Month: April 2019

Scripture: Mark 15:13 “Crucify him,” they shouted

Observation: It was my fault that Jesus had to die the way he did. It was my sin that nailed him to the cross. Most of my life I yelled crucify him by the sins I committed and even now realizing all he has done for me I still think of what I want above what he wants for me. I might as well stood in the crowd with the rest and yelled, “Crucify him.”

Application: To live each day in appreciation of what Christ did for me. Realizing his death was the ultimate expression of his love. To live a life that shouts all hail to the King and live in glory and honor to him.

Prayer: Dear Lord you have given me your best, help me live the rest of my life in a way that would be pleasing to you. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and guide this servant each day. Take this laziness from me and show me what to do to please you.

Scripture: Mark 14:36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Observation: There is nothing impossible for God and he knows everything. He knows my heart, my limitations, my mind. I’m not here to do what I want, but the will of my Father. He knows I’m suffering now with my hip replacement surgery coming up, what I should do about my work and this ringing in my head. I wish all of this would go away, but not my will.

Application: To have faith that God is in control and to stop living this life for me, but for my Father. To love my Abba with all my heart, strength and mind. To discover his will for me.

Prayer: Dear Lord open my eyes, my heart and soul to you. You are my creator, show me how to glorify you and take the focus off myself. Help me finish this race with glory and honor to you.

Scripture: Mark 13:10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations

Observation: That’s my job, to spread the gospel. God has given me one main job, to spread the gospel. He has given me talents and gifts to use. He tells me He is with me and the Holy Spirit will put the right words in my mouth. My job is to speak boldly when given the opportunity, act as Jesus would and make myself available to God at all times.

Application: Remember how I act in front of others that I’m suppose to be representing Jesus not myself. My emotions are not important, but my job to spread the gospel is. My priority is to do the will of the Father and He does not want anyone to perish.

Prayer: Dear Lord use me to spread the gospel. May I not shriek of my responsibilities but glorify you. Give me the courage and wisdom to proclaim the gospel and give me the opportunities to share with others your good news.

Scripture: Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

Observation: All means everything and that is what my God deserves, nothing less. However what I give to God is far from my all. In the morning for a few minutes driving to work, read and do my journal when I get to work, then read a little more and pray before I go to bed is far from all. My life should reflect my love for God, but I fall so short of that. If I loved God the way I should I would live a life so differently.

Application: To love God the way I should He would be in my thoughts at all times. Every action and word I say should reflect that love. I should take any opportunity to share with someone about my greatest love .

Prayer: Dear Lord I do love you, but not nearly enough. Change my heart and show me how to express my love for you. For you are worthy of all my love, praise, time and obedience.

Scripture: Mark 11:22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered.

Observation: This scripture tells me not to have faith in myself, things or others, but to have faith in God. Trusting God in all things and if things don’t go my way to pray for God’s will and trust him through the trials and tribulations. Now I’m struggling with my job, if we’ll be able to keep our home and condition of my health. These thoughts consume a good part of my time.

Application: I should have faith in God and trust He loves me and has everything under control. Instead of focusing on my situations and problems I should be in prayer, trusting that God will guide me. Realizing at times he will take me places I may not want to go. In everything I must have faith in God.

Prayer: Dear Lord increase my faith. You are worthy of all my love, praise and obedience. Guide this servant each day and show your will for this servant’s life.

Scripture: Mark 10:8 and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one.

Observation: Married to Teri I understand this verse so much better. I feel when I’m apart from her at times something is missing and when we are together I feel complete. Just seeing her brings joy to my heart and we have so much fun together and can accomplish so much more when we do things together.

Application: To be the husband God calls me to be. To love my wife as Christ loves the church. To love my wife and to make sure she feels loved, secure, happy and close to God. God has given me a purpose in my life and I will accomplish it together with my wife as I support her in her purpose.

Prayer: Dear Lord I love you and thank you for my wife. I love her so much and ask how to be the best husband I can be. That I will glorify you by the husband I am for her.

Scripture: Mark 5:23 If you can? Said Jesus, “Everything is possible for him who believes.”

Observation: This should be the way I live my life by believing everything is possible with God. Instead, each day I worry about the little things without trusting that God has things under control. I ask God to do His will, yet I don’t believe at times and throw myself into confusion. I want to fulfill my purpose and it seems I don’t trust God to do what He wants done.

Application: Trust each day for God’s guiding hand and not get so focused on tomorrow. Live for the moment because that is all that God has given me. Live a life of miracles, knowing God loves me and wants the best for me.

Prayer: Dear Lord I believe, help my unbelief. Open my eyes and guide me through this life in glory and honor to you.