Month: December 2024

Scripture Mark 10:15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”

Observation: Why are we called to come to Jesus as little children? Children are not burdened with life’s problems, they are in the moment, trusting, loving and need someone to care for them. That is what Jesus wants for us. He must be our priority in this life and we need to go to Him as life gets harder and trust in Him to care for us, His children.

Application: It’s hard for me at times I want to fix things myself and not depend on others. I need to realize I was created and the only one that knows my directions is my creator. He has the plan for my life and if I’m obedient and trust Him He will accomplish that plan for His glory, which is why I’m here.

Prayer My Lord may I continue to ask You what Your desires are for my life. That I will trust You each day and keep on the path You have chosen for me. My role is your servant may I do a good job at doing that.

Scripture Mark 9:42 “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.

Observation: Our world today aborts babies; sex traffics children and abuses them and we wonder what is wrong. There aren’t enough millstones to go around to all the perpetrators of this offence. Children were always special to Jesus He even says unless we become like them, we can’t enter the kingdom of heaven. To ignore the welfare of our children is like ignoring God’s commands.

Application: When I walk along the beach it brings me joy to watch the children playing on the playground with their parents watching on. With all the evil that goes on I’m very careful on how I approach children saying hi from a distance. I love when a child wants to pet Brando and I ask the parents if it’s okay before letting them. Children can bring so much joy to our lives just by watching them be children.

Prayer Dear Lord please watch over our children and keep them from danger. Defend them from the evil that roams about and punish anyone that would abuse this special gift.

Scripture Mark 8:35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.

Observation: Before Jesus I lived my life the way I wanted to and what a disaster. I’ve been saved for over twenty years and have slowly given my Lord control of my life. I should have done it right away. Now I think before I act to see how God wants to use me each day. I still fall into a trap now and again, but ultimately ask God His desires. Each day I want the Lord to take more of my life so that it is all His.

Application: My mind is still selfish and I need to continue to try harder to do what God is calling me to do. I need to give this life totally to God so that it will be used for His glory. He has taken away the desires of the things of this world so my focus should be totally on Him.

Prayer Dear Lord, I freely give you this life as a living sacrifice may it be holy and pleasing to You. Help settle my mind so that I would be focused on You and nothing else. My desire is to honor You.

Scripture Mark 7:6 He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:
This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.

Observation: How many of us praise God with our words, but don’t obey His commands. You see this even with pastors as they know the words to say, but live in another way. God says He doesn’t want sacrifices, but obedience. We need to know the words, but then we must obey them.

Application: Each day as I walk and talk with others about God and share my testimony, but that is only the beginning. If I’m not obedient with what I say I become a hypocrite and my praise means nothing. People are watching us and how we obey the commands of God and God deserves the best we have. I need to ask God what He desires from this life He has given me.

Prayer My Lord my desire is to please You and I can’t do that if I don’t obey You. Command your bondservant and put on my heart what You desire of me today. I love You and what to glorify You today.

Scripture Mark 6:34 And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.

Observation: We hear so much about the compassion of Jesus in the scriptures. It didn’t matter what He was going through or what He needed His compassion was to help others. Since we are called Christians we to should have that compassion to meet the needs of others above our own. So often when we hear the word needs we think of financial and feel we don’t have the resource to meet those needs, but people need more than what the world has to offer.

Application: On my walks I’ve seen the needs of others. People want to talk and more than anything they need hope. I can’t give them hope but I can point them in the direction. I can share my testimony where God showed His compassion on this simple sinner. The gift of prayer is more powerful than we can imagine and God has blessed us with it.

Prayer My Lord I thank you for the compassion you’ve have for me. I know I don’t deserve it, which makes it the perfect gift. May I share this gift with others and help restore their hope.

Scripture Mark 5:19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.”

Observation: If you look back in your life you will remember wonderful things that God has done for you. Are we telling others about these wonderful moments? I know God continued to watch over and protect me even before I received His son as my Lord and Savior. After I was saved, they became more apparent and was able to tell others how He saved me from myself and depression.

Application: Each day I should make it a point to tell someone about the miracles God did in my life. I’ve been called to be a light in this world and I need to shine brightly so others may see. Each day spend some time with my Lord in remembering His faithfulness so that I may be faithful to Him.

Prayer Dear Lord thank you for not giving up on your servant. In my plan I shouldn’t be here, but You had a much better plan. May I not be silent but boast of your never-ending love.

Scripture Mark 4:19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

Observation: The world is in chaos and it seems like everyone is so focused on the problems of this world that they don’t see God or hear His word. It’s ironic that the one thing that can save you, we ignore and focus on the things that will destroy us. The world continually changes, but God’s word is eternal.

Application: I need to do my best in living my life according to God’s word. Take every opportunity to share it with others in hopes that the seed will get planted and I’ll be able to see them when we go home.

Prayer My Lord I’m a sinner saved by your grace. Place your word in my heart that I will carry it with me always and share with those you put in my path.