“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.

They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

Mark 6

They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened. v51-52

Although the disciples have seen many miracles up until this point in scripture, they did not fully grasp who Jesus was so they lacked faith.  I am hopeful and prayerful that I fully grasp who Jesus was and is in my life and forever.  Jesus came to earth, died a gruesome death for me then rose again conquering death - all so that I would not be slave to sin and have eternity in heaven with Him - all if I believe and accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior - which I do.

As I posted last week, I know Jesus is active every day in my life and always available to me for all of my cares and concerns.  I can lay my cares and concerns at His feet and He will always listen and respond.  

Oh how He loves me...as the song goes...

My Prayer: Jesus, You are indeed great not only because of what You did for me on the cross and with the resurrection, but also because You are an active loving God always doing something for me and always available for me.  My words cannot describe How great You are and how much of a blessing it is for You to be my Lord and Savior.  I am not worthy of all the love and blessing You provide...I continue to worry.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus and help me be the man You intend for me.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.

“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Mark 6

“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” v31

Jesus knows everything about us, including our needs.  Here He knew that the disciples were tired and needed rest.  Yet as chapter unfolds, Jesus and the disciples are found by throngs of people seeking Jesus.  The disciples spoke and acted out of self interest but Jesus refused to turn the people away:

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

 

By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

 

But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” v34-37

Jesus knows but the disciples don't realize it but faith and service to the Lord is life GIVING!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and without a doubt life giving in so many ways: encouraging, blessing, healing, protecting, freedom from bondage to sin, etc.  There is no doubt that You are life!  I am not worthy of such blessing as I continue to worry.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus...help me turn from such sin.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength...and gain peace and contentment through my faith! 

These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts...."

Mark 6

These were his instructions: “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts...." v8

Lord Jesus provides like nothing on earth can...certainly not my own powers or the powers of others.  Jesus has guided me through many difficult times and I am in one right now with my current job and the potential for a new job and an upcoming interview for which I am preparing.  I am stressed.  All the more reason why I am blessed beyond what I deserve.  I worry far too much.  I am thankful for Jesus' love despite my sin but I desperately need His forgiveness and I need to believe and trust in Him that He will help me prepare, provide peace and confidence, and give me the right job.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are!  Help me with my unbelief!  Help me grow in my trust of You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

“Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

Mark 5

“Don’t be afraid; just believe.” v36

As a follow up to yesterday's post where I remarked that Jesus seeks out personal encounters with Him, today in Mark reinforces my post from yesterday.  Jesus not only personal encounters with us, but DEEPLY personal encounters.  While He knows all of our thoughts (see Psalm 139:1-3), He wants us to share all of them with Him.  He wants us intimately.  Of course what makes this all the more remarkable is that He does not need us...He is God!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed remarkable in all ways.  My words of course cannot describe Your power, wisdom, beauty, compassion, etc.  You are who we aspire to be more like...we know we cannot be You but You desire us to be more like You.  We are created in Your image and chosen by You to be with You...if only we believe.  I believe Lord.  Yet I often fail to believe...I worry too much.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive Jesus and help me turn from my worry.  Help me give up all of my cares and worries to You so that I can trust in You for ALL of my life.  Help me also be the man You intend for me.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. v32

Mark 5

But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. v32

In this passage, Jesus almost assuredly knows who touched His clothes.  He knows all and He knows everything about us and our needs.  He did not have to question those around Him to understand who touched Him.  He Knows.  Yet He seeks us out because He desires us to have a personal encounter with Him. 

From Matthew 6, Jesus desires us to seek Him out daily...like food:

Give us today our daily bread. v11

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus...You are great because You are always available and You desire us.  You don't even need us but You desire us.  And of course You suffered a gruesome death and rose again so that we would not be slave to sin and have eternity in heaven with You.  I am not worthy of such love and blessing...I worry way too much and this is just one of my many sins!  I thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from such sin.  Help me be the man You intend for me.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  

“Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Mark 4

“Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” v41

A right relationship with Jesus Christ requires that fully appreciate who He is.  He is not just a teacher or someone who can work miracles.  He is the Messiah...the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Name Above all Names...and He is my Lord my Savior.

In the Sermon on the Mount it says:

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

Being poor in spirit requires that we acknowledge that we sin and the only way we can be forgiven of our sins is to ask Jesus Christ to come into our lives as our Lord and Savior and to ask for forgiveness because only He can forgive.

In this passage of Mark that I am reading today, the disciples acknowledge Jesus as teacher...after this interaction on the boat at least they are beginning to get a sense of who He is.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God, sovereign over all and Lord of my life.  You have blessed me well beyond what I deserve.  I am weak and grow angry, impatient and upset much too easily....I should be thankful in all circumstances and slow to anger, quick to listen.  Yet too often I am not...including today.  Thank You that You love Jesus but please forgive me.  Help me be the man You intend for me.  Help me love You with all of my heart, mind, soul, and strength.

He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

Mark 4

He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything. v34

God is great...and my words cannot do justice to His greatness.  Yet one of the infinite reasons for His greatness is His patience and guidance for His children.  Everyone deserves to hear and understand Truth...the Word Of God...and Jesus makes it accessible in so many ways...parables, pastors, bible study leaders (i.e. BSF), commentaries, song, video, etc.  Jesus is also patient...He repeats lessons for us and does not grow weary of teaching us.  What a great God.  We just need to have a desire to seek Him and have Him in our life and in our heart.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are.  You are available anytime to listen to us and to guide us...You are Truth and Wisdom and the only guidance in life we ever need.  Yet we often seek help elsewhere and I am guilty of such sin.  I need to go to You alone Jesus.  Thank You that You love me but please forgive me for this sin and help me turn from this sin.  Help me be the man You intend for me and help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

"Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how."

Mark 4

"Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how." v27

Lord Jesus, You are an active and loving God who is always doing something in my life.  You are preparing my heart and creating circumstances in my life so that it is clear where You are leading me...all for Your glory. 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

...

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

 
 I certainly pray that I follow Your lead and not be distracted by earthly and worldly distractions.  Help me stay near to God's Word so that I can understand His will for my life.

Lord Jesus: You are Truth and Light.  There is no other God but You.  You blessed me WAY beyond what I deserve.  I am full of pride, anger, impatience, selfishness, etc.  Thank You for Your love but please forgive me Jesus! Help me turn from such sin.  Help me be the man You intend for me.  Help me love You with all of my heart soul, mind, and strength.

“Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”

Mark 4

“Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.” v24-25

I know God has blessed me with talents and of course I pray that I am being a good steward of these talents.

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.  Romans 12:3-8

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I have blessed beyond what I deserve with financial resources and the skills to provide these resources.  Yet sometimes I seek my own glory rather than Yours and sometimes I am not a good steward of these resources.  Thank You that You love me anyway and of course for providing these resources but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from such sin.  Help me glorify You and You alone.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.


 

.."Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”

Mark 4

^..."Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.” v20

Our relationship with Jesus is threatened by:

• lack of a firm root system where the Word can take hold; this includes a desire for God to grow in our heart
• Satan and our ability to resist Satan's temptations
• Examples of Satan's temptations in the form of earthly and worldly matters that Jesus refers to here as "...worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word"

 I desire to create a firm foundation upon which God can grow in my heart.  I desire to grow a bountiful crop in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God.  You have produced crops that feed and sustain like no other.  There is no equal - You are the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings, the Name Above All Names.  That You suffered an excruciating death then rose again so that I could have life - abundantly - is a blessing of which I am not worthy.  I worry...many times greatly.  Thank You for Your love Jesus but please forgive me.  Help me turn from such sin and help me be the man You intend for me.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

“Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

Mark 3

“Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” v34-35

We have earthly relationships that are all important to us: spouses, children, siblings, parents, friends, etc.  Yet we must be mindful that our most important relationship is with Jesus Christ.

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 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. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  Matthew 22:36-40

Our life's work should glorify Christ - at home, in the workplace, everywhere!  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are.  You have rescued me very troubles and healed me many times.  You suffered and died for and continue to mold me and transform my heart and life so that I can be more of the man You intend for me.  What an amazing blessing You are - the greatest gift of all time.  I am not worthy of such love an blessing - I worry FAR too much. Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from such sin and help me be the man You intend for me.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.