Month: December 2020

Scripture: Mark 8:34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Observation: I spent most of my life thinking of me and my needs. Denying myself will be the work of the Holy Spirit. To pick up my cross and focus on Jesus and to trust in him completely no matter what might happen. This must happen each day.

Application: I need to live my life for my God and no one else. I need to submit to his will in all situations and follow his desires for my life. When the going gets rough I can’ take my eyes of my Lord I must then follow even closer.

Prayer: Dear God I thank you for guiding me and for your patience. I ask that you fill me with the Holy Spirit and show me how to follow you with all of my heart and become the man you want me to be.

Scripture: Mark 7:[15] Nothing outside a man can make him `unclean’ by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him `unclean.’ ”

Observation: So many things that I say or actions I take that make me unclean. When I gossip about others, get angry or sins I commit. Things that I do that do not honor God that others see makes me unclean.

Application: Think before I do or say anything. I’m here as a representative of God to show others the way. I need to make sure it’s the right way and not my way. Pray before taking an action or speaking to someone. Make sure it will lift God or someone up and not myself.

Prayer: Dear Father you deserve my best, all that I have and am. I can’t do it without you. Please fill me with the Holy Spirit and teach me how to be clean before you.

Scripture: Mark 6:[6] And he was amazed at their lack of faith.

Observation: You would think the more God does for me and all the miracles I see around me my faith by now would be unquestionable. Unfortunately that is not so and it doesn’t take much for me to get into a state of worrying and hopelessness. My lack of faith at times is distressing.

Application: I need to always remind myself about the God that I serve and all of the things he has done for me and got me through. I need to stop putting my faith in myself and depend on God for all things and desire only his will for my life.

Prayer: Dear Father you are so faithful. Forgive this servant for his lack of faith and increase my faith. Show me how to trust in you with all of my heart and lean not on my own understanding.

Scripture: Mark 5:[19] Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

Observation: That is what the Lord is telling me to do, to tell others what He has done for me and the mercy he shows me. God came and healed me of my depression and that is my testimony.

Application: I’m to use that testimony to bring others to him. To tell others he extends that same mercy to them if only they will believe. Use the gifts and talents God has given me to put myself in a position where I can speak to others about my loving and caring God.

Prayer: Dear Lord guide me on how to tell others about all that you have done for me. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and show me how to boldly proclaim your love and grace so others may come to you.

Scripture: Mark 4:40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Observation: I am afraid, of what I am doing is right, the decisions I need to make, each day I am so unsure it scares me. It is my lack of faith that puts me in this position. If I believe that God is in control and that I am obeying him I have nothing to fear and can enjoy this life. Yet I doubt and suffer.

Application: Pray and listen to my Father and trust him. I don’t need to hear from him each day I need to believe and do what I know is right by his Word. Judge every decision by the rules he has given me and continue to draw closer to hear his directions.

Prayer: Dear Father increase my faith that I would believe. Forgive me for ever doubting and grow me closer to you in all that I do.

Scripture: Mark 3:5 He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.

Observation: I to have a stubborn heart. You would think by now I would be following Christ closer instead of looking out for my needs first. I just don’t want to give up my own comforts and desires at times. I give in to my laziness and resist what God wants me to do.

Application: I need to die of myself and live in Christ. Soften my stubborn heart and focus on God instead of myself. Resist not doing anything and start getting busy for Jesus, searching out the things he desires of me and do them in his name.

Prayer: Dear Lord soften this stubborn heart of mine and open my eyes to your desires. Turn me into the man you want me to be, an obedient child that will hear your voice and obey the things you tell me.

Scripture: Mark 2: 17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Observation: It is wonderful to be with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I feel comfortable and it’s great talking about Jesus and all the things that happen in our life the life of others. Yes it’s a lot easier to share within our Christian family. However it doesn’t accomplish what God calls us to do, bring others to him.

Application: I need to make my beliefs obvious to the people God surrounds me with. I need to search for opportunities to be with non-believers so I can tell them of the love of God and his desires for them.

Prayer: Dear Lord place someone in my path today that doesn’t know you. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and speak through me the things you desire so I may draw them close to you. May I please you today.