Author: Bill Hall

Mark 4:19
   Often the cares and issues of this life will be a trial to people, and they will turn to the world’s answers. They will begin to think they can find security and happiness in riches and pleasures. And why does this choke the Word? Should not our security and happiness be important? Ah, but it is the Word that tells us where to find these, and it is not where the world finds them.

Bible Reading: Genesis 31:1-32:32

Scripture Memory: 1 John 2:16 “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you know the trials we face in our lives. You know the hurt and pain in this life. You understand our problems. You know how to comfort us. You know how to help us out of all our trials. May we always turn to you for everything. The world will offer solutions, but they are only vanities. You have real answers. We can depend upon you! Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for two families that just lost loved ones. Pray for a woman with advanced cancer, and for another woman preparing to have surgery for cancer.

Journal Entry #15111

Mark 4:18
   It is quite understandable to assume that this group represents those who are genuinely saved, yet have been rendered ineffective. However, one must be careful here. The Scriptures give us great certainty that those who bear much fruit belong to the Lord. It does not do so with the rest, though there is the possibility ti make it ‘so as by fire’. In other words, we must respond to the Word and not be distracted, or it may be found we were not his to begin with.

Bible Reading: Genesis 29:1-30:43

Scripture Memory: 1 John 2:15 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your work in our lives. You have made the gospel available to all. Thank you for that great mercy. To live for you is such a joy! You are glorious, holy, just, righteous, and faithful. May we never cease to make your Word known to the world. We need your truth. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a man’s unspoken requests.

Journal Entry #15110

Mark 4:17
   We use the word ‘endure’ in English translations of this verse. However, do keep in mind that the short endurance of these folks is nothing like the endurance of true saints. The literal sense here is that they stay for a short season, and then are offended. The same offences that caused them to accept the truth quickly will often be the cause of their distraction.
   Having no root is as much as saying that they had not grown from the True Vine, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Bible Reading: Genesis 27:1-28:22

Scripture Memory: 1 John 2:14 “I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, our lives will be spent understanding the full measure of your greatness. We think we understand so much about our world, and can decide how to measure you, but we need your help to even get a glimpse at the big picture. Our tendency is to put everything into our own mold, and not realize the intricacies of the variety of reality. You have made us, and not we ourselves. We cannot understand how you have framed the universe upon nothing, but we know by your Word that you have. May we live humbly and realize the awesome glory of your person. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for two women who are lost. Pray for a couple of young people who need direction in their lives.

Journal Entry #15109

Mark 4:16
   Being in difficult places, these persons immediately recognize the truth of the gospel. But, yet, they easily are drawn from it again for the same reason.

Bible Reading: Genesis 25:1-26:35

Scripture Memory: 1 John 2:13 “I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your mercy to us. Your ways are far above ours, and you understand what we cannot. Give us the wisdom that only you can supply that we might have what we need for our lives. Thank you for guiding us on our way. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a woman who is not feeling well.

Journal Entry #15108

Mark 4:15
   We might ask how that the devil is able to take away the seed. Well, in every case but the last it is the devil that prevents the Word from having the proper influence. It is just that, in this case, the enemy is able to do it very quickly and easily. These are those who receive the gospel like they might a good piece of advice. It may be forgotten, confused, overshadowed by error, etc. The enemy works continually to ensure this, and this is the way he keeps many from the truth.

Bible Reading: Genesis 23:1-24:67

Scripture Memory: 1 John 2:12 “I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your love for us! You continue to supply this world with truth, even though so many will reject it. Thank you for your Word! You are able to do so much, and we can do so little. Yet, you use us to do much as well, by your power. You are worthy of all glory and honor! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a woman who may have cancer. Pray for a woman who is unsaved.

Journal Entry #15107

Mark 4:14
   This is the task of the church age. We must get the Word out to all the world. The seed sown is worth its weight in gold. Nothing is more important at this time.

Bible Reading: Genesis 20:1-22:24

Scripture Memory: 1 John 2:11 “But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may we live to sow the seed! give us a heart for the lost! Your Word is precious! It is alive and it will change hearts. Help us to know the truth and give it to others. We want to bring your praise to all nations. You are worthy to be known. Every mouth should sing your praise! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for missionaries all over the world as they distribute the Word of God.

Journal Entry #15106

Mark 4:13
   This parable is actually one of the foundation stones of all of Jesus’ parables. It outlines the acceptance of the Word of God. The message found here is applicable to all of history. It is a very perceptive look at the responses of fallen humanity to the revelation of Almighty God.

Bible Reading: Genesis 17:1-19:38

Scripture Memory: 1 John 2:10 “He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the greatest news anybody could ever hear, Jesus loves me! We can strive for great things, but in the end it will come to naught without the Christ. Never have we ever begun to understand how important Jesus is to us. We must rely upon him, for he is our hope. How can we fail with him as our Master? He knows all that we need for this life. Thank you, dear Father! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a man having trouble with his ears.

Journal Entry #15106

Mark 4:12
   This does not mean that Jesus doesn’t want people to accept the truth. But, this was a judgement upon those who had already rejected the truth and accepted a lie. The Jewish people as a whole rejected their Messiah.

Bible Reading: Genesis 13:1-16:16

Scripture Memory: 1 John 2:9 “He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for making your truth available. Though you know that many people will reject it, yet for your glory you have made it known anyway. We don’t always understand everything you do, but we can see that we can trust you. You are always good to us. What you do is best. Thank you for working in our lives! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a missionary couple travelling.

Journal Entry #15105

Mark 4:11
   These men were chosen to be those who would learn of the truth from Christ. This does not mean that they were somehow better than other people. But, they were quite privileged to be a part of this group.

Bible Reading: Genesis 10:1-12:20

Scripture Memory: 1 John 2:8 “Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your faithfulness! We can trust in your power. We can depend upon your truth. We can look for comfort at your side. We can find peace in your care. We can rest in your hand. We can feel loved and forgiven, because we are in Christ. No matter what may come our way, we know that you already knew all about it. May we live to praise you in everything we do. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a woman with stage four cancer.

Journal Entry #15104

I’m sick today.