Mark 16 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

After commissioning the disciples to evangelize the world, Jesus made an important statement: ‘He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” Baptism is and outward indication of an inward work of grace. There should be no reservation on the part of a believer to be baptized. It’s a public declaration that someone has chosen Christ as their personal Savior. Christ Himself was baptized by John, His cousin. He declared, “This fulfills all righteousness.”

You are buried in the waters of baptism and you rise to walk in newness of life.

Mark 15 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Christ didn’t even open His mouth when He was bitterly accused of being a fake. It was His normal response when being accused. He left all the judgement to His Heavenly Father.

This is meekness.

Moses didn’t rise to his own defense when Aaron and Miriam accused Him. God smote THEM with leprosy. We are encouraged to refrain from planning our own defense if and when we are charged in court. The Holy Spirit will give us what to say. We are to focus on spreading the Gospel and ministering to people.

When Paul and Silas were thrown into jail, they prayed and sang praises. God sent HIS ANGEL who busted them out miraculously.

We have an Advocate, Christ Jesus.

Mark 14 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

When Jesus shared His Last Supper with the disciples, they sang a hymn together before they departed. I wonder … what was the nature and subject matter of their song? Surely t wasn’t a song written by Bill and Gloria Gaither, or Fanny Crosby.

The Greek definition of the word used in this text means, “song of praise.” They obviously knew the words well enough to sing it from memory. It was probably Christ’s idea and leading to do it.

Paul instructs us to sing using “Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.” May we take a lesson here from Christ and His Disciples to know from memory some good songs for opportune times. Also, singing a hymn at the conclusion of communion would certainly follow Christ’s example of making the most of our time around the Lords’ Table.

Mark 12, 13 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

In the end times (I believe we are in them now), Jesus commanded His disciples to keep watch. In considering the other translations, we find the concept of staying alert and keeping ready. How do we best do that?

• Read and study God’s Word EVERY DAY.
• Cultivate a consistent, vital prayer life.
• Be faithful to your church or Body of Christ family.
• Meter the amount of media news you ingest.
• Invest your financial strength in “things above.”
  • You can’t take any money with you, but you can certainly send it ahead of you through Kingdom stewardship.

Mark 11 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Kneeling to pray is a given posture of humility used by many. But to say that all prayer must be on our knees is errant. If we “pray without ceasing,” we could never get up on our feet to live life. Prayer is more about Who you’re talking to rather than the position of your body.

Early on in my quest to please God with morning prayer, I would quickly nod off to sleep if I knelt down. I began walking and talking … to God in prayer. Then I began singing out loud to Him. That roused me. I would sing through 5 Psalms. THAT worked! I was staying awake and cultivating the prayer language of David.

The MAIN THING is you talking to God. He’s awake. You’re the one who needs to wake up!

Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord, which by night STAND in the house of the Lord. Ps. 134:1

Mark 10 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

For the Country Music fans …

Mark 9 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

The disciples could not cast the evil spirit out of a certain man after trying. When asked why, Jesus replied, “Some can only come out by prayer.”

Often, prayer is the only thing we can do. It’s usually the best thing we can do. Just because we can’t see the immediate results of our prayer, we often neglect to do it.

Personally, I have witnessed the powerful, positive results of my persistent prayers. That keeps me praying and encouraging others to do so likewise. Couple that with the knowledge that there isn’t anything too difficult for the Lord, we keep praying and asking and believing for miraculous results in the lives of those we love.

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man is powerful.” [James 5:16]

Mark 8 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

Christ healed a blind man … He spit on the man’s eyes and they began letting him see clearly.

I had great eyes nearly my entire life, until I had a retinal detachment. I also developed a retinal hole. Two emergency surgeries and cataract removal with lens implants. I desire to he completely healed. I’m not complaining. I’m believing in faith for my eyesight to be restored.

Maybe you could use a miracle. Let’s believe together.

Father in Heaven, in the name of Jesus we ask for healing for our eyes.

Mark 6-8 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

On several occasions Jesus fed a large group of his followers with very little available food. Each time, there was essentially more left over than they had to begin with.

A Proverb says, “The liberal (generous) soul shall be made fat (well supplied). However, when you withhold, you will tend to poverty.

If our focus is on “getting and holding on to,” we are cutting against the grain of what Jesus is all about. But, if we love to give, He has our back when times are tough.

Mark 6 [NIV Dramatized Audio]

In that Christ has been given ALL AUTHORITY in heaven and earth, He can delegate to whomever He wishes. He gathered His Disciples to Himself and gave them a mission. Cast out devils, heal the sick, and preach that men should repent.

As disciples of Christ, WE have been given that same authority and power. A demon spirit is not to be feared but to be cast out. We are to drive them out. When you drive your car, who’s in control? YOU are. We use the name and power of Jesus to do it. We are not timid. We take control over the demon.