God entrusted all power and authority to Christ, and He passed along to us that necessary to perpetuate His ministry here.  [Luke 9:1]

Don’t hesitate to us it, praying in the name of Jesus, to cast out demons and heal the sick.  We have been reluctant to pray this way.  Christ Jesus wants to use us.  Be bold.  Be strong, for the Lord your God is with you.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord Jesus, forgive us for being so reluctant to pray and use the authority You gave us.  We believe You and will not heed our fears.

DAILY READING:  Luke 8,9

A Roman centurion asked Jesus to heal his valued servant.  His outstanding faith was noted by Jesus when he said, “Say the word and my servant will be healed.”  His faith in what Jesus could do by merely giving a command gives us a great key to receiving from the Lord through our faith.  We can use the very same request the centurion made.  “Jesus, just say the word.”

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord Jesus, say the word right now and send Your power through and because of my faith.  I want to live by this faith everyday.

DAILY READING:  Luke 6,7

Jesus made a big impression upon some fishermen one day when He gave them the biggest fishing tip they would ever receive.  In fact, when they cast their nets where He told them, a miracle happened.  They caught so many fish they almost sank their boats.  At that moment, he had their undivided attention.  “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”

God can take your skill-set, your aptitude, your vocation, and use it for His Kingdom.  Listen keenly for His instructions and see if He wont give you a similar miracle.  Then mix your faith with His directions and take up your place of service in His Kingdom.

DAILY PRAYER:  Father, guide me into ways I can serve Your purposes in the earth.  I am so grateful for the salvation from sin You have given me through the blood of Jesus.

DAILY READING:  Luke 5,6

Luke records that the heavens opened when Jesus prayed as John baptized Him.  Out of heaven, the dwelling place of God, the Holy Spirit like a dove descended upon Jesus and the Father spoke.

As we pray, we likewise desire an audience with God, one in which He speaks to us and gives us the sense of the presence of His Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is the promise of the Father. [Acts 2:39]

DAILY PRAYER:  Father in Heaven, hear our prayer and come today and live in us by the power of Your Holy Spirit.  Open upYour Heaven and speak to us, giving us the direction and comfort we so desperately need.

DAILY READING:  Luke 1-3

Jesus told His disciples to … “Place your hands on sick people, and they will get well.”  [Mark 16:18:19]

This simple act of obedience on our part gives Jesus the opportunity to still perform signs in the world.  Your hands and His name are a powerful combination that work together to allow Him to work with us, thereby confirming His Word by the signs that accompany it.

He’s ready!  Are you?

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, as we lay hands on the sick, demonstrate Your mighty power by healing them.  The glory goes to YOU!

DAILY READING:  Mark 14-16

Mark also quoted Jesus in describing for His disciples the events of the last days.  He instructed them to not be alarmed, but watchful, on guard, alert!

We don’t know exactly what the future holds, but we know Who holds the future.  Keeping our eyes upon the Lord, and trusting in Him to keep us until the end is the faith-filled posture He desires for us to live in.

If you watch more news than you read His Word, despair will increase.  Despair will be displaced by faith when you abide in His Word.  “Be of good cheer … I have overcome the world.”  [Jn. 16:33]

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, we abide in You and Your love.  Let us walk in Your peace today regardless of what happens in the world around us.

DAILY READING:  Mark 11-14

Peter was not Satan, but he was clearly doing Satan’s work by obstructing God’s plan for Jesus when he challenged the thought of Christ suffering and dying.  [Mk. 8:31-3]

How often do we also allow our enemy’s influence to distort our thinking by seeing things from human perspective alone rather than from God’s perspective.  We need the mind of Christ.  We are moving in the right direction when we are filled with His Spirit, His Word, and keep in constant communication with Him through prayer.

Try it!

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, I want to be filled with Your plan and will rather than my own.  Today, I will put You first in all my decisions, as You empower me by Your grace..

DAILY READING:  Mark 8-10

Jairus, a leader in the the Jewish synagogue, came to Jesus to ask Him to heal his daughter.  Jesus was coming with him.  However, news reached Jairus that his daughter had already passed, and he was discouraged from bringing Jesus to his home.

When Jesus heard this advice, He said, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

We can apply this principle to our daily lives.  When we need Him and become discouraged with the way things appear, He wants us to put our trust in Him and watch Him work.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord Jesus, You rule the elements, You command demons, You walk on water.  I believe You to perform miracles in my life today.

DAILY READING:  Mark 5-7

NOTE:  On Thursday, I visited the Explorations in Antiquity Center in LaGrange, Georgia.  www.explorationsinantiquity.net

This outstanding site really helps the Bible come alive, enhancing your scripture reading experience. It helps you more accurately visualize the conditions as they existed when these holy words were written

For instance, in today’s reading we find the occasion where men opened a hole in the roof through which they could drop their crippled friend for Jesus to pray for.  At the center, we were shown an accurate replica of a typical roof that would have existed in the time of the writing.  It helped me.

Consider a visit there.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, thank You for Dr. Fleming and others who help Your saints to more clearly understand Your Word through their efforts.  Provide for their needs.

DAILY READING:  Mark 1-4

” … To the very end of the age.”   [Matt. 28:20]

What a promise!  I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather have to survive the challenges of life.  Couple that with the Lord’s commitment that, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” [Heb. 13:5,6]

When challenges come … health, financial, mental, relational, job, future, career … you name it, the Lord is with you and has already overcome for you.

There is no god like our GOD!

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, You have been our help in ages past, our hope for years to come; our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home.

DAILY READING:  Matt. 27-8