SCRIPTURE
Mark 14:38: Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.
OBSERVATION
How true, how true. How many times have I succumbed to doing what I want instead of what I should? As I mature, spiritually and emotionally, it happens less and less, but it still happens. But, when we place our spirit under God's control, it strives against human weakness. That's why Jesus said, 'watch and pray'. If I'm seeking God frequently throughout my day, my spirit comes under His control and not under the weak control of the flesh.
APPLICATION
So, what do I do about it? Keep myself under God's control, praying and reading the Bible as much as it takes to relinquish my control to His perfect will for me.
PRAYER
Lord, Lord, I want Your will for my life daily. I ask that I would humbly submit to Your control - not my own weak attempt at running this life. Remind me to stay close. Amen.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Keep Watch!
SCRIPTURE
Mark 13:35: Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back.
OBSERVATION
This entire chapter is devoted to Jesus explaining to His disciples to watch for the end of days - when Jesus will return in glory and God will judge. Am I ready? There won't be time to tell one more person about Jesus. It needs to be done now - whenever an opportunity presents itself!
APPLICATION
To whom should I be witnessing? Family? Friends? If God doesn't want anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9: . . . He is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.), am I doing all I'm supposed to?
PRAYER
Lord, let me not miss a single opportunity to tell someone about Jesus, to invite someone to church, or to show your selfless love through my life. I don't want to walk away from someone and say, "I should have said . . . ". I don't want to come to the end of days and know someone who was left behind because I missed an opportunity. Keep me sensitive to the moving of the Holy Spirit in these matters. Amen.
Mark 13:35: Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back.
OBSERVATION
This entire chapter is devoted to Jesus explaining to His disciples to watch for the end of days - when Jesus will return in glory and God will judge. Am I ready? There won't be time to tell one more person about Jesus. It needs to be done now - whenever an opportunity presents itself!
APPLICATION
To whom should I be witnessing? Family? Friends? If God doesn't want anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9: . . . He is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.), am I doing all I'm supposed to?
PRAYER
Lord, let me not miss a single opportunity to tell someone about Jesus, to invite someone to church, or to show your selfless love through my life. I don't want to walk away from someone and say, "I should have said . . . ". I don't want to come to the end of days and know someone who was left behind because I missed an opportunity. Keep me sensitive to the moving of the Holy Spirit in these matters. Amen.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Listening with Delight
SCRIPTURE
Mark 12:37: ". . . The large crowd listened to Him with delight."
OBSERVATION
What must it have been like to live in Jesus' day - to actually hear Him teach? As he travelled, speaking to large groups, the people must have perceived that they were hearing a truth like no other. Did they have any idea that they were witnessing the greatest thing of history mankind has ever known? Probably not. Jesus was poor, humble, and not the type of person they would normally regard as important. But, yet the crowds gathered and followed and delighted at His words.
APPLICATION
Okay, so I don't have God, in the flesh, to listen to and delight in. What do I have? I have His Word, to dwell upon and follow. I have His Spirit to guide me and protect me. And I have the privilege to talk with Him, anytime, through prayer. I know that He is always there, ready to listen, watching over and waiting for our time to be together. Even better!
PRAYER
God, I delight in You. Let me fully appreciate how You are with me today - every day. Let me be fully aware of Your Presence at all times. Teach me to yearn for Your Words to guide and speak to my heart.
Mark 12:37: ". . . The large crowd listened to Him with delight."
OBSERVATION
What must it have been like to live in Jesus' day - to actually hear Him teach? As he travelled, speaking to large groups, the people must have perceived that they were hearing a truth like no other. Did they have any idea that they were witnessing the greatest thing of history mankind has ever known? Probably not. Jesus was poor, humble, and not the type of person they would normally regard as important. But, yet the crowds gathered and followed and delighted at His words.
APPLICATION
Okay, so I don't have God, in the flesh, to listen to and delight in. What do I have? I have His Word, to dwell upon and follow. I have His Spirit to guide me and protect me. And I have the privilege to talk with Him, anytime, through prayer. I know that He is always there, ready to listen, watching over and waiting for our time to be together. Even better!
PRAYER
God, I delight in You. Let me fully appreciate how You are with me today - every day. Let me be fully aware of Your Presence at all times. Teach me to yearn for Your Words to guide and speak to my heart.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
A Threat Rejected
SCRIPTURE
Mark 11:18: "The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill Him, for they feared Him, because the whole crowd was amazed at His teaching."
OBSERVATION
Can you believe it? That's right, chief priests and teachers of the law began looking for a way to kill Jesus! Why? They were threatened by Him and His teachings. They were afraid! The crowd was listening to Jesus, not them. The people were amazed at Jesus' teachings, not theirs. They must have felt that they and their teachings of the law were going to be exposed as false. Religious men, supposed followers of God, plotting murder! Wow!
APPLICATION
Are there things of God or in His Word that I reject because they threaten my way of life or my comfort? Do I become uncomfortable when certain topics are discussed ot studied? I am to attempt to lead a life pleasing to God, not just the easy stuff. As we read yesterday, we should continually search our hearts and ask God to expose what is not pleasing to Him.
PRAYER
God, I pray that I would not be selective in my obedience - rejecting what is uncomfortable or threatening to me. Please reveal to me what is not pleasing You.
Mark 11:18: "The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill Him, for they feared Him, because the whole crowd was amazed at His teaching."
OBSERVATION
Can you believe it? That's right, chief priests and teachers of the law began looking for a way to kill Jesus! Why? They were threatened by Him and His teachings. They were afraid! The crowd was listening to Jesus, not them. The people were amazed at Jesus' teachings, not theirs. They must have felt that they and their teachings of the law were going to be exposed as false. Religious men, supposed followers of God, plotting murder! Wow!
APPLICATION
Are there things of God or in His Word that I reject because they threaten my way of life or my comfort? Do I become uncomfortable when certain topics are discussed ot studied? I am to attempt to lead a life pleasing to God, not just the easy stuff. As we read yesterday, we should continually search our hearts and ask God to expose what is not pleasing to Him.
PRAYER
God, I pray that I would not be selective in my obedience - rejecting what is uncomfortable or threatening to me. Please reveal to me what is not pleasing You.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Inside, Out
SCRIPTURE
Mark 10:21-22: Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack", He said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.". At this, the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
OBSERVATION
This rich young man was trying to live right, at least on the outside. His actions of obeying the laws and of falling on his knees before Jesus to ask about eternal life demonstrate this. But, Jesus saw what was going on inside. I love that Jesus looked at him and loved him. I love that Jesus did not scold him or criticize him. He saw inside and knew that this young man's one stumbling block was his wealth. And, of course, He was right. The young man could not give it up and went away sad.
APPLICATION
We may be doing all the right things outwardly but what does God see inside of us? Psalms 139:23 says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart . . .". To ask God to do this is to invite His scrutiny of our deepest desires and motives. We should want to be held accountable and kept true no matter how painful or shameful it may be.
PRAYER
"Father, let me be constantly focused inward, scrutinizing myself as You would. Show me areas that are hindering me from following and serving You as I should. Amen."
Mark 10:21-22: Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack", He said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.". At this, the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
OBSERVATION
This rich young man was trying to live right, at least on the outside. His actions of obeying the laws and of falling on his knees before Jesus to ask about eternal life demonstrate this. But, Jesus saw what was going on inside. I love that Jesus looked at him and loved him. I love that Jesus did not scold him or criticize him. He saw inside and knew that this young man's one stumbling block was his wealth. And, of course, He was right. The young man could not give it up and went away sad.
APPLICATION
We may be doing all the right things outwardly but what does God see inside of us? Psalms 139:23 says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart . . .". To ask God to do this is to invite His scrutiny of our deepest desires and motives. We should want to be held accountable and kept true no matter how painful or shameful it may be.
PRAYER
"Father, let me be constantly focused inward, scrutinizing myself as You would. Show me areas that are hindering me from following and serving You as I should. Amen."
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Get Him in the boat!
SCRIPTURE
Mark 6:48 - 51
He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Verse 51 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down.
OBSERVATION
If I picture what is happening here in my mind, this is actually pretty funny! Here are the disciples straining at the oars as they try to move their boat forward, but against the wind. I can just see these guys gripping those oars and how they would have pushed their entire bodies forward against their oars to only push their paddles one rotation through the water and how because of the wind being against them, that all their effort and strength probably did not move them very far along at all. It says Jesus "saw His disciples straining" but the minute Jesus climbs into the boat with them, the wind dies.
APPLICATION
Many times I'm just like them! Straining at the oars, against the wind. This picture is also striking to me because the disciples were doing exactly what Jesus had instructed them to do and headed in the exact direction he had given them. I'm reminded again, to always call on Him!
PRAYER
Keep teaching me and reminding me that to work without you is hard and slow. Help me to invite you to climb into my boat everyday!
Mark 6:48 - 51
He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Verse 51 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down.
OBSERVATION
If I picture what is happening here in my mind, this is actually pretty funny! Here are the disciples straining at the oars as they try to move their boat forward, but against the wind. I can just see these guys gripping those oars and how they would have pushed their entire bodies forward against their oars to only push their paddles one rotation through the water and how because of the wind being against them, that all their effort and strength probably did not move them very far along at all. It says Jesus "saw His disciples straining" but the minute Jesus climbs into the boat with them, the wind dies.
APPLICATION
Many times I'm just like them! Straining at the oars, against the wind. This picture is also striking to me because the disciples were doing exactly what Jesus had instructed them to do and headed in the exact direction he had given them. I'm reminded again, to always call on Him!
PRAYER
Keep teaching me and reminding me that to work without you is hard and slow. Help me to invite you to climb into my boat everyday!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Leaps for Joy
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 28:1 & 6-8
OBSERVATION
The contrast of Psalm 28:1 "To you I call, O Lord my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone down to the pit." and then vs 6-8 "Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song."
APPLICATION
When I read these portions of scripture, so many senses well up in me, so many thoughts and emotions are stirred. When the psalmist crys out "if you remain silent" and I just like the psalmist can only imagine the utter despair of that deepest pit. But then just like David in verse 7 "My heart leaps for joy" and I can just feel my heart pound in my chest! at the thought that He does hear me, that He is all my strength! my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped! With all this talk of joy! and leaping! I can just imagine a whole bunch of little sheep on a hillside kicking up their heels! (Okay, maybe the lambs are over the top, but I have a little Spring fever, ha! ha!)
PRAYER
Thank you Father, Daddy for hearing me! For not remaining silent, for talking to me! You are all my strength, all my hope and all my joy!
I will love you forever!
Psalm 28:1 & 6-8
OBSERVATION
The contrast of Psalm 28:1 "To you I call, O Lord my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone down to the pit." and then vs 6-8 "Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song."
APPLICATION
When I read these portions of scripture, so many senses well up in me, so many thoughts and emotions are stirred. When the psalmist crys out "if you remain silent" and I just like the psalmist can only imagine the utter despair of that deepest pit. But then just like David in verse 7 "My heart leaps for joy" and I can just feel my heart pound in my chest! at the thought that He does hear me, that He is all my strength! my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped! With all this talk of joy! and leaping! I can just imagine a whole bunch of little sheep on a hillside kicking up their heels! (Okay, maybe the lambs are over the top, but I have a little Spring fever, ha! ha!)
PRAYER
Thank you Father, Daddy for hearing me! For not remaining silent, for talking to me! You are all my strength, all my hope and all my joy!
I will love you forever!
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