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Scripture for today:
Job 25; Mark 13-14
Key Verse for Today:
Mark 14: 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Observation:
Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane and had Peter, James, and John with him. Jesus had asked them to stay awake and pray for him. But, for some reason they all could not stay awake. Jesus went to them on three different times to ask them to stay awake. On the third time, he ask them to rise because Judas, the betrayer had arrive, with the religious leaders.
Application:
Why is so hard to stay alert? Why can’t we let our guard down? Why can’t our life just be about us? Staying alert is extremely difficult to do for Christians. Very few go the distance in the faith being Godly. Yes, many attend church and do the church thing but do not live lives that have been transformed by almighty God. Staying alert means a constant check over our desires being in tune with God. Staying alert means that we control our tongue. Staying alert means that finances reflect giving God our first fruit. Staying alert means we show no favoritism.
Prayer: Help me to stay alert for the coming of Christ.
Prayer:
Scripture for Today:
Psalm 121; Mark 9-10
Key Verse for today:
Mark 10:17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.” 20“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” 21Jesus 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.” 22At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Observation: The rich man was a great morally guy who obviously loved the Lord. He kept the commandments and Jesus said you the know the commandments. The faith to him was a set laws and decrees. His heart was focused on them. Jesus loved him for his convictions. But, challenged all his wealth being a hindrance to serving God. Even though the man would not steal, give false testimony, nor commit murder, nor commit adultery, he simply could not follow what Jesus asked him to do.
Application: The Pharisees were notorious for following the laws and decrees to the degree that they were better than others and excluded them from the temple. He pushed the man in would he follow his command as he did the ten commandments. The man walks away sad because his believe system was in his stuff instead of following Jesus.
Prayer: Help me to not walk away when Christ lays tough teachings on heart.
Scripture for today:
Job 22; Mark 7-8
Scripture-My special verse today:
Mark 8: 32-33 But Peter grabbed him in protest. Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. “Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works.”
Observation: Peter knew the right answer who Jesus was as the Messiah. But, then he takes liberty in privately protesting to Jesus that His words were in appropriate to say. Jesus sternly condemns his thought process by saying, “Get away from me, Satan.” Jesus relates Satan to seeing things from a human point of view not from a heavenly view.
Application: I wonder how many times Satan times causes believers to see things from a human point of view than from a heavenly one? Is that our problem in the church today? Is that what Satan has done sabotaged our thinking from a heavenly one? How do we know our thoughts are from God?
Prayer: May I seek higher counsel than proclaim the human point of view.
Scripture for today:
Job 20; Mark 3-4
Scripture-My special verse today:
Mark3: 31-32Just then his mother and brothers showed up. Standing outside, they relayed a message that they wanted a word with him. He was surrounded by the crowd when he was given the message, “Your mother and brothers and sisters are outside looking for you.” 33-35Jesus responded, “Who do you think are my mother and brothers?” Looking around, taking in everyone seated around him, he said, “Right here, right in front of you—my mother and my brothers. Obedience is thicker than blood. The person who obeys God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
Observation: Jesus felt closer to those who do the will of the Lord than his own family. Why? This verse seems so harsh. Serving the Lord has consequences. Often choices define us. Jesus chose those who desired to follow his Father than those who simply stayed home with family.
Application: This verse does not mean we neglect our earthly families. It does mean that our loyalties to the Lord should be to a higher commitment than to our families. Th early missionaries in the 18th and 19th century would prepare when they left to see their families next in heaven because they would never return home. Now missionaries at most go for a three year term. God does provide you with what you need!
Prayer: Thanks for earthly families.
