Mark 1:42
   Notice two things here. First, the healing was actually accomplished after Jesus spoke, not after he touched the man. This reminds us that God has reached out to us while in sin. He does not wait for us to be better than we ever were to make contact. No, he reaches out to the lowliest, sickest, most sinful of humanity. He saves because he is good, not because we are worthy to be touched by his mighty hand.
   Secondly, the man’s leprosy departs, and he is cleansed. The man had asked for cleansing. And that is exactly what he gets from the Lord. Though the healing of the leprosy was mandatory for cleansing to take place, the two are mentioned as if they are separate. And why is this? Well, it serves to remind us that the Lord is able to rid us of the effects of sin, not just its presence. He did not look at this man and tell him he was healed, but that he would just have to live with the disfiguring effects that the leprosy had had upon his body. No, he healed him completely.

Bible Reading: Mark 11:1-12:44

Scripture Memory: James 5:10 “Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us wisdom from your Word. May we always believe you and your truth. You show us the right way and give us the best plan. Lord, may we be humble to accept your truth. How can we turn our backs on your wisdom? You always know what will happen next. You are worthy of our absolute devotion! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a man with bad knee pain. Pray for a man who has lost a lot of weight.

Journal Entry #15027

I have been quite sick at my stomach today. I hope to resume blogging tomorrow. God bless!

Mark 1:41
   We are told here that Jesus was deeply moved. And why? Well, there are many feelings that Jesus probably felt because of this man’s mentioning his willingness as a factor. Remember, the desire of God above all else is worship. Though that seems selfish, it is not. This is because God deserves worship. And why? Because he is so incredibly holy, good, loving, kind, and just. These characteristics of God are exactly why Jesus was moved so much. Jesus, as God, knows that above all else he is willing to solve man’s dilemma. He has mercy and grace to spare. He has made a way for our diseases to be cured, and more importantly, for our sins to be forgiven.
   Please consider, if this were not the case, God would have had cause to pour his wrath upon us all immediately. Indeed, only when it becomes a forgone conclusion that someone will never accept the truth does God judge.

Bible Reading: Mark 7:1-8:38

Scripture Memory: James 5:9 “Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.” 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may we always pin our hopes on Christ. How can we expect to know truth in this life without a reliance on him? Oh Father, keep us humble before you. You alone may show us the way for our feet. You alone can teach us the truths that will transform our lives. Our confidence must be in you. Help us to get a vision of your plan for our lives. May we allow you to help us see with your eyes. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a man having surgery this week. Pray for a man in the hospital.

Journal Entry #15025

Mark 1:40
   This healing comes fairly early on in Jesus’ ministry. Thus, the man had likely not heard whether Jesus had healed leprosy or not. For this man to even come to Jesus was a bold step. Because there were so many regulations in the law regarding leprosy, it had come to be seen as a sort of curse. Those who had it, it was presumed, must deserve it.
   So, we understand that this man has a certain attitude about his disease. He, as everyone else, would think that it was a punishment that God had brought upon him. This is why he asks if Jesus is willing. He knew that Jesus, being holy, might reject him as an unholy dog. But, Jesus was different from the rest of the Jews, so the man felt it was worth the risk. At worst, Jesus would refuse to heal him, and at best he would consent. Either way, the man’s faith in Jesus’ ability to cure this disease, no matter what had caused it, was strong.

Bible Reading: Mark 5:1-6:56

Scripture Memory: James 5:9 “Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you know how we are. We always want to feel secure, strong, and smart. We want to think we have it all together. But, we must realize that we have nothing without Christ. In him you have given us access to all the wisdom, power, and hope that we could ever need. May we rely on your wisdom to address the situations of life. You are the One who knows what is right, not us. May we let your power be our foundation. Rather than depending on our strength, which is nonexistent anyway. May we always hope in you, rather than relying on some false sense of security. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a man with pneumonia. Pray for a woman having cancer treatments.

Journal Entry #15024

Mark 1:39
   Early in his ministry Jesus was able to preach in the synagogues. Later, the crowds were large, and needed more space. But, more than this, the Jewish leaders did not want him in the synagogues. In spite of this resistance, the region of Galilee was well covered by the Lord.

Bible Reading: Mark 3:1-4:41

Scripture Memory: James 5:9 “Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may we always remember that you have a purpose for making us. We are not just some whim. You designed us on purpose for your plan. You have desires for us. You work in our lives. Thank you for this. It is wonderful to know that you even care who we are. Give us a renewed sense of our future. We must not lose sight of your wisdom and power. Your are Almighty God, and you alone can direct our steps rightly. Thank you for Christ! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a man who needs to be in church. Pray for a man in critical condition in the hospital.

Journal Entry #15023

Mark 1:38
   Jesus begins here helping his disciples understand the nature of the message. He tells them he wants to go elsewhere and preach the gospel. He says this is why he had come. He would not stay in one place, but he would go to other towns and preach the truth.
   This is very important. Jesus is here revealing the nature of the gospel ministry. He could easily have stayed right where he was and let the whole world come to him. But that would not fulfill prophecy. And, more importantly, it would not lead to true conversion of the sinners. He would not wait for the world to come to him. He would go to the world.

Bible Reading: Mark 1:1-2:28

Scripture Memory: James 5:8 “Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to never lose sight of your wonderful forgiveness. Some times it is easy for some of us to forget just how much you have forgiven through Christ. We fail to remember that, without him, we are lost for all eternity. Thank you for Christ! How could we ever thank you enough? He is the Source of Hope in this lost and dying world. I praise you, Father! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a man in critical condition in the hospital. Pray for a woman who fell and was hurt.

Journal Entry #15022

Mark 1:37
   Though everyone should seek the Savior, the words of the disciples on this occasion were likely intended to refer to a smaller group of people. Notice that the word ‘men’ is in italics in the KJV. Italics in this translation are added for clarity, but are not in the original.
   What is happening here is that the disciples finally find Jesus and they let him know that everybody else was looking for him too. In other words, the crowds that had come to him last evening had not forgotten about this great Teacher, they wanted to bring him back for more.
   Obviously, the disciples were still learning about the Master. This wouldn’t be the last time he would go off alone like this. And he already knew who was looking for him, as they would later come to understand.

Bible Reading: Matthew 27:1-28:20

Scripture Memory: James 5:8 “Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for challenging us. You don’t encourage us to remain as we are. Though you understand us as we are, and you come to us and call us as we are, you transform us into so much more. Thank you for your values. We think so much of ourselves, and yet your values are so much more worthy of our attention than are our highest aspirations. Your Person can channel our efforts into goodness and beauty. You make us able to see the nature of the world around us as you transform us on the inside. Thank you for your work in our hearts through Christ! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a woman having trouble with her insurance company. Pray for a woman who is having her eyes tested for problems.

Journal Entry #15021

Mark 1:36
   We might well ask ourselves how it is that Simon and his friends were able to follow Christ if he went off by himself. However, the words ‘follow after’ come from a Greek term that includes the idea of conducting a search.
   So, being at least somewhat familiar with the Lord, the groups had made some guesses as to where the Savior might be, and then went out to search. We often wonder at Christ’s resolve to rise early to pray. And we should. But, we understand here why he did it. He knew that everyone would be right back to see him early in the day. Those early hours would be all the time he had for prayer.

Bible Reading: Matthew 25:1-26:75

Scripture Memory: James 5:8 “Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we seek after Christ, just as Peter, but do we trust him? Do we depend solely upon him? Do we obey him intuitively? Is his will the command, goal, and focus of our lives? May we never cease to praise him! Oh Father, your love for us in sending your Son is truly wonderful! To him we owe all that we are and all that we have. You are Lord of all, Almighty God! Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a man having surgery soon. Pray for a woman with shingles.

Journal Entry #15020

Mark 1:35
   And what day of the week would this be? Sunday. We may wonder how many times as Jesus rose on that first day of the week early that he thought about the cross, and the resurrection beyond it.
   It is good to note here that, though many people would not be up at this time, he went into a solitary place. He wanted uninterrupted time with God the Father. This should be our practice in our quiet time as well.

Bible Reading: Matthew 23:1-24:51

Scripture Memory: James 5:7 “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.” 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your truth! You can give us eyes to see the world as it really is. So many people live their lives hiding in a corner, hoping that reality will never find them. You show us by faith the answers of life. May we never forget that your love for us helps us to love others. May we live in your love. As we understand you more, we will understand ourselves. You are worthy of all our praise and devotion! Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a man in the hospital with stomach pain. Pray for a man with pneumonia.

Journal Entry #15019

Mark 1:34
   Though there were many miracles performed during the apostle’s ministry, the miracles in the ministry of Christ outshine it all. This is only to be expected. Jesus healed every imaginable disease and had absolute authority over the demonic world.
   Here again we have this report that Jesus did not want the demons to recognize him. Though it is accurate to say that Jesus kept his identity more hidden hat we might expect, he was no opposed to people expressing their faith in him. Ah, but therein lies the key! These demons were not expressing faith. For them, the identity of Christ was a cold, hard fact. Any admission of his Lordship in their confessions would be a begrudging recognition of truth. Any inkling of worship in their words is only flattery to gain advantage. This kind of confession was not what the Savior was looking for. It serves no purpose for the advancement of the kingdom of God.

Bible Reading: Matthew 21:1-22:46

Scripture Memory: James 5:7 “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am so glad that we can trust your Word! Sometimes this life gets us down and we fail to remember your promises. May we be forgiven! You have such great and enduring promises for us in your Bible. How could we ever forget? You give us worth, you express your love for us, and you show us your plan for our lives. You give hope every second. We do not have to live defeated. Oh, may we depend totally upon your truth rather than falling back upon lies! Thank you for your Truth. You are always good and faithful and true! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a woman who has been sick for a couple of weeks. Pray for a woman with shingles.

Journal Entry #15018