Giving Him All

"Calling His disciples to Him, Jesus said, 'I tell you the truth, 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

This widow exemplified the greatest commandment--'love the Lord your God with all...' (Mark 12:30). She loved God with all she had, holding nothing in reserve. In the end she was wealthier than all the rich for while she had nothing in this world she had the favor and pleasure of God. All that we have is God's and to love Him with all means putting it all at His feet for His glory.

Father, all that I have is from You and I lay it before you with the desire to love and glorify You through it. If all is spent and I end only with you then I'll be richer than when I began.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

Forgiven and Forgiving

"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive your sins." Mark 11:25

Forgiveness is essential to our relationship with God. We must be forgiven by Him and as ones who have been forgiven we must learn to forgive those who hurt and disappoint us. If Christ forgave those who crucified Him then who are we to hold anyone's hurtful treatment of us against them. Through forgiveness we not only release the one whom we forgive but we are released to commune freely with our heavenly Father. Forgiveness is a sign of the life of Christ in me.

Father, as You have forgiven me help me to forgive anyone who hurts or disappoints me so that I may walk in Your love and character.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

Am I Willing......

21Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
22At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth."
Mark 10:21-22

The rich young ruler posed a great question to Jesus? He asked him, What shall I do to inherit eternal life? As I read this particular conversation between Christ and the rich young ruler, one thing that really caught my attention is that even though Christ knew the rich young ruler's heart, Jesus still had a love for him. What is particulary sad in this story is that the man walked away grieving. One may wonder why? The man had everything he ever wanted, he was rich, popular, understood the Old Testament, yet he could not pass the ultimate test. This man's possessions meant more to him than a personal relationship with Christ. As I thought about this passage, I wondered if the "stuff" I have carries more value to me than my relationship with Christ. If Christ asked us to give up everything for Him, would we be willing or would we walk away saddened???

Father, I pray that You would forgive me for putting the things of this world in place of my relationship with You. God, I pray that You would become not only the focal point of my life but Lord of my life as well. Teach me to value my relationship with You above anything else I could possibly have or want.

Your Servant
Chris

Help My Unbelief

"Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, 'I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!'"
Mark 9:24

Our faith often lags behind our knowledge. We know who Christ is and what He is able to do but find it difficult to fully trust Him in our circumstances. But fear not Jesus responded to this father's plea by delivering his son. We too can approach Christ with what faith we have praying that He will help us overcome unbelief to a arrive at a fuller faith. As we struggle against unbelief and reach to Christ with the faith we have we will find His generous in His response.

Father, "I do believe; help me to overcome my unbelief!"

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

More than Action

"During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people...'" Mark 8:1-2

Jesus felt deeply for people in need whether the need was physical or spiritual. This divine compassion was one of the driving motivations behind His ministry. "He called his disciples" so that He could reveal this compassion to them and thus to invite them to share it with Him. As they learned to follow Him in service it was imperative that they not only learn to imitate His actions but that they also learn to share His heart. Action without compassion is incomplete discipleship. We must learn and share Jesus' heart as well as imitate His actions.

Father, implant and grow in my heart the very same compassion that filled and motivated my Lord Jesus.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

Command or Tradition

Jesus said to the Pharisees: "You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men." Mark 7:8

Much of what we do in our Christian walk is based on tradition. Often in God's commands we have "what" to do (ex. worship God, witness to Christ) but not "how" so we develop worship practices or witnessing methods (not prescribed in Scripture but in keeping with the intent of Scripture) to help us express worship to God or bear witness to Christ. Traditions are valuable when they help us to honor God and obey His commands. But if we elevate tradition to the level of God's command and become more zealous for our particular tradition than for God then we have become blind hypocrites like the Pharisees of Jesus' day.

Father, help me to value and practice good traditions that honor You. Keep me from confusing my tradition for Your law and from judging others by whether or not they keep my traditions.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

Got Rhythm?

"Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two.... Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, 'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest'.... After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray."
Mark 6:6-7, 31, 46

Jesus had a keen understanding of the need for balance in the human life. He taught the disciples to develop the proper rhythm of work and rest, service and prayer. Service without rest and prayer wears us down. Rest and prayer without service makes us fat. In the balance and rhythm of these essential Christian activities we find health and effectiveness.

Father, help me to learn the Christ's rhythm of rest and prayer on the one hand and work and service on the other so that I may enjoy the health and effectiveness that you desire.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

Telling Others

Jesus did not let him but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed. Mark 5:19-20

The demon possessed man that Jesus had just healed wanted desperately to join the disciples in following Jesus, but Jesus had a better plan for him. Jesus told the man to go and share about his encounter with Jesus. The word "family" here can also be interpreted as people or friends. We all have a "sphere of influence" that includes our family, neighbors, friends, co-workers and acquaintances. How have you responded to what God has done in your life? Have you shared with them about God's mercy?

Father open my eyes to see the people in my sphere of influence that I can tell about you. Then father give me the courage to share with them about how you have worked in my life.

I'm praying for you,
Matt Moore

Then Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." Mark 4:9
"Others, like the seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop--thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times what was sown." Mark 4:20

To read God's Word with out really "hearing" it is of no value to our walk with God. We need to first hear the Word with physical ears. If you are having trouble focussing read the Scripture aloud so that you are not only seeing it with your eyes but you are also hearing it with your ears. But then we must go beyond the physical to spiritual hearing. Spiritual hearing involves receiving the truth of God's Word into our hearts so that it can produce the fruit that God desires in us. Before reading pray that God will give you spiritual ears with which to hear His Word.

Father, as I take up your Word today give me ears to hear your voice and a heart to believe and grow in it.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

Thicker than Blood

"Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother." Mark 3:35

Obedience to the Father's will is thicker than blood when it comes to relationship with Jesus. During His earthly life Jesus' heart beat for the will of His Father. Our kinship to Him will be reflected in a like passion. Will your first concern today be to do God's will in all things?

Father, as Jesus' heart beat for your will may my heart also beat for Your will today.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

"So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them." Mark 2:2
"Once again Jesus went out beside the lake, a large crowd came to him and he began to teach them." Mark 2:13

We may lose sight of Jesus' devotion to preaching and teaching the Word in the midst of His miracles. The communication of God's Word and people's response to it were of utmost importance in Jesus' ministry. We need to be all about hearing and responding to His Word and then about sharing His Word with others so thaty they too may respond.

Father, help me to keep Your Word primary in my life as Jesus did in His. Give me ears to hear Your word each day and teach me to respond in faith.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

The Adventure of Discipleship

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Mark 1:17

The call to follow Jesus is a call to live in company with Him and to learn His mission. "Follow me" is an invitation to walk with Jesus both in private fellowship and in companionship with others who are walking in the same company. "I will make you fishers of men" is the call to learn His mission so that we might work alongside Him to bring men, women, boys, and girls into the life of Jesus and the company of disciples. Answering Jesus' call is a life consuming adventure not just a Sunday morning activity. Are you fully devoted?

Father, let the invitation and call of Jesus capture my imagination and devotion anew today. Redefine my relationship with You until it becomes fully what You desire.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

Evident Dedication

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. Matthew 28:1

Again, it is the women* who do not hold back from showing their devotion to Jesus—they had been present at His burial and so were among the last of Christ’s followers to see His body being placed in the tomb—and, on the dawn of His resurrection, they are the first to visit the tomb. Their dedication to Jesus was evident.

On that morning, simply by being faithful and available, these women were blessed to be the first people to see the resurrected Christ!

What blessings do we miss by failing to be faithful and available to our Lord? Let’s spend the last moments of each day, and the first moments of the next, expressing our devotion for God and see what He does in, through, and around us!

Lord, help me to remain faithful and available to You today and always. I ask for the blessing of seeing You at work.

Praying for you—
Jim Barker

*see Pastor Mark’s entry on Monday, February 9 entitled “Extravagant Worship”

The Betrayer Betrayed

"I have sinned," [Judas] said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." "What is that to us?" [the chief priests and elders] replied "That's your responsibility." Matthew 27:4

The world (disguised as religion) and the devil used Judas to get what they wanted and then they cast him aside with no concern for the damage that had been done to his soul. How tragic that Judas turned from the One who truly loved him without condition to those who loved him only so long as he was useful. The world and the devil still chew people up and spit them out pretending to love them while they are useful and then casting them aside without concern. Whatever the world may offer for your friendship is not worth the final cost.

Father, I confess that the world's offers are sometimes quite alluring to my flesh. Grant to me the wisdom and grace to push the world's offers aside keeping my eyes fixed upon Jesus and Your unconditional love. And I pray help me to see those whom the world has cast aside that I might be used of you to bring them into Your arms of love and grace.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

Extravagant Worship

"Aware of this [the disciples' indignation], Jesus said to them, 'Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me.'" Matthew 26:10

The woman's gift of expensive perfume poured over the head of Jesus was an extravagant expression of love and gratitude. The indignant disciples loved Jesus also but with reserve. They believed that expressions of worship should be kept within the limits of reason. But reserved and limited worship is out of place when loving the one who poured out Himself without reserve or limit on our behalf. The woman was ahead of the disciples in this matter and Jesus affirmed her extravagant act of love. We should neither be critical of those whose worship and service to Christ is lavish nor reserved in our own expressions of worship and service. Are we still holding something back?

Father, help me to lay reserve aside to love Him without reserve who so loved me.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

Loving the Highest by Loving the Least

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" Matthew 25:40

In the Christian life common acts of kindness and generosity to people in need become holy acts of service to Christ with eternal consequence. Our eternal security rests in God's grace received through faith in Christ alone but Jesus makes it clear that those who have His life in them will express His love in service to the hungry, the lonely, the needy, the sick, and the one in bondage.

Father, grow me in the servant love of Jesus so that I truly learn to love Jesus by caring for those He cares for.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

Are You Ready?

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." Matthew 23:42

Our life is to be lived in expectation of and preparation for a certain event that will take place at an unknown time. Jesus is coming! Would today be a good day in your life for Him to return? We live everyday before His eyes and will one day stand in His presence. Therefore, we need to live everyday ready to welcome Him so that we may hear Him say to us, "Well done!"

Father, help me to keep in my mind and heart an anticipation of Christ's return that will shape my day to day living.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

Does your Walk match your Talk

Matthew 23:3 (NIV)
"So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach."

We have all heard this statement before, "practice what you preach". Christ is getting at the heart of the Pharisees ministry as he is addressing the idea that they do not practice what they preach. How many times have we been accused of this statement. Generally in America, Christians are labeled as hyprocites. This is someone who says one thing but does another. We have thousands of people who attend church on Sunday, claim Christ is the center of their life, then live a completly different lifestyle throughout the week. As I read this chapter it was very convicting for myself. Does my lifestyle bring honor and glory to Christ? Would someone who does not know me be able to see Christ in my life by the actions and lifestyle I live. Or am I too proud to humble myself before Christ and realize that my walk may not match my talk.

God, grant me the wisdom to realize what areas in my life that I need to change. Father, I pray that my life would shine as a light that brings honor and glory to You. Help me to get out of the way so that you can become the Center Point of my life.

Your Servant
Chris

What Comes First?

Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment." Matthew 22:37-38

Will we ever arrive at the point where we have exhausted our ability to love God or we have exceeded His worthiness to be loved? Loving God is a never ending journey that demands our all. It is a "costly" venture which pays rich dividends without fail. The more we love Him the more fully we will experience His all excelling love.

Father, Let me so experience your love today that it draws forth my love for You in ever-increasing measure.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

Who is He?

When Jesus entered Jersusalm, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee." Matthew 21:10-11

As Jesus made his final march into Jerusalem toward the cross, the people of the city were asking the right question "Who is this?" Unfortunately the excited pilgrims who shouted "Hosanna" were giving an incomplete answer. Jesus is indeed a prophet but the term prophet alone falls far short of an adequate answer. Peter got it when He answered Jesus' similiar question with this declaration: "You are the Christ, the son of the living God" (16:15-16). From a prophet we can receive wise words. From the Son of God we can receive salvation and life. Our answer to this question makes all the difference. Do we really know who the One we are praising is?

Father, I thank you that you have allowed me to see and know Jesus as Your Son and my Savior. Continue to increase my knowledge of Him that I might not fall short of embracing Him fully for who He is.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark