Welcome to our new project, the Daily Bible Devotional. The goal is to help you understand and apply

scripture as you go through a New Testament Bible read five days a week, Monday through Friday,

as we move from Matthew straight through to Revelation. In under four minutes each morning, we will recap the chapter,

make some application, present thought questions for the day, and offer a prayer together.

I'm excited about exploring God's word with you, so let's get started.

Hey, welcome to our examination and study of Mark chapter 9. Jesus is transfigured on the mountain as Peter,

James, and John look on. They see Elijah and Moses appear, and they hear the father say, quote,

This is my beloved son. Listen to him. This is a great moment of honor for the son. Afterward, however,

many seem to lack full trust in him.

The disciples lack the faith to cast a demon from a boy, and Jesus must step in and do it.

Later, Jesus tries to teach the disciples more about his coming death, but they are enamored with a discussion of which among them is the greatest. Jesus emphasizes the greatest to be the one who serves. He then teaches about not causing others to stumble, and instead

making sacrifices to serve them. Hell is reserved for those who refuse. With those high stakes,

let's look at our benefit paragraph. The comforting part about

the imperfect faith of the disciples is that we can relate. He had shown them so much, and he was

counting on them to shine so brightly. Yet they sometimes were not prayerful enough and lacked the power

to do great things. They often got sidetracked about places of honor and personal

greatness. We know too well those same shortcomings and emotions. And yet, Jesus came to save us.

He came to patiently teach us and help us grow an understanding. He warns us of the possibility of hell

if we are prideful and hurt others, but even that warning

is an act of grace to help us yearn and strive for greater faith. If you'd like some help with that,

consider these things. Number one, the father said, quote, this is my beloved son. Listen to him.

How do those words affect you? What are some things Jesus said that you

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