Jesus had been requested by Jairus, the leader of the synagogue, to come and pray for his daughter who was very ill. When news reached them that she had passed away, Jesus spoke these words to Jairus … “Don’t fear, just believe.” Christ went on to raise the young girl from the dead.

Many life challenges confront us. They can bring fear and doubt. Jesus is saying to us these same words. “Don’t fear … just believe.”

READ/LISTEN: Luke 7,8

Jesus chose fishermen as His disciples. They knew how to catch fish. He knew their trade and skill would translate well into winning souls. They knew about bait, nets, bodies of water, persistence etc. “He that winneth souls is wise.” [Pr. 11:30]

A fisherman knows those fish are down there. He goes where they are. He studies them. He waits for his opportunity. He is prepared to catch to them, the more the better.

We are not called to merely get through life successfully … we are called to lay down our lives for others, to evangelize the world, to win our neighbors to Christ. Let’s get after it.

READ/LISTEN: Luke 5,6

Joseph and Mary took their family to Jerusalem for the feast. As they were on the way home to Nazareth after the event, they noticed that their 12 year old son Jesus was missing. They went back to the city and found Him in the temple. He was missing for 3 days. Where did He sleep? Where did He eat? What kind of parents would display this kind of neglect … the Son of God!?

His Heavenly Father was looking out for Him. That same Heavenly Father is watching over us, dispatching His angels to look after us. We do the best we can and trust God for the rest. That’s good parenting.

READ/LISTEN: Luke 2-4

God sent angels at important times. One guarded the tomb where Jesus was buried. One appeared to Zecharias, the priest who was the father of John the Baptist. One appeared to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and gave her words to describe the importance of her Son.

Whether you know it or not, there are unseen angels watching over your life. Hebrews says that they are ministering spirits who watch the heirs of salvation … us. Please show them the best you have.

READ/LISTEN: Mark 15,16; Luke 1

As Jesus described to His disciples the events of the end times, He portrayed a time of great distress and tragedy. He made it clear that this must happen to unfold God’s plan. He also encouraged them to be watchful, prayerful, and ready to be a witness of His Kingdom.

As the end gets near for my mother (she’s 89), her life is getting more difficult. Dementia and weakness become more pronounced each day. For me, it makes me more ready for her trip to heaven. I am more willing to release her.

Could it be that God knows He must stir the pot at the end to make us more ready and welcoming of the end of time in this life?

READ/LISTEN: Mark 13,14

Jesus cited the great commandment … that we should love the Lord our God with ALL our heart, with ALL our soul, with ALL our mind, and with ALL our strength. When our thoughts are upon sinful subject matter, we are not giving our ALL.

A widow walked up to the Temple treasury and put in two coins … it was ALL she had. Christ noted her sacrifice and emphasized the impact it had in God’s eyes.

PRAYER: Father, forgive us for allowing our energies to be divided and placed upon worthless things. We want to live lives that truly please you. We want to give our ALL.

READ/LISTEN: Mark 10-12

Upon the Mount of Transfuguration, Jesus appeared to His disciples in a pure white garment that the NIV described as “whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.” I’ve heard that the colors in heaven are so vivid and striking … there may be more colors than we know of … but pure white speaks of God’s Holiness and Purity.

White is actually the presence of all color. In art school, the students are shown a color wheel with all colors on it. Then, it is spun so fast that it becomes a blur … a “white” blur.

The saints that come out of the Great Tribulation will be clad in white garments that have been washed in the blood of the Lamb. [Rev. 7]

There could well be wonderful colors in heaven, but I really want to see Pure White.

READ/LISTEN: Mark 8, 9

When His disciples were in their boat fishing one night, and the wind was blowing such that they could make little progress, they saw Jesus walking on the water. He got in their boat and immediately, the storm calmed.

When you are in a storm of life, invite the Christ to come into your boat. Immediately, your circumstances will change for the better. He’s actually very near and will respond to your request. Just call upon His name.

READ/LISTEN: Mark 6, 7

Christ was told his mother and brothers were outside of a place he was ministering, asking for Him. He took this opportunity to teach a spiritual truth … that His true family was the disciples and believers surrounding Him. At His crucifixion, he instructed John to become a son to His mother, Mary, thereby identifying the family of God relationship that transcends human blood relationships.

In the same sense, we are to see our fellow believers in this light … that they are eternally related to us because of the shared identity we have through Christ. The benefits will FAR OUTWEIGH the liabilities.

READ/LISTEN: Mark 3-5

As the precursor to Jesus, John the Baptist preached near the Jordan river and immediately took his converts into the river to be baptized. When people were moved with conviction to act upon their decision, it was a bold step to walk down into muddy waters to make a change. When in the Holy Land, I was baptized in the Jordan, an experience I will never forget.

In church services today, it is also a step believers must take … to boldly act upon the decision they have just made and let the world see their commitment.

READ/LISTEN: Mark 1, 2