Tuesday, January 31, 2023

JESUS IS THE LORD

Mark 2:18-28 / Keywords 2:28

So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."

 

1. Some people questioned Jesus about his disciples. They were not fasting like John's disciples and the Pharisees. Those people considered fasting as a measure of righteousness. However, Jesus taught them that this was a time of celebration to have the bridegroom with them. Jesus is the bridegroom. When we accept him as our Lord and the Messiah, we rejoice in him as one attends a wedding dressed in a new garment, enjoying the taste of wonderful new wine.

 

2. Pharisees again questioned Jesus about his disciples picking heads of grain to eat on the Sabbath. The Sabbath was set apart as holy, and the religious leaders firmly kept and enforced regulations that were developed by tradition. Jesus referred to David's example from 1 Samuel 21 to defend his disciples. And he stated the clear order established by God. God made the Sabbath for man to remember the Lord who created the world and rested on the seventh day (27; Ex 20:11). Jesus is the Lord, even of the Sabbath. So, we need to recognize Jesus' Lordship and dedicate the day to worship and honor him.

 


Prayer Father, you are the Lord of my life every day. I rejoice in your grace of forgiveness. Thank you for comforting my heart by reminding me of who you are as I come to you.

One Word Jesus is the Lord and bridegroom

Monday, January 30, 2023

JESUS FREES A MAN POSSESSED BY DEMONS

Mark 5:1-20 / Keywords 5:19

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."

 

1.Jesus and his disciples got off the boat in Gerasene, and a demon-possessed man came to them. The townspeople tried to help him by tying and binding him so that he wouldn't harm himself and others, but their efforts failed. The man broke the iron chains and lived among the tombs, crying and cutting himself with stones (5).

 

2. People feared and avoided him, seeing the demons that were controlling him. However, Jesus saw him as a man created by God. When Jesus asked his name, the man realized what had been controlling him. One may argue if it was really necessary for Jesus to allow the demons to possess and then drown the pigs at their request. It sounds too costly. However, Jesus shows us that restoring one man's life is more valuable than any material sacrifice. Jesus' sacrifice to give himself up on the cross further proves his desire to save us from the sin of the world at any cost.

 

3. The man wanted to follow Jesus. However, Jesus saw that he was ready to be an apostle who goes into the world to witness the grace he has received.

 


Prayer Father, thank you for your grace of freeing me from Satan's grip and restoring my love relationship with you. Please use me as your witness.

One Word How much grace I have received

JESUS CALLS THE SINNERS

Mark 2:13-17 / Keywords 2:17

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

 

1. Jesus went out to the lake and began teaching a crowd gathered there. When he saw Levi sitting at the tax collector's booth, he called out to him: "Follow me." Levi's occupation as a tax collector labeled him as a public sinner but provided him a comfortable life. We do not know what led him to choose such a controversial occupation.

 

2. It did not matter to Jesus how Levi ended up there. Jesus invited him to leave life as a sinner and become a disciple of Jesus. And Levi decided to follow Jesus right away, leaving everything behind (14).

 

3. Levi must have thrown a farewell party as he was leaving his home. When the Pharisees learned about Jesus having dinner at Levi's house with many tax collectors and sinners, they started to question Jesus' disciples about Jesus' integrity. The Pharisees considered themselves righteous for keeping the law and staying away from sinners. However, before the Lord, no one is righteous (Ro 3:10). Only those who confess their sins and ask for forgiveness and salvation will receive Jesus' healing (17).

 

Prayer Lord, thank you for sending Jesus to call a sinner like me. Please help me to be honest before you, recognize the sickness in my heart, and receive healing from you.

One Word I follow you, Lord

Sunday, January 29, 2023

YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN

Mark 2:1-12 / Keywords 2:5

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

 

1. When some men brought a paralyzed man to Jesus at Capernaum, they probably were seeking physical healing for this man. They carried the man on a mat. When they found that they could not come near Jesus because of the great crowd in the house, they opened a hole in the roof and lowered the man on the mat in front of Jesus. They took such an extreme measure only because they believed in the healing power of Jesus.

 

2. The man had to depend on others for all his basic needs. Everyone would have said it was his physical disability that made him miserable. But Jesus saw his sin problem as the most urgent issue. Do you blame circumstances for causing you to sin? Do you resent people who seem to have it all so easy? Come to Jesus and receive the forgiveness of your sins and rejoice in his grace.

 

3. Who can forgive sins but God alone? The question raised by the religious leaders was valid. To show his authority, Jesus made the man walk carrying his mat. Everyone was amazed and praised Godexcept those who refused to accept that Jesus is God who has the authority to forgive.

 

Prayer Lord, I ask you for many things every day, but your forgiveness is what I need most of all. Please forgive my sins each day and help me to see your glory.

One Word Jesus forgives my sins

 

Saturday, January 28, 2023

JESUS HEALS A MAN WITH LEPROSY

Mark 1:40-45 / Keywords 1:41

Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!"

 

1. A man with leprosy came to Jesus. He begged Jesus, If you are willing, you can make me clean. The man must have lived a miserable and lonely life. There was no way to heal his leprosy. He realized the only solution was Jesus. He begged on his knees before Jesus. Our sin is like leprosy. It is smelly; it is excruciatingly painful. It is contagious. It makes us ugly. No matter what we do, we cannot be freed from our sin. The only way to be cleansed from our sin is by coming to Jesus.

 

2. Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. I am willing. Be clean! Immediately, the leprosy left the man, and he was healed. His lifelong problem was solved by Jesus. Jesus has the power to solve our sin problems. By Jesus death on the cross, our sins have been forgiven. We no longer live under the power of sin and death. Rather, we live as a new creation in Jesus!

 

3. Lord, we are sinners who had no way to solve our sin problems. We walked in darkness and loneliness like the leper. Thank you for cleansing us by your blood shed on the cross!

 

Prayer Lord, Jesus, thank you for making us clean by your blood shed on the cross!

One Word I am willing. Be clean!

Friday, January 27, 2023

JESUS CAME TO PREACH THE WORD

Mark 1:29-39 / Keywords 1:38

Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else--to the nearby villages--so I can preach there also. That is why I have come."

 

1. Simons mother-in-law was in bed with a fever. Jesus went to her, took her hand, and helped her up. The fever left her, and she began to wait on them. We can see Jesus is a very personal God. Jesus heals our physical and inner being. When Jesus heals our inner being, we are completely healed and ready to serve him. Praise Jesus who heals our inner being!

 

2. Very early in the morning, Jesus went to a solitary place and prayed. Jesus began the day with a prayer to God. Even though Jesus was God himself, he showed us the best way to live. God blesses our prayer before him. Through prayer, God gives us strength, direction, and wisdom.

 

3. The disciples shouted: Everyone is looking for you! Jesus replied, Let us go somewhere elseto the nearby villagesso I can preach there also. That is why I have come. Of course, healing those who are sick and demon possessed is important. Feeding those who are hunger is necessary. But Jesus says he came to preach the words of God. We can see that the words of God is the most powerful tool for helping others. Words of God truly heal our inner being. They convict us of our sins and gives us new lives before God. We should preach the words of God above all other things.

 

Prayer Thank you Jesus who came to preach the words of God.

One Word Preach the words of God

Thursday, January 26, 2023

JESUS DRIVES OUT AN IMPURE SPIRIT

Mark 1:21-28 / Keywords 1:25

"Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!"

 

1. When the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching. Jesus taught them as one who had authority. Jesus taught them with authority because he is God himself. Jesus himself was the word of God who made his dwelling among humans (John1:14).

 

2. Then there was a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit. He cried out, What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? In the presence of Jesus, the impure spirit reacted violently. This is our sinful nature before Jesus. Before the presence of Jesus and the words of God, we react violently, not wanting to submit. Our sins of anger, lust, unbelief, fear, jealousy, etc. constantly fight against Jesus, not wanting to escape from our hearts. Be quiet! said Jesus sternly. Come out of him! The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. Only Jesus words can free us from our sins.

 

3. May we come to Jesus who is the son of God who gives the words of God with authority and frees us from the power of impure spirits.

 

Prayer Thank you Jesus for giving us powerful words with authority and frees us from the bondage of sin.

One Word Jesus is the only healer of our souls

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

COME, FOLLOW ME

Mark 1:14-20 / Keywords 1:17

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men.”

 

1. The messenger of Christ John the Baptist was put in prison. However, there is no hint of darkness or despair in Jesus. He proclaimed the good news of God: The time has come; The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news! In good or bad times, Jesus went onto proclaim his word. No matter the condition of our times, we should go into the world and preach the message of Jesus.

 

2. When Jesus saw Simon and Andrew casting a net into the lake, he said to them, Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people. At once, they left their nets and followed him. They let go of their old, empty lives and followed Jesus right away. Jesus called us from our empty, meaningless lives that were only chasing worldly successes and pleasures. Jesus tells us, Come follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people. Jesus wants us to follow him, and he gives us a new mission to fish for people.

 

3. Jesus also called James, son of Zebedee, and John. They even left their father in the boat and followed Jesus. How willing are we to follow Jesus? We should serve Jesus now, with our youth, time, energy, and money. When we do that, Jesus will surely bless our life!

 

Prayer Lord Jesus, help us to follow you. Please use us today as fishers of men!

One Word Jesus sending us out to fish for people


Tuesday, January 24, 2023

THE BAPTISM AND TESTING OF JESUS

Mark 1:9-13 / Keywords 1:11

And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

 

1. Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan. He followed Gods order for people and humbly received baptism from John the Baptist, even though Jesus was the sinless son of God. As Jesus came out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. Just as there were heavenly hosts and angels praising God at Jesus' birth, now there was a great joy when Jesus began his salvation ministry on earth.

 

2. Verse 11 says, And a voice came from heaven: You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." When we accept God's mission for us and humbly obey and follow him, God is pleased with us. Is our life following the will and vision of God?

 

3. Jesus' mission did not start as a stress-free, easy-going mission. Rather, Jesus went into the wilderness and was tempted by Satan for forty days. We sometimes complain. Why do we experience trouble or difficulty after accepting Christ? But even God tested Jesus forty days before his ministry began. Through these hardships and temptations, God is training us and refining us to be fully equipped for his work and mission.

 

Prayer Lord, please help us to trust you are making us ready to serve you better after hardship.

One Word You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased

Monday, January 23, 2023

MAKE STRAIGHT PATHS FOR HIM

Mark 1:1-8 / Keywords 1:3

"a voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.' "

 

1. Mark writes about the beginning of Jesus' ministry on this earth. The ministry of Jesus had been prophesied throughout history. Verses 2 and 3 tell us the prophesy concerning Jesus and John the Baptist: "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way"; " A voice of one calling in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'"

 

2. This messenger was John the Baptist. He was a messenger of Jesus to prepare the way for him. He appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The way to prepare our heart for Jesus is by repentance. We can see that people were thirsty for Jesus, the Messiah. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem came to John. They came out and confessed their sins and were baptized. They were ready to receive the messiah in their hearts. By repenting, they made a straight path for Jesus to their hearts.

 

3. Jesus cannot come into a heart cluttered with many sins. When we repent of our sins before Jesus and make straight paths for him in our heart, Jesus is ready to come in.

 

Prayer Lord, please help us to repent of all our known and unknown sins so that Jesus may come into our hearts.

One Word Repent, and make straight paths for Jesus

Sunday, January 22, 2023

THE LORD IS FOREVER EXALTED

Psalm 92:1-15 / Keywords 92:8

But you, O LORD, are exalted forever.

 

1. Praising the Lord is not merely a good idea or duty, but a true blessing and the very reason we were created. When we proclaim Gods marvelous love in the morning, we are given strength and encouragement for the new day. When we sing of Gods faithfulness in the evening, we recount and acknowledge the grace and mercy we have received. The person who delights in the Lord is willing and eager to make music and worship him from their hearts.

 

2. There are many reasons to praise the Lord. Just think of all the wonderful things he has done! He has created us, redeemed us, and blessed us. His thoughts and plans for us are as deep as his love. Senseless people do not know God or recognize his good works. They seem to flourish, but their time is short. The Lord will judge and destroy the wicked. In contrast, the LORD is forever exalted.

 

3. The psalmist praises God for anointing him and giving him victory over his enemies. Look at how the righteous prosper in the Lord! They are like trees that are strong, beautiful, and useful. They are planted in the house of God and flourish in his courts. Even in their old age, they are fresh and green! No wonder the righteous worship the Lord and make joyful music to him!

 

Prayer Father, we delight in you and worship you.

One Word Praise the name of the Lord!

Saturday, January 21, 2023

REST IN THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY

Psalm 91:1-16 / Keywords 91:1

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

 

1. The psalmist uses four names to describe our God: Elyon (Most High), Shaddai (Almighty), Jehovah (LORD), and Elohim (God). In using these names, he declares that our Gods power, faithfulness, and glory are beyond comparison. The psalmist knew firsthand that God alone is our refuge and fortress. He found rest in the shadow of God and so can we.

 

2. Our God is able to deliver us from our enemies and spare us from devastating pestilences and plagues. God routinely intervenes on behalf of his children and protects them. Havent we all experienced this? To claim these promises of God, one must take refuge in the Lord and dwell in him. For believers, it means abiding in Jesus and walking in his Spirit. It means living a life of prayer and meditation on Gods word. Are you dwelling in the Most High? Then you will surely experience the life and victory of Christ. He is the one who has trampled the serpent and the lion on our behalf.

 

3. In the final stanza of the psalm, the Lord himself confirms all these wonderful promises. He will rescue and protect the one who loves him and acknowledges him. He will answer their prayers, be present in their times of trouble, and satisfy them with the joy of his salvation.

 

Prayer Father, teach us to dwell in your presence. Help us to take refuge and rest in you.

One Word Dwell in the shelter of the Most High

Friday, January 20, 2023

WISDOM FOR LIVING WELL

Psalm 90:1-17 / Keywords 90:12

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

 

1. Reality is something we often prefer to avoid, especially if it concerns our mortality. In this psalm, Moses helps us to face the reality of lifes brevity. God exists from everlasting to everlasting and is a refuge for each generation. In contrast, our lives are short and full of struggles. Even in our modern age, we are amazed when someone lives to be a hundred years old. What seems like a long life to us is but a flash to God. Unfortunately, we all must face the reality of death. Because of our sin, God has commanded that all mortals must return to dust. We feel the weight of Gods wrath against sin each and every day and it is why our lives seem so futile. Our one and true hope is in God.

 

2. Moses prays for God to teach us to number our days. We need his help to do this because it is not something we naturally do on our own. Each day is a precious and wonderful gift from God that should be used wisely for the works he has called us to do. Moses also prays that we may be satisfied each morning with Gods unfailing love. God is the source of all our gladness and joy. Finally, Moses prays for God to establish the work of our hands so that our lives will be a blessing to future generations. Although we rejoice in the eternal life we have in Christ, we must make the most of our time in this world and live for the glory of God.

 

Prayer Father, help us to live well.

One Word Teach us to number our days

Thursday, January 19, 2023

GOD IS FAITHFUL TO HIS COVENANT

Psalm 89:19-52 / Keywords 89:28

I will maintain my love to him forever, and my covenant with him will never fail.

 

1. What a list of promises! In verses 19-37, the psalmist reviews the promises that God made in his covenant with David. God chose David and anointed him. He sustained and strengthened him while giving him victory over his enemies. He loved David and exalted him. God even promised to maintain his line forever. God would punish Davids descendants if they failed to keep his commands, but he would never take away his love or betray his faithfulness to them. God swore on his own character that Davids line would continue forever.

 

2. In verses 38-45, though, we come to a problem. You can feel the deep anguish of the psalmist as he cries out to God. It seems as though God has forgotten all of his promises. The kingdom is in shambles and where is God? The psalmist speaks honestly and directly to God, reciting what seems to be one broken promise after another. He longs for God to reverse this tragedy in his lifetime. How long, LORD?, he cries. Gods name, the kings name, and even the psalmists name were being mocked and shamed. From our vantage point, we know that God has fulfilled all of his promises to David in Jesus Christ. Gods promises may not be fulfilled in our lifetimes, but they will be fulfilled! In the meantime, we wait on the Lord, whose love and faithfulness never fail.

 

Prayer Father, grant us peace and patience.

One Word God honors all of his promises

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

GOD’S LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS

Psalm 89:1-18 / Keywords 89:1

I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.

 

1. How much do you trust the promises of others? Most likely, whether or not you believe someones promise depends on both their character and their ability to fulfill whatever it was they promised. So then, what about the promises of God? Can we believe them and trust him to fulfill them? The Psalmist reminds us of a promise that God had made to David. God said, I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations. Can we trust such an amazing promise? Forever is a long time! Even so, we can trust his promises by remembering the greatness of his love, his faithfulness, and his power.

 

2. Among all the heavenly beings, there is none like our God. The heavens declare his wonders and his faithfulness. The psalmist declares, In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him. All creation reveals his mighty power. He is able to calm the raging seas, deliver his people from bondage, and scatter their enemies. Righteousness, justice, love and faithfulness - these are but a few of his many attributes. Clearly, our God has both the character and the power to fulfill every single one of his promises. The person who knows God and trusts in him is blessed and full of joy.

 

Prayer Father, we rejoice in all your wonderful promises. Our trust is in you alone.

One Word Gods love and faithfulness are forever

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

CALLING TO GOD FROM THE DEPTHS

Psalm 88:1-18 / Keywords 88:13

But I cry to you for help, O LORD; in the morning my prayer comes before you.

 

1. The Psalms show us the full range of human emotion and experience, expressed to God in prayer. The writer of this psalm is at one of the lowest points of life, feeling near death and seeing nothing but darkness all around because of his troubles (3). These verses well describe what Jesus himself must have been going through on the cross.

 

2. The greatness of the psalmist is that he does not give in to despair but keeps crying out to God. He attributes his sufferings to Gods own wrath lying upon him (7). Nonetheless, his appeal is still to God, whom he will not let go of until the end. The writer seems not to know of hope in the resurrection. But we can know that in Jesus, even after death, our spirits will rise up and praise God (10). So, if the psalmist who went through all these things did not give up crying out to God, day after day, how can we think of giving up? If things are so bad that all we can do is cling to God, then let us cling to God.

 

Prayer Father, thank you that when I have nothing else and see only darkness all around, I can appeal to you in prayer. Thank you for your love in Christ that is more powerful than the grave.

One Word I cry to God for help

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