“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me."

Mark 8

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." v34

It is written many times in scripture that there is a cost to following Jesus. One verse that I believe sums it up nicely (other than Mark 8:34) is the following: 

"Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Matthew 20:26-28

It's not about ME...it's about Jesus and how WE can serve Him and others FIRST.  

My worry is a focus on ME...NOT HIM!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You have blessed me beyond what I deserve in SO many ways.  I am not deserving of Your love and blessing but You provide it all the same...and then some.  I am deeply thankful.  Yet I need Your grace daily so I come to You.  Please forgive me for my worry.  It is my way of saying I AM important when I KNOW now that Your glory is so much more important than me.  So help me turn from my worry and selfishness and help me see how You are all I need.

“Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”

Mark 8

“Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.” v15

What is ironic is that Jesus talks about small amounts of evil (yeast) that separate us from God and at the same time Jesus talks about small amounts of faith that can move mountains.

He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” Matthew 13:31-32

Right now I definitely feel the need to cast aside my worries and at least have a small amount of faith.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I know You can move mountains both figuratively and literally.  You certainly don't me to accomplish anything...yet You came for me then died for me....and You continue to work miracles and provide for me in my life.  What a great God You are...You are my Lord and Savior and I desperately need You.  I am sinful...I worry too much.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me and help me turn from such worry and other sin.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

“Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.”

Mark 8

“Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.” v12

I know that I am not to test God.  

Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test". Luke 4:12

Sometimes I confuse asking God for a sign that He should make clear to me what His will is for my life versus being aware of what God has already said to me and being aware in general of what He says to me because I often I am not listening.

Although it is most often associated with listening to others, I believe the same thing can be said about James' guidance for us to listen in that we should listen more to God:

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen...James 1:19

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You word is complete, sufficient, alive and active in my life...I just need to pay attention...to what You have said and what You are saying.  I need to be aware...and be obedience...and submit.  Your will and plans are perfect, including for my life.  Yet sometimes I think I know best.  I know this is sinful.  Yet I thank You that You love me anyway.  Please forgive me for my sinful thoughts about pride, arrogance, control, etc.  Help me lean on You for all things.  Help me be the man You intend for me.  Help me love You with all of my hearts, soul, mind, and strength.

After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears.

Mark 7

After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. v33

Once again, I am reading here in Mark how Jesus so desires a PERSONAL encounter with us.  With the deaf and mute man, Jesus could have easily just spoken words and touched the man to provide him with speech and sight but instead Jesus goes out of His way to ensure the deaf and mute man knows it is Jesus that has done this feat and that He does so in a very personal intimate manner - placing fingers in the man's ears and by touching and spitting on the man's tongue...I suppose you can get more intimate than that but not really...

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I know You care about me...You care so deeply for me that You came to earth to live and suffer just as I do and then You died a gruesome death only to rise again so that I would not be slave to sin and have eternity in heaven with You.  You are so gracious to me and that is an understatement!  I am not deserving of such love and blessing...again I worry.  I know this is sinful and I thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me and help me turn from my worry and instead love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. Also, if it is Your will that I have this job I am seeking at Apptio, please let me know - either way.  I desire to follow Your will for my life.

“Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

Mark 7

“Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” v28

Before you can accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior You must acknowledge a need...that you sin and fall short of the glory of God.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...Romans 3:23

It is said again at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3

It's also important in my view that our humility must continue otherwise our arrogance leads us astray from God and His will for our lives.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know me, even before I was born, and You had and still have great plans for me...and You know what is best for me.  Yet sometimes I think I know best...or I worry.  These are both sinful and for this I know I am not deserving of Your love and kindness but You provide it anyway and You bless me beyond what I deserve.  Thank You Jesus.  Please forgive me for these sins and help me turn from these sins.  Help me be the man You intend for me.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.

“What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly."

Mark 7

“What comes out of a person is what defiles them.  For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly." v20-22

I know I have evil in my heart...I am human.  Yet at the same time I know the power of Jesus to transform hearts and lives because I have seen it in my own life and in the lives around me.  For those who earnestly seek You Jesus, You will transform hearts and lives.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are all powerful...You work miracles everywhere and You have worked miracles in my life...it is undeniable!  That would bless me is amazing...I am not worth such blessing...I am not the person You desire me to be yet You love me anyway...thank You Jesus!  I need You desperately in my life.  Please forgive me for my lack of action as a Christian father, husband, and man.  Please invade my life and my heart and transform both for Your glory.  Help me be the man You intend for me...help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.

You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” v8

Mark 7

You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” v8

Lord Jesus, I want to come to You in worship, study, prayer, and service with an earnest and genuine love of You in mind.  I seek to glorify Jesus alone...not myself.  I know from time to time this is this not case and it is certainly not the case of the Pharisees in this story who keep the law but do so with an empty and self-righteous heart. 

I truly desire to love, serve, study (Your Word), and pray with an earnest and genuine love of You in mind.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed a great God worthy of my worship, my time, my love, my service, my faith - ALL of me!  You have blessed me beyond what I deserve as I continue to sin and fall short of You Jesus.  I so desperately seek to be more like You.  Yet I continue to work and I continue to speak harshly and discouragingly to others...like Zach.  I don't want to do this.  Thank You that You love me anyway Jesus but please forgive me.  Help me be rid of this sin...help me turn from this sin. Help me be the man You intend for me.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.