Giving Our Best
“She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.” –Mark 14:8 What if Jesus said to you and every one of His professed followers, “You did what you could”?...
View ArticleThe Opportunity to Turn
They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over. On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to...
View ArticleEvery Moment Is a Learning or Teaching Opportunity
On another occasion Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore...
View ArticleWhy Are You So Afraid?
He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark 4:40-41 I will never...
View ArticlePeace From the Storm or Peace in the Storm
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet!” Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. Mark 4:39 David cried plaintively, “May God arise, may his enemies be...
View ArticleThe Star is Always Jesus
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with...
View ArticleUniting Around a Common Cause
“Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” “Do not stop him, “Jesus said. “No one who does a miracle in my name can in...
View ArticleSalt to a Needy World
“Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” Mark 9:49-50 The landscape...
View ArticleThe Right Words at the Right Time
Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. Mark 13:11 Jesus...
View ArticlePersecution Coming to American Christians
You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. And the gospel...
View ArticleHolding on for Dear Life
“If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them.” Mark 13:20 The microwave and fast food restaurants changed...
View ArticleJesus is There
He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said,...
View ArticleHelping People Get to Jesus
When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on...
View ArticleConflicts in the Body of Christ
The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were “unclean,” that is, unwashed. (The...
View ArticleIs There Hope for You?
Then everyone deserted him and fled. A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind. Mark 14:50-52 At the last...
View ArticleWill Jesus Fail You?
They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law came together. Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat...
View ArticleCracking Under Pressure
While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,”...
View ArticleMarked by Prayer
They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” Mark 14:32 If your life is marked by prayer, then prayer will be your constant companion in crucial...
View ArticleYour Will Be Done
Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I...
View ArticleReturning Good for Evil
The men seized Jesus and arrested him. Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Mark 14:46-47 Jesus never laid hands in anger on...
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