bible is that Jesus died for our sins, not for His own. Jesus was totally sinless. This is one of the major differences between Christianity and the religions of the world. No other religious leader has ever claimed to be sinless, therefore no other religious leader is even in the same class with Jesus. 

Also, no other religious leader has ever given his life in sacrifice to atone for the sins of others. It wouldn't have done any good if one had. Since the religious leaders were sinners themselves, their lives weren't worth any more than any other sinner. But, since Jesus was the sinless Son of God, His life was worth more than all of humanity throughout the ages.

Every detail of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection was already prophesied in the bible before it happened. All the events of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection had fulfilled scripture. 

God's Word is the ultimate authority and only through His Word can we receive faith to be born again. We must preach the Word, not experiences. Experiences are only useful to illustrate that God's Word is true. Jesus is alive from the dead. His tomb is empty. Jesus provided us with the ultimate verification of His authority. He arose from the dead.

In Mark 8:33 Jesus wasn,t saying that Peter was Satan, but was referring to the fact that Satan had inspired Peter's to say what he did.  This type of metaphor was used when God spoke to the serpent in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:15). The serpent was merely a vehicle of communication Satan used to tempt Adam and Eve, while Peter was the vehicle Satan used to tempt Jesus. 

Ephesians 6:12 reveals that our warfare isn't with people, but against the spiritual powers who inspire and use people.  Jesus recognized that Peter's reaction to His prophecy about His death was motivated by His enemy, so He went right to the source.

Every Christian is at war.  Our enemy goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). Those who resist the devil will see him flee (James 4:7).

Some of us believe that anger will put others in their place. But "the wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God" (James 1:20).  Anger against people makes us play right into the hand of the devil. The way to overcome the spiritual powers that come against us through people is to turn the other cheek (Mattnew 5:39). This makes the demons flee in terror. We cannot win a spiritual battle with carnal weapons. We must realize who the real enemy is and fight with the spiritual weapons the Lord has given us.  It is supposed by many that the higher levels of the devil's spiritual authority takes more power to rebuke or remove.  That's not true. There is no demonic power, including the devil himself, that will not flee at the name of Jesus when faith is put in that name.  

What a wonderful name!

Self-denial is an important part of the Christian life. Jesus sacrificed His life for us and He demands that we die to ourselves that we might experience the new life He has provided.  We do this by realizing that we can't save ourselves by our own effort and, by trusting God - not self - for salvation.  Then daily, we need to deny our own wisdom and seek God's wisdom and direction for our lives.

Self-denial is only good when we are denying ourselves for the purpose of exalting Jesus and His will for us in some area of our life.  Some have made a religion out of self-denial and find pleasure in their denial - not in Jesus' lordship.  This leads to legalism and bondage, which Paul condemned as will worship (Colossians 2:23). We are told not only to deny ourselves, but to "deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus."

The cross is what Jesus died on.  There are circumstances in our lives which, like the cross of Jesus, give us the opportunity to die to ourselves each day. These are not things like sickness, poverty, etc.; Jesus' atonement provided redemption, but rather things like persecution (which we are not redeemed from) and the constant battle between our flesh and our born again spirit.  The cross that we must bear is to take God's Word (which is His will) and put it above our own will in each situation every day.

Some people have mistakenly interpreted Matthew 16:18 to say that Peter was the foundation on which Christ would build His Church.  That would violate many verses that refer to Jesus as the "chief cornerstone."

Ephesians 2:20 does mention the apostles as being part of the foundation stones of Christ's church, but it doesn't single Peter out above any of the other apostles,  This same scripture once again mentions Jesus as the "chief cornerstone."

There are two different Greek words used for "Peter" and "rock" respectively in verse 18. The word used for "Peter" means "rock" but signifies a piece of rock like a pebble.  The word translated as "rock" signifies a massive rock which certainly refers to Jesus, the "chief cornerstone."  Some have suggested that the foundation rock referred to was confession that Peter made saying that Jesus was "the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16).   To enter God's kingdom, we do have to confess that Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9-10).

 The Old Testament prophecies and New Testament references to Jesus being the "chief cornerstone," this passage verse must be referring directly to Jesus as the "rock" upon which He will build His church.

One of the greatest differences between the New Testament believer and the Old Testament believer is the fact that New Testament saints are the temple of God.  God Himself actually indwells us.  God does not dwell in a building made by man's hands.  He now lives in the hearts of those who make Jesus their Lord (Romans 10:9).  

The cornerstone of our lives in God must be an ever-increasing revelation of His Son. If we had a real understanding of the reality of Christ in us (Colossians 1:27), it would really change our attitudes, emotions, and actions.

It was unusual for Jesus to inquire about the results of His ministry as He did in verse 23 of Mark 8:22-25.  It was even more unusual that Jesus laid hands on this man a second time.  This is the only example in the New Testament where Jesus had to minister to any need more than once to affect a total healing.

Many people request things from God and then look at their circumstances to see if God answered their prayer.  That is walking by sight and not by faith.  If they can't "see" God's answer, then they pray again asking for the same thing.  This is not the way Jesus taught us to pray and receive.  We can be sure that Jesus didn't lay hands on this man a second time because He thought His Father hadn't heard Him the first the time.  Since the man received partial sight, it is evident that God's healing power was at work in him. Jesus was not petitioning His Father again for healing.

Through His spirit, Jesus knew that unbelief was hindering a perfect manifestation of God's power in this man, and He simply gave him another dose of the anointing power of God.  Satan may hinder, but cannot overcome someone who continues resisting him.  Believe that you received when you prayed and continue to apply the power of God.  Press in such a degree that you can confront anything that is contrary to what you have asked and overcome it. 

Perseverance in prayer is the key to overcoming Satan - not God.

 In Mark 8:17 Jesus' statements reveal some of the characteristics of someone with a hardened heart.

First, a hard heart keeps us from perceiving spiritual truths.  This is why everyone in a church service hears exactly the same message yet, some will receive while others won't.  It's not the Word that is the variable, but rather the condition of the hearts.  

Second, a hardened heart stops us from understanding spiritual truth.  When a person doesn't understand God's Word, Satan finds no resistance when he comes to steal it away.

Third, a hard heart keeps us from remembering.  This isn't to say that we can't recall facts or scriptures.  In Mark 8:19-20, the disciples remembered the facts of the two miraculous feedings, but they had forgotten any spiritual lessons they might have learned. 

Some people can quote scripture or remember what the sermon was about, but they can't perceive the spiritual life in the message or retain what they did perceived.

A hardned heart blinds us to any spiritual perception and keeps us thinking only in the natural realm.  Small faith and a hardened heart are the same. Hebrews 3:12-13 parallels an evil heart of unbelief to a hardened heart.  It takes great faith to keep our heart sensitive to God. 

The Sadducees were a Jewish sect (Acts 5:17), both politically and religiously.  They were known for their opposition to the Pharisees, because of differences in doctrines and politics. 

Sadducees rejected the tradition of the Pharisees who made a mountain of man made laws and accepted only the written law. We are told that they believed there is "no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit" (Acts 23:8).  From Josephus, we learn that the Sadducees believed that the soul perishes with the body (Antiq. XVIII. 1.4) and, therefore, can receive neither penalties nor rewards in an afterlife (War II. 8.14).

The most significant mention of the Sadducees in the Gospels concerns their interview with Jesus in Jerusalem.  They tried to trap Jesus with a question concerning the resurrection.  In His answer, Jesus accused them of not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God (Matthew 22:29).  He quoted from Exodus 3:6 the doctrine of the resurrection.  The Sadducees became alarmed and decided to act (John 11:47). 

Confronted with Jesus and His claims, the Sadducees were able to join with their enemies, the Pharisees, for the purpose of getting rid of Jesus.  Both parties worked together for the arrest and trial of Jesus by the Sanhedrin.  These religious leaders were only aware of outward actions and were ignorant of the issues of the heart. 

Religion (man trying to approach God) will always differ with Christianity (God coming to man).  "Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7).

The Greek word used in Mark 8:11-13 for "sighed deeply" means an intense grieving, inaudible prayer, or groan.  This is intercession of the Holy Spirit, with groanings that cannot be uttered.  Some Spirit-filled Christians believe this means groanings that cannot be uttered in normal speech and that this refers to speaking in tongues. 

This actually refers to a type of intercession different than speaking in tongues.

In John 11:33 and 38, Jesus groaned in the Spirit twice, and in those cases there were no words uttered.  It was exactly as the bible said, a groaning in the Spirit.  Everyone who has the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit has or will have this happen to them.  

Paul was referring to this in Galatians 4:19 when he spoke of travailing in birth for the Galatians.  This groaning of the Holy Spirit is not just a grief but a groan of anger and resistance against Satan in our lives. 

Many times, Christians don't discern this because they think it is just their own grief over the situation.  But, this is the Holy Spirit desiring to intercede with us against our problems.

Jesus drew on this ministry of the Holy Spirit.  John 11:33 and 38 says, that Jesus groaned in the Spirit twice when He raised Lazarus from the dead.  What frailty did Jesus have that He needed this ministry of the Holy Spirit?  Jesus had no sin, but He did have an frailty.  It was His physical mind.

Even a sinless human mind could not comprehend raising a man from the grave after four days.  If Jesus needed the Holy Spirit to help Him when He didn't know how to pray, then this should certainly be an important ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Jesus was sent to fulfill God's covenant to the Jews. And He would open up faith unto the Gentiles.  Jesus knew this, and had already ministered to a number of Gentiles without the apparent disdain seen here with the Syro-Phoenician woman.  Jesus couldn't have been forced into ministering to this woman's daughter if it wasn't His will.  His silence and rough answer to this woman must have been designed to get a positive result.

Humility is an important ingredient of faith.  This woman was a stranger to the covenants of promise and had no right to demand anything.  Jesus' silence and then comparing her to a dog would certainly have offended an arrogant person.  It is possible that Jesus wanted to try her faith. 

A great part of faith is seeking God alone with our whole heart.  If we are concerned about what people think and gaining their approval, we will never take a stand in faith for anything.  After all we might be criticized for it.  This one thing has probably stopped as many people from receiving from God as anything else.  We can't be a "man-pleaser" and please God at the same time.  Satan uses persecutions to steal away God's Word and stop our faith.  To see faith work, we must say with Paul, "let God be true, but every man a liar" (Romans 3:4).

Mark 7:17-23) establishes that our heart includes more than just our spirit.  Christians still struggle with things like pride and foolishness, which Jesus said comes out of our heart.  It's certain that our born again spirit is not the source of these sins; the heart encompasses more than our spirit.

The word "spirit" is used in different ways in the bible.  The most frequent refers to either the Spirit of God or the spirit of man.  But the word "spirit" can also describe a mental attitude (Strong).

In Ephesians 1:17, Paul is praying that what is already true in our spirit will become our "mental attitude."  He's praying for a release into the physical of what is already present in our spiritual being.

The Christian life is not an attempt to get more faith, or more anointing, or to get closer to the Lord.  We already have these things in their fullness.  We just need a revelation of what is already ours.  Understanding this takes a lot of frustration and doubt away. It's much easier to release something you already have than to try and get something that you don't have.  And why would anyone doubt whether or not he could receive what he already has? 

Through Christ, we are already blessed with all spiritual blessings. All we have to do is use what is already ours, through the renewing of our mind.  

If we will change our thinking to believe what God says in His Word about who we are and what we have, then our flesh will experience the life of God that has been deposited into our spirit.