Mark

June 22nd – Titus 2:11-12

1 Comment / Daily Devotional /

Titus 2:11-12

The times we are living in can make anyone faint of heart. No wonder so many are crying out, “Maranatha! Come quickly Lord Jesus!” But as the hour grows shorter, Jesus tells us to stand strong. To draw near and trust Him regardless of the storm around us. And until the glorious day of His return, we are called to be spiritually alert and living productive lives for the kingdom of God. Because although we know not when, Jesus will return. Are you ready? Do you have things you plan to do but haven’t gotten around to yet? Maybe it’s to read your Bible more, or start attending Church. Perhaps it’s sharing your faith with others or forgiving someone who has hurt or sinned against you. Whatever it is, don’t wait waste another second. Do not take for granted that you have tomorrow. For as Jesus warns, “…you do not know when the appointed time will come.” (Mark 13:33)

 

June 22nd – Titus 2:11-12 Read More »

May 14th – Mark 8:8

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Mark 8:8

When Jesus fed the thousands, He could have spoken into existence a feast fit for kings. But instead He used a few loaves of bread and a paltry amount of fish to feed the crowd. Why? Because the Lord wanted to show that when we trust Him with everything we have, no matter how small, He can work miracles. Through His power, Jesus promises to reward our faith by providing a bountiful of blessings in our lives. And He will keep on providing. Instead of making a big pile of bread and another of fish, Jesus handed out a little at a time and kept doing so until the people, “ate and were satisfied.” What do you do in times of hunger?  Do you give all you have to the Lord so He can multiply it greatly? We can trust Him in even the most difficult circumstances. Because the power of Jesus overcomes all!

May 14th – Mark 8:8 Read More »

April 22nd – Mark 1:35

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Mark 1:35

Everyone needs a little me time. Time away from everyone and everything. Our Lord and Savior was no different. Everywhere He went people swarmed Him. And so to refresh and reflect, Jesus turned to God in prayer. Throughout the gospel, before preparing to take on God’s calling, we often find Jesus slipping away alone. Off for some valuable one on one time with the Father. And we should follow our Lord’s example. For we cannot answer God’s call if we have nothing left to give. Which is why it’s so important that we too, recharge our batteries. And we do that by spending time with our Heavenly Father. Through prayer, His Word, and God’s still small voice, we have all the strength and energy we need to accomplish His will. For like Dr. Charles Stanley says, “We can be tired, weary, and emotionally distraught. But after spending time alone with God, we find He injects into our bodies, energy, power, and strength!”

April 22nd – Mark 1:35 Read More »

Honoring The Final Words of the King – Mark 15-16

Leave a Comment / Bible Study /

Mark 15-16

The story of the Crucifixion is a tough one. It’s gut wrenching what Jesus suffered at the hands of His captors. He endured savagery, mockery, and rejection. He was brutalized and spit upon. And He did so willingly. At any time more than twelve legions of angels were ready to rescue the Lord at a moments notice. (Matt. 26:53) Yet Jesus bore His Cross to the end. He bore it for our salvation and to see the will of God done. …

Honoring The Final Words of the King – Mark 15-16Read More »

Honoring The Final Words of the King – Mark 15-16 Read More »

March 7th – Mark 11:24-25

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Mark 11:24-25

Prayer is a wonderful thing. Because it allows our souls to connect with the One who created them. Yet there are things that can keep us from having a successful prayer life. Stumbling blocks that dam up the flow of communication between us and God. And unforgiveness is one of them. So much so, Mark warns us that before we pray, we need to be free of unforgiveness towards others. Why? So that we in turn can receive the forgiveness of God.

Forgiving others is hard, messy, and painful. Yet no matter how many times, or how badly we’ve been betrayed, hurt, or disappointed, Jesus says we are to forgive. In fact, forgiveness is so important to the Lord, when teaching the disciples to pray in Matthew 6, He includes in His prayer, “forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” How many times do we recite the Lord’s Prayer with unforgiveness harbored in our hearts?

Having a spirit of unforgiveness hinders more than just our prayers. It affects our relationship with God. For not only does it keep us from receiving His pardon for our own sins, but also His peace, grace, and mercy. And it grieves the very Spirit of God living inside of us. Because unforgiveness is a toxin of the Enemy, poisoning our minds, hearts, and souls.

In our own strength such forgiveness is impossible. But through God’s transforming power, we can pull the weed of unforgiveness, stopping it from taking root and spreading. And when we are free from its stronghold, we can approach God with the assurance that when we come Him in prayer, all things we ask will be granted according to His goodness and perfect will.

March 7th – Mark 11:24-25 Read More »

The Bread Of Life – Mark 8

Leave a Comment / Bible Study /

Mark 8  

Before when reading the gospels, I would glance over the miracles of Jesus feeding thousands. After all they aren’t as exciting as raising people from the dead, or walking on water.  But they are just as important. Important enough, that twice when Jesus feed the masses, both times were recorded. Why? Because both miracles are perfect examples of why Jesus came. …

The Bread Of Life – Mark 8Read More »

The Bread Of Life – Mark 8 Read More »

January 21st – Mark 5:36

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Mark 5:36

There’s no better barometer for the depth of our faith than when we’re in the middle of a crisis, or knee deep in fear. The synagogue official Jarius had just lost his daughter. And he came to Jesus in search of a miracle. But instead of comforting him Jesus told the man, “Just believe.” Christian theologian, John Walvoord once said, “Believing is accepting as a fact and making a commitment of your own future to the promises of God to save you; simply by believing in Christ.” When our hearts are broken, our fears overwhelming, and our spirits in turmoil, it is our belief in God and His promises that gets us through. For the “Lord is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He has made.” (Ps. 145:9) Those around Jarius told him to give up and move on. But because Jarius choose belief over fear Jesus gave Jarius that miracle. And when we too obey Jesus and “just believe”, He will work miracles for us as well!

January 21st – Mark 5:36 Read More »

October 22nd – Mark 10:17

Leave a Comment / Uncategorized /

Mark 10:17

With Halloween soon approaching, the fascination with ghosts, vampires, and the undead is in full gear. And although we know those spooky things aren’t real, there is a way we can live forever. The Lord and  His disciples were headed to the area on the other side of the Jordan River from Judea. A young man who encountered the Lord, knelt before Him, asking how to obtain eternal life. But Jesus’ answer sends him away grieved. Because the Lord replied that the only way to live forever is to perfectly obey God’s commandments. But when the man says that he’s done that, Jesus says he’s still lacking one thing. To sell all of his worldly possessions, give them to the poor, and follow Him. But the man was unwilling. Was Jesus being unreasonable? Not at all! What He wanted the young man to see was that eternal life is not achieved by our own doing. It is a free gift of love that comes only from the mercy of God and the blood of Jesus Christ.

October 22nd – Mark 10:17 Read More »

October 16th – Mark 9:37

Leave a Comment / Daily Devotional /

Mark 9:37

It is said that you can judge the character of a person by the way they treat those who can do nothing for them. Jesus uses children to hit the point home. Children are some of the most vulnerable in our society. Those who have to humbly trust others to care for them and meet their needs. And Jesus says the way we treat and value them reveals the status of our hearts. As innocents, children have no power, leading them to depend on those greater than themselves. So true believers seek to help, teach, empower, and receive them into God’s kingdom. Not for our own power or glory, but all for God’s, as we act in faithful obedience. Because Jesus calls us all to be like little children. To have a faith that is true, humble, and completely dependent on God. And most of all, our Savior came to be last and a servant to all, so when we honor and receive a child, we honor and receive Christ Himself.

October 16th – Mark 9:37 Read More »

Honoring The Final Words Of The King – Mark 15-16

Leave a Comment / Bible Study /

Mark 15-16

The story of the Crucifixion is a tough one. It’s gut wrenching what Jesus suffered at the hands of His captors. He endured savagery, mockery, and rejection. He was brutalized and spit upon. What He withstood we can barely comprehend. And He did so willingly. At any time more than twelve legions of angels were ready to rescue the Lord at a moments notice, (Matt. 26:53), yet Jesus bore His Cross to the end. He bore it for our salvation and to see the will of God done. …

Honoring The Final Words Of The King – Mark 15-16Read More »

Honoring The Final Words Of The King – Mark 15-16 Read More »