Today’s reading is Mark 5:21-43
“And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.””

‭‭Mark‬ ‭5:25-28‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/mrk.5.25-28.esv
All,
This stands out because Mark says, “had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse.” We can exhaust everything we have to cure certain issues, but they can only be cured by Christ. I love the advances we have made as a civilization on health, science, etc., but all of these are possible because of God. I’m very thankful for the advances in medicine as Bonni’s excellent doctors where able to perform a incredible procedure extremely well. They have been excellent stewards of the talents God gave them in learning and practicing medicine, but they will tell you that they rely on God’s power everyday. Please pray that we and our friends bring God into EVERY situation today and cherish that He loves us. Please pray for our leaders throughout the country to be peacemakers in this time of unrest. 

Today’s reading is Mark 5:1-20
“As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭5:18-20‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/mrk.5.18-20.esv
All,
This stands out because Jesus says, “And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him.” He was obedient to what Christ told him to do. He was obedient in front of the people that knew him best. We know these can be the most difficult because they know specifically where our failings are and may scoff at our relationship with Jesus. Jesus frees me daily of anxieties that have paralyzed me for a while and I’m constantly amazed. How else could it be happening without Jesus transformative power? Please pray that we and our friends follow God’s nudges today and obey Him. Please pray for Debbie, Makenna and Kole. 

Today’s reading is Mark 3:22-35
“And he called them to him and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭3:23-27‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/mrk.3.23-27.esv
All,
This stands out because Jesus says, “unless he first binds the strong man.” We have been equipped to be strong men of God in our homes. As spiritual leaders of the family, it is impossible for Satan to divide us when we are under God’s authority. Please pray that we and our friends acknowledge God’s authority over us and our families today. Please pray for Debbie, Makenna and Kole. 

Today’s reading is Mark 3:1-21
“And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭3:13-14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/mrk.3.13-14.esv
All,
This stands out because Mark says, “he might send them out to preach”. Jesus wants everyone to know the Good news about Him. He wants a relationship with all of our friends and loved ones and we may be the way they will be connected. Please pray that we and our friends follow God’s nudges today when we are talking to a friend. Please pray for Debbie, Makenna and Kole. 

Today’s reading is Mark 2
“And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.””

‭‭Mark‬ ‭2:15-17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/mrk.2.15-17.esv
All,
This stands out because Jesus says, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” Do we know anyone who is “sick”? Is there someone in our lives who are hurting today and need to know Christ? Is there a reason we are not speaking the good news to them. Do we feel uncomfortable talking about Jesus because we know them to well or not well enough? People don’t care how much you know till they know how much you care. Please pray that we and our friends follow God’s nudge today when we sense someone is hurting. Please pray for Debbie, Makenna and Kole. 

Today’s reading is Mark 1:23-45
“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.””

‭‭Mark‬ ‭1:35-38‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/mrk.1.35-38.esv
All,
This stands out because Mark says, “and there he prayed.” Jesus needed time with His father. We all need time with God and that prayer time becomes the best part of the day. God knows the challenges we are about to face. He wants to prepare us and encourage us to do His will and to trust Him in all the moments of the day. Please pray that we and our friends spend plenty of time with Him today in prayer. Please pray for Debbie, Makenna and Kole. 

If you want to read the New Testament in a year along with us, today’s reading is Matthew 27:1-31
“Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” And he said, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!” So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭27:22-25‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/mat.27.22-25.esv
All,
This stands out because Matthew says, “So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.”” What happens when leaders do not lead? Does Pilot really have the option to “wash his hands” of this situation? God places us all in unique situations to serve Him. Sometimes those situations may be “gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning” and it becomes overwhelming. Do we wash our hands? God knows we don’t have the ability to handle these situations and wants us to pray to Him and rely on the Holy Spirit to enable us to do God’s will in trying times. Please pray that we and our friends seek God constantly today and ask the Holy Spirit to walk with us through tough times. Please pray for Debbie, Makenna and Kole. 

Today’s reading is Matthew 26:55-75
“Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26:69-75‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/mat.26.69-75.esv
All,
This stands out because Peter says, “I do not know the man.” Peter couldn’t foresee a situation in which he would deny Christ, but it happened and he did. We will also find ourselves in situations where we are tempted to deny Christ. Some friends may think you are silly if you believe the whole Bible is the Word of God. You may be seen as unintelligent or not a critical thinker. Those times occurred with Peter and they will occur with us, but Christ loves us and will nudge us in our heart when we do. You never know what His plan is for that moment. Your friends may come to you years later and thank you for your courage to speak what you believe. Please pray that we and our friends glorify God in those times and put our trust in His opinion not others. Please pray for Debbie, Makenna and Kole. 

To follow along in reading the New Testament in a year, today’s reading is Matthew 26:20-54
“And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26:30-35‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/mat.26.30-35.esv
All,
This stands out because Jesus says, “before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” We can only go so far in our own strength. No matter how determined Peter was, he still relied on his own power to follow Jesus. It is impossible to follow Jesus without the Holy Spirit empowering us. It is only possible for us to make decisions today according to God’s purpose with the power of the Holy Spirit. Please pray that we and our friends rely on the Holy Spirit to be a part of God’s purpose today. Please pray for Debbie, Makenna and Kole. 

Today’s reading is Matthew 26:1-19
“Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26:6-13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/mat.26.6-13.esv
All,
This stands out because Jesus says, “wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.” Do you want your actions today to be forgotten tomorrow or never? Our purpose here on earth is to glorify God in the unique way He has created us. We can chose to be a part of that purpose that lives on forever or be a part building our selves up and be forgotten in a generation. Being a part of God’s purpose gives meaning to the seemingly trivial things and also the great things and we know there will be peace with it. Please pray that we and our friends be a part of God’s purpose today in ALL we do. Please pray for Debbie, Makenna and Kole.