Mark 13, 14

As Jesus and His disciples were eating The Last Supper before His crucifixion, He warned them of the falling away. Impetuous Peter, the boisterous man who was always the first to jump in to anything, proudly boasted, “Even if all fall away, I will not!”

Sadly, Peter was wrong. He would and did fall and deny the Lord that night.

Christ Jesus knows our weakness. He forgives us and has committed the preaching of His Gospel to unworthy men such as Peter. We are like Peter. We have all failed and fallen short. Yet, Christ loves us, picks us up and uses us again.

In our weakness, His strength is made perfect. [2 Cor. 12:9]

Mark 12

Jesus called His disciples close to teach them about God’s accounting. As He observed a poor widow put two small copper coins into the temple offering box, He drew the distinction between her very modest contribution and the large amounts of money thrown in by hypocritical rich men. He declared, “This poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” [Mark 12:43, 44]

God looks at the heart motive more than the surface appearance. Keep your heart and motives pure and Heaven will accrue it to your account.

Mark 11

I have often wondered why Jesus was so cruel to the poor little fig tree He cursed. He was the ultimate “Giver of Life,” and yet His miracle power brought death on this occasion. Why?

When Peter asked Him why it withered, He proceeded to give a lesson on faith … when you have faith, you can tell a mountain to be cast into the sea. Christ could foresee Peter’s question and used the opportunity to teach about faith.

Another point; Christ IS CONCERNED about the healthy function of everything … fig trees, eyes, ears, etc. You can be assured that He wants YOU to function in a healthy manner. Pray in faith believing for the healthy function of your life and body.

 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.  And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. [1 John 5:14, 15]

Mark 10

As Jesus and His Disciple were headed to Jerusalem, He told them what was going to happen to Him. He knew His future. He knew Peter would deny Him. He knew where the colt was being held for His Triumphal Entry. He knew there would be a coin in the fish’s mouth. He knows the future.

This is why it’s so important to let Christ lead you through life. We are safe and will be fruitful if we follow Jesus.

I love the hymn “He Leadeth Me.”

Mark 9

Christ’s disciples experienced the casting out of a demon spirit from a young boy who had been possessed since childhood. It was a messy display, the boy convulsing, foaming at the mouth, and rolling around. After He had delivered the boy, His disciples asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He said, This kind can come out only by prayer.” In another context, He also mentioned fasting.

We don’t fully understand the power we have through prayer and fasting. We obviously need to do MORE OF IT.

RELEASE THE POWER OF GOD!!!

Mark 7, 8

When Jesus’ crowd had been listening to Him teach at a remote location for 3 days, He had great compassion on their need for natural food. No food trucks. No nearby McDonalds. No grubhub. What were they to do?

Christ performed one of His multiplication miracles. He fed the huge crowd with only 7 loaves of bread and a few fish. He was sensitive to their natural needs.

Jesus is aware and sensitive to your natural needs. In your devotion to Him, you can count on His help to solve the problems you encounter everyday. Just ask in the power and authority of His name. “Ask and you shall receive that your joy may be full.” [Jn. 16:24]

Mark 6

John the Baptist was a bona fide prophet. Although his voice was heard in the wilderness, it reached every aspect of the Jewish culture in his day. Herod was captivated by him and would venture out to hear him speak.

John called them like he saw them. He called out Herod because he had unlawfully taken his brother’s wife for his own. Having been put in prison, John was eventually beheaded by Herod. He gave his all.

It isn’t always popular to speak for God. In fact, you should check your message if everyone agrees with you all the time.

Mark 4, 5

Jairus, a synagogue leader, approached Jesus and requested that the Messiah would put his hands on the man’s daughter. She was dying and her loving father was desperate for her to receive a miracle.

When news reached the father that his daughter has passed, Christ said, “She is sleeping.” He reached out to her and commanded her to come back to life. She immediately got up and began walking.

Christ Jesus has imparted His healing power to us. Our hands are His hands. We likewise reach out in faith and command life and healing in Jesus’ name.

Mark 2, 3

Wherever Jesus went He seemed to gather crowds. They were probably attracted to the miraculous display of God’s power to heal and cast out demons. When He had them together, He would teach them about the Kingdom of God.

An interesting question is, “How can you gather people to a church?” The simplest answer is seek the Lord for a show of His power.

Pastor Jim Cymbala of the Brooklyn Tabernacle says, “We don’t plan out our services. We rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to lead us. When people come in off the street, they aren’t attracted to slick programs. They want to see and experience God’s Holy Ghost power.”

Matt. 28; Mark 1

Christ Jesus must have exuded such compassion and availability as He walked the region of Galilee. After healing Simon Peter’s mother-in-law, many townspeople of Capernaum approached Peter’s door to seek healing. It was after dark, and yet Christ’s compassion made Him available to pray for their healing. Many were healed.

Early the next morning, He’s up before day praying and charting His plans to visit other villages to preach and perform miracles. His mission to preach and pray was obvious to all. He was there for the people.

He’s still available to us at the mention of His glorious name. He said, “ Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” [Jn. 16:24]