FOLLOWING JESUS Then Peter began to speak up. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said. “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.” —Mark 10:28-31 What have…

JESUS’ VIEW OF SIN “But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck.” —Mark 9:42 Woe to those who tempt the followers of Jesus to fall into sin. There is so much in this world that seeks to encourage those who trust in Jesus to sin. As His followers we need to be on guard at all times. The godless and wicked people of this world seek to suppress the truth by their wickedness (Romans 1:18). Fellow followers of Jesus, we need…

LISTEN TO YOUR WORD “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.” —Mark 9:7 Listen to Him! This means we have to be quiet and hear His Word, hear what He has to say. Are you listening? Who is there to you that is more important than He to listen to? He alone speaks to us perfectly. He alone guides us perfectly. He alone cares for us perfectly. He alone knows all about us perfectly. He alone knows His plan for us perfectly. He alone is concerned for us perfectly. He alone has compassion on us perfectly. He alone disciplines us perfectly. He alone reveals error in our lives…

REDEEMED! What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? —Mark 8:36-37 So many people live for the here and now. But the temporary is so short lived and so many people do not see the value of their own soul. It is more valuable that the combined value of all this world’s resources. It is of eternal value. Jesus proved this when He, the Eternal Son of God, went to the cross to pay the eternal sin debt of man. Only Jesus could do this because “No one can redeem the life of…

MY PROVIDER “How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?” —Mark 8:4 What we cannot do, God can do! And this is what we want to see— His power and not us trying to do things in our own strength. In the context of the verse above there was no way the disciples could provide enough food for 4,000 people in a wilderness area. But, Jesus took what was available— 7 loaves of bread and a few fish— and after He blessed them His disciples distributed them to the people. All were satisfied. There were even 7 baskets full of leftovers! Does…

HEART ISSUES For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you. —Mark 7:21-23 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. —James 1:13-14 Whatever flows through the floodgates of our ears and eyes wind up in our brain. This is why we are to guard what we hear and…

DON’T OVEREAT Now the Lord sent a wind that brought quail from the sea and let them fall all around the camp. For miles in every direction there were quail flying about three feet above the ground. So the people went out and caught quail all that day and throughout the night and all the next day, too. No one gathered less than fifty bushels! They spread the quail all around the camp to dry. But while they were gorging themselves on the meat—while it was still in their mouths—the anger of the Lord blazed against the people, and he struck them with a severe plague. So that place was…

PLOW, PLANT AND BE PATIENT! Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.” —Mark 4:26-29 The farmer sows the seed, but he cannot make it grow. While he sleeps or while…

THE LORD BLESS YOU! May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace. —Numbers 6:24-26 Yes, may you not only be blessed today, but may you also be a blessing to someone else today. May the Lord give you His protection today. Oh, that He would smile upon you today and be wonderfully gracious to you. May you experience His awesome favor today and have the peace that only He can give. Yes, may it be so! Dear Father, thank You for Your goodness toward us. Out of…

YOUR ARE CRAZY! One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon he and his disciples couldn’t even find time to eat. When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. “He’s out of his mind,” they said. —Mark 3:20-21 Can you imagine? Jesus’ family tried to redirect Him from what He was doing, thinking He was “out of his mind.” Wow, think of it. They thought the One who created and sustains all things was going off the deep end. If that is how His own family felt about Him then don’t be surprised if people think that about you…