09/01 Psalm 64:1-6
O God, listen to my complaint. Do not let my enemies’ threats overwhelm me. Protect me from the plots of the wicked, from the scheming of those who do evil. Sharp tongues are the swords they wield; bitter words are the arrows they aim. They shoot from ambush at the innocent, attacking suddenly and fearlessly. They encourage each other to do evil and plan how to set their traps. “Who will ever notice?” they ask. As they plot their crimes, they say, “We have devised the perfect plan!” Yes, the human heart and mind are cunning.
EVIL
We live in a world overrun with evil and wickedness. God is not surprised nor is He at a loss for how to handle evil and wickedness. Be encouraged for the Lord has you on His heart this very moment.
09/02 Psalm 64:7-10
But God himself will shoot them down. Suddenly, his arrows will pierce them. Their own words will be turned against them, destroying them. All who see it happening will shake their heads in scorn. Then everyone will stand in awe, proclaiming the mighty acts of God, realizing all the amazing things he does. The godly will rejoice in the LORD and find shelter in him. And those who do what is right will praise him.
JUSTICE
We do not have to worry about the world. Our job is to magnify Jesus. He is Lord and we live under His Lordship. This momentary suffering will soon pass and we will be standing before the Lord and see Him face to face. Eternity will eclipse any suffering or difficulty we have faced. Hope in the Lord for He is able.
09/03 Mark 4:26-29
Jesus also said, “Here is another illustration of what the Kingdom of God is like: A farmer planted seeds in a field, and then he went on with his other activities. As the days went by, the seeds sprouted and grew without the farmer’s help, because the earth produces 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.”
PARTNERS
We are partners with Jesus. He is the Creator and Lord. We are share with others what He has done for us. Some listen and hear and there is new life. Others ignore our message. We are only the message bearers. It is the Holy Spirit that gives life. Share your message today.
09/04 Mark 4:30-32
Jesus asked, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a tiny mustard seed. Though this is one of the smallest of seeds, it grows to become one of the largest of plants, with long branches where birds can come and find shelter.”
LISTEN
All around us is the message of the Jesus. Without Him nothing would exist. In Him all things exist. Do not fret over your life but instead get busy and make your life a monument to Him. Glory to God, Jesus is Lord.
09/05 Mark 4:33-34
He used many such stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they were able to understand. In fact, in his public teaching he taught only with parables, but afterward when he was alone with his disciples, he explained the meaning to them.
GROWTH
You want to grow? Spend time with Jesus. He is the only one who can give us the spiritual nourishment we need for the normal Christian life. Have a question? Ask Jesus. Need help? Ask Jesus. He is our personal tutor for living.
09/06 Mark 4:35-38
As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” He was already in the boat, so they started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm arose. High waves began to break into the boat until it was nearly full of water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. Frantically they woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you even care that we are going to drown?”
SPIRITUALITY
Learning the facts of spiritual growth takes real life experiences. Pay attention to your daily opportunities for growth. What lesson is Jesus trying to teach you? Prayer, faith, forgiveness or is something you are asking Him to equip you to do? Pay attention because the storm you are in may have a significant truth for you to learn.
09/07 Mark 4:39
When he woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the water, “Quiet down!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.
MASTER
Jesus is the master of creation yet mankind can refuse to acknowledge His Lordship. Today confess His Lordship over you. Bend your knee and give Jesus control of your life and commit to serving Him. Our death to sin brings resurrection to life. Claim real life.
09/08 Mark 4:40-41
And he asked them, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still not have faith in me?” And they were filled with awe and said among themselves, “Who is this man, that even the wind and waves obey him?”
FEAR
All around us are things to fear. The future looms fearfully ahead. Claim Jesus as your Lord and give Him your fear. He will give you confidence, peace and joy. Life is to be lived. Jesus will give you real life and a real life to live.
09/09 Mark 5:1-6
So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the land of the Gerasenes. Just as Jesus was climbing from the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit ran out from a cemetery to meet him. This man lived among the tombs and could not be restrained, even with a chain. Whenever he was put into chains and shackles as he often was he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to control him. All day long and throughout the night, he would wander among the tombs and in the hills, screaming and hitting himself with stones. When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him. He ran to meet Jesus and fell down before him.
WISDOM
Even demons were required to bow down and worship Jesus. Mankind in his foolishness ignores Christ but these demons cannot. Bend your knee and worship Jesus. Get to know Him for He is Lord and Lord of all.
09/10 Mark 5:7
He gave a terrible scream, shrieking, “Why are you bothering me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? For God’s sake, don’t torture me!”
STRENGTH
The demons had no power before Jesus. The demons seek to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus came to heal and give life. We are seeking life with abundance and joy. When we submit to Jesus moment by moment, day by day we acquire the strength to claim life in all of its fullness. Darkness has no hold over us for we are held by Jesus.
09/11 Mark 5:8
For Jesus had already said to the spirit, “Come out of the man, you evil spirit.”
HOLY SPIRIT
When the demons come out the Holy Spirit comes in. When we give our life to Jesus the Holy Spirit resides in us. We are called saints and we are because the Lord has cleansed us and the Holy Spirit resides in us. You are strong in Jesus.
09/12 Mark 5:9
Then Jesus asked, “What is your name?” And the spirit replied, “Legion, because there are many of us here inside this man.”
CONTROL
The Lord is in control of all things. The demons were in His control. Jesus called them out and they had to go. We can surrender control of our life to Jesus. When we do He gives us a new heart and life. The Holy Spirit lives in us and gives us the ability to have an eternal relationship with Jesus. In Christ we know God. Jesus gives us access to the Father. No longer do we just read or hear about Jesus we know Him.
09/13 Mark 5:10-13
Then the spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place. There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby. “Send us into those pigs,” the evil spirits begged. Jesus gave them permission. So the evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of two thousand pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake, where they drowned.
FRENZY
When we are left to our own designs without Jesus the same thing can happen to us. People without Christ do terrible things. Stop the frenzy in your life. Claim Jesus as Lord and begin today to grow in Jesus. Growth takes time in prayer and application of what we learn to what we do. Begin your journey now.
09/14 Mark 5:14
The herdsmen fled to the nearby city and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. Everyone rushed out to see for themselves.
RESPONSE
A miraculous work will astound the multitudes. They did not come to see Jesus but instead came to see the miracle. People are too often curious about the miraculous but cling to their self centeredness and refuse to acknowledge their need. A miracle doesn’t save a person, only Jesus can save. We must know Jesus as Lord to have salvation. When we ask Christ to forgive our sin and save us that is Biblical Salvation.
09/15 Mark 5:15
A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, but they were frightened when they saw the man who had been demon possessed, for he was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane.
FEAR
People fear what they do not understand. These people did not understand how the one who was so evil and bad could be in his right mind. They did no worship Jesus. They did not look beyond the man. They just could not believe what had been for the demoniac. We will never understand God’s love for us. His love is something we accept. God is thinking about you this very moment. Let His love have control of you.
09/16 Mark 5:16-17
Those who had seen what happened to the man and to the pigs told everyone about it, and the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone.
REALITY
The reality is that people love the world more than they love Jesus. They can see and feel things. People want to be in control and yet the very demand for control is the thing that creates the unease and fear that people live with all their lives. Give up your demand for control and give control of your life to Jesus. He will give you His confidence and direction for every moment of your life.
09/17 Mark 5:18-19
When Jesus got back into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go, too. But Jesus said, “No, go home to your friends, and tell them what wonderful things the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.”
PROCLAMATION
We are to tell everyone about what Jesus has done for us. Jesus is Lord and we are to proclaim it everywhere we go. Our life is to reflect His Lordship. Our minds and our hearts are to be focused on Him. When we are under the control of Jesus we will act like Him.
09/18 Mark 5:20
So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to tell everyone about the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.
PROCLAMATION
When we tell others what Jesus has done for us it will amaze them. Some will believe what we say and be saved. Many will not accept what we say and not believe. We do not have to make them believe we only have to tell them. Our life is the proof.
09/19 Mark 5:21-23
When Jesus went back across to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him on the shore. A leader of the local synagogue, whose name was Jairus, came and fell down before him, pleading with him to heal his little daughter. “She is about to die,” he said in desperation. “Please come and place your hands on her; heal her so she can live.”
HUMILITY
A leader came to Jesus and in all humility bowed down to Jesus and begged Him to come and heal His daughter. How do we claim a miracle? We claim a miracle by approaching Christ directly, desperately and with determination. Jesus today I need your work in my life. I remove the distractions of life from my life and focus on Jesus.
09/20 Mark 5:24-26
Jesus went with him, and the crowd thronged behind. And there was a woman in the crowd who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal from many doctors through the years and had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she was worse.
DETERMINATION
This woman was determined that Jesus could heal her problem. She knew that if she could just get Jesus she could find what she had been searching for all these years. We know what we are looking for and need to take it to Jesus. Jesus will listen to our great need and will meet us where we are to take us to where we need to go.
09/21 Mark 5:27-28
She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched the fringe of his robe. For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his clothing, I will be healed.”
FAITH
The woman claimed Jesus. What are you struggling with today? What great problem have you carried in your heart all of your life? Jesus is alive and He is able to deal with the real difficulties and problems that we face in life. Take that problem to Jesus and He will heal you.
09/22 Mark 5:29-30
Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel that she had been healed! Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”
QUESTION
This miraculous healing by Jesus was a joy for Him and issued forth from His fullness. He was desirous of knowing who had claimed this miracle so that they might fully know Him. We never deplete the resources of Jesus. We may come a thousand times to Him and yet His power is as effective the thousandth time as it was the first time. You can reach out and touch Christ in prayer and Bible study and through obedience. Claim His control of your life.
09/23 Mark 5:31-34
His disciples said to him, “All this crowd is pressing around you. How can you ask, ‘Who touched me?'” But he kept on looking around to see who had done it. Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and told him what she had done. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. You have been healed.”
DECLARATION
Jesus came to save people. He came that you and I might have life. His declaration as we claim Him is love. Jesus loves us. Jesus is seeking our best good. He has a plan for our life and that plan is good. Claim your peace and joy this moment. God loves you.
09/24 Mark 5:35
While he was still speaking to her, messengers arrived from Jairus’s home with the message, “Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling the Teacher now.”
WORLD
The world is always destructive. The world only believes what it can control. The world cannot control the spirit. As much as it seeks to it just cannot control the spiritual realm. Even when Jesus was performing miracles before their eyes they still didn’t believe. You and I are a miracle. Jesus has given us new life. We have life in Christ. This is the greatest miracle, His love for us. I thank you Jesus for saving us and giving us new life.
09/25 Mark 5:36-37
But Jesus ignored their comments and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just trust me.” Then Jesus stopped the crowd and wouldn’t let anyone go with him except Peter and James and John.
EXPERTS
Jesus is the only “expert” on your life. We are urged to read the Bible and spend time with Jesus because that is the only thing that will let us know what the Lord wants us to do. Jesus is thinking about you this moment. His concern is that you have an abundant life. It takes faith, surrender and obedience for us to appropriate the abundant life that Jesus has for us.
09/26 Mark 5:38-39
When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw the commotion and the weeping and wailing. He went inside and spoke to the people. “Why all this weeping and commotion?” he asked. “The child isn’t dead; she is only asleep.”
MIRACLES
I not an expert on miracles but I do know that Jesus can do anything and He is committed to us. His life, death, burial, and resurrection bear testimony to the Lord Jesus. He is totally committed to you and me and will do whatever it takes for us to accomplish the plan He has for our life.
09/27 Mark 5:40-43
The crowd laughed at him, but he told them all to go outside. Then he took the girl’s father and mother and his three disciples into the room where the girl was lying. Holding her hand, he said to her, “Get up, little girl!” And the girl, who was twelve years old, immediately stood up and walked around! Her parents were absolutely overwhelmed. Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone what had happened, and he told them to give her something to eat.
MIRACLES
Miracles happen and they happen a lot more than we realize. The intervention of the Lord in the world offering us eternal life in Christ is the greatest of all miracles. I am often puzzled at “why me” when good things happen. The answer is because Jesus loves us. He would that each one of us know Him and be equipped to live the life that the Father created us to live.
09/28 1 Chronicles 4:10
He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and extend my lands! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request.
PRAY
We are to pray. We are to pray about our life as to what the Lord would have us do. We are to pray as the Lord leads and with boldness as we seek His face. Opportunity is all around us and we are to seize the moment and pray.
09/29 Psalm 25:18
Feel my pain and see my trouble. Forgive all my sins.
SIN
Sin is a serious subject. It separates us from the Lord. It causes us to do foolish and harmful things. Ask the Lord to reveal your sin to you. Ask forgiveness and strength to change. Live life to the fullest and sin not.
09/30 Psalm 69:29
I am suffering and in pain. Rescue me, O God, by your saving power.
PAIN
Pain comes in physical and mental forms. We need deliverance from both. Be bold in praying for His way with you. Be bold in declaring your need. Remember those around you that need help but never forget that the Father loves you. He will help you to deal with the pain in your life. One reminder, sometimes pain is our friend because it causes us to change. Take your pain to Jesus.
