Luke 5

Jesus would often withdraw and find a solitary place to pray. The scripture said it was a frequent practice of his. After his sessions of communion with the heavenly father, he would display great power and mighty miracles.

It would be wise for us to adopt a similar practice. All through the day, we should be looking for opportunities to check in with the father through prayer. The world is desperate to see God’s power and a demonstration of his kingdom. We can be his ambassadors to this generation. Prayer is a big key.

Luke 4

Jesus rebuked the fever of a woman in Capernaum and she was healed. He performed many miracles there whereas He couldn’t in His hometown of Nazareth. His hometown friends simply could not accept that He was the Son of God. They had no faith in Him.

In His name and its power, we also can rebuke fevers and affliction. He gave that power to us. We should use it, but only after acknowledging Him as God’s Son to Whom all power and authority has been given.

Rebuke ON!

Luke  2,3

John the Baptist declared, “Every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down.” He went on the describe good fruit as being acts of service and kindness … sharing clothes and food with the needy, conducting fair and just business transactions etc.

I’m figuring my taxes now. It’s important to God that I do them correctly. He’s more concerned with my honesty than with how much my return is.

Think about it … if Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, would have tried to evade paying taxes and reporting to Bethlehem for the census, Jesus might not have been born there. That would have presented a terrific theological problem.

Luke 1

Mary found favor with God and was chosen to bring Christ Jesus into the world. What an honor.

She must have been an extraordinary young lady, probably in her early to mid teens when Gabriel visited her with the news of her pending pregnancy.  No doubt her heart had not yet formed God-limiting attitudes. Being childlike was an advantage. Since Mary was related to Elizabeth, she was from the priestly tribe of Levi. When she married Joseph, she immediately became a descendant of David.

Regardless, we are grafted into the Family of God by accepting Christ. His favor is also granted to us. We should use this favor to bring others into the Kingdom of God rather than to merely heap blessings upon ourselves. God’s favor should give us Holy Ghost FLAVOR.

Mark 15,16

After Jesus had been crucified, He appeared to His disciples and gave them important instructions; “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.  And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;  they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

God confirmed this call to action by granting power for them to perform miraculous signs for all to see. This same power is available to contemporary Christians who will step up and perform the Great Commission.

Mark 14

As Jesus was giving His defense before the high priest and the Sanhedrin, He foretold that they would “see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” At this the high priest tore his clothes and declared Christ guilty of blasphemy and worthy of death.  We hear this same contempt for Jesus in the mouths of the ungodly today. Sad to say, it has even become a political platform, denying Christ and the well-being of His followers.

Yet, we read that He will come in such majesty and power that ALL will know and acknowledge that He truly is the Son of the Living God. We have the honor to testify and even suffer for the name of Christ, our Lord.

It will be more than worth it.

Mark 13

Jesus exhorted His disciples concerning the last days, revealing many signs and events that will take place. Referring to His people as “the elect,” He encourages vigilance using the word “watch.” In other texts, He says, “watch and pray.”

This is to be our posture, our preparation. It’s clear that God intends to protect His people but wants them to be on their guard at the appearance of the signs of the times.

A daily devotional life to include prayer and the reading of His Word are essential. It’s wise to teach and model this discipline to children so they can cultivate good spiritual habits.

Mark 11,12

Jesus sat in the temple observing the giving process of worshipers. He saw men who gave great amounts of money, but then observed a poor widow who meekly gave a very small amount. He made the point that her offering was very great in the eyes of God, even more than all the others. She gave everything she had. They had given a mere portion.

When we give ALL to God, it really gets His attention. He is no man’s debtor. Whatever is given to Him will unleash His blessings upon that life, and family, and business, and home, and city, and church etc.

“Live to give!”

Mark 10

James and John asked Jesus if He would grant their request … to be promoted to sit at His right hand and left hand in authority. Christ said, “These places are for those for whom they have been prepared. They are for the ones whom the Heavenly Father has destined.

The ambition they displayed gave Jesus an opportunity to make a point. You don’t attain to positions of importance by merely desiring it or requesting it. He went on to identify the leadership quality He was looking for … service!  He said, “If you want to be great in God’s Kingdom, become the servant of all.” Christ Himself was the greatest example of servitude. He would rather serve than be served.

We should follow His example.

Mark 9

The context was a demon-possessed boy … his father wanted Jesus to cast it out. Jesus made the statement, “Everything is possible to one who believes.” The father immediately responded, “I believe, but help me with my unbelief.”

I guess the unbelief factor we all have is holding us back from seeing great miracles. Can we focus on that, eliminating the unbelief? Jesus challenged His disciples about their prayer. He said, “This kind of evil spirit can only come out by prayer.”

Hence, more focused prayer is a key to seeing spiritual power released. Focused prayer takes time and intentionality. We get into too much of a hurry.  We let our time management be determined by things of lesser importance. Let’s make some changes and begin seeing possibilities become realities.