Author: Bill Hall

Mark 3:15
   What we have here is actually the conference of authority. Though power is involved, authority is what is required for these men to be able to do these things. For, indeed, it would not be by their own power or authority that any such thing would take place. For those who would say that we all have such authority today, I ask why then other followers of Christ at this time were not given this authority? We know, for example, that Matthias, who later replaced Judas, was with Jesus as much as the twelve, yet he is not involved here. Thus, not every follower of Christ is sent forth in this way.

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:1-15:58

Scripture Memory: Jude 1:12 “These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your strength. I know that I can depend upon you at all times, in every situation that may arise. There is no circumstance that your peace is not capable of handling. You can guide through the darkest valley. Your power to lead me in the right way never abates. May we never fail to look to your way! You have the strength we need for every day. You are totally awesome! Your power and authority are absolute. We cannot honor or glorify you enough. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for revival. Pray for our missionaries.

Journal Entry #15072

Mark 3:14
   Jesus selects a certain group of twelve. The number seems to be by design to parallel the twelve tribes of Israel. This is not to mimic the law, but to signify the importance of this new gospel age that was to dawn with the return of Christ to the Father. Of course, he knew that Judas would betray him. Yet, he selects him anyway because it was consistent with the Father’s will, and thus with his.

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:1-12:31

Scripture Memory: Jude 1:11″ Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you alone can help us with so many things. Though we may look elsewhere, you have the answers for all of life. May we depend upon you for guidance in every endeavor. You are truly worthy of glory from us. Indeed, we cannot even give you the glory you deserve, but you deserve our best efforts. Your honor is without measure and your greatness is beyond our comprehension. We praise you with all that we are! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a man who has shoulder pain. Pray for a man with knee pain.

Journal Entry #15071

Mark 3:13
   He goes into the mountain for privacy. He can their have a meeting with only those he chooses. This shows us the very public nature of his ministry in that he had to resort to this for privacy. And yet it also reveals the private side of it as well in that he does have this important meeting in a secluded location.

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:1-6:20

Scripture Memory: Jude 1:10 “But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your intelligence. Sometimes we get so impressed with ourselves. But, you really know everything and you really understand it all. Thank you for your truth and for making it available to us. It is a source of wisdom for our lives. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a man with a kidney stone.

Journal Entry #15070

Mark 3:12
   Jesus had no interest in being reported by unclean spirits. Their knowledge of him would in no way help his message. Those today who seek to verify their ministry by means of the word of demons are false teachers. The light does not need the darkness to succeed.

Bible Reading: Romans 16:1-1 Corinthians 2:16

Scripture Memory: Jude 1:9 “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, it is so easy for us to forget that there is absolutely no limit to your ability. We are limited, and that makes us tend to think within a limited framework. But you have no limits. You can do whatever, whenever. So, we can depend completely upon you for everything. If you are not moving in a situation that we think needs some action, there is a reason for your inaction. And the reason isn’t inability. The reason is always your greater glory. That is easy for us to forget too. We get sidetracked by our own pride and forget your glory. May we live to glorify you every moment! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for several people recovering from sickness.

Journal Entry #15069

Mark 3:11
   Make no mistake about it, the devil knows exactly who his enemy is. Though there are many people in our day who do not believe in a ‘devil’, this works only to his advantage. He is not the dark and twisted gargoyle that some portray him as, but a beautiful, intelligent, and very attractive angelic being with great power. He knows that Jesus Christ is his great enemy. And all the world is a stage in which he can work to steal glory from the Christ. His time is limited, and he will fail. But, that does not stop his activity because misery loves company.

Bible Reading: Romans 12:1-15:33

Scripture Memory: Jude 1:8 “Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for all that you do in our lives. You give us peace, joy, and comfort. Your Spirit holds us up and gives us hope. You revive our hearts and illumine our minds. Than you for all of this and so much more that we have in the Lord Jesus. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a woman who is sick.Pray for our upcoming revival.

Journal Entry #15068

Mark 3:10
   Jesus’ withdrawal from the crowd was also partially for their safety. The wording here indicates that their may have been some frenzied activity surrounding him, which would lead to people being hurt, not helped.

Bible Reading: Romans 9:1-11:36

Scripture Memory: Jude 1:7 “Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your love for us. Even when we think you have forgotten about us, we are just missing it. You have never stopped caring for us! Thank you for Christ! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for many who are sick. Pray for a man with a bad ear infection.

Journal Entry #15067

Not feeling well today.

Mark 3:9
   We find ourselves again asking, what is he worried about? What does this mean? Jesus did not want to be taken by the crowd. Mobs of people have a mind of their own and generally do very unwise things. Jesus didn’t want to have to protect himself on this occasion. Those who needed healing unfortunately failed to realize that it was not necessary to touch him to be healed by him.

Bible Reading: Romans 6:1-8:39

Scripture Memory: Jude 1:6 “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for another day that you have made. Just forgiving us and saving our souls would be enough to praise you for forever. But, you also have a plan for each of our lives. And you are actively working to see that plan carried out. This is so wonderful! You are involved in our lives and care about what goes on. Thank you for that! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for several people who are sick.

Journal Entry #15066

Mark 3:8
   Many of these followers were looking to see more miracles. But, we must not think that this would be the only reason for people to follow him. Some were genuinely looking for the Messiah. Others were checking out his teaching, hoping that he would help overthrow the Roman empire. Still others were just curious. But, in this mixed group, there were those who would become faithful followers of Christ.

Bible Reading: Romans 3:1-5:21

Scripture Memory: Jude 1:5 “I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may we never forget your holiness! You are so holy, just, and pure. You have never done the least thing wrong. You have made the good path available to us. We have no excuse for sin. Any attempt to marginalize sin is just a practice in self-justification. Seeing sin for what it is is liberating. We see the way to freedom made possible by the blood of Christ. Only through his worthy sacrifice may we be in your presence. We will fall on our faces and worship before you, oh Father! You are worthy! Let us not quickly forget your mercies and your great grace. May we have them ever before us and be dependent upon your faithfulness. May our lives be found totally in you! We praise you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for revival in Rhea County. Pray for several people who are sick.

Journal Entry #15065

Mark 3:7
   Jesus purposely avoided certain locations at certain times. This does not mean he was afraid of the Jewish leaders. But, instead, it shows that there was a specific timing to God’s plan about his crucifixion. The betrayal of Judas was the selected time, not at this early date.

Bible Reading: Acts 28:1-Romans 2:29

Scripture Memory: Jude 1:4 “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for faith. Though sometimes we hesitate to go on faith alone, we really must realize that faith is what you have given us to go on. You have made it the certainty that we need to move forward. Thank you for giving us all that we need for this life. We will praise you with our mouth, and with our lives. You are worthy! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a woman in the hospital. Pray for a woman recovering from surgery. Pray for revival.

Journal Entry #15064