Category: Mark

Mark 6: Preaching Repentance

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Mark 6

Jesus went from village to village teaching and preaching repentance. So long as people think they are good people who deserve eternal life in heaven, they don’t feel the need to repent and trust in Christ.

I pray you’ll take ten minutes to watch this video.

If you have not repented of your sins and trusted in Christ, I pray that today will be your day of salvation. If you are trusting in the death of Christ in your place for salvation, who does God want you to share this good news with? Don’t keep this joy to yourself!

Living Waters

Heavenly Father, Thank You for giving us Your law that we would know our need for a Savior. Oh, and to think that You not only gave us the Law, but You gave us a Savior! You are completely just and completely merciful. You are holy and wise and good, full of steadfast love and justice and righteousness! Like King Nebuchadnezzar said in Daniel 4:37, I “praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” Thank You for humbling us that we might exalt You! In the Name of Jesus Christ my Savior and Lord I pray. Amen!

Mark 5: What are you Begging Jesus for?

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Mark 5.

The man, possessed by a legion of demons, “begged [Jesus] earnestly not to send them out of the country.” In fact, the legion of demons even “begged [Jesus] saying, ‘Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.’”

When the people of the area heard about what happened, they “began to beg Jesus to depart from their region,” while the newly-delivered man, finally freed from the demons, “begged [Jesus] that he might be with Him.” (Mark 5:10, 17, 18 ESV)

What is the reaction of our friends and loved ones, the people of our communities, when they encounter Jesus?

  • Do they ask to be with Him … or do they ask to be free from Him?
  • Do they ask Him to be near Him or far, far away?
  • Do they want to be delivered of the demons  holding them captive, or do they prefer to remain in the comfortable life to which they’ve grown accustomed?

More importantly, what is our own reaction to meeting Him?

  • Does our fear of His awesome power and holiness drive us to our knees in reverence, or does it drive us to run from Him in terror?
  • Do we fall at His feet and beg Him to take us with Him?
  • Do we pursue Him night and day, hungry to touch even the hem of His garment?
  • Do we proclaim to our friends how much the Lord has done for us, or do we hide our light deep beneath a bushel?

Heavenly Father, I’m begging You to be near me, to walk with me, to hold my hand, to be my ever-present companion and help. I need You every hour. I want to be Your mouthpiece, shouting Your praises from the rooftops and from home to home as I go. Please, Father, bless me to be a blessing – to You and to my fellow man. For Your glory and our good I pray in the Name of Jesus Christ who has promised to be with me wherever I go. Amen.

Mark 4: Of Rocky Soil and the Scorching Sun

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Mark 4

Spring has sprung here in the Mid-South. Temperatures are rising, and trees that were bare last month are covered with pink, purple, and white buds. Colorful daffodils, tulips, and hyacinth are poking happy faces through newly green yards. 

Sunshine is our spring-time friend, bringing growth and warmth, so I was grappling with the idea that the sun is also responsible for scorching those seeds that have fallen on rocky ground, causing them to wither away.

Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away.

Mark 4:5-6 ESV

But after more thought, I realized how much sense that makes. The pain that the Lord used to draw me to seek Him could just as easily have caused someone to fall away from Him. Truly and thankfully, our lives are in the good hands of the Master Gardener.

Heavenly Father, I pray that I would be Your faithful disciple, putting down roots deep into Your Word, that the trials of life will make me stronger not weaker, better not bitter. I pray for my many countrymen who are still teetering on the fence, reluctant to jump in with both feet, unaware of the protection that Your presence offers. For Your glory and their good I pray that You will water the soil and prepare the ground of their heart that the seeds of the gospel will find a people ready to bear fruit. In the Good and Gracious Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

Mark 2: Your Sins are Forgiven

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Mark 2

Only God can truly forgive sins, because He is ultimately who all our sins are against. When I’m mean to my husband, or lie to a friend, or covet someone else’s life, I’m breaking God’s laws and hurting God’s creation. My sin is against the Holy, Almighty, God of the Universe, so He would be totally just to condemn me as the guilty wretch that I am.

Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.

Psalm 51:4

And yet, in His great love and mercy, He has paid the price for me, laying my sin upon His own shoulders. I have been forgiven and the sinless God-man was condemned in my place. All I can say is THANK YOU!!!

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your forgiveness. Thank You for Your grace. Thank You for Your love, poured out on the cross for me. I pray for my friends and family who are still paralyzed in their sin, unable to walk by faith, please heal them and forgive their sins, for Your glory and their eternal good. In the Name of Jesus Christ my Savior and Lord I pray. Amen.

How Deep the Father’s Love for Us – Selah

Mark 1: If Jesus Needed to Pray, So Do I!

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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Mark 1

I decided to switch around the order of the 2-Year Bible reading, so I could read some New Testament in the weeks leading up to Resurrection Sunday. So, if you’re reading along with me, let’s do Mark, 1-2 Peter, and James between now and March 31.

So, today I read Mark 1, and I was struck by verse 35,

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, [Jesus] departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

Mark 1:35 ESV

If Jesus needed His Heavenly Father’s help, so do I.

If Jesus had a packed day ahead and woke up early to pray first, so should I.

If Jesus needed to pray, so do I.

How about you?

Heavenly Father, I need You every day and every hour. I need You early in the morning before life gets crazy because life is crazy. My family needs me to pray. My friends need me to pray. The lost world and my persecuted brothers and sisters need me to pray. Help me, Father, to seek Your wisdom and to sit at Your feet. I love You, Lord. Lead me in Your love and grace. In the Name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, Amen.