Entries categorized as ‘Mark’
Scripture for today: Job 26; Job 27; Mark 15; Mark 16 (New International Version)
Scripture-My special verse today: Mark 16:38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and[d] saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son[e] of God!”
Observation: When Jesus died on the cross the temple curtain was torn from top to bottom, completely and without any more separation. At this the guard standing in front of Jesus declared his deity.
Application: Jesus took away the separation between God and man forever. When he died upon the cross he died so that we might come before God through him. He bridged the gap. No miracle is so great as to overshadow the fact that God sent his son to earth and he died for us so we might live with God forever. When the centurion saw the separation was gone, he declared that Jesus was the Christ. He saw Jesus as the Godhead.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I want to go before the Lord and be close to you each and every day.
Categories: Mark
Tagged: Close Encounters
Scripture for today: Job 25; Mark 13; Mark 14 (New International Version)
Scripture-My special verse today: Mark 14:35Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36“Abba,[e] Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
37Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? 38Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Observation: Jesus is praying in the Garden and wants the disciples to stay awake and pray with him. However, they are weary and unable to stay awake and pray with him. When he goes before the father, he lays everything down for the Lord. He is willing to give everything for God.
He is disappointed when he comes back and finds the disciples sleeping. He wanted them to be awake praying for him but they are unable to do so.
Application: Our bodies are subject to so little committment when we are outside our comfort zone. We are unable to stand much discomfort before we pack it in and head for some comfort. Jesus knew how fragile our bodies would be and how they would continually trip us up. Boy, was he right!
Also, the disciples knew Jesus at this point but did not have the Spirit. Not until Pentecost did the Holy Spirit come to live within them. So, at this point, they are confined to their humanness and are unable to do things over and above humanly possible because the Spirit is not within them.
Prayer: Teach me to live each day filled with the Spirit and through his power.
Categories: Mark
Tagged: Spirit
Scripture for today: Job 23; Job 24; Mark 11; Mark 12 (The Message)
Scripture-My special verse today: Mark 11:22-25Jesus was matter-of-fact: “Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, ‘Go jump in the lake’—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it’s as good as done. That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you’ll get God’s everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it’s not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins.”
Observation: The disciples see a tree that Jesus cast down and it is shriveled and dead. They point it out to Jesus who tells them that nothing is beyond prayer. Nothing anyone wants can be above the realm of prayer. He urges them to prayer for everything and to make sure they are sincere in their prayer.
Application: Why do I only pray for the big things? Jesus says nothing is too insignificant for prayer. Nothing!! He wants us to pray for everything because as I do that I humble myself before the Lord. I submit my posture to one of humbleness just in the very act of praying. It is when I pray that I release who I am and submit to Jesus.
Having unforgiveness in my life is a road block to prayer. As I have matured, I have found it easier to forgive but harder to forget. I quickly forgive because most things don’t matter that much but then I don’t care to rebuild the relationship with that person very quickly. I am not sure how that merits forgiveness in God’s eyes but it is something I am at least honest about.
Prayer: Teach me to pray as you do Lord.
Categories: Mark
Tagged: Pray
Scripture for today: Job 21; Mark 5; Mark 6 (New International Version)
Scripture-My special verse today: Mark 6:30The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
Observation: Jesus is speaking to his disciples when a multitude of people are around wanting to be ministered to at that very moment. They had just discussed with Jesus that many believed he was John the Baptist and others thought differently. It was a high powered situation with lots of people around and Jesus knew they were overwhelmed.
Application: Sometimes you can be in a crowd yet all alone. The demands are high but it is all a “give” situation and their is no giving back. In those times, it is easy to become so burdened by the needs and wants of others that your very life is drained from your body. It is as though you are unable to move, unable to function, unable to think clearly. Jesus knows it is in those times that we fall easily for Satan’s ploys.
I need to realize that Jesus did not heal everyone he encountered, only a few. If Jesus could not heal all, why do I think I cannot quite as long as a ministry need is there. Just as Jesus told the apostles to go alone and find a quiet place to find some rest, he expects me to do the same. Believe it or not, the world will go on and God’s ultimate plan will be fulfilled with or without me.
Prayer: Let me find that quiet place and rest.
Categories: Mark
Tagged: Rest
Scripture for today: Job 19; Mark 1; Mark 2 (New International Version)
Scripture-My special verse today: Mark 1:21They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.
Observation: As the disciples go to Capernaum, Jesus goes into the synagogue on the Sabbath. The fact that he was teaching lends one to believe that he was known because I would think, though this is only my own opinion, that one must be authorized to teach in the synagogue. The people there see a difference in his teaching and see him as one with authority.
Application: How do you recognize someone teaching and someone teaching with authority? What was the difference? How did the people feel the presence of authority?
I often wonder about this scripture because there must have been a difference in the way Jesus taught. The people saw authority in his method, though they were still unsure as to where the authority was coming from. When I teach, what do people hear? Is it simply words or do I teach with authority?
Prayer: Lord, help me teach with the authority that you are truly in control and let me speak your words.
Categories: Mark
Tagged: Teach
