Last evening the TCS high school football team was returning from their game in Marietta.  As they turned onto Rt. 154 at I-85, the bus was T-boned by a drunk driver who fled the scene on foot.

Praise the Lord, nobody was injured.  The Lord’s angels were present to protect our students and coaches, including young children whose father was a coach.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord Jesus, thank You for protecting our TCS family from any injury.  We trust You in ALL THINGS.

DAILY READING:  Num. 35-7;  Mark 14

Jesus and His disciples were walking through the temple one day when He described its destruction.  He was actually prophesying His death and resurrection.

You and me, we are the true building of God.  He isn’t impressed with the building we build.  He is VERY CONCERNED with the building He is building … the hearts and lives of those in His church.

“The tabernacle of God is with men.”  (Rev. 21:3)   “The Lord has chosen Zion [the city of David, speaking of the Church, God’s people], here is where I will live.  This is My (God’s) rest forever, here will I dwell.” (Ps. 132:13,14)  “You are the temple of the living God.”  2 Cor. 6:16

DAILY PRAYER:  Father, live in me today.  Show Your mighty power through my life, through my actions, through my words.

DAILY READING:  Num. 32-4;  Mark 13

BIBLE READING TIP:  Use http://www.biblegateway.com and click on the audio Bibles.  The NIV Dramatized uses character voices and complementary background music to express God’s Word in a more lifelike manner.  I listen to it every morning.  I love it.

Dear Reader,

I enjoy the task of preparing this devotional every day.  I will be faithful to it.  It is an opportunity of service to the Lord and to the school.  He’s been so good to me.  Spending time with the Lord is a VERY BIG PART of my life.

Please acknowledge that you read this by taking a moment to respond to me.  Please email me at dpdemos@numail.org if you could, please. Or, leave a comment in the reply box at the bottom of this page.  It would mean a great deal.

Thanks

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, You have been good to us.  We devote our lives to hearing Your voice and reading Your Word.

DAILY READING:  Num. 29-31;  Mark 12

Jesus was hungry.  Upon seeing a fig tree, He approached it in search of fruit.  None.

It was implied that a healthy fig tree would have had fruit.  How about our spiritual lives?  Roots, sunshine, rain … all are provided and all we have to do is have a healthy spiritual life and we can produce fruit.

Focus on your spiritual health and fruit will come.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, thank You for supplying our needs.  We want to be healthy and produce fruit from a life that draws its strength from You.  Freely You give, freely we receive.

DAILY READING:  Num. 27-8;  Mark 11

It’s inevitable, offenses and hurts are a part of this life.  Do we react or respond?

Jesus said, “in the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (Jn. 16:33)

It’s better to be the offendee than the offender.  “It is impossible but that offenses will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!”  (Luke 17:1)

DAILY PRAYER:  Father, help me to be sensitive to those around me, that I don’t become an offense.  Give me a heart of forgiveness to those who offend me.

DAILY READING:  Num. 23-26;  Mark 10

Important elements of Mark 9:

• Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John.  His Heavenly Father’s voice is heard by the disciples in a revelatory manner.  At His request, they had followed Christ to the top of a mountain to be alone with Him.  Does this not encourage us to get alone with Him to experience a closeness and fresh empowerment by His Spirit?
• Later in the chapter, He clarifies the importance of welcoming children in His name, in His behalf, warning adults not to cause them to stumble.  It is a high honor to work with children in God’s Kingdom, and merits our devoted energy and earnestness.  It is challenging at times, but will be rewarded greatly.  (Dan. 12:3)

DAILY PRAYER:  Father in Heaven, strengthen me to conduct myself in a manner that brings honor to Your name.  Apart from You  I can do nothing, but with You, I can do all things!

DAILY READING:  Num. 20-22;  Mark 9

Although an Old Testament concept, most Christians practice the principle of giving a tenth of their increase to the Lord as the tithe.

Malachi 3 clarifies that God will rebuke and nullify the “devourer’s” impact on our finances when we are faithful to tithe.  Believe me!  The devourer is alive and well.

Who do we want to get our money, God or the devourer?

DAILY PRAYER:  Father, I want to be faithful to You in every area of my life.  My money is Yours.  My life is Yours.  Thank You for Your blessing in my life.

DAILY READING:  Num. 17-19;  Mark 8

The disciples neglected to wash their hands before eating on one occasion.  My recent experience with an absent immune system (during my stem cell transplant) made me acutely aware of the importance of hand washing.  When challenged by the religious leaders about the unwashed hands, Jesus proceeded to focus on the heart issues people have that defile them rather than mere dirty hands.

Both are important … clean hands for eating, but most important, a pure heart for a life that pleases the Lord.

DAILY PRAYER:  Father, as the Psalmist said, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight.”

DAILY READING:  Num. 14-16;  Mark 7

Generally, God hates it!  Except when it’s directed to Him, and not humans.

Go ahead, tell Him all about it.  Pour out your complaint like David did, or Moses.  If we complain to God, He will bring a solution.  When we complain to friends, co-workers, family members etc., we don’t get solutions.  We are then guilty of sowing discord.  God hates that too.

“Bring your burdens to the Lord and leave them there.”  Package it as a prayer and watch the Lord bring solutions and answers.  He is able.

DAILY PRAYER:  Father, forgive me for my complaining.  I trust You.  Help me put a guard on my lips so I don’t sin against You.  Thank You, Jesus.

DAILY READING:  Num. 11-13 ;  Mark 6

Jesus spoke these words to people at the home of Jairus, the synagogue leader.  His daughter was dead, and they felt it was no use inquiring of Jesus.

We need to run to Him, no matter what.

Bring your death to Him today, and allow Him to say, “Talitha koum.”  Little girl, get up.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, forgive us for being doubters.  Speak to our need today.  We believe!

DAILY READING:  Num. 8-10;  Mark 5