I pray God for us in this new year, for He is the source of all blessing and good to those who seek Him, trusting Him to see them through. When we choose to bless the Lord at all times, walking in His ways, growing in His Word, His praise continually in our mouths, we enter His presence and find His help in time of need.
May our souls make their boast in the Lord, humbly seeking Him through and in accordance to His Word. He hears and rejoices to help us in our need as we do.
O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. Seek the Lord as he calls us to, and He will answer, and deliver our hearts from fears. Looking to Him lifts our countenance and makes our souls radiant, our faces never needing to be ashamed as we follow closely to Him, keeping His Word.
We, who realize that we are poor without Him, seeking Him wholeheartedly in this way, can cry out to Him in our need, and find Him faithful to hear and save us out of all our troubles. Following through faith that trusts Him makes us strong to face hardship, walk through it, and see His good come out of it. His reputation is that He, the angel of the Lord, encamps around those who fear Him and He rescues them.
O taste and see that the Lord is good! How blessed are those who take refuge in Him. O fear the Lord, you His saints; for to those who fear Him there is no want. He satiates us and makes us content in every circumstance as we walk in reverence for Him. Young lions do lack of and suffer hunger; but we who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing. These are truths I have walked in with ever growing understanding and fervor, every day for over 45 years. He has not let me down. Come join me. Let’s walk hand in hand together as family in Christ through 2024.
Does God give you a verse or scripture passage each year as a focus for spiritual growth?
I’ve had this practice for many years. It has greatly helped my growth in Christ. I start in October asking Him to reveal the area of focus He has for me in the new year. It’s amazing how scripture jumps out to catch my attention and inspire my heart for growth, followed by a year of complimentary passages that instruct my heart in my focal area. And I cannot tell you the number of times that group Bible study materials I’m drawn to each year wind up giving insights on my areas of focus.
This past year was the best year to date. I see great progress in my focus on Philippians 2:1-8 and growing in “intentional selflessness“. That focus does not permit laziness in study or practice. 😂 It does not permit giving self to fear or selfish desires. I am made new through this focus that has made such strides in delivering me from self-focus and self-centeredness. It kept me from curling up in a ball from grief, doing nothing of significance, hiding from the world, and ignoring the needs of others.
The year my husband died (last quarter of 2022), my focus was Psalm 23 AMPC and “Be Intentional”. I am so grateful for how that focus made for a glorious last year with him and prepared me for his death, spurring me on after his death to get needful things done with intentional effort. Psalm 23, and many other focal passages from past years, still come to me as instruction for life’s challenges.
This coming year I am excited to get into Ephesians 5:15-17 and “walk circumspectly” (phrase from the NKJV).
If you have not developed this practice for deliberate focus in spiritual growth, I highly recommend it. Be sure to include memorizing the passage and keep a journal, so you can review your findings and insights as you read through the Word of God. Go forth and have a happy, inspired, spiritually prosperous 2024!
We are called to walk in God’s Light and to be light in the earth. The true light pours forth from God, to us, and through us back to God and out to others. The light Jesus calls us to be moves in the will and way of God, desiring to please Him above self-will and man-pleasing.
The light we are called to produces
the fruit of The Word of God living and active in us,
the fruit of repentance,
the fruit of righteousness,
the fruit of good works,
the fruit of the Spirit of God,
the fruit of God’s Kingdom on earth, which is the bearing forth of Christlikeness.
If these things are not living, active, and growing in us, the light in us is the false light of darkness.
A profession of knowing Jesus, while not having this light visibly working in us is darkness – it is useless and accomplishes nothing good or of eternal value. “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” - Ephesians 5:15-17 NASB1995
“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong in behalf of those whose hearts are blameless toward Him. You have done foolishly in this; therefore, from now on you shall have wars.” – 2 Chronicles 16:9 AMPC
“God is not democratic. His Kingdom is not a democracy. He is never subject to our whim or rule. The only real authority we ultimately have with God is the right to completely rule Him out of our lives. You can do that. But who in their right minds wants to? That’s the decision of those who refuse Christ, who reject God’s redemption and rule through His appointed King.
“But once I receive Jesus Christ as Savior, He enters to become Lord. Once my choice is to “rule Him in,” He comes in to rule! He takes over at Master-control and exercises God’s Kingdom rule to achieve our best blessing and highest destiny.” (From Praise in The Presence of God, by Jack Hayford)
Father God, I am so grateful for Your saving grace found in Jesus Christ, my Savior and King. Thank You for leading my heart to bow before You and choose Jesus as Lord and Redeemer King. Thank You for paying the price I could not pay so I can have the Life I do not deserve.
And thank You for giving Your Word and Teacher Spirit to train me in righteousness and empower me to walk out the salvation You call me to, living out the righteous life You call me to display. You are awesome God and Faithful Creator, worthy of all glory, praise, and honor. May my life and every breath prove these truths to the glory of Your name. In Jesus and for Your glory and crown, amen.
“Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”” Luke 17:1-4 NKJV
God’s forgiveness is there, waiting to be received. We who belong to Him, having received His gift of forgiveness, are called to forgive in likeness to Him. To do so, we must understand and fully receive God’s forgiveness.
Isaiah 43:25 reveals to us that God chooses forgiveness for His own sake. Choosing forgiveness before repentance is seen is a choice that protects from the tendency to give up on a desired relationship. It protects the one who chooses forgiveness from being hindered from moving forward, being hurt mentally and spiritually by bitterness, anger, hate, and other such maladies that take hold to destroy life, filling hearts with inability to trust and give unconditional love.
We who are called by His name are responsible before God to forgive those who offend us in the likeness of His forgiveness given to us. However, God’s forgiveness for us is not ours to possess until we reach out through repentance to receive it. Until we actively receive God’s gift of forgiveness, provided by His grace, we will not possess the relationship with Him that He desires with us.
Jesus died in the place of us sinners to provide us The Way to receive God’s forgiveness. His provision is ours once we reach out from repentant hearts to The Father, through Him who is the propitiation (full payment) owed by us because of our sin. God provided The Way for us to enter healed and full, eternal relationship with Him as we believe The Truth of The Christ, and receive The Life eternal and made new that only He provides for us.
We show ourselves recipients of that new life as we live the life He calls us to with every breath He graciously supplies. For the remainder of our earthly dwelling, we are to walk out the salvation we are freely given, maintaining a healthy relationship with God that glorifies Him and reveals His love to others.
If you’ve not received the greatest gift ever given, reach out and take it with a believing heart that recognizes it’s sinful ways that stand against this holy God, requiring God’s forgiveness. Reach to Him, ready to receive His grace with a heart that is determined to live for Him, knowing He is holding His gift out, ready to give. Then reach out to a Christ-centered friend and seek to be baptized into Christ, joining His fold in a fellowship that teaches truth from the full gospel of Christ, where Christian fellowship and encouragement for growth is found.
Baptism into Christ is a vital step of obedience in one’s salvation experience and is not to be taken lightly. Like marriage vows done as God intended, it is a joining in union with Him, fully entering the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Buried with Him in water baptism, we are raised to receive and walk in newness of life, fully committing oneself to walk forevermore in full relationship with God, determined to live life as one belonging to Him. When we step out of those waters, we leave the eternal grave and our old, flesh-driven life behind to walk in the new, Spirit-filled and directed life God calls us to live according to His wisdom found in His Word. As a new slate, clean and fresh, we now live a life written out for us to possess in a way that honors Him as Savior, God, Father, and King.
Get into God’s Word every day, starting with the New Testament. Reading it is important, but it is also vital to find someone who can teach you how to study God’s Word for the fullest benefit of understanding. Stay in the New Testament until you have a firm grasp of the covenant agreement you are called to, and walk in His ways for the remainder of your days.
The Old Testament is important to understand as well, but it is best understood in light of the full truth found in the New Covenant. This is the call to new life given through the gift of forgiveness found in Christ. God bless you as you make full use of the gift found in Christ, and fully established in us as we grow strong in God’s word.
“… These are inveterate {chronic} murmurers (grumblers) who complain [of their lot in life], going after their own desires [controlled by their passions]; their talk is boastful and arrogant, [and they claim to] admire men’s persons and pay people flattering compliments to gain advantage. But you must remember, beloved, the predictions which were made by the apostles (the special messengers) of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). They told you beforehand, In the last days (in the end time) there will be scoffers [who seek to gratify their own unholy desires], following after their own ungodly passions. It is these who are [agitators] setting up distinctions and causing divisions–merely sensual [creatures, carnal, worldly-minded people], devoid of the [Holy] Spirit and destitute of any higher spiritual life. ….” – Jude 1:14-25 AMPC
Inveterate (murmurers) – Firmly and long established; deep-rooted. Persisting in an ingrained habit; habitual: synonym: chronic.
Father, I don’t think I’m a grumbler – especially not habitually so. But if I, in any way or depth, am given over to grumbling and complaining, reveal this evil in me and deliver me from its grasp.
I do see that I tend to fall to the sin of giving compliments, not falsely – what I speak, I say out of true evaluation, but with the wrong motives of trying to get into another’s good graces, or trying to prove something they believe about me to be incorrect. This, too, is not out of a lie. The things the ones I think of in this do believe of me is a lie. But working to please them in proving them wrong is prideful. So forgive me this sin, O God, and prove righteousness and truth in me in ways they can rightly see. I rest my defense into Your capable Hands, for You see and know the truth of every heart.
Father, let me not be found an instigator of division, but use me to bring peace that unites from a position of righteous understanding. In Jesus I pray, amen.
A devotional done with friends reminds me of the need of long hours at Your feet in some life issues, Lord. My heart stays so overwhelmed by so much in these days that part of me feels prayerless – or at least inadequate in prayer for such unbelievable turmoil, while the other part feels the groaning of Your Spirit that has me constant at Your feet – watchfully waiting. Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.
Thank You for Your Word that is the dictator and heart of my prayers in these days. And thank You for the answer received today in one of those major devastations. I love You dearly and long for Your will, to see Your hand in the land of our living, as You have so faithfully done so many times throughout my years of running hard after You. In Jesus, make it so. Amen!
”He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’ ”“ – Luke 13:6-9 NKJV
We planted two trees in our front yard at our home of 32 years. The one to the right, as one looks at the house, soon grew big and tall and shaded the yard. The one to the left, after numerous years, was barely bigger than when we first planted it. As I was giving up on it and about ready to change it out, God used this passage to speak wisdom and instruction to me. I followed the instructions in the scripture, and the tree began to grow. After a couple of years, it was almost as big as the first one. It did not take long for it to catch up after that.
There are two truths to capture here. First, there is great wisdom for our day in the Scriptures, if we will but hear, take counsel, believe, and obey. And second, for growth to happen, living things require the proper care and nourishment. For the Christian, the food and water needed is found in God’s Word, and in the fellowship of believers.
Is your spiritual growth stunted? Get with the people of God who can help you know how to study, and let God take His bread and living water to the root of the problem.
“I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division.” – Luke 12:49-51 NKJV
Jesus took our sins upon Himself for the purpose of taking our eternal death of separation from God for us. In the baptism of His death and burial, followed by His rising again as Victor over sin and death, He gave us opportunity to enter into His baptism and rise again to newness of life.
Do not take the baptismal waters lightly, as commonplace. This is the sin of the Pharisees who ritually washed without thought of its importance. When you enter those waters, do so in full understanding of its meaning, as this is a vital step in the experience of the saving grace of Christ. It is not a ritual. It is a commitment, requiring full understanding of its importance as a first act of obedience for righteousness sake. This, too, follows the example Christ gives (Matthew 3:13-15 NKJV).
Entering the baptismal waters is the reality we enter into in Christ when we surrender ourselves to walk in the newness of life Jesus provides for us. As we enter those waters, we enter His death. Recognize that as you step into that glorious bath. Your old life is over. Leave it behind and let it die.
In being lowered in submersion to those waters, we are buried with Him. If you want the full experience of this, let those waters be cold. It takes your breath away so in rising again, you inhale deeply, as taking the first breath of life – a life made new in Christ. The slate of your past is wiped clean.
As you step out of those waters, fully realizing the reality of entering the baptism Jesus took for you, do so with a heart determined to write on the slate of your life the good God desires to write through You, following the example of the Christ with every subsequent breath.
This is the meaning of “There is also an ANTITYPE which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (I Peter 3:21 NKJV).
Anyone can say the right words and get dunked under those waters. But God, who knows the heart of every person, sees the sincerity of the commitment we make when we enter the baptism of Christ in this first step of obedience. It is vital we understand the heart of the action, and do not take these steps lightly.
“In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.”” Luke 12:1-3 NKJV
Father, forgive me any gossip, slander, unkind, down trodding, etc., speech spoken at any time. Make me alert to such and quick to repent and apologize. Reveal to me anything that I need to make amends for and grant me wisdom in how to do so.
I love You. Help me rightly and truly love in Your name by word, deed, and thought. Let that which is in me be that which can flow forth to the glory of Your name as a loving testament revealing You in me. In Jesus, amen.
Wow! Father, I love when You refuse to allow me to give myself to fleshly fears and self-centered cares. You truly are giving me purpose in making this trip with my daughter. You’re speaking to my heart about not allowing fear to rob me of the blessing of fulfilling Your purpose as I choose to live life to the full. It’s been made clear that she wants time with me and this is opportunity to gift that to her – and to myself. I long to see my granddaughter and family, and to meet my new great grand and his dad, my new grandson in love. This is my chance to do that.
You have opened doors for me. I must not let my flesh, the ills and difficulties of this world, and satanic fear rob me. I must cling to faith’s trust in You as You are clearly calling me to do through Your Word to my heart today. Grant me to remember Your words to me and put fear thoughts and self-centered comforts behind me. In Jesus, amen.
“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” Then Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance. The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”” Deuteronomy 31:6-8 NASB1995
You are so faithful, Lord, to lead us and direct our paths as we seek Your opinion. Thank You for sparking my heart today with Deuteronomy 31:6-8, increasing faith in me to make this upcoming trip with my daughter to see my granddaughter and family three days journey away: a daunting distance to me. I am trusting You have a purpose to fulfill in my going, and giving me a word from You to hold to confirms Your will and provision for it. I am so very grateful.
This is exactly what I needed to hear from You. Thank You that You never fail to inspire my faith in You for the things You call me to, and You are faithful to encourage my perseverance on the path You lead to. I do trust You. Now, Lord, entrusting this journey to You, I pray to be Your instrument in loving these, and in shining You into their lives and the lives of others at every opportunity as we go. In Jesus, amen!
“And He said, “If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the Lord, am your healer.”” – Exodus 15:26 NASB1995
You are! You are my first, most vital need and necessity. I can do nothing apart from You of any eternal worth or value. With You working in and through me, nothing shall be impossible, for I can do all things through the strength of Your supply.
You are my hope, my help, my provision, my treasure. Every good and perfect is from You, the Father of Lights, in Whom there is no variation or shifting of shadow. I trust You, looking to You for my every good. Make Yourself known as You show Yourself strong in me.
You are my life. You cleanse and sanctify me in holiness. You heal me by Your Word from a sin nature in my flesh and bring me surely into righteousness and truth through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I bow!
Thank You for saving me and making me whole as You make me wholly Yours. In Jesus name, amen.
“Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”” – John 8:28-29
Your Word is pure joy to my heart, Father. Even when it’s words convict me of sin, I rejoice, for that conviction reveals Your love that wants a pure relationship with me and desires I be holy as You are holy. I desire to know and walk in Your truths, so that I may know and walk with You. Grant me to love Your Word, abiding in that which makes me to know You and Your ways.
I pray to only speak Your true words, Father. Teach me, that I may have truth to speak. Show Yourself strong with and through me. Grant wise discernment of clear paths that I may consistently walk as pleases You at all times and in all things. As Jesus – our example for life – is, so I desire to be. In Jesus, amen.
“Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the Lord blessed him. The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous;” – Genesis 26:12-13 NKJV
Prosper us, Father, in our relationships – beginning and majoring in our relationship with You as First and Foremost, our most vital need and necessity. Increase us in fruit bearing that glorifies and honors You, bringing increase to Your Kingdom. As stewards of the manifold gifts of Your grace to us, prosper us in fulfilling Your purpose and plan. You give sufficient and beyond so that we have sufficient for every good deed. Grant us wisdom to know the good that rightly uses Your good gifts to us. May we walk as pleases You in all our ways, being found faithful and ready at Your coming, when we meet You face to face. In Jesus, amen.
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” – III John 1:2 NKJV
“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12 NASB1995
Thinking on this verse this morning, I couldn’t remember exactly how it’s worded, so I looked it up. As I think on it, I realize – maybe not for the first time – the significance of its parameters.
The Word of God is living and active. It’s timeless: useful to God for directing and instructing, inspiring and strengthening our lives now as much as it did those it was originally spoken to. God can highlight any portion of it to our hearts, giving wisdom for our now situations. It is as relevant and vital to life now as it was in the days it was lived out. It has the capacity to lift us out of death and depression, giving us all that is needful for an abundant life that glorifies and honors God, accomplishing His purpose with wisdom and grace. So how does it work? This verse tells us.
The Word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword. It cuts to the quick of life as God’s Spirit highlights it to our hearts for our good, to inspire, teach, direct, reprove, and train in righteousness. It pierces our lives as far as the division of…
Soul and spirit: the soul is our mind – the way we think; our will – the desires and inclinations that dictate choice; and our emotions; all making us the unique individuals we are. Our spirit is that part of us that is eternal. It cannot be separated from that which makes us who we are and will live on after our flesh shell dies. The question is, where? There is an eternal destination we are responsible to choose before our physical flesh dies. We will either be with God for all eternity, or we will be doomed to separation from Him, given over to the hell that separation brings us to.
Joints and marrow: joints make full, functioning mobility possible. Without the joints, the body cannot move far quickly, nor accomplish much. Marrow is the factory for red blood cells, which are the oxygen carriers of our bodies. Oxygen is necessary for life. The breath of life cannot flow through our bodies without well functioning marrow. God’s Word keeps our spiritual and physical lives healthy and full of Life, able to function at full strength.
Rightly judging the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Without right thoughts within us, even our best intentions will fall short of God’s glory, which makes even our good to be sin in God’s economy. We cannot recognize when our good intentions are being misled and fed by wrong thinking and selfish motives without the instruction of God found in His Word.
We cannot live righteously on the earth apart from God. We learn of God and His ways through His Word. God transforms us to be and function at our best capacity, with adequate life-breath and full function, as we let His Word penetrate our lives and make us wholly holy, as He is holy.
I pray you find time everyday to be in God’s Word. It is our life breath. Since, in Christ, we live in the New Covenant found in the New Testament, this is the reading plan I recommend. Read 5 times through the New Testament in this fashion:
John through Revelation
Matthew, skip to Acts through Revelation
Mark, skip to Acts through Revelation
Luke, skip to Acts through Revelation
Matthew through Revelation
Then read Genesis through Revelation.
Repeat over and over again. The Word of God never gets old or obsolete. And there is always and forever greater depth of understanding to glean.
When a verse or passage makes your heart jump, don’t just read on as if nothing happened.
Pause over it.
Note the full context of the passage. Who? What? Where? When? And why?
Pray over it, asking for wisdom and understanding in its application to your life.
Make note of it.
Follow the references that are listed with it and note any of them that speak to your heart and need.
Look up definitions of words that stand out – both in a good language dictionary and a detailed Bible Word dictionary.
Note any insights found.
Memorize the verse or passage.
Write the verse or passage on a piece of paper. Put it in your pocket. Reread and meditate on these things throughout your day, asking God for His good seed to take root in the soil of a heart made ready to apply its truths to your life.
May the Lord bless you, through the reading of His Word, to have a glorious life.
“He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, But he who ignores reproof goes astray.” – Proverbs 10:17 NASB1995
“Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.” – Colossians 1:25-29 NASB1995
Thank You, Father, for making a way for us to be clothed again in Your glory, through Christ Jesus our Lord. In Christ, we were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that we might be joined to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. Therefore, if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord. Whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. This we profess and this we trust as we walk out our salvation in the land of our living; this place of habitation You set us in.
Whether, then, we eat or drink or whatever we do, empower us to do all to the glory of God, that Your glory may rest on and shine through us as Your light to a lost and dead world. Whatever we do in word or deed, may we be faithful to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to You, our Father God. For it is in Jesus we pray, amen.
“Walking in the spirit of trust means simply doing what the Holy Spirit directs you to do. And keeping quiet.” Jack Hayford
The focal thought You gave me for today comes from Paul’s words in Acts 26:19, “Be Obedient to the Heavenly Vision.”
The place You called me to in this season is often a hard place to be, most certainly beyond my ability alone. But You keep confirming the path and assuring my heart that You are accomplishing Your purpose in and through me.
Here am I, O God. Help my mouth speak the assurances You give and my heart recognize Your sure presence in this place. Grant me wisdom and perseverance, especially in the hard times. And let my love for You and those around me be visible and palpable, going above and beyond mere words. In Jesus, amen.
“Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”” – Mark 14:37-38 NKJV
Father, thank You for pausing me here this morning, leading me to consider these words. As I do, it dawns on me that Jesus just told these with Him that they would fall away and deny Him. If ever they needed to be praying, it was then. He was warning them of what was coming to Him and that one of their number would betray Him. If ever they needed to be praying, it was then.
Father God, You call us to Yourself, giving us assignment in living and serving You. Living for You is bigger than our flesh can accomplish without Your work in us and cannot be done apart from You. The wisdom of this world, our very flesh, and demonic influences stand against us, set to draw us into falsehood and sin. If ever we need to be praying and seeking Your Face, it is now.
Here am I, O God. Teach me to pray fervently, just as Jesus did. In Jesus, amen.
The Literal Bible app defines the use of “this generation”, as used in this verse, to mean “of all the people of a given period.” The question I see in need of understanding is, “What is ‘the given period’ addressed here?”
Now, before I go further, let me clarify here, I am not a Theologian. And I am not an expert on biblical, end-time prophecy. I am a disciple of Christ, seeking Him for understanding. This is my understanding at this point in my spiritual growth; and I am still growing.
As Jesus said, only Father God knows the day or hour of the fullness of times. We are tasked with recognizing the signs and symptoms of the times and epochs in which we live, and to make sure we are found watchful, faithful, and ready when He comes. For us to do that, we must be practicing students of His Word, disciples of Christ, seeking God’s wise council that we may understand truth and walk in it.
Now let’s look at this passage, and I’ll share my understanding of these things. May the heart of the Father lead us to His truth.
““But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.
“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”” – Mark 13:24-37
Verse 32 says, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
In this passage, Jesus says that He does not know the timetable for the completion of these things, so that tells me the “generation” spoken of is not necessarily meaning that generation to whom He is speaking, for that would be designating a timeline which He claims no knowledge of. The “generation” spoken of, in my estimation then, would be the people destined to watch and wait for His coming: those people who live from that moment of His speaking, through to the time set by God. Has that time come and gone yet? Look back in Mark 13 to verse 14:
““So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.”” – Mark 13:14 (Daniel 11-12)
This would appear to be the last of the signs we are told to watch for by Jesus. Since Jesus speaks of an event He has not seen fulfilled, we know that nothing before His words fit the parameters of this prophetic marker. I have not seen this fulfilled yet, in life, nor have I heard of it in historic account.
Some who say that the ascension of Christ was it fail to read and understand Paul’s warning to those who were being troubled by some who said that the rapture of the saints had already happened, and those left behind at that time missed the boat:
“Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” – II Thessalonians 2:1-4 NKJV
Paul’s word put to rest the thought of Christ’s ascension being the expected rapture event.
Some say this passage speaks of a spirit of evil that will possess the heart of men. If that’s it, we are certainly there. But the wording here would appear to be referencing a literal person, personifying the deepest levels of evil, who will profess himself to be God incarnate, having come again and being the one for whom we watch. If this is the case, I have not seen this yet.
Thus, I, for one, still watch and wait expectantly. And I continue to pray for lost souls to come to Christ before it is too late.
Come quickly, Lord Jesus, for the days are evil. But please, draw our beloveds in and hold off until the last one who will say, “I do” to You says so. I trust Your patience, knowing that You wish none to perish, but all to come to repentance. For as long as You tarry, Your patience still waits and works to draw the last sheep home.
Make us faithful in the wait, Lord, to fearlessly and shamelessly share Your gospel truth at every opportunity. Jesus is the way, truth and life, the only Name by which we must be saved. Open eyes, ears, hearts, minds, and wills to know truth and surrender to You while there is still time. In Jesus, amen.
As I ask You, Father, if there’s any I haven’t forgiven, those used to put people intent on evil in authority, those leading us to the evil prevalent in our land today come to heart. I hate the evil, especially that which threatens the very life and wellbeing of our children and grandchildren. But I must forgive those who “do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). I must forgive for my own sake as exemplifies You (Isaiah 43:25).
Here am I, O God. Forgive and cleanse me of this unforgiving spirit. The greatest evil ever done was the killing of the Lord of Glory, yet it was most necessary to the fulfillment of Your purposed plan. You are still working Your plan, O God. Make us faithful to trust You, who will bring good to those who love You and are called according to Your purpose (Romans 8:28).
You will make Your servants stand (Romans 14:4). May I be found standing firm in Christ, for it’s in His name and for Your glory that I pray, amen.
“Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased [as if exhausted by its own activity]; and they were completely overwhelmed, because they had not understood [the miracle of] the loaves [how it revealed the power and deity of Jesus]; but [in fact] their heart was hardened [being oblivious and indifferent to His amazing works].” – Mark 6:51-52 AMP
They took it for granted. The power and might of the Christ became commonplace to them. It made the evidence of His power go over their heads without note.
To take something for granted: “to believe something to be the truth without even thinking about.” Cambridge Dictionary
“The expression to take for granted means “to accept without question or objection,” and often implies a lack of appreciation or gratitude. (E.g., “Many of us may take for granted the fact that we have access to clean drinking water.”)
“When it comes to people, to take someone for granted means to take advantage of, show no appreciation for, or undervalue them.” – Dictionary.com
Father, forgive me for failure to be amazed and realize Your power and ability to work among us. Nothing is too difficult for You. You can and will accomplish what concerns me. I can trust You. Forgive when I forget that You are God.
You place on my heart a work You desire I do, and I do so willingly, but I too readily slip into trusting my own ability instead of relying on Yours. You don’t need me to accomplish Your purpose in a work You lead me to. It is a privilege and joy to be Your instrument in accomplishing Your purpose. But it is still Your work in and through me. I can do nothing truly good or of eternal purpose apart from You. Father, You are my first, most vital need and necessity. Help me remember Your greatness and give You the glory due Your name.
Forgive me when I forget Who You are, becoming hardened against Your reality and might, failing to trust You to direct me and accomplish Your purpose in me. You are faithful. I trust You. Make Yourself known in, to, and through me. In Jesus, amen.
Any one of us weak fleshed beings are capable of denying the Christ apart from Your work of grace in us, Lord. Draw near to me, Lord, as I draw near to You. Fill me with Your Holy Presence, for apart from You I can do nothing. You are my first, most vital need and necessity. You are the oil in my lamp that keeps me dressed in readiness with lamps alight. Make me faithful and, according to Your faithful Word, empower me to stand despite any fear that comes my way. You are my hope and my help. I bow to You. This I pray in Jesus, amen.
The hardest and most important thing about confessing sin is seeing self rightly and truly, as You see me. I too readily tend to look at myself with rose colored glasses, if I am not careful to honestly and earnestly seek Your opinion or keep ears attuned to You.
I understand the importance of right relationship with You, Father, and the role of sincere repentance in maintaining that connection with You. Empower me to be quick in hearing You and faithful in seeking hard after You. Grant me eyes to see clearly as You see me; ears to hear truly, recognizing Your voice over those that are falsely self approving and deceptive; a mind of comprehensive understanding, in agreement with Your will done Your way; a heart set to seeking You with right desire for You as first and foremost need and necessity; and a spirit vitally united with Your Spirit, bowed down to You in willing obedience.
“This is my desire to honor You. Lord with all my heart I worship You. All I have within me, I give You praise. All that I adore is in You. Lord I give You my heart. I give You my soul, I live for You alone. Every breath that I take, Every moment I’m awake, Lord have Your way in me.” In Jesus, amen.
Thank You, Father, that You desire a loving, open, full, complete, and trusting relationship with us, so much so that You gave Your Son to achieve it. Thank You that as we seek You wholeheartedly, You give us Your Spirit Teacher to make Yourself known to us, disclosing Yourself and Your Word to our understanding. I praise You that, in Christ, You open the chambers of Your secret place, where we can meet heart to heart, a place no one can take from us. There, through Your Living Word, You instruct us in the way in which we must go, and grant us grace sufficient for our successful journey through this life, taking us safely to the fullness of Your Presence.
Thank You that as we earnestly seek You, You grant us understanding of how to walk out our salvation as pleases You, and You undergird us as Your bondservant-child, making us stand to the glory of Your name and the fulfillment of Your purpose. Nothing is to difficult for You. I bow in faith’s trust, and rise in belief’s loving obedience. Glory to Your Name, in Jesus, amen.
Every time we face something in life that appears impossible or tempts us away from faithfully following You; any time we sense Your call to a hard thing we aren’t sure we can do; with every opportunity to doubt or fear, a stone pops up to cause stumbling, making us stop, leading us to sin against You. Father, grant us faith to trust You that, in all You call us to and every opportunity You set before us, You are with us to move those stones or show us the path to removing their hindrance. When we walk with faith that fully trusts You, stones of stumbling get crushed under the Cornerstone of our faith, and we walk free to stand firm on the foundation of our victory in Christ. Increase our trust as we walk securely in The Way, The Truth, and The Life. Make us faithful to trust You more and obey You fully, especially in the hard places. IJA
“For it was an act worthy [of God] and fitting [to the divine nature] that He, for Whose sake and by Whom all things have their existence, in bringing many sons into glory, should make the Pioneer of their salvation perfect [should bring to maturity the human experience necessary to be perfectly equipped for His office as High Priest] through suffering.” – Hebrews 2:10 AMPC
Thank You, Lord, for doing life in human experience to the full so You are adequately equipped to encourage, strengthen, and help us in our struggles. Thank You that You understand human flesh and how to overcome, setting the example that helps us know truth so we can walk free indeed. Thank You for being with us and for us. May we be faithful in walking through life with and for You. In Jesus, amen.
“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.” – Revelations 2:2-6
Father, thank You for this passage that always gives me opportunity for self evaluation. Am I producing a work that honors You as God, laboring in patient endurance out of love for You, as pleases You as my First and Foremost desire? Am I testing the teachers and teaching I sit under by digging into Your word for myself, that I may know truth, giving me a basis for recognizing falsehood? Do I live as one who hates evil? Am I remaining true to You as my First Love?
Here am I, O God. Search me and know my heart. Try me and know my anxious thoughts. Grant me eyes to see myself – my heart – as You see me. See if there is any hurtful way in me, and lead me to a right heart in walking through life into eternal purposes fulfilled to the glory of Your Name. Grant me right heart attitudes in serving You with whole hearted fervor, practicing patient endurance, to a finish that glorifies Your name and accomplishes Your purpose. May I realize the evil around me and recognize any way in which I inadvertently give myself to those things that displease and dishonor You. Deliver me from evil, and lead me to repentance that reestablishes right standing with You. Make me a light that helps those I love or come in contact with to find You for themselves. This I pray in Jesus’ Name and by His authority, amen.
Father God, You have been encouraging my prayer life all morning, reminding me to ask, seek, and knock with a view toward right and true evaluation of my motives in my requests. To pray with a pure heart dictated by love. To pray with a heart set to love You through obedience. To seek Your face with a whole heart set on things above, not on worldly desires, lusts of my flesh, or demonic wisdom and influence. Praying this way does require an honesty with self and with You that only Your Holy Presence can empower in me. As You give me eyes to see my own heart and know the truth of it, only then can I pray in truth and righteousness, from an honest stance and in full assurance of faith that reveals my trust in You. Here am I, O God. Grant me understanding that will empower me to ask, seek, and knock with a pure heart and clean hands. In Jesus, amen.
Father, thank You that You do care about the smallest details of our lives, and You tell us to seek You for them, as whether we eat or drink, or whatever we do, we are to do it to the glory of Your Name.
As I pray that, my heart turns to Luke 16:10, “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.”
Of course You care about the smallest details of our lives, for how we behave in the small speaks volumes about our ability to rightly and truly handle the big. If we won’t seek You, Your will and Your way, in the small things, why should You bless us with and in the big. Thank You for this enlightening and encouraging truth. In Jesus, amen.
Seeking Holy Habitation, seated at God's feet (Exodus 15:13).
Darlene's Ponderings 