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40 days with Christ

40 days with Christ

By Mark S. Wendt

In less than 5 minutes daily, 40 Days with Christ can help you start building a positive habit of daily prayer and bible reading!
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February 16, 2021

40 days with ChristFeb 16, 2021

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Day 40 (Matt 28:16-20)

Day 40 (Matt 28:16-20)

The Good News decision of faith!

Jun 19, 202104:19
Day 39 of 40 (Mark 16:1-7)

Day 39 of 40 (Mark 16:1-7)

He has RISEN!!

May 17, 202103:37
Day 38 of 40 - (Matthew 27: The temple curtain is torn in two!)

Day 38 of 40 - (Matthew 27: The temple curtain is torn in two!)

Day 38 of 40 (Matthew 27: The temple curtain it torn in two!)

May 16, 202104:09
Day 37 of 40 (Luke 23:32-43)

Day 37 of 40 (Luke 23:32-43)

Luke 23:32-43

Apr 21, 202104:28
Day 36 of 40 (Mark 15:16-20)

Day 36 of 40 (Mark 15:16-20)

Mark 15:16-20

Apr 21, 202103:12
Day 35 of 40 (Mark 14:55-64)

Day 35 of 40 (Mark 14:55-64)

Mark 14:55-64

Apr 19, 202103:28
Day 34 of 40 (Mark 14:32-36)

Day 34 of 40 (Mark 14:32-36)

Mark 14:32-36

Apr 15, 202104:24
Day 33 of 40 (Mark 14:17-21)

Day 33 of 40 (Mark 14:17-21)

Mark 14:  17-21

Apr 12, 202103:06
Day 32 of 40 (Mark 13:31-37)

Day 32 of 40 (Mark 13:31-37)

When will Jesus return?  Jesus taught that no man on earth knew the exact date and time, not even Himself!  Based on Jesus' teachings, it sounds like his return is going to catch almost everyone off guard.  Basically, what I hear Jesus saying is that we should not wait until we think he's about  to come back.  If we do that, then we won't be ready when we comes back.  Instead, we should live every day ready.  That way, no matter when Jesus return, we will be ready!"

Apr 07, 202103:34
Day 31 of 40 (Mark 14:1-6)

Day 31 of 40 (Mark 14:1-6)

Mark 14: 1-6

Apr 02, 202103:41
Day 30 of 40 (Mark 12:28-31)

Day 30 of 40 (Mark 12:28-31)

Mark 12:28-31

Apr 02, 202103:48
Day 29 of 40 (Mark 10:23-27)

Day 29 of 40 (Mark 10:23-27)

Jesus' hyperbole about how difficult it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven is a difficult teaching.  It not only sounds difficult, it sounds hopelessly impossible!

Some scholars have suggested ways to make Jesus' illustration of a camel going through the eye of a needed seem less impossible.  But I'm not inclined to reinterpret it that way for Jesus also went on to say plainly, "With man this is impossible"!

No, our hope is not in somehow making our entrance into the kingdom of heaven less impossible with man.  Our only hope is in what Jesus went on to say after that...

"With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God!"

With God, all things are possible.  Although we don't deserve it, God can grant us entrance into the kingdom of heaven.  

May all who love Jesus continue to be generous and willing to share as we store up eternal treasures in heaven! 

Apr 01, 202103:35
Day 28 of 40 (Mark 10:17-23)

Day 28 of 40 (Mark 10:17-23)

Mark 10: 17-23

Mar 30, 202104:14
Day 27 of 40 (Mark 10:13-16)

Day 27 of 40 (Mark 10:13-16)

Congratulations on building a very positive habit of daily devotionals.  Today is Day #27!

SCRIPTURE:  Mark 10:13-16

13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

DISCUSSION

Those poor disciples...  Each day - it seems - they are making yet another mistake.  But is that really so very different from what we do today?

I think the best we can sometimes do it try to honestly learn from our mistakes.  People were bringing little children to Jesus.  The disciples told the people to stop.  But when Jesus saw this, He was angry. He said to his disciples, "Let the children come to me.  Don't keep them away.   God's kingdom belongs to people like them.  What I'm about to tell you is true.  Anyone who will not receive God's kingdom like a child will never enter it.  

Each day it seems they are making yet another mistake.  But is that really so very much different from you or me today? I think the best we can sometimes do is honestly try to learn from our mistakes.  Today's disciple mistake, is that of telling people not to bring children to Jesus. 

Hey, Jesus was a very important person with very important things to be concerned with.  He can't be bothered with greeting and praying and blessing the children can he?  This angers Jesus.  By the way, don't let anyone tell you Jesus never got angry. He did.  He just never let it cause him to sin. Big difference!  Jesus speaks words of truth, teaching them what they need to hear, telling them that anyone who will not receive God's kingdom like a little child will never enter it. 

You know, there are quite a few different approaches to developmental psychology. But one thing is pretty much, common to all of them. There is simply a lot that a young child doesn't understand and cannot do on their own.  They look to and count upon their parents for support and understanding.  And that's the way we are in the Kingdom of Heaven.  There is simply a lot we don't understand and cannot do on our own. 

Let's pray,

Father in Heaven, Please help us to follow you. Help us to be like children trusting in you and depending upon you - for you tell us that this is the only way that we will enter the kingdom of heaven. We ask this and we believe that you can make it so.  In the name of your son Jesus we pray, AMEN!

New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Mar 29, 202103:07
Day 25 of 40 (Mark 9:33-37)

Day 25 of 40 (Mark 9:33-37)

Dear Father in Heaven.  Please help us as we grow in you to learn what it truly means to be great in the kingdom of heaven.  It is in Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Reading for Mark chapter 9 verses 33 to 37

33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.

35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

Can yu imagine yourself as one of Christ disciples walking down the road arguing with one another about which one of you is the most important person?   You finally reach your destination and then Jesus asks, “What were you arguing about on the road?” No wonder they kept quiet.

What would you or I say?

Of course Jesus already knew what they had been arguing about.  So he took the opportunity to teach them about true greatness. “If you want to be first”, he told them, “you must be the very last. You must be the servant of everyone.”

Want to be the top dog in the Kingdom of Heaven?  Numero Uno?  The very best of them all?  Then voluntarily become a servant of everyone.  Think about someone else’s needs and care for them!  Seek the greater good of someone else. Discover what it means to see things of true importance.

Lets pray.

Father please help us to grow into the people You would have us become.

Teach us the joy of voluntarily and sincerely caring about others.

Teach us what true greatness is all about.

In Jesus name we ask this, AMEN!

New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Mar 26, 202102:43
Day 26 of 40 (Mark 9:38-41)

Day 26 of 40 (Mark 9:38-41)

Welcome to 40 days with Christ. You made it all the way to day number 26.  26 is my wife Angela’s favorite number. She can’t tell me why she loves that number. Her birthday is October 26th. So she never has to remind me about her birthday each October. She just reminds me of her favorite number. Funny how that works. Lets pray!

Dear Father, Help us to continue in our faith established and firm. May we never move away from the hope that you hold out to us in the gospel. We ask this in your son Jesus’s name. Amen!

Our reading today is Mark chapter 9 verses 38 through 41.

38 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”

39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40 for whoever is not against us is for us. 41 Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.

Sometimes we see someone doing something good in the name of the Lord Jesus, but still we figure that they must be doing something wrong because well, they aren’t one of us! Baptist, Methodist, charismatic, ecclesiastical, denominational, non-denominational, you know, whatever is unfamiliar to us often seems just plain weird.  John ran into someone driving out demons in the name of Jesus and he tells Jesus that he told the man to stop because he wasn’t one of the apostles.

Jesus said do not stop him.  Anyone who is not against us is for us. What I’m about to tell you is true suppose. Someone gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to me.  That one will certainly not go without reward.

Lets pray,

Father in heaven. We recognize that it is normal human nature for us to be wary of things that we don’t understand.  And so we asked you today to help us to remember not to judge others who do good in your name and not to jump to conclusions. No matter how different they are from us and no matter how strange they may appear to us, may our focus be instead on the person of Jesus and on the inward, man, not on outward appearances.  And its in Jesus name we pray, Amen!

New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Mar 26, 202102:53
Day 24 of 40 (Mark 9:2-8)

Day 24 of 40 (Mark 9:2-8)

Welcome to 40 days with Christ today is day 24.

PRAYER:  Father in heaven, in Holy Scripture, Colossians testifies that Jesus is before all things and in Jesus all things hold together.  In everything may Jesus occupy the place of supremacy in our lives.  And it is in His name we pray. Amen!

SCRIPTURE:  Mark 9:2-8*

2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)

7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”

8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.

DISCUSSION:

It is hard to overstate the magnificent position of respect that Moses and Elijah had in the history of God’s people Israel.   When Moses led the Israelites out of slavery, God told Moses to strike the water with his staff and the Red Sea parted open.  In 2nd Kings 2, when Elijah rolls his coat up and strikes the Jordan River with it the water parts to the right and to the left so that both Elijah and Elisha cross the river on dry Ground.

God gave the Ten Commandments directly to Moses and Moses passed them along to the people.

Elijah prayed for fire from heaven to come down to consume the idols of Baal and it happened!

When it came time for Moses to Die the Lord first showed him the promised land and then the Lord took him. He was 120 years old yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength.  The Lord himself buried Moses and no one to this day knows where his grave is.

When it was time for Elijah to leave earth,  suddenly a chariot and horses appeared with fire all around them. Elijah was carried into heaven in a strong wind. His body was never found either.

I guess it makes sense that when Moses and Elijah appeared and started talking with Jesus that Peter would suggest to make three shelters.  One for Moses, another for  Elijah and another for Jesus.

But God had OTHER plans!  A cloud surrounded them and a voice came out of the cloud saying “This is my son and I love him.  Listen to him.”

When they looked around, who did they see? Elijah and Moses were nowhere to be found. Only Jesus remained.

Let’s pray. Father in Heaven, please help us to put Jesus in the proper position of full authority in our hearts. And in our lives help us to put Jesus in the Supreme place of authority that he deserves for we know that one day every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.  Help us to confess it now!

It is in the name of Jesus we ask this and believe, Amen.

New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.


Mar 24, 202103:58
Day 23 of 40 (Matthew 3:13-17)

Day 23 of 40 (Matthew 3:13-17)

Jesus travelled from Galilee to get baptized by John.  

At first, John the Baptist attempted to talk Jesus out of the whole thing.   John felt like he needed to be baptized by Jesus - not the other way around!  But Jesus reassured John that getting baptized was the right thing for Jesus to do.  So John baptized Jesus in the Jordan river.  When Jesus came up out of the water, heaven came open!  He saw the Spirit of God come down upon Him!  The Lord spoke from heaven saying “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased!”

Mar 22, 202104:13
Day 22 of 40 (Mark 8:31-37)

Day 22 of 40 (Mark 8:31-37)

Welcome to 40 days with Christ day 22.  Let’s start with a word of Prayer.

Dear Father in heaven, please help us not to view things from an earthly perspective.  Rather, please help us to see things the way You would have us to see them. We ask this in Jesus name, Amen.

Our reading today in Mark chapter 8 verses 31 through 37.

31 Jesus then began to teach his disciples. He taught them that the Son of Man must suffer many things. He taught them that the elders would not accept him. The chief priests and the teachers of the law would not accept him either. He must be killed and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke clearly about this. Peter took Jesus to one side and began to scold him.

33 Jesus turned and looked at his disciples. He scolded Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You are not thinking about the things God cares about. Instead, you are thinking only about the things humans care about.”

You Must Pick Up Your Cross

34 Jesus called the crowd to him along with his disciples. He said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must say no to themselves. They must pick up their cross and follow me. 35 Whoever wants to save their life will lose it. But whoever loses their life for me and for the good news will save it. 36 What good is it if someone gains the whole world but loses their soul? 37 Or what can anyone trade for their soul?

Peter must have been riding mighty high.  He had just been commended.  He had been told that his insight into Jesus being the Christ had not been inspired by man, but by God himself.  And so perhaps he thought emboldened to pull Jesus aside after Jesus started teaching that he would have to suffer, that the teachers of the law would not accept him and that Jesus must be killed and after 3 days rise again… That did not at all fit Peters idea of what was supposed to happen when the Christ came to Israel.  And so scripture tells us that he took Jesus to one side and began to scold him.  To scold Jesus?!

“Jesus, we can’t have you suffering and dying and all that. You’re the Christ after all!”

Jesus told Peter “Get behind me Satan, you’re not thinking about the things of God.  Instead you’re thinking about human things.”

From divine inspiration to Satan’s mouthpiece in the same chapter. We’re all a lot like Peter as strange as it may seem even in God’s Church even in the very presence of Jesus. Its easier than we might think for us to get our focus pulled away into thinking about things from a worldly point of view rather than from Jesus’s eternal and spiritual point of view.

Let’s pray.

Jesus, Please help us to say ‘no’ to ourselves.  Help us to pick up the cross you have laid before us and to to align ourselves with your eternal point of view. Please help us to stay on track with your help. It’s in your holy name we pray, Amen!

New International Reader's Version (NIRV) Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.


Mar 21, 202103:43
Day 21 of 40 (Matt. 16:13-18)

Day 21 of 40 (Matt. 16:13-18)

Welcome back to 40 days with Christ as we wrap up week number three. Lets get started with a word of Prayer.

PRAYER:  Dear Father in Heaven, as we look to your word, help us to recognize Jesus for who he truly is and it is in Jesus name we pray. Amen.

SCRPITURE:  Matthew 16:13-18

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

DISCUSSION

Jesus was getting quite a reputation. There was no shortage of opinions floating around about who He was and what his significance would be to the nation of Israel.

Some said he was fulfilling the role of great heroes from the past like Elijah,  Jeremiah or perhaps a high-profile teacher from the very recent past like John the Baptist.

But Jesus asked, “Who do you say I am?”

Peter answered, “You are the Christ.  You are the son of the Living God>”

Jesus affirmed him saying,

“this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven”.

In our modern world today many people are willing to say Jesus was a good inspirational leader or religious teacher.  Some even say he might be a human Prophet like Elijah or Jeremiah.  But amid all the competing noise and confusion, can you hear Jesus asking “But what about you? Who do you say I am?”

Can you like Peter answer that Jesus is the Christ the son of the Living God.  If you can, no mere man showed this to you.

Christ’s Holy Father in Heaven has displayed this to us in his holy word.

CLOSING PRAYER:  Jesus, You are the Christ the son of the Living God.  All glory be to you forever and ever and ever. Amen!

Mar 21, 202103:02
Day 20 of 40 (Mark 8:22-26)

Day 20 of 40 (Mark 8:22-26)

Welcome back once again to 40 days with Christ. Today is a big day! You, my friend, have reached the 50% mark!  Halfway through the 40 day series! Let’s begin with a word of prayer.

PRAYER

Father, You know all things.  You are above all things. May we put our hope and our trust in You and not in our own understanding.  In Jesus name we pray, Amen!

SCRIPTURE Mark 8:22-26*

22 They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23 He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”

24 He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”

25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into the village.”

DISCUSSION

A blind man is taken by the hand. Jesus puts his hands on him and asks him, “Do you see anything?”  The man looks up and says “I see people but they look like trees walking around.”

Now that is an honest answer! I’m encouraged that Jesus didn’t scold that  man or accuse him of not having enough faith.  He simply laid his hands upon him again and then the man’s eyes were more fully opened.

What if this man had simply said, “Yes, thank you Jesus. I do see some things now. This is better than when I was fully blind”?  What if this man had just left his response at that?

I’m so glad he did not do that.  I’m glad he spoke more fully about his experience so that he received a more complete and full healing.

When we first come to Jesus, we start seeing truths that we had never seen before.  We start learning to trust in God in ways we had never trusted Him before.  But that doesn’t mean we will immediately and always see things with perfect 20/20 vision.

It really is okay for us to admit to Jesus that there are times when we do not yet see completely clearly.  Jesus can and does help his followers everyday to learn more, to grow more, and to see things more clearly along the way!

* New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Mar 19, 202103:05
Day 19 of 40 (Mark 7:18-23)

Day 19 of 40 (Mark 7:18-23)

Give us five minutes a day and well give you 40 Timeless truths to encourage you along the way. We’ve made it all the way to day #19 together. Lets begin with a quick word of Prayer.

Father, please speak to us through your holy word today. Lead us in the paths that you would have us take. In Jesus name we ask this. Amen!

Yesterday Jesus cut directly to the heart of the matter telling the Pharisees some unpleasant truths about their hearts being far from God. He told them that they were more devoted to human tradition than they were to their Heavenly Father.

BIBLE READING

Mark 7:18-23*

Nothing that enters a person from the outside can make them ‘unclean.’ 19 It doesn’t go into their heart. It goes into their stomach. Then it goes out of the body.” In saying this, Jesus was calling all foods “clean.”

20 He went on to say, “What comes out of a person is what makes them ‘unclean.’ 21 Evil thoughts come from the inside, from a person’s heart. So do sexual sins, stealing and murder. 22 Adultery, greed, hate and cheating come from a person’s heart too. So do desires that are not pure, and wanting what belongs to others. And so do telling lies about others and being proud and being foolish. 23 All these evil things come from inside a person and make them ‘unclean.’ ”

In Jesus’s day, there was a lot of attention paid to what a person touched and how a person wash their hands and even their dishes and cups before eating and drinking. People were concerned about the spiritual implications of putting something that was not clean into their bodies.

Jesus taught that spiritual uncleanness, however, was a matter of the heart. Evil thoughts, sexual sins, stealing, murder, adultery, greed, hatred, cheating… All of these things proceed out of a sinful heart.

Even today some of us anyway take great care about what we put into our bodies. Nutrition and health are multi-billion dollar industries. Those things are not bad. Even so, how much more important is it that we seek to guard our hearts and our minds from within? How much more important is it for us to ask our Lord and Savior to transform us and to make us spiritually clean and healthy from within!

Dear Father in Heaven,

Please help us not to conform to the pattern of this world around us, always seeking and wanting more, but never satisfied.

Instead, we ask You to help transform and change our way of thinking. Please help us to be able to understand and to align ourselves with Your good, pleasing and perfect will for our lives. We ask this in the name of Jesus.

AMEN!

* New International Reader's Version (NIRV) Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Mar 17, 202103:12
Day 18 of 40 (Mark 7:5-8)

Day 18 of 40 (Mark 7:5-8)

Welcome to 40 days with Christ day 18, a daily scripture based word of encouragement for you from the life of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let’s start with the word of Prayer.

Father in Heaven, no matter how hard we try, please help us to remember that we can never be good enough to earn salvation.   Help us to see the heart of the matter as we learn from your son Jesus and its in his name we pray, Amen!

Our scripture reading today is from Mark chapter 7 picking up in verse 5 through 8.*

5 So the Pharisees and the teachers of the law questioned Jesus. “Why don’t your disciples live by what the elders teach?” they asked. “Why do they eat their food with ‘unclean’ hands?”

6 He replied, “Isaiah was right. He prophesied about you people who pretend to be good. He said,

“ ‘These people honor me by what they say.

But their hearts are far away from me.

7 Their worship doesn’t mean anything to me.

They teach nothing but human rules.’ (Isaiah 29:13)

8 You have let go of God’s commands. And you are holding on to teachings that people have made up.”

The Pharisees and the teachers of the law approached Jesus seeking to put him on the defensive asking Him why his disciples did not

live in accordance with their traditions.  Jesus, however, cut straight to the heart of the matter. Although these religious leaders looked good on the outside, their hearts were far from God. They became so micro-focused upon human Traditions that they ended up disobeying direct commands from God.

Funny thing about human rules. They sometimes get so thoroughly mixed into our Sunday school lessons and church services, we almost forget which things come directly from God in scripture and which things we’ve just grown up hearing people say in church all our lives.

But there is a difference - a big difference.  First Samuel chapter 16 verse 7 says that God does not look at the things people look at.  Man looks at how someone appears on the outside but God looks at what is in the heart.

Let’s pray.

Father in heaven,

We ask you for your help to always place your word above human teachings and traditions, especially ones we may have grown up with even from our youth.  Whenever we vear off your pathway, please help us to see, to learn, to listen, to be humble enough to obey your call. May we always - always! - seek to more fully align our hearts with genuine love for you in Jesus name,  AMEN!

* New International Reader's Version (NIRV) Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Mar 16, 202102:57
Day 17 of 40 - Mark 6:45-50

Day 17 of 40 - Mark 6:45-50

Welcome to 40 days with Christ sharing one time was truth with you for the Life of Christ in under 5 minutes daily. Today is Day 17. Lets start off with a word of Prayer.

Father in Heaven, thank you for giving the Word of life in your son Jesus. Help us to understand, to obey and to hold firmly to that word.  In Jesus name, AMEN!

Reading from Mark chapter 6 verses 45 through 50.

45 Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

47 Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. 48 He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50 because they all saw him and were terrified.

Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 51 Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed 52 for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

I wonder what Jesus’s followers thought when it was time to get into the boat. They probably didn’t want to leave Jesus behind.  Scripture says he made them get into the boat and go ahead without him while he dismissed the crowd.

‘How will Jesus get to Bethsaida if he doesn’t come with us?’ they may have wondered.  ‘How long will we need to wait for him there once we arrive?’. But of course, they obeyed their teacher and they went ahead without him.

Then, late at night with the wind blowing against them, the disciples were out in the middle of the lake straining at the oars while Jesus walks right past them on the lake as though he is walking on dry land!

The way I read it, Jesus made great time. He was passing the disciples up!  He could have arrived at Bethsaida before his disciples!  Imagine how surprised they would have been to arrive at their destination after working against the wind all night only to find Jesus already there!

But that was not to be.  For when they saw him walking on the water, they  cried out in terror thinking they had seen a ghost. Jesus tells them not to be afraid.  He climbs into the boat with them and immediately the wind dies down.

And they were amazed!

Lets pray.

Lord Jesus whenever we are struggling against the wind… Whenever we are slow to learn and slow to recognize your mighty power, please come into the boat of our lives with.

Teach us that we need not fear. Please help to calm our hearts.

Your power and your love are truly amazing.

It is in Your name we pray. Amen!

Mar 15, 202103:08
Day 16 of 40 (Mark 6:35-44)

Day 16 of 40 (Mark 6:35-44)

Our goal: In less than 5 minutes to provide you with a Timeless Truth worth thinking about throughout the rest of your day! Let us know how were doing… My email address is info@40dayswithChrist.com. Let's start with the word of prayer.

Father in Heaven, You are our provider. The source of every blessing. Thank you for giving us everything we need in Christ Jesus. It is in his name we pray. Amen.

Yesterday Jesus, seeing a crowd of people wandering through life like sheep without a shepherd, had compassion on them and began teaching them many things. Let’s pick back up in scripture where we left off. 

The gospel of Mark chapter 6 verses 35 to 44.

35 By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. 36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

37 But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”

They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”

38 “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”

When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”

39 Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate and were satisfied, 43 and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. 44 The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.

DISCUSSION

You might remember from yesterday, Jesus had taken his apostles to a quiet remote place so they could get some rest and recharge their batteries so to speak. But when they arrived, a crowd already had formed. Out of compassion, Jesus put rest on the back burner and then taught them late into the day - so late that his disciples became concerned and asked Jesus to send them away so they could buy themselves food before it got too late.

Then Jesus does one of his most popular miracles. He takes five loaves of bread and two fish sets this huge crowd of people - 5,000 men plus who knows how many additional women and children - into groups of hundreds and fifties to give thanks to the Father in heaven and then starts breaking the loaves and dividing the fish.

Everyone ate that day and not only did everyone get plenty to eat. There were 12 basket full of broken pieces of bread and fish leftover! If Jesus could take five loaves and two fish and feed a crowd of 5000 plus and then have 12 baskets full left over to spare, He can most certainly make sure my most basic needs get taken care of from day-to-day!

Let’s pray.

Jesus you are more than capable of meeting my daily physical needs. You fed thousands from five loaves and two fish and had more than plenty to spare.  Thank you for feeding and caring for me daily.  It is in Jesus name we pray. Amen!

New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Mar 15, 202103:39
Day 15 of 40 (Mark 6:30-34)

Day 15 of 40 (Mark 6:30-34)

Welcome back to 40 days with Christ, a daily scripture based encouragement from the life of our Lord Jesus. Always to the point! Always under 5 minutes in length! Lets start with a word of Prayer.

Jesus, thank you for being our guide in life. For you are the way the truth and the life! And it is in your name we pray. AMEN!

Reading from holy scripture, we’re in the 6th chapter of The Book of Mark verses 30 through 34.

30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. 33 But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

Things were getting a little hectic. Scripture tells us that so many people were coming and going that they didn’t even have a chance to eat! So Jesus takes his apostles by boat to a solitary quiet place where they can get some rest.

I don’t know about you but the very moment I finally expect to get a little peace and quiet restfulness is not the moment I want a large crowd gathering around me! And yet Jesus sees past their inconvenience all the way deep down to their need for guidance for they were like sheep without a shepherd. Out of compassion, He teaches them many things.

A sheep without a Shepherd is probably one of the most hopelessly lost animals in the entire animal kingdom. They will quite literally follow one another in line to walk over the edge of a cliff one after another! It isn’t a flattering image to be told that we are like sheep without a Shepherd, but its a true one.

Thank God that Jesus has compassion and that he teaches us many things.

Jesus thank you for showing us your great compassion that even when you were seeking a place for quiet and rest when you saw people in need you were willing to give them what they needed all the more. Without you, we are like sheep without a shepherd. And so we ask that out of compassion for us that you will teach us too. May we listen to, learn from and follow you for you are the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. And its in your name we pray, AMEN!

Thanks so much for joining us! Have yourself a wonderful day and I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow for day 16 of our ongoing series 40 days with Christ.

New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Mar 12, 202103:05
Day 14 of 40 days with Christ (Mark 6:1-6)

Day 14 of 40 days with Christ (Mark 6:1-6)

Welcome to 40 days with Christ. You now have two weeks under your belt! I’m really impressed. I think you just might make it through the full 40! Of course, don’t forget, although I don’t want you to miss a day or two, if you do… instead of giving up you can always choose to pick back up where you leave off. It still does count even if it takes you 45 or 52 days to complete your full 40! There wont even be a punitive asterisk besmirching your accomplishment!

Lets get started with a word of prayer.

Father in Heaven:

Thank you for allowing us to hear and learn your word of truth!

May we always treasure it and keep it close to our hearts.

In Jesus name we pray, AMEN!

Our scripture reading for today is Mark chapter 6 verses 1 through 6.

Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.

“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith.

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve

Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village.

We’ve been told about people being amazed at Jesus. But here we find Jesus amazed at people from his own hometown! But Jesus is amazed not by something good, but instead by their lack of faith. For some reason, it was hard for them to accept that the local carpenter’s son could have such inspired words of truth and could perform such miracles. And so Jesus said that a prophet is honored everywhere except in his own town among his relatives and his own home.

If you’re from America, like most of our listeners and readers then you may have grown up around Christian teachings much of your entire life. Often that’s a good thing. But sometimes familiarity can cause us to underestimate the mighty power and importance of the teachings of Christ. That seems to be the mistake of the people from Christ’s hometown.

Let’s take care not to let our familiarity with the gospel cause us to overlook its importance and its power for our lives and for those around us.

Lets pray.

Father in Heaven,

Please help us not to allow ourselves to become hard-hearted to the truth just because we’ve heard it and been around it all our lives. Help us not to ever take Christianity for granted simply because we’ve grown up around it. Rather, please make your truth permeate our hearts and our minds all the more! May Your Word change our thoughts and lives more fully as we seek to become the people that you would have us to be. We ask and believe these things in the name of your son Jesus, AMEN!

Thanks so much for joining us! You are (of course!) invited to come back again tomorrow for day 15 of our ongoing series 40 days with Christ.

New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Mar 12, 202103:14
Day 13 of 40 days with Christ (Mark 5:35-42)

Day 13 of 40 days with Christ (Mark 5:35-42)

Sharing Timeless truths from the life of our Lord in under 5 minutes daily... Welcome back to 40 days with Christ! Today is day #13!

Let’s start off with prayer.

Father in Heaven, You are mighty and magnificent, an ever-present help in time of need to those who love you. Please help us to truly love You! In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Yesterday Jesus was on the way to the house of Jairus when he stopped to recognize someone who had touched his cloak in the crowd. Our reading today is Mark chapter 5 verses 35 through 42.

SCRIPTURE - Mark 5:35-42*

35 While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”

36 Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him.

After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.

DISCUSSION

What might have been going through the mind of Jairus when people from his own house came to tell him not to bother the teacher any longer? His daughter was dead. It was "too late".

Jesus told him not to be afraid - to just believe - and so he continued to walk with Jesus to his house. When they arrived they already heard crying and wailing. Perhaps Jesus had already healed her from afar for he told them she was not dead but asleep! They laughed at him. How completely astonished they were when he told her to get up and she immediately stood up and began walking around!

Too late for Jesus? Not by a long shot!

Don’t EVER let ANYONE tell you that you’re “too far gone” for Jesus to help you! Things may seem hopeless. Others around you may even be laughing in disbelief. But the real truth is this. No matter what you’ve done… No matter where you’ve been… No matter how far you’ve fallen… It is NEVER “too late” for JESUS!

Let’s pray,

Jesus: You have the power to meet our deepest needs. No matter how bad things get… No matter how far gone or hopeless we may feel… Please help us to remember that it is never too late for us to come to you and for you to put things back into their rightful place. It is never too late for us to put things at your feet and under your control.

And we pray this in Jesus name. AMEN!

Thanks so much for joining us. May you have a very very good day and I hope to see you again tomorrow for day 14 of our ongoing series 40 days with Christ.

* New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Mar 10, 202103:22
Day 12 of 40 days with Christ (Mark 5:21-34)

Day 12 of 40 days with Christ (Mark 5:21-34)

Give us five minutes a day and we’ll give you 40 Timeless truths to encourage you and your daily walk one for each day! Today is day # 12.

Let’s begin with a quick word of Prayer.

Father in Heaven, thank you for telling us that we can cast our cares upon you because you care about us!  In Jesus name we pray, AMEN!

Our reading today is from Mark chapter 5. Jesus is on his way to the house of a synagogue leader named Jairus to heal the man’s terminally ill daughter. Picking up in first 21 and going through verse 32.

Mark 5:21-34

21 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22 Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. 23 He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” 24 So Jesus went with him.

A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.

30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”

31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ”

32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

DISCUSSION:

Ever feel tiny or insignificant? Consider this. Even on his way to the house of someone as important as a synagogue leader, even with people crowded all around him, Jesus stopped everything to look for and to find one quiet person who had reached out and touched his cloak in faith.

Jesus isn’t only interested in those whom the world sees as powerful and important. Jesus is interested in you! And you don’t have to be anyone other than simply who you are in order to be valuable and important to Jesus!

Let’s pray.

Father God,

Even though you are aware of and rule over an entire world full of billions of people each with fears, concerns, joys and pains, thank you for still being aware of and caring for even me. Thank you for your amazing love. And it’s in Jesus name we pray. AMEN!

Thanks for sharing some of your day with me. I hope the rest of yours is very good. Take care and Lord willing, I’ll see you again tomorrow for day 13 of our ongoing series 40 days with Christ!

New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Mar 09, 202103:17
Day 11 of 40 days with Christ (Mark 5:18-20)

Day 11 of 40 days with Christ (Mark 5:18-20)

Welcome to 40 days with Christ - a daily scripture based word of encouragement from the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. Today is day #11! Let’s start with a word of Prayer. Father in Heaven, Your ways are always best. Help us to love and trust you even when you close a door that we thought you would have gladly opened for us. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen!

Yesterday you’ll remember that Jesus healed a man who had been demon-possessed. Now Jesus is about to depart from the region. The healed man is asking to travel with Jesus and his disciples.

Reading from Mark chapter 5 verses 18 through 20.

18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

Earlier in this series, we saw Jesus walk up the fisherman Simon and Andrew and suddenly tell them to leave their occupation and to follow him. And amazingly, that’s exactly what they did!

Perhaps it is just as surprising however today when we encounter Jesus telling a man who avidly desires to leave his home and to travel with Jesus that he should instead go back to his hometown to tell people how much the Lord had done for him.

How easy it could have been for this man to become discouraged. He wanted to leave everything in order to follow Jesus! And yet he was not allowed to do so.

Like him, we too may have any number of ideas about the ways we think we could be of use of Jesus. But sometimes we discover that Jesus has other plans for us. Of course, Christ’s plans are always best. Scripture tells us that when the man went and told others about Jesus, they were all amazed.

Jesus’ plan for my life might be a little different than his plan for your life. For example, Simon and Andrew needed to leave their home and travel with Jesus physically, but this young man needed to go back to his home to tell his family and neighbors how the Lord had been merciful to him.

We serve the same Father. But we are often called to different areas of service! That might be worth remembering the next time I discover myself accidentally trying to force my own personal gift or calling upon someone else.

Lets pray.

Father in Heaven,

Whenever things don’t go the way we expect or plan, no matter how good our intentions are, whenever we find ourselves tempted to become overly disappointed or perhaps even bitter… Please help us to trust that your plans are best. They aren’t always what we expect and we don’t always understand them at first, but they are always best. When we don’t understand where our life’s pathway is taking us, please help us to walk by faith and not by sight.

In Jesus name, Amen!

Thanks so much for joining us. Have yourself a great day, and I hope we see you again tomorrow for day 12 of our ongoing series 40 days with Christ.

Mar 08, 202103:21
Day 10 of 40 days with Christ (Mark 5:1-17)

Day 10 of 40 days with Christ (Mark 5:1-17)

Yesterday we saw Jesus calm raging storm that surrounded his disciples. Today, we see him victorious over turmoil not from without but from within.

Mar 08, 202104:60
Day 9 of 40 days with Christ (Mark 4:35-40)

Day 9 of 40 days with Christ (Mark 4:35-40)

Welcome to 40 days with Christ - Day 9!

Our goal: In less than 5 minutes to provide you with a Timeless truth worth thinking about during the rest of your day. Let us know how were doing! Our email address is info@40dayswithChrist.com.

Let’s start with a word of prayer…

Dear Father in Heaven,

Philippians chapter 4 tells us that Your peace transcends our ability to understand how and to understand why things happen. And so we ask that your peace will guard our hearts and guard our minds in Christ Jesus.

And it is in Christ Jesus name we pray, AMEN.

Our scripture reading today is from Mark the 4th chapter verses 35 through 40.

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

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

They were terrified and asked one another “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!”

Do you ever feel like trouble and turmoil or just swirling all around you, totally out of your control? Scripture says the disciples were in a boat on the water when a furious squall came up. Waves were breaking over the boat so much that it was nearly swamped. All the while, Jesus was in the stern sleeping on a cushion. So distressed they were that they woke him up asking Jesus whether he even cared that they drowned or not.

And I love this. Jesus did not command them to speak words of faith before he would come to their aid. He did not demand that they go through a praise service before he would act on their behalf. They believed enough to come to Him in their time of distress and so he rebuked the wind and spoke to the waves and they obeyed his command becoming completely calm.

Then in the calm after he had rescued them, He asked them why they were so afraid and encouraged them to grow in their faith.

Take heart! Trouble may be swirling all around you… Keep your eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith and in His time, He will make things still.

Lord Jesus,

Even when trouble and turmoil are swirling all around us You still reign supreme. When we can start cares upon You, we thank you for caring so much for us that you help meet our needs even as you help us learn to grow in our faith. Lord we ask you to help us to trust you when you meet our needs in ways other than what we had expected.

And it is a Jesus name we pray, AMEN!

Thanks so much for joining us. I hope you have a very blessed day today and look forward to seeing you again tomorrow for day 10 of our ongoing series 40 days with Christ.

New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Mar 06, 202104:04
Day 8 of 40 (Mark 4:30-32)

Day 8 of 40 (Mark 4:30-32)

Welcome back to 40 days with Christ, a daily scripture based encouragement from the life of our Lord Jesus!  Always to the point! Always under 5 minutes in length. Let's start off with a word of Prayer.

Father, We thank You for blessing us with every spiritual blessing in the Heavenly places in Christ Jesus your Son.

And it is in your son Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

Mark chapter 4 has some small little parables which contains magnificently large and significant meanings. Today will be the shortest scripture reading in our 40 day series so far.

30 Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”

I’ve got two questions for you.

First, have you ever seen a single Mustard Seed? Well, magnified images on the internet - (I know you’re looking it up right now!) - do not do its small size justice for its actually about one to two millimeters in diameter!

How small is that? If you have a dime in your pocket or perhaps your piggy bank, pull out that dime and look at it. Not the wide part, the narrow part. A mustard seed’s diameter is about one-tenth as large as the size of that short edge of the dime. Now THAT is a tiny seed!

Second, have you ever seen a mustard plant?

Well, based on the geography, Jesus was probably talking about the black mustard seed which grows into rolling fields of splendid yellow flowers with a plant height ranging from 2 to 8 feet.

Jesus says the kingdom of God is just like that tiny little seed that gets planted and then becomes tall enough provide shade even for birds!

The message of Jesus isn’t overly complicated or ostentatious. But it takes root when planted and grows amazingly within the hearts, minds, and souls of men and women everywhere.

Lets pray,

Lord God,

You can take the smallest of seeds and turn it into a beautiful and thriving mustard plant. We know that no matter how tiny or insignificant we may seem or be on our own, that You are more than capable of using us for Your glory. In fact, Your glory can become even more evident when You take something small and make something big from it! When we are weak and are depending upon You, may your strength be made all the more known and all the more exalted!

We ask this in Jesus name. Amen!

Thanks for sharing some of your day with me. I hope the rest of your day is very very good. Take care and Lord willing, I’ll see you again tomorrow for day 9 of our ongoing series, 40 days with Christ!

New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Mar 05, 202103:02
Day 7 of 40 (Mark 4:26-29)

Day 7 of 40 (Mark 4:26-29)

Welcome to 40 days with Christ. You’ve made it to all the way to day #7. Great going! You are officially getting the power of repetition on your side! So now is probably a good time for me to share a success strategy with you!

It would be wonderful if you completed all 40 days back to back with no stumbles and no interruptions - day after day - all 40 days in a row, but it doesn’t always work that way. Some people end up ‘giving up’ because they miss a day or two and feel like they have to ‘catch up’. But that's not true!

If you miss a day or two, you can pick right back up where you left off and keep pushing forward one day at a time.

What I’m saying is that if you miss a day, you can avoid ‘giving up’ by simply ‘picking up’ where you last left off.

You DO have permission to take a few extra days to complete all 40 sessions. I just wanted to make sure you knew that! ;-)

OK! Lets start with a word of prayer.

Father,

How magnificent are the depths of the riches of Your wisdom and Your knowledge. For from You and through You and to You are all things.

To You Father be the glory forever!

In Jesus name we pray. AMEN!

In Mark chapter 4, Jesus once again uses agricultural language to explain an important truth about the Kingdom of Heaven. Reading verses 26 through 29.*

26 He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

We like to think we understand things. Even things we don’t fully understand we tend to assign a name at least. And that makes us feel much more in control. Amazingly enough scientists don’t even yet fully understand everything that happens within a seed as it comes to life in the soil! Yes, we do know it absorbs water and starts to somehow convert part of itself into enzymes which begin to send out roots and sprout the beginning of life underground. One thing is for certain however. Night and day, whether we are asleep or awake, whether we understand it or not, that seed is sprouting and growing.

Jesus says the kingdom of God is the same way. God uses people to spread his message and then God makes that message grow within people’s hearts. The preacher or teacher that spoke the message doesn’t make it grow. He doesn’t even grasp how it grows. But it does! And the glory belongs not to any man but to God himself in heaven.

Lets pray.

Lord God you are amazing.

Whenever we speak Your word of truth, You oversee it. You are the one who makes it grow within the hearts and minds of men and women. You are the one who causes it to take root and to become productive.

Lord, please help us to trust in You to make your word grow in our hearts.

Please show us how You would have us to help spread Your word.

We ask you that You will help us to then simply trust in You. That You will make Your work grow in the hearts and minds of those who hear.

To You be the power and glory and honor and praise forever and ever.

We pray and believe in Jesus name. Amen.

Thank you so much for joining us. I hope you have a great day and look forward to seeing you again tomorrow for day 8 of our ongoing series 40 days with Christ.

New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Mar 04, 202103:50
Day 6 of 40 (Mark 4:14-20)

Day 6 of 40 (Mark 4:14-20)

Welcome once again to 40 days with Christ day 6 sharing one timeless truth with you from The Life of Christ in under 5 minutes daily. Let’s start off with the word of prayer.


Dear father in heaven,

Please make us truly receptive to your word as it is planted into our lives. In Jesus name we ask this. Amen.


Yesterday we heard Jesus tell the parable of the seed and the sower or we could call the parable of the farmer the seed in the soil.


Today in Mark Chapter 4 verses 14 through 20 we hear Jesus explain the meaning of that parable.


14 The farmer sows the word. 15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. 20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”



Did you hear what Jesus said? When the seed of the word of God hits some soil, it doesn’t penetrate at all. Satan comes and take the way that word that was sown in them. Others hear the word and receive it gladly for a little while. But whenever things get difficult, they easily give up and move on to the next thing that comes along.

Some hear Christ’s word but sadly get too wrapped up in worrying about things. Trying to get wealthy, their desires for earthly things choke the word’s effectiveness out of their lives. Yet others hear the word and accept it. It does take root in their lives and God does amazing things within their heart and uses them to help others around them.


What kind of soil will we be?


Lets pray



Lord.


We ask you to help us to guard your word in our hearts. May we treasure it and value it appropriately. May Satan never distract us from it or come take away that word that was sown within us.


God please grant us perseverance, whenever things get difficult, may we not give up on the faith. Please protect us from having our effectiveness choked out by misplacing our focus. Help us not to worry about losing things in this life. Help us not to strive in the never-ending pursuit to acquire more and more and more wealth.


When we hear and accept your word Lord, we ask you to please help make it take deep root in our lives. God we ask you to do amazing things within our hearts, even though we don’t fully understand how it is that you do it.


Lord, please use us to be a blessing to others around us. We ask these things in the name of your son Jesus. AMEN!


Thanks so much for joining us. You are of course as always invited to come back again tomorrow for day 7 of our ongoing series 40 days with Christ!

New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Mar 03, 202103:54
Day 5 of 40 (Mark 4:1-9)

Day 5 of 40 (Mark 4:1-9)

Welcome back to 40 days with Christ!

Give us five minutes a day and well give you 40 timeless truths to encourage you in your daily walk! Today is day 5.

Let’s begin with prayer:

Lord, as we look to your holy word for truth, please give us ears to truly hear and to truly understand.

In Jesus name, amen.

Reading from the gospel of Mark Chapter 4 verses 1 through 9 (New International Version*).

Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. 2 He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: 3 “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.”

9 Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

In this parable, Jesus was teaching us that there are different types of listeners. Yesterday in Mark 3, we read about a group of hard-hearted people who had already decided ahead of time that they were going to look for some reason to accuse Jesus. Then, when Jesus taught them the truth about the Sabbath, that word of truth bounced right off of them like a seed hitting the hard packed dirt of a well-trodden path way. It did not penetrate into their soil. Birds came and flew and with the word before it could ever take root in their hearts.

Some hearts are not totally impenetrable. They can accept Jesus teachings at first. But it still never really sinks in and grows to bear fruit. They “sort of” accept it for a while but they let go of it whenever things get tough and the heat is on.

Even others accept the word fully but it gets choked out by thorns.

And then there are those in whom Jesus’s words produce a real and lasting change.

The real interesting thing at the end there? Jesus said “whoever has ears to hear, let Him hear!”

Jesus was sowing WORDS into the crowd that day! Now, I dont know about you, but that sounds to me kind of like an open invitation! To some extent, choices we make can impact what kind of soil we become.

What kind of soil do we truly want to be? Will we open our hearts just part of the way? Will we open our hearts just temporarily? Or will we come to Jesus fully and freely asking him to make his word take root in our hearts and in our lives?

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus,

Please give us ears to truly hear what you have to say. Open our hearts and help us to not only understand Your Word, but to also truly accept your Word. May it take root in our lives and change our way of thinking as it teaches us how to honor you. Helps us to obey Lord. In Jesus name we pray, AMEN!

New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.


Mar 02, 202104:07
Day 4 of 40 (Mark 3:1-6)

Day 4 of 40 (Mark 3:1-6)

Welcome to 40 days with Christ day 4!

A daily scripture based word of encouragement from the life of our Lord Jesus. We’re just getting started and already you’ve hit the 10% mark! Hang in there the full 40 days and we will send you a congratulatory certificate of completion!

Let’s start with the word of Prayer:

Dear Father in heaven,

Help us to come to scripture today looking for Your truth. Please make us willing to listen, to hear, to understand, and most importantly to accept your teachings from scripture. The entire world was created at Your command. We know that you are the source of all truth.

We pray this in Jesus name. Amen!

SCRIPTURE READING: Mark 3:1-6 (New International Version*)

Another time, Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.”

Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent.

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. (Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.)

DISCUSSION:

It’s funny how our predisposed attitudes often color how we perceive things. For example, scripture tells us there were some there that day just looking for a reason to accuse Jesus that Sabbath day. What did they see when Jesus healed a man with a shriveled hand? An act of mercy? An act of loving-kindness? No. They saw what they believed to be a violation of a law requiring rest. For no work was to be done on the Sabbath. (As if it was any more “work” for Jesus to heal a shriveled hand that to speak to a crowd.)

Their misunderstanding deeply distressed Jesus, who went ahead to do the right thing. Jesus met the need of that suffering man on the Sabbath. And those looking for a reason to accuse Jesus were granted their wish that day.

CLOSING PRAYER:

Dear Father in heaven. Help us to seek the truth. May we always place the teachings of your son Jesus above our own expectations, above our Traditions, above even what we currently believe. Help us to approach Jesus with an open heart and an open mind. Teach us the truth Lord.

We thank you in advance for helping us to find that for which we seek.

In Jesus name we pray... AMEN!

Thanks for sharing some of your day with me today.

Take care and Lord willing, I’ll see you tomorrow for day 5 of our ongoing series “40 days with Christ”!

* New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Feb 27, 202103:43
Day 3 of 40 days with Christ (Mark 2:13-17)

Day 3 of 40 days with Christ (Mark 2:13-17)

Welcome to 40 days with Christ - day 3.  Our goal?  In less than 5 minutes, to provide you with a timeless truth worth thinking about throughout the rest of your day.  Let us know how we’re doing!  My email address is mark@40dayswithChrist.com.

Let’s start with a word of Prayer. 

Father in Heaven, please open our hearts and minds so that we are receptive to the truth we find in your holy scripture about your son Jesus. May our way of thinking increasingly align more properly with the way of thinking that you have in mind for us.  May our way of living more accurately align with your pathway of true life. We thank you for your incredible love. For even while we were disobedient and rebellious, you still gave so much in order to call us back into a right relationship with you. It is in Jesus name we pray. Amen!

SCRIPTURE READING Mark 2:13-17 (New International Version*) 

"Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.

While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

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.

DISCUSSION

During his time on earth, Jesus spent time with even ate meals with people who had not been living right with God. Surprised?  The religious leaders of the day sure were! In fact it bothered them enough for them to ask why he would do such a thing. Many times Jesus spoke in parables, even sometimes in riddles. But in this instance, he was very clear, straightforward and to the point. Healthy people, he said, don’t need a doctor.  Sick people need a doctor. Then He said His mission was to call sinners back to a right relationship with God. Some of the harshest words Jesus spoke were two religious people who thought they were somehow already good enough to earn the approval of God.  And some of the most compassionate words He ever spoke were to those which were already painfully aware of their shortcomings and their need for forgiveness.

Lets pray. 

Lord Jesus thank you for being willing to associate with people beneath your position. Thank you for leaving your exalted position in heaven and taking the form of a servant here on this earth for us. Even our greatest acts of righteousness are like filthy rags when compared to the surpassing goodness of your perfection. May we never forget that no matter how religious we are. We are all sinners in need of the forgiveness that only you give.

And it’s in your name Jesus we pray. Amen!

Thanks so much for joining us! Have a great day and I hope you will return again tomorrow for day number four of our ongoing series 40 days with Christ!

* Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Feb 27, 202103:58
Day 2 of 40 days with Christ (Mark 2:1-12)

Day 2 of 40 days with Christ (Mark 2:1-12)

Day 2 - Jesus has the authority... to forgive sins!

Dear Father in Heaven:  

Help Us to reflect on the truth we find in your holy scripture not just for this moment, but throughout the rest of this day that you’ve given to us.  We know that every good and perfect gift comes from you God. We thank you not only for all the good you have done but we also thank you in advance for all the good you have yet to do in our lives.

We pray in Jesus name. AMEN.

TODAY’S READING:  Mark 2:1-12 (New International Version*)

Imagine the commotion encompassing Capernaum.  Talk about huge crowds… there were so many people that not only was there no room in the house, you couldn’t even find a good spot to see or hear Jesus outside the door!

Then things were starting to get a little crazy!  Dirt falling from above as you see four men digging through the roof and lowering a paralyzed man down through the ceiling!  Truth be told, you or I might tend to say “Hey!  Don’t destroy the roof!”  But Jesus immediately sees beyond materialistic concerns and focuses instead on the great faith of the man and his four friends. Even more surprising, instead of immediately addressing the man’s most obvious physical need, Jesus goes deeper still still and says “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Some teachers of the law are present.  Knowing that only God can forgive sin, they  take offense.  Then Jesus says there is something he wants us to know. What does Jesus want us to know?  Listen closely.  He says, “I want you to know the son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins!”

Then Jesus heals the man and everyone was amazed saying “We have never seen anything like this before!”

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus,

You have the power to meet our deepest needs - not only our physical needs but our spiritual needs as well. For You have the authority… to forgive!

Please help us to know this truth. Not just with a surface mental knowledge but to know it experientially and fully. Help us to become amazed at your power and authority.

Father God - We praise you for there truly is nobody as amazing as your only begotten son Jesus Christ!

And it is in the name of Jesus that we pray. Amen!

Thanks so much for joining us today. You are of course invited to come back again tomorrow for day 3 of our ongoing series “40 days with Christ”!

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://www.biblica.com/

Feb 25, 202104:38
NEW SERIES! Day #1 of 40 days with Christ (Mark 1:6-28)

NEW SERIES! Day #1 of 40 days with Christ (Mark 1:6-28)

We are only 40 days away from Easter Sunday!  

What a perfect time to begin a 40 day series on the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus!

TODAY'S READING = Mark 1:6-28* 

How surprising it must have been to Simon and his brother Andrew going about their daily work when suddenly Jesus said, “Follow me”.

James and John were also in a boat preparing their nets when the call of Jesus came saying “Follow me”.

The people were amazed at the teaching of Jesus.  Why?  Because His way of teaching was with authority. He talked like he really knew the answers because he did and he does even today!

The authority of Jesus was demonstrated not just in words also in power for Jesus gave orders to unclean spirits and they were compelled to obey Him. No wonder news about Jesus spread quickly over the reach of Galilee.

Lets pray.

Lord Jesus whenever we hear your call. Help us to be the way Simon and Andrew were in today’s reading. Even if we are already in the middle of preparing for some other activity of our day, may, we be willing to change our plans as needed in order to follow your leading.

Jesus, You have the authority to truly teach us how to live. Help us to seek out your truth and to honor your unique position of authority in our lives.

May the news about your amazing power - Jesus - and your goodness and your love spread farther and farther even unto the very ends of the Earth.

We ask these things in your name. AMEN

That wraps up day one.  May you have a very blessed day and I hope to see you again tomorrow for day number two of our ongoing series 40 days with Christ.

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://www.biblica.com/


Feb 24, 202104:08
Day 20 of 20 (1 Peter 5:8-11)

Day 20 of 20 (1 Peter 5:8-11)

Today is the final day of our 20 session series on First Peter!!  Up next, our flagship 40 days with Christ series is scheduled to march toward completion of day #40 on Easter Sunday!  I hope you will continue on with us as we begin our 40 day journey toward Easter together!  :-)

But first, let’s get started by reading our final passage from First Peter chapter 5 today.

"Be alert and of sober mind.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.  And the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ -  after you’ve suffered a little while - will Himself restore you and make you strong,  firm and steadfast.  To Him be the power forever and ever!  AMEN!"

Let’s review where we’ve been together shall we?

Over the last 20 days, I hope you’ve been encouraged by these important truths!

  • We’ve been born again into a living hope and an inheritance which can never spoil, perish or fade!
  • We’ve been redeemed from our previous empty way of life.
  • The price of this redemption was not perishable like gold or silver.  It was the eternal precious blood of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
  • Therefore, we won’t conform to the old desires from our days of ignorance.  Instead, we will seek to be holy as our father in heaven is holy.
  • Along with new life, God has given us a church family and so we have brotherly and sisterly love for one another. But God doesn’t leave us there. He calls us to grow in agape love (the unconditional kind of love - the kind of love God showed to us even while we were still sinners).
  • Whenever things get tough, God wants us to know that our trials are not meaningless and they don’t last forever. As we await Christ’s return by faith, we are shielded by God’s great power!
    • Trials can help prove that our faith is genuine. They can help us focus on eternal things and learn how to depend on God. They can even provide us opportunities to live in a manner that impresses unbelievers.  
  • Unbelievers may see our good Christian lifestyle and ask us the reason for the hope we have within us.  Peter tells us to be prepared to answer with gentleness respect and a clear conscience.
  • God is building a spiritual house! Christ Jesus is the Cornerstone!  The King!  The Head! He’s number one!
  • You and me?  We get the honor of being like small stones built into that same house.
  • God says this house is a spiritual priesthood. How precious are we to God? He calls us a royal priesthood!  A holy nation!  His special possession! 
  • Our purpose in all of this? We are to declare the Praises of God who called us out of Darkness into his wonderful light.  

To Him be the power forever and ever!  Let’s pray.

Dear Father in Heaven - 

We praise You for You have called us out of darkness and into Your wonderful light. 

Even while we were still sinners, you reached out to us in love so that we could be set free from bondage to sin and death.

How great Thou art Lord.  How great… Thou art!

Thanks for making devotional time a priority in your life. May God encourage you, bless you, keep you strong, firm and steadfast until the day our Lord Jesus returns with a crown of glory for you, an imperishable inheritance, one which never fades -  never spoils…  AMEN!

Feb 23, 202103:30
Day 19 of 20 (1 Peter 5:8-14

Day 19 of 20 (1 Peter 5:8-14

Reading from 1st Peter chapter 5 verses 8 through 14:

“Be alert and of sober mind your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him standing firm in the faith because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kinds of sufferings.  And the God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ - after you’ve suffered a little while - will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.  To Him be the power forever and ever - AMEN.

With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.

She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.”  (New International Version)

This is the third time in 1st Peter that we are told to have a sober mind. We are to pay attention - to be aware - to have a mindset of readiness and watchfulness.  This time, however, the object of our awareness is the fact that we aren’t just floating through life unopposed. There’s an enemy prowling around like a roaring lion looking for something to destroy - to devour!

This verse reminds me of the beginning of the book of Job. Remember when the Lord asked Satan from where he came?  And Satan replied “from roaming about on the earth been walking around on it”?  Perhaps Peter even had that passage from Job in mind as he wrote that the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Please don’t misunderstand.  Peter is NOT trying to inflict insatiable fear into our hearts.  He’s calling us to be alert and sober, yes. But then he goes on to tell us that we CAN successfully resist the devil.

How do we resist Satan?   Peter says we do so by standing firm in the Christian faith.  Even through times of hardship, Peter tells us we can be encouraged in the knowledge that we don’t go through difficult times all alone.  Indeed there is great strength in sharing our burdens with one another and praying together.

1st Corinthians chapter 10 verse 13 reminds us “there hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man”.  That’s a very fancy King James way of saying that “we don’t face difficulties and temptations all by ourselves.”  Peter says it like this:  “The God of all Grace who called us to his eternal glory in Christ, after we have suffered a little while, will himself restore us and make a strong firm and steadfast.

To him be the power forever and ever - Amen!

Let’s pray.

Father in Heaven,

You are the God of all Grace. You have called us to your eternal glory in Christ.

When we face trials, please help us to know that we can persevere because You have the grace to forgive us.  You have the power to restore us.  You have the loving-kindness to lift us up and to make us firm and steadfast. We put our hope and trust in You.

We pray in Jesus name - Amen!


Feb 22, 202104:12
Day 18 of 20 (1 Peter 5:1-7)

Day 18 of 20 (1 Peter 5:1-7)

How amazing is it that the God of all time and space cares about me and you!  We can cast all of our anxiety on him.  Why?  Because He cares for us!  If you have anxiety, listen!  Peter isn’t beating you down saying things like “repent sinner"!  Peter isn't not trying to make you feel guilty!  He is trying to help you feel comforted!!

A careful reading of Jesus’ teachings on the topic of worry might surprise you! Scripture doesn’t condemn the downhearted.  Instead it teaches us to cast our anxiety upon the shoulders of the only One who is truly strong enough to carry it!  GOD alone is great enough and loving enough to take not just some of our anxiety… Cast ALL your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

Now, sometimes we assign far too much value upon certain things of this world.  God may be wanting to teach us that the amount of money in our 401k bank account - believe it or not - really is NOT that important in the grand scheme of things!  But as long as we truly submit to Jesus as our Lord, then God is right there for us, ready to teach, willing to encourage and bless. Yes, if you have cares and concerns, you CAN cast your cares upon God because God truly DOES care for you!

Since God is such a caring loving Father, it should come as no surprise that he wants church leaders to be willing servants.  Peter appeals in this passage to the elders (i.e. church leaders) as an elder himself.

As Peter tells his church leaders to lead by being good examples to the flock, Peter himself models this exemplary behavior.  

  • Peter is not harsh as he instructs church elders to not be harsh.
  • Peter doesn’t lord over them as he instructs them not to lord over the flock that is under their care.
  • Peter is indeed leading by example as he instructs them to lead by example in the local church.

We should respect and submit to our church leaders.  All of us, young and old, should be humble with one another.  For if we humble ourselves before God, God will lift us up in His perfect time. 

Lets pray.

Dear Father:

Help us to be good followers.  Help us to be followers of You first and foremost.  Help us also to be respectful members in the local church.  

May we be humble as we respect the local church leaders.  They can’t possibly make decisions that will make everyone happy all of the time!  Help us not to place an undue burden of unrealistic expectations upon our leaders.  Instead, help us to support and to encourage our leaders.

In Jesus name we ask this.  AMEN!

That about wraps up day 18!  Take care and Lord willing, I’ll see you again tomorrow as you we near the end of our series 20 days with 1st Peter!

Feb 20, 202104:17
Day 17 of 20 (1 Peter 4:12-19)

Day 17 of 20 (1 Peter 4:12-19)

In John chapter 15, Jesus plainly tells his followers, “Remember what I told you.  A servant is not greater than his master.  If they persecuted me they will persecute you also.”

How quickly we forget!

When we stand up for what we believe to be good and right, sometimes people will mischaracterize us.  They may even impute all kinds of bad motives to us falsely.  Now don’t get me wrong.  It is frustrating when we get unfairly painted as heartless, bigoted or uncaring.  It feels very unfair because it is unfair!  But here is one thing it should not be…  It should not be a surprise as though something strange is happening to us!

I think sometimes we as Christians react in anger or with sarcasm because we’ve forgotten what Jesus told us to remember.  We’ve forgotten that Jesus said we should expect resistance and persecution.

Why did Jesus say that we should remember this?  Why does Peter insist that this should not come to us as a surprise?  

I think it has to do with preparation and with managing our own expectations.  For example, if I expect people to always be understanding and sympathetic in response my faith, whenever they are unfair toward me and I feel misunderstood,  I might be unprepared to respond to them in the manner that God would have me to respond.

Peter and Jesus - I believe - are saying that even though my personal goal is to live such a good life that it attracts outsiders to the gospel, I still should not be surprised if a fiery ordeal erupts around me instead!

In Matthew chapter 10 and in Luke 12, Jesus is clear that His truth will ruffle some feathers!  Yes, Jesus is the source of life in peace to those who follow Him.  But He will also be a source of division and opposition from those who reject his lordship.

The Christian call is:

1) to respond to curses with blessing

2) to pray for our enemies

3) to never stop hoping that they may find forgiveness and eternal life in Christ Jesus our lord.

Let’s pray together.


Lord:  If we are insulted because of the name of Christ,

help us not to curse, but instead to pray for our enemies,  

please help us to desire repentance, forgiveness and salvation for everyone,

even those who mistreat us!

May we show such love and courage that it causes someone to wonder about the reason for the hope that we have.

Help us to be ready with an answer.  

But please may it be an answer that is shared with gentleness and respect.

In Jesus name, we ask all of this.  AMEN!


Devotional number 17 of 20 is complete!

May God encourage you and bless you as you follow his leading today.

Take care!

Bro Mark

Feb 19, 202104:07
Day 16 of 20 (1 Peter 4:7-11)

Day 16 of 20 (1 Peter 4:7-11)

Peter instructs us not once, not twice, but three times in this short letter to "be SOBER".  

The Greek word he uses for sober, however, means more than merely not being out of control due to intoxication.  It means to be sensible, reasonable, aware and responsible in how we live our lives to honor the Lord our God.  

In chapter 1 verse 13, we read "Therefore, (because you have such a great salvation ahead of you) with minds that are alert and fully SOBER, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.  

In chapter 5 verse 8, we are told to "Be alert and of SOBER mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith..."

And in today's reading, 1 Peter 4:7-11:

7 Therefore (because the end of all things is near) be alert and of SOBER mind so that you may pray. 

8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 

10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 


Feb 18, 202104:07
February 16, 2021

February 16, 2021

Feb 16, 202100:41
Ice and snow day (Feb. 16, 2021)

Ice and snow day (Feb. 16, 2021)

Due to technical difficulties, I'm in my car surrounded by ice and snow as we share inspired words of encouragement from the 100th Psalm today! Lord willing, we will return to our study of 1 Peter tomorrow! Bro Mark
Feb 16, 202103:33
Day 15 of 20 (1 Peter 3:17-22 & 1 Peter 4:6)

Day 15 of 20 (1 Peter 3:17-22 & 1 Peter 4:6)

Christ suffered once for all time on the cruel cross at Calvary in order to pay the penalty for our sins.  Jesus died in the body - and then He was resurrected with an eternal, glorified body to demonstrate His victory over sin and death.  Jesus was resurrected to demonstrate the victory that He is willing to freely share with all of us who - by faith - are willing to make Him our Lord and Savior!

In Matthew chapter 28, right before Jesus ascended into heaven, He spoke some important final words of instructions to his apostles.

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” said Jesus.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Feb 13, 202104:39
Day 14 of 20 (1 Peter 3:3-5)

Day 14 of 20 (1 Peter 3:3-5)

1 Peter 3:3- 5 (NASB)

"3 Your adornment must not be merely the external—braiding the hair, wearing gold jewelry, or putting on apparel; 4 but it should be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. 5 For in this way the holy women of former times, who hoped in God, also used to adorn themselves, being subject to their own husbands…"

Feb 12, 202104:22
Day 13 of 20 (1 Peter 3:1-7)

Day 13 of 20 (1 Peter 3:1-7)

1 Peter 3:1-7

Beauty and honor between fellow heirs of grace...


Feb 11, 202103:49