Children of the Most High God, Called to Show Mercy

Jesus, Son of the Most High, we worship you. The Lord God has given you the throne of David to reign for all time and your kingdom will never end. We confess you are the Faithful One, True, The Word of God. You are the King of kings and Lord of lords, the Sovereign Lamb who reigns victoriously over sin, death, and Satan. Amen. (Luke 1:32-35)

We bow before you as we read your Word. Help us to understand more fully our role as your royal priesthood. Amen.

Scripture Reading - Mark 5:1-20 (ESV)
     They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones.
     And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!”
    And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”
    He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country.
     Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.” So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea.
     The herdsmen fled and told it in the city and in the country. And people came to see what it was that had happened.
     And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs. And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region.
     As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.

Thank you, Father, for being gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love! We see the display of your cleansing power through your Son as he has authority over unclean spirits. By your cleansing power, you remove our sins - as far as the east is from the west! As your children, we thank you for your compassion on us. You know that we are but dust. (Psalm 145, 103)

Jesus, we confess that we have not always given testimony to how much you have done for us, how you have lavished your mercy on us. By the rich mercy of God, we have been made alive to live with you into eternity! We boldly approach the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace in our time of need. Help us to bear witness to your mercy today. (Ephesians 2:4-7, Hebrews 4:16)

Lord Jesus, by the power of your Spirit living in us, help us to be merciful even as our Father in heaven is merciful. May we love our enemies and do good to them. For then, we too will be sons and daughters of the Most High! For he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. May we faithfully do the will of the Father. Amen! (Luke 6:35-36)

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Who then is this? The Creator of the Ends of the Earth!

We praise you, LORD God, Creator of the ends of the earth!
O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas;
the one who by his strength established the mountains, being girded with might;
who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples, 
so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs.

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.Amen.
(Psalm 65:5-8, 104:33-34)

Scripture Reading - Mark 4:35-41 (ESV)
     On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 
     And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 
     He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 
     And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Lord Jesus, stiller of the waves, we confess that you are the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by you all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through you and for you. By faith, we believe that the universe was created by your powerful word, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. You were before all things and in you all things hold together! (Colossians 1:15-17)

Jesus forgive us for when we have cried out, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"  We have forgotten how you demonstrated your love for us. By your Spirit, we remember that all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell in you, so that though you, we might be reconciled to you. We now have peace before the Father by the blood of your cross. (Romans 5:1, Colossians 1:19-20)

Heavenly Father, we cry out to you in our life circumstances, "We believe! Help our unbelief!" This unbelief causes us to waver concerning your promises. Help us to grow strong in faith as we give glory to you. fully convinced that you are able to do what you have promised in your Word. By this we will be counted righteous because we believe in you, Father, who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. Amen. (Romans 4:20-25)

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

 

This is my Son, the beloved, listen to him!

O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. We praise you for you are the living God, enduring forever. Your kingdom will never be destroyed, and your dominion will be to the end.

As we read your Word, may we hear Jesus calling us - Come, o children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Help us to understand your teachings about the kingdom of God. Amen.

( Isaiah 37:16, Daniel 6:26, Psalm 34:11)

Scripture Reading - Mark 4:21-34 (ESV)
     And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” 
     And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
     And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”
     With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.

Jesus we confess that you are the light of the world, revealing the kingdom of God to us through your teachings. If we follow you, we will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life! As we hear your voice calling us and believe on you, we come into your kingdom. We, too, become the light of the world. Forgive us for when we have not brilliantly shown forth the mystery of the kingdom - Christ in us, the hope of glory!

Jesus, forgive us for when we have not paid attention to what you say in your Word. We know the Father's command - This is my Son, the beloved, listen to him! Protect us from dull ears and poor vision as we learn to live in your kingdom. 

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the pictures in Scripture that you give us of your future kingdom in all its fullness! John records:
     After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice,
     “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 
     And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying,
      “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” (Revelation 7:9-11)

At the end of John's revelation, the King of kings says: "Yes, I am coming soon." And we cry out: "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus."

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

The Master Gardner Displays His Splendor!

Oh the beauty of your garden, Sovereign Lord! You rain down righteousness, the earth opens wide and salvation springs up bearing the fruit of righteousness. You, the Lord have created this garden, filled with people from all nations! You call us your oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of your splendor. You, the Master Gardner, have given us salvation by your Word to display the beauty of your righteousness.

As we read your Word, we look to the promise that it will not return empty or void. It will accomplish what you desire and achieve the purpose for which you sent it. Amen.

(Isaiah 45:8, 55:10-11, 61:3,11)

Scripture Reading - Mark 4:1-20 (ESV)
     Again he began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea, and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. And he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them:

     “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”

     And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
     And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that
     “they may indeed see but not perceive,
     and may indeed hear but not understand,
     lest they should turn and be forgiven.”
     And he said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word. And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away.And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word,but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”

Thank you Lord Jesus so much for continuing to teach us by your Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth. He is the one who lives in us, who guides us into all truth. He does not speak on his own, but he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell us what is yet to come!

Holy Spirit, protect us from being a stiff-necked people - those who are seeing but never perceiving and hearing but never understanding. Convict us in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment. As you convict us of our sins and we experience godly grief which leads to repentance, may we produce a crop thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.

Father in heaven, the Master Gardener, we pray for the fruit of your Spirit to be manifested in our lives. Help us to keep in step with the Spirit, bearing the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). May our fruit-bearing lives display your splendor! Amen.

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Jesus' Family Under the Care of the Heavenly Father

Father in Heaven, holy is your Name! As your children, we worship you, the Great Lavisher of Love. Your Word tells us that if we receive your Son, Jesus Christ, and believe on him, you give us the right to become your children. We are your children, born not of blood or the will of flesh or the will of man, but born according to your will. (John 1:12-13)

As your children, we come to your Word anticipating your fatherly care and love for us. We pray that your Word would also discipline us, revealing that we are legitimate children under the care of a all-knowing and perfectly wise Father. Amen.

Scripture Reading - Mark 3:20-35 (ESV)
     Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.”
     And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “by the prince of demons he casts out the demons.”

     And he called them to him and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. But no one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.
     “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”
     And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.”

     And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking about at those who sat around him, he said,“Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for perfectly doing the will of the Father. This was your food while living the perfect sacrifice on earth - to do the will of the Father who sent you and to accomplish his work. We marvel at your submission - not my will, but your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Jesus, our friend and brother, we confess, that we do not always do the will of the Father, becoming malnourished for kingdom work. Forgive us for the times that we choose to swallow - not your will, but my will be done. We grieve the Holy Spirit when we neglect your work. 

Father in heaven, we are dependent on the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom you have sent to us. He lives in your children, empowering us to do your will. We claim the promises spoken by Jesus: 

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. (John 14:12-14)

Help us to do your will today. Amen! 

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

The Son of God fights the cosmic battle in the heavenly realms...

Lord Jesus, we extol your name! For God exalted you to the highest place and gave you the name that is above every name. That at your name - Jesus - every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that you, Jesus Christ, are Lord. To the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-10)

We bow before you as we read your Word. May we worship you as we see your authority over heaven and earth and under the earth in this passage. Amen.

Scripture Reading - Mark 3:7-19 (ESV)

     Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd followed, from Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from around Tyre and Sidon. When the great crowd heard all that he was doing, they came to him. And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they crush him, for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed around him to touch him. And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” And he strictly ordered them not to make him known.
     And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons. He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Lord Jesus, we confess that you are the Son of God, the one who has power to heal and authority over Satan and his minions. It is by your Spirit in us that we have authority in the heavenly realms to fight against Satan's schemes.

Please cleanse us from our material mindset, our lack of vision for the spiritual world and the battle raging in the heavenly realms. We confess our unfitness to persevere in the battle, neglecting the training necessary by your power and authority to cast out  unclean spirits in our homes, at our places of work, and in the Church.

Sovereign King, as your royal priesthood we do not battle against flesh and blood but against the prince of the power of the air - against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 1:21, Ephesians 6:12). May we be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God so that through your body - the church - the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places (Ephesians 3:10). Help us to faithfully put on the armor of God today as we fight this cosmic battle (Ephesians 6:13-18). Amen.

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Jesus, Our Sabbath Rest

Good and upright are you, O Lord. You instruct sinners in the way. You lead the humble in what is right, and teach the humble your way. All your paths, O Lord, are paved with steadfast love and faithfulness for those who keep your covenant and your testimonies (Psalm 25:8-10). Lord, may we taste and see that you alone are good as we find refuge in your Word today. Amen.

Scripture Reading - Mark 2:23-3:6 (ESV)

     One Sabbath he (Jesus) was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. And the Pharisees were saying to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”

     And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?”

     And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”

     Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.”

     And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent.

     And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.

Savior Jesus, we confess that you are our Sabbath. We find rest for our souls in you alone. Thank you for having bore our sins in your body on the cross, that we might die to sins and live for righteousness. By your wounds we have been healed. We have received eternal rest for our souls!

Lord of the Sabbath, we see your white-hot anger in this passage for those who reject your provision of rest and continue to strive in their own evil self-righteousness. Oh, how stubborn hearts grieve you. Purify us from the temptation to seek our rest in anything or anyone else besides you.

Father, we confess that you alone are good. As we rest in you, may we accomplish the good works you have planned in advance for us, works done in the power of the Spirit and not by the feeble power of the flesh. May this picture of perfect rest in you be a reality for us:
But I am like a green olive tree
in the house of God.
I trust in the steadfast love of God
forever and ever.
I will thank you forever,
because you have done it.
I will wait for your name, for it is good,
in the presence of the godly. (Psalm 52:8-9)
Amen!

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

The Bridegroom and the Unexpected Bride

Lord Jesus, we look forward to the wedding feast in heaven when we will sing with the great multitude:
Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. (Revelation 19:6-8)

As we read your Word, give us vision for how you are preparing us, your bride, for the wedding feast. Amen.

Scripture Reading - Mark 2:13-22 (ESV)

     He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.
     And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
     Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And people came and said to him, “Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.

     No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins—and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.”

O Lord Jesus, the wonder of your words - I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.  At just the right time, while we were still sinners, you died for the ungodly. For our sake, the Father made you who knew no sin to be sin for us. So that by your sacrifice, we might become the righteousness of God. Through faith in you, Lord Jesus, we have peace with God. Thank you for calling us and healing us from our sin-sick hearts.

Lord, we repent of all our self-righteousness, any word or deed that we think somehow achieves peace with God. Forgive us for the times we have expected others to participate in self-righteous disciplines, acting as a roadblock to the cross. Forgive us for when we have excluded those who have not yet believed on Jesus, thinking that they are beyond his healing power.

Thank you Father for preparing us, your bride the Church, for the wedding feast in heaven. We greatly rejoice in you. For you have clothed us with the garments of salvation; you covered us with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10) All praise be to you! Amen.

Who can forgive sins but God alone?

Lord Jesus, we confess that you are the Son of Man, having authority, glory and sovereign power. All peoples, nations and languages worship you. Your dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, your kingdom will never be destroyed. Hallelujah! (Daniel 7:13-14)

Help us to see your authority, glory, and sovereign power in our scripture reading today. Amen.

Scripture Reading - Mark 2:1-12 (ESV)
     And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

     Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

     And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Son of Man, we are amazed at your power to forgive sins. You radiate the glory of God. You are the exact representation of his being. By the power of your word you forgive sins and heal, sustaining all things. You faithfully provided purification for our sins and are now seated at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven! You are high and lifted up. We long for the day when you will return - coming with the clouds of heaven to reign forever in your forever kingdom. Amen. (Mark 14:62)

Jesus, you see our hearts, you know when they are full of faith and when they are unbelieving. Forgive our unbelief. Help us to believe, O Son of Man, who has authority on earth to forgive sins. Increase our faith in your power! We confess that you alone have the power to cleanse us. May we not seek it from any other source.

Father, we praise you for the promise you made long ago: I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me. (Jeremiah 33:8, Ezekiel 37 &37) Thank you for cleansing us and making us your people, living together as your family in your presence. Amen.

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 byCrossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Signs of the Grand Reversal to Come

Oh Father, how we long to see the grand reversal - a new heaven and a new earth! We are looking forward to the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from you, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. We anticipate a loud voice calling from the throne:

“Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:1-4, NIV)

As we read your Word, may we see the beginnings of this ultimate reversal on the ground in Mark 1. Amen.

Scripture Reading - Mark 1:29-45 (ESV)

And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.

Jesus, as we look in on Mark's account of the effects of your anointing, we praise you! We see the authority and power you have to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor - preaching the good news to the poor, proclaiming freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, releasing those oppressed by evil spirits. (Luke 4:17-21, NIV) These mini-reversals show us that your kingdom has come and your will is being done on earth as it is in heaven.

Holy One of God, we confess that as your anointed ones we do not always faithfully proclaimed the year of the Lord's favor. You have called us to love in action and in truth. For this is the love of God abiding in us. (1 John 3:17-19, Mounce) Forgive us for not extending your compassion to those around us through our actions.

Heavenly Father, please continue to reconcile all things to yourself today - in each one of us, among our family members, as the body of Christ, at our places of work, and into the dark places in the world. We look forward with great joy to that day when we will be forever with you, the Grand Reversal!

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 byCrossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

The Holy One of God

Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you. (Isaiah 12:4-6, NIV1984)

Lord Jesus, we believe that you are the Holy One of God, our Redeemer, the Lord of Hosts is your name. As we read your Word, prepare us by your Spirit to herald the Good News, faithfully telling of the glorious things you have done. Amen.

Scripture Reading - Mark 1:14-28 (ESV)

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him.

And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

Thank you Lord Jesus for coming to earth to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Thank you for how you come near to your children now by the presence of the Holy Spirit. You are the God who comes near to us! We love you, Emmanuel! You come near and call us to come to you. Come, be my herald of Good News.

Forgive us for when we delay in coming to you, for when we have not proclaimed the Good News to others, this good news that you are the Holy One of God come down to save us from our sins. Forgive us for not recognizing your kingdom come in our daily lives. Forgive us for when we have not been amazed by the authority of your Word. We claim the promise that if we confess our sins, you are faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

Holy One, thank you for the anointing of the Holy Spirit that we have received from you. By it, we are able to remain in the Truth. Help us to be your faithful witness to the world. In your authority, may we go into the world, proclaiming your kingdom has come, knowing that you will be with us to the end of the age. Amen.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Perfected through suffering

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge in you, O God! How unsearchable are your judgments, all your paths are beyond tracing out! Who has know the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him? (Romans 11:33-35, NIV)

Lord, your ways are higher than our ways, your thoughts are beyond our thinking. As we read your Word, may the mind of Christ our Savior who lives in us open our eyes to spiritual truth. Amen.

Scripture Reading - Hebrews 2:10-18 (ESV)
For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source.That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying,

“I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”

And again, “I will put my trust in him.”

And again, “Behold, I and the children God has given me.”

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for declaring the name of the Father to us. Thank you for sanctifying us by your suffering in the flesh. By it, we may enter the presence of the Father - Behold, I and the children God has given me. As you present us to the Father, may our lives worship him alone.

Lord Jesus, by your death, you destroyed Satan, became our sympathetic high priest and made atonement for our sins. O merciful and faithful High Priest, forgive us for when we have been ashamed to call you brother. Forgive us for when we have not called on you in the midst of temptation, you who is able to help those who are being tempted. Forgive us for the times we avoid the path of suffering, seeking our own comfort and leaving the Kingdom behind.

Heavenly Father, we are dependent on this Jesus-won victory over Satan. We confess you have the power to overcome his evil schemes. Father, free us from the slavery of fear. May your resurrection power infuse our lives today as we offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to you.

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen (Romans 11:36, NIV)

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

My prayer is...that all of them may be one

Almighty God, Creator of the Universe, we praise you! By your powerful word, all things came into existence. And by the word of your power, you hold all things together. You are the God who speaks. We worship you, The Word, who came down to earth in human flesh, speaking all the words the Father put in your mouth.

As your children we hear your voice calling to us by your Spirit in your Word. We say:
Speak Lord, for your servants are listening. Help us neither be ever hearing, but never understanding, nor ever seeing, but never perceiving as we read your Word. Amen

Scripture Reading - John 17:20-26 (ESV)
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your desire to be with us into eternity that we may see the Father's glory-producing love. Thank you for making known the Father to us, so that the love of the Father may be in us and that we may be in you. This is our hope - Christ in us the hope of glory!

We confess that as sinners we are not able to achieve this unity you desire and ask the Father for - that they may be one as we are one, I in them and you in me. We are dependent on your glory to effect this complete unity. By the cross, you have made a way for us to be perfectly one with you and the Father. Forgive us for the many ways we mar this unity by our sin. Show us your glory again today! Purify us, we pray.

Heavenly Father, we ask you to help us remain in Christ, one with you so that the world may believe you sent Jesus to be our Savior. Oh, how we long for the world to know your love, Father. show our family, neighbors, and friends your love for us. Pour out your love into our hearts by your Holy Spirit. Amen.




English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Praying on the Way to the Cross

Dear Lord Jesus, we come to the banquet table of your word. The psalmist reminds us that your word is sweeter than the honey from the honey comb. By your word we are warned and in obeying you there is great reward. We confess that all you say is perfect, trustworthy, right and gives joy to our hearts. You, The Word, are radiant, sure, and altogether righteous! (Psalm 19, NIV) Amen.

Scripture Reading: John 17:9-19 (NLT)

“My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.

Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.

We praise you, our High Priest! The glory of your name and your love for us shines through this prayer. Thank you for filling us with your joy. You have given yourself as a holy sacrifice so that we are made holy by your truth. Thank you for interceding for us, asking the Holy Father to protect us from the evil one and for teaching us to pray in the same way.

Father we pray, don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one (Matthew 6:13, NLT). We ask that you make us holy by your truth. Help us to faithfully go into the world filled with the joy of the Lord. May we bring glory to you as we remain in the world. Amen.

Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.

Gracious God, we welcome your Spirit as we meditate on your Word. Without the Holy Spirit, we will not be able to discern the truths spoken by Jesus. Saving God, give us an understanding heart and help us to know your love more fully. In the precious name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Scripture Reading: John 17:1-8 (NIV)
Read the passage a couple of times, allowing the Spirit of God to speak to you during the time of meditation.

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
“I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.

Lord Jesus, we worship you, who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed (Revelation 15:4, ESV). Thank you for doing the will of the Father, finishing the work - even unto death on a cross. We marvel at your resurrection power.

Merciful Father, we confess that we have not always done your will - making known your glory, speaking the Truth in love, and finishing the good works which you had prepared in advance for us to walk in (Ephesians 2:10, ESV).

We boldly ask you, Heavenly Father - glorify us that we may glorify you! Only you can do this mysterious transaction. We see the path to glorification for Jesus meant death on a cross leading to resurrection victory over sin, death, and Satan. When we believed on you, Lord Jesus, we were buried with you into death. Consequently, just as you were raised from death through the glory of the Father, we may live a new life for his glory! Amen.

Ash Wednesday

In humble submission to the Word, I pray…
Lord Jesus, I come now to your Word, humbly submitting to its authority and power to transform lives evermore into your image. Help me to understand it by your Spirit who lives in me. Come Lord, so that I may know you and receive by faith your righteousness. Amen.

Scripture Reading: Luke 18:9-14 (ESV)
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt:“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Heavenly Father, I confess…
at times I trust myself for a self-made robe of righteousness and I treat others as unworthy of your love. Forgive me for this. May I not look to those things done in the flesh to justify myself before you. I cry out – Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner! 

Lord, Jesus…
thank you for your wonder-working power to forgive sin and completely cleanse me by your righteousness. Root out my tendency toward self-righteous acts and attitudes. Cover me with your robe of righteousness. Help me to love those in need of your mercy as you love them. Amen.

Lenten Devotional 2016

During the Lent Season this year, I will be following the Scripture reading plan from the Christian Resource Institute. The website also gives a great introduction to the Season of Lent and some ideas of how to participate as followers of Christ during this time of the Church Year. Dennis Bratcher says: It really is a preparation to celebrate God's marvelous redemption at Easter, and the resurrected life that we live, and hope for, as Christians.

Through the reading of the Word each day during Lent, I am hemmed in by three preparations:

• desiring to humbly submit to the authority and transforming power of the Word,
• allowing the Word to guide my time of confession,
• and looking to the power of God's Spirit to transform my life evermore into the image of His Son Jesus Christ.

May we humbly come to the Word, practicing the discipline of confession, and asking the Lord by His resurrection power to do a deeper work in us for His glory. Amen!