Tag: prayer

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When you really dig in to the life and ministry of Jesus, there are a lot of things that surprise you. One example unfolds in Mark 5. Jesus learns of a little girl who is sick and dying. Desiring to help, Jesus goes with the girl’s father.

But while traveling, a large crowd gathered around Him and pressed up against Him. In the midst of a crowd was a woman who had been suffering for years with constant bleeding. She thinks if she can just get close enough to Jesus to touch his clothing, she will be healed. 

Upon doing so, Jesus immediately senses that power has gone from Him. After inquiring about who had touched Him, the woman comes forward. He tells her, “You faith has made you well,” and then He continues on His way. 

The surprising aspect of this event, is that Jesus would’ve been made unclean by having this woman touch His clothing (see Leviticus 15:26-27). But Jesus was much more concerned with her well-being than the risk of Him being labeled as unclean. As the Cultural Background Study Bible says, “Jesus was willing to be identified with our uncleanness to make us whole.”

READING & JOURNALING:

     MARK 5:21-43

In what ways is your faith similar to, or different from, the woman who touched Jesus’ robe to be healed? Be specific.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, today I am grateful for the reminder that not only do You have ultimate authority over everything, but You have also expressed mercy upon mercy throughout my life. May I reflect Your love and mercy to others today. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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What is one of the craziest or strangest things you’ve ever seen? Something so unbelievable that if somebody else told you the story, you’re not sure you’d believe it. It’s just…too out there. Too unimaginable. Too far-fetched to be real. But because you experienced it, you know it really happened. 

We read an event like this in Mark 5. A man who is has strength beyond measure and is clearly distressed approaches Jesus and begs Him to leave him alone. Jesus, being God in the flesh, speaks to the demons controlling this man with tremendous authority. The evil spirits then possess over 2,000 pigs and send them hurtling over a cliff to their deaths. 

For the pig herders, this most certainly would’ve been one of the strangest, most unbelievable events they’ve ever seen. And they responded in the way many would expect – they’re afraid, and they beg Jesus to leave them alone. 

The formerly possessed man, however, isn’t afraid. He’s free. Not free to go and do whatever he wants. Not free to live a self-centered life. He’s free from the influences of evil. Free to share with others his story of God’s mercy. 

READING & JOURNALING:

     MARK 5:1-20

What are three ways in which God’s mercy has impacted your life? 

Are you taking opportunities to enthusiastically share these moments with others? 

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, today I’m simply grateful for the reminder that I am not only free from the influences of evil, but am also free to share Your wonders and mercies with others. Help me to grow in being more and more enthusiastic about sharing with others the ways Your mercy has impacted my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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One thing you can be sure of in life, is that occasional storms will come. It may be an unexpected diagnosis for you or another loved one. It may be the loss of a job. Whatever it is, traumas and storms will occur, whether we want them to or not. 

While the storm in this passage is an environmental storm with deadly winds and crashing waves, we can all relate with what the disciples were feeling and experiencing. Something unexpected was occurring. Something tragic. And all the while…Jesus is sleeping? 

The disciples, of course, were afraid of what might happen. Similarly, when storms come our way, our thoughts can easily spiral out of control. We become afraid of what might happen as a result of the storms surrounding us. We become frustrated with God, questioning whether He’s sleeping while we’re experiencing such chaos. 

Jesus, of course, wasn’t afraid. And He has the same message for us today – no matter what may happen, no matter how great the storms may be, be not afraid. 

READING & JOURNALING:

     MARK 4:35-41

Think of a time when you experienced tremendous peace in the face of adversity. What led you to experience such a strong sense of peace? 

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I know there will be times when unexpected storms occur, but I also know I can trust and rest in You when they do. Help me to always remember that I can experience peace and contentment in You no matter what other circumstances may be unfolding around me. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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Each and every day you’re inundated with fictional stories. Every episode of your favorite show is fictional. Many of the songs you may hear on the radio will share ideas in story form. In any given year, you’ll hear many more fictional stories than non-fictional ones. Hearing and sharing things in story form makes sense. As we saw last week, Jesus Himself often taught by sharing stories.

But we must not give in to the temptation to read other parts of the Scriptures and view them all as fictional stories. The people we often read about in the Old Testament – Abraham, Moses, David – they were real people. They lived real lives. The events of their lives were written down and recorded so we could remember what really happened. 

Similarly, we have a lot of information from the life and ministry of Jesus. Yes, He may have taught crowds by using stories. But other events of His life were real. 

As you read today, engage with this passage like it’s the first time you’ve read it. Picture yourself as one of Jesus’ disciples on the boat. 

READING & JOURNALING:

     MARK 4:35-41

What emotions do you think the disciples were experiencing during this storm? Be specific.

In what moments in your own life have you experienced similar emotions? 

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, it’s sometimes easy for me to think about the emotions others may be experiencing, but it’s difficult to be open and honest about what I’m feeling. Help me to grow in being open, honest, and transparent with others. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Many doctor’s offices, counselors, or other mental health professionals will illustrate personal health or growth using the illustration of a tree or plant with roots deep underground. The message is clear: being deeply rooted leads to good health. 

It shouldn’t surprise us that Jesus often used similar illustrations in His parables. Many of the people in the crowds had experience in farming, so He would use illustrations that resonated with the crowd. The people were well experienced in cultivating a garden to ensure crops would grow. 

But in the parable of the growing seed (Mark 4:26-29), the story acknowledges that the farmer doesn’t fully understand exactly how the seed takes root and grows. Yes, he tilled the soil. Yes, he scattered the seed. But he doesn’t understand the entirety of the process of how the seed grows. 

This same principle plays out in our lives. Our role is to till the soil and take every step we can to grow. We may not fully understand how the growth occurs, but we can trust that we will grow.

READING & JOURNALING:

     MARK 4:26-34

Think about how you’ve spent your time this week. Were there any times in which you were taking steps to cultivate your life for good health (emotionally, spiritually, physically)? What steps can you take to increase these moments in your life? 

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I know that enjoying a tv show or scrolling through social media isn’t necessarily sinful, but when I see how much screen time I’ve had over the past week, or time with other distractions, I recognize I could often use my time more wisely to cultivate personal growth. Help me to use my time wisely today. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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Think about it: Are you more likely to begin each day thinking about all the things you need to do, or are you more likely to begin each day thinking about specific ways you can let your light shine? For many of us, it’s the former. We think more about ourselves and the things we need to do than we think about simply being with God and allowing Him to work within us and through us. 

In Mark 4:21-25, Jesus speaks about the purpose of light. It isn’t to be hidden, but is instead something used to brighten up an entire room. 

But there’s more to the parable than the purpose of light. The story goes on to focus on the importance of listening and understanding. Often, this parable is used as an illustration of allowing our light to shine. The focus is often on being light in a dark world. (Which is a very practical understanding of this parable.) But is there more to it? 

As you read this parable today, read it slowly and carefully. What do the themes of listening and understanding have to do with being light in a dark world? 

READING & JOURNALING:

     MARK 4:21-25

Read Mark 4:21-25 slowly and carefully. What do you think is the primary teaching point Jesus was making in this parable? 

What are some very real ways you could live out this principle in your life today? Be specific. 

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I confess there are moments in which I say I want to be light in a dark world, but I recognize there are moments when I do hide. Help me to be a light to all, even in the presence of those who may look, think, or believe differently than I do. May I love them as You have loved me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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After teaching the parable of the four soils, Jesus’ disciples asked Him the meaning of the story. As noted yesterday, most parables have one primary teaching point. In this case, the parable is about hearing and accepting God’s Word. 

While it doesn’t impact the primary teaching point, the Life Application Study Bible (third edition) offers the following commentary note to consider this parable in detail.

The LASB notes: “The four soils represent four different ways people respond to God’s message. Usually we think that Jesus was talking about four different kinds of people. But he may also have been talking about (1) different times or phases in a person’s life or (2) how we willingly apply God’s message to some areas of our lives but resist applying it to others. For example, you may be open to God about your future but closed concerning how you spend your money. You may respond like good soil to God’s command to worship but respond like rocky soil to his command to give to people in need. Strive to be like good soil at all times and in every area of your life.”

READING & JOURNALING:

     MARK 4:1-20

Is there an area in your life in which you may be hearing God’s Word but not fully accepting it? 

Why do you think you resist God and His desire to transform this area of your life? 

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I confess that I may be willing to apply Your Word to some parts of my life, but resist applying it to others. Help me to see the areas of my life in which self-centeredness continues to reign. Infiltrate my spirit and transform me into the person You have made me to be. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Have you ever read a section of Scripture only to feel like it didn’t make complete sense? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. 

The Bible is full of a lot of different writing styles and genres. Some of it is Historical Narrative, in which the authors wrote a story of what was happening at the time. Others, such as the Psalms, are highly poetic. But ancient Hebrew poetry is very different than modern poetry, so the nuances presented throughout the Psalms may not make immediate sense. 

When Jesus took opportunities to teach, He often found ways to teach by sharing a parable – a short story that was easily memorable and often communicated one main idea. While most parables have one primary teaching point, many include additional details which are used to help the listener more aptly ponder the full meaning of the parable. 

The four soils is a story about living a life holistically rooted in God’s Word. Jesus later explains to His disciples that the parable is about hearing and accepting God’s Word, and the benefits of doing so.

READING & JOURNALING:

     MARK 4:1-12

How would you explain to a friend what it means to hear and accept God’s Word? 

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, it’s easy for me to read the Scriptures and hear it, but there are some parts of Your Word that really challenge me. Help me to accept all of Your Word and not live by cherry-picking the passages I really like. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Throughout His ministry, Jesus asked questions that really cut straight to the heart. For example, when two of John the Baptist’s disciples started following Jesus, His first question was, “What are you seeking?”

Their response may not be what you’d expect. They said, “Teacher, where are you staying?” 

John just pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God and the most pressing question on their mind is about seeing the home in which Jesus was currently residing.  Seems strange, doesn’t it?

Maybe they thought, If He really is the Lamb of God, He’s going to be staying somewhere magnificent. We should go see it! While we don’t really know what they were thinking, we do know that Jesus responded by saying, “Come and see.” 

Jesus’ initial question, as well as His response, is relevant for each and every one of us. Whether you’re new to the faith or have been a Christian for decades, we can all wrestle with the question – What are you seeking? And no matter what your answer is to that question, Jesus follows with a simple invitation. OK…come and see.

READING & JOURNALING:

     JOHN 1:35-50

If Jesus were in the room with you at this moment and He asked you, “What are you seeking?” How would you respond?

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I don’t always know exactly what it is I’m seeking. But whatever it may be, I recognize that I will only discover what it is I’m actually seeking by regularly following You. Continue to reveal the purpose You have for my life as I follow You this day. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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