Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In Mark chapter 13 and 14 today we see the reality of the human condition, continuing evidence of fallen mankind, and the consistent rejection of God by all, as a depraved world stands in temporary defiance against its Creator and Savior…

The Roman Emperor & his army…

“Jesus said, you see this magnificent temple now but there will not be left here one stone upon another, it will all be thrown down and destroyed” (Mk 13:2),

Judas & the Jews…

“Then Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests in order to betray Jesus, and they were glad to give him the promised money” (Mk 14:10-11),

Peter & the Disciples…

“Then Peter began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, I do not know this man of whom you speak..all the disciples likewise left Jesus and fled from His presence” (Mk 14:71),

You & I…

“There is not one righteous, no not one..all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23).

Q. Got Jesus?

🙏 Heavenly Father please forgive us all and grant us repentance for the many times we have rejected and betrayed you in word, thought, and deed – You are worthy of all praise, worship, and adoration, yet we have not loved you as we should.

🙏 Lord Jesus we are forever grateful for your atoning sacrifice and great exchange on our behalf, taking all of our sins upon yourself at the cross, and clothing us in your righteous robes both now and in the resurrection to come – We praise you today and eagerly await your imminent return…

✝️ “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory, and He will send out the angels to gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven!”

Mark 13:26-27

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In Mark chapter 12 today we see several of the many appropriate names for Jesus (Yeshua), Immanuel (God with us), and our Creator (Christ the King of the universe)…

“The beloved Son of the Father” (vs 6),

“The Rock and Chief Cornerstone” (vs 10),

“The Righteous one who is both lineage and Lord of king David” (vs 35).

Q. Will all of you who are thankful today for the person and work of Jesus Christ in your life join me in prayer, worship, and praise to our “Great High Priest”, “Light of the World”, “Bread of Life”, “True Vine”, “Good Shepherd”, “Lamb of God”, “Author & Perfector of our Faith”, “Alpha & Omega”, “Savior of the world”, and “Great I Am”?!!!

🙏 Heavenly Father please cause our greatest affections to be set on the glorious “Prince of Peace”, and help us to know and believe in the “Hope of Glory” who is the “Anchor of our Souls”, as we hear from the “Promised Messiah” and bow down to the “King of kings” – By your grace help us apply the encouraging words of our “Wonderful Counselor” and “Victorious Risen Lord of all”…

✝️ “Jesus answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. And you shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭12:29-31‬

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In Mark chapter 11 today we see a vivid picture of God’s “tough love” as Jesus cleanses corruption from the temple, reminiscent of His painful but necessary sanctifying work in our lives…

“And Jesus began to drive out those who sold and those who bought, overturning the tables of the moneychangers and fiercely declaring, ‘It is written, my house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations, but you have made it a den of thieves” (vs 15-17).

Q. Have you ever experienced God’s strong hand of discipline in your life to cleanse your heart from worthless idols?

Q. Are you bitter against Him for it, or do you see it as His grace and favor to bring about more fruit and conform you to the image of Christ?

🙏 Heavenly Father I ask your pardon and forgiveness for the many times I have desired the Kingdom (blessing), but not the King (Jesus). Thank you so much that you are reversing the curse of sin and cleansing our temples from all unrighteousness – Please keep us from bitterness because of the betterness you are graciously weaving inside.

🙏 Holy Spirit we praise you today for sealing us and preserving us unto the day of redemption. We humbly ask that you continue to prune and mature us so that we may forever proclaim…

✝️ “Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming Kingdom and blessed is the King, our Lord Jesus Christ!”

Mark 11:9-10

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In Mark chapter 10 today we see a serious emphasis placed on service, humility, and childlike faith, as Jesus shows His compassion for children, and rewards the adults not based on their talents, possessions, achievements, education level, or worldly success, but by their dependence and trust in Christ alone for righteousness and salvation…

“Let the children come to me for to such belong the Kingdom of Heaven. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive my Kingdom like a little child shall not enter it” (vs 14).

Q. Are there areas of your life that you still find yourself to be childish instead of childlike in your faith?

Q. What do you do when the old self arises and you struggle with selfish motives, coldness toward others, sinful pride, or indifference to God’s will and His Word?

🙏 Heavenly Father please forgive my frequent tendencies to seek my own, and the many times I have justified unloving actions or words that focused on my own glory instead of yours – Thank you that all things are possible with you, and because of Jesus sacrifice and the power of your Spirit, you grant repentance and soften even the hardest hearts.

🙏 Lord Jesus we praise you today for modeling what true submissiveness and selflessness looks like, as you delighted in the Father’s will, obeying Him perfectly and giving up all for our eternal benefit…

✝️ “And Jesus said, ‘Whoever would be great among you must serve, and whoever would be first among you must be a servant of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:43-45

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In Mark chapter 9 today we see the root of all sinfulness anchored in unbelief, as Jesus echoes the dismay of the prophets who preceded Him…

“Oh faithless generation, how long am I to be with you, and how long shall I bear with you?” (vs 19).

Q. Are you surprised sometimes at your level of anxiety or tendency to be overly concerned when troubling circumstances occur, despite the fact that God has proven over and over again to be so good & faithful to you?

🙏 Heavenly Father I ask your forgiveness for my spiritual weakness and limited faith in you, and I confess that I often look for relief and comfort from created things over and above my all-wise Creator.

🙏 Lord Jesus we praise you today that you have always trusted your Father perfectly, and have credited your sinless ways to our formerly depleted account. Although our hearts are prone to wander you have stayed with us, and have promised to complete the work that you began within us by the gracious and sanctifying power of your Spirit – Please continue to stomp out our unbelief, as you grow our gratitude towards You, our passion for You, and our Faith In You…

✝️ “And the father of the demon possessed boy said, ‘Have compassion on us Lord and help us if you can. Jesus said to him, ‘All things are possible for one who believes’. Immediately the father of the child cried out and said ‘I believe, help my unbelief!”

Mark 9:22-24

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In Mark chapter 7 and 8 today we see Jesus vocalizing His disapproval to the arrogant actions of the Pharisees…

“For these people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. In vain do they worship me…rejecting the commandments of God in order to establish their own tradition.”

(Mark 7:6-9),

And also strongly admonishing the words of His own disciple…

“And He rebuked Peter saying, ‘Get behind me satan, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

(Mark 8:33).

Q. Are there any other recovering pharisees or struggling disciples (like me) out there who can relate to the lessons of these chapters?

Q. Anyone have a tendency to be self-righteous, grumble when things don’t go your way, or put your own plans over and above God’s plans when differing ideas collide?

Q. Anyone else need the saving, transforming, and sustaining grace of Jesus today?

🙏 Heavenly Father please forgive me for the many times that my heart has been far from you, and when I have established my own selfish rules and agendas in order to serve my own interests instead of yours.

🙏 Lord Jesus we praise you today for taking our place on the cross, and absorbing the wrath and judgement rightly ascribed to rebels and sinners like us. Please help us all to follow your all-wise instruction and trust in you alone, for you are worthy of our full worship, gratitude, and devotion…

✝️ “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, & follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake, and the sake of the Gospel, will save it.”

Mark 8:34-35

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In Mark chapter 6 today we see Jesus’ own countrymen rejecting Him in a foolish display of pride and arrogance, being offended by (and presuming upon the kindness of) the Savior of the world – likewise causing great personal loss to themselves…

“And Jesus departed from His hometown knowing that He must do no mighty works there because of the many people who were critical of Him, and took offense at His teaching” (vs 1-5 medley).

Q. Have you ever questioned God’s authority and good plan for your life, feeling bitter against Him when He took you out of your comfort zone to teach you something new?

🙏 Heavenly Father please forgive me for the many times I missed out on your gracious favor, blessing, and sweet communion with you because I did not trust you or praise you in the storm.

🙏 Holy Spirit please help us to be patient and not miss the lessons that you are teaching us – empower all of us to “Taste and see that the Lord is good”, consistently putting our trust in the Good Shepherd, and knowing that His finished work on our behalf causes all things to work together for our good, and for the glory of God…

✝️ “When Jesus saw the great crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and He loved them and began to teach them many things.”

Mark 6:34

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In Mark chapter 5 today we see four needy sinners desperately in search of grace (and finding it), as all of them were healed and forever changed by an encounter with Jesus…

1. The demon possessed man crying out in torturous pain, and cutting himself with sharp stones was healed (vs 5),

2. The outcast woman with a long-suffering and grievous affliction for 12 years was healed (vs 25), and

3-4. The leader of a synagogue in tremendous emotional anguish, and his daughter who was physically ill to death were healed (vs 41).

🙏 Heavenly Father thank you so much for granting us your providentially timed, miraculous encounter with Jesus. By your grace He has rescued us from the raging storm within, clothed us in His righteous robes, transformed our hearts and minds, and given us a fully satisfying life purpose to magnify your name and make much of you…

✝️ “And when they came to Jesus, they saw the demon possessed man sitting calmly, fully clothed, and in his right mind…And Jesus said to him, ‘Go home and tell your friends how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.’ And the man went away with great joy to carry out what Jesus had asked, and they all marveled!”

Mark 5:15,19

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In Mark chapter 3 and 4 today we see Jesus collecting & directing His new found family in the calm…

“And Jesus appointed the twelve disciples, and they were unified with Him, and He sent them out to preach the Gospel” (Mark 3:14),

And also protecting and perfecting His maturing family in the storm…

“Jesus awoke from His rest in the boat and rebuked the raging wind and sea, quieting His disciples fears and building their faith in Him” (Mark 4:39-40).

Q. What is your idea of a perfect family?

Q. Are you glad that through Gospel adoption you have it now with your Heavenly Father and older Brother (Jesus), and someday soon with all of your spiritual family in a sin-free/conflict-free heavenly home forever?

🙏 Heavenly Father thank you so much for your merciful plan of redemption as you continue collecting, directing, protecting, and perfecting lost and needy sinners like us from the four corners of the world – We are forever grateful to be recipients of your grace, and treasured members of your eternal family.

🙏 Holy Spirit please empower and conform us to do the Father’s will, and love our diverse brothers and sisters well, as we have surely been well loved by Jesus…

✝️ “Looking at those who sat around Him, Jesus said, ‘This is my family, whoever does the will of God, they are my brothers and sisters and mother.”

Mark 3:34-35

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In Mark chapter 1 and 2 today we see the Son of God, Jesus the Christ, Immanuel (God with us) arrive on the scene with great power and authority over all things. Yet not as a dictator or harsh task-master, but as a benevolent and compassionate servant King, whose kindness (although rejected by the masses) was always met with the response of repentance and faith from His Spirit-filled followers…

When Jesus called the disciples they gave up all and followed Him (1:17),

When Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law she responded with immediate appreciation and service (1:31),

When Jesus forgave the sins of the paralytic, the entire house stood in amazement and glorified God (2:12),

And when Jesus showed mercy and grace to sinners and tax collectors, many responded with repentance and great gratitude (2:15).

🙏 Heavenly Father you alone are mighty to save! Thank you so much for continuing to pursue and restore needy sinners like us, just as you did in the days of Jesus earthly ministry 2000 years ago.

🙏 Lord Jesus we praise you today that you laid down your life for our eternal benefit – Please help us never forget what you have rescued us from (sin, death, judgment, and hell) so that we can consistently respond with great gratitude because of your great grace and continued mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual healing in our lives…

✝️ “Jesus said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Mark 2:17