Day 84/260: Read Mark 16

How many times do you have to be told something before you will believe it? We like to think that we would believe the truth concerning spiritual things upon our first hearing, but is that always the case?

On three separate occasions, the Lord very explicitly described His death and resurrection (Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:33-34). When it happened just as He had said, Mary Magdalene told Christ’s disciples that He had risen from the dead, but “they did not believe.” Then He appeared to two others, and they told the rest of the disciples, but still, “they did not believe them either.”

Why are we so hesitant to believe what the Scriptures teach? Are we afraid of offending our friends and family members? Are we afraid we will have to sacrifice some pleasure on this earth? Both of those things are certainly possibilities when obedient faith is developed.

Jesus promises that those who leave behind the things of this world for Him will gain much more, including eternal life (Matthew 19:29). Consider the example of Moses, “choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward” (Hebrews 11:25).

Where are you looking? Focus on eternity; focus on Jesus.

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

Mark 16:16. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

Pray

Pray for strength to believe, choosing eternal blessings over the temporary pleasures of this life.

Day 83/260: Read Mark 15

What was wrong with this crowd? How could they be so deceived that they chose to release a rebellious murderer rather than the King of kings and Lord of lords?

Certainly, we would never make such a poor decision, would we?

But when we speak ill of our brothers and sisters, our neighbors, and others who are made in the image of God, do we not do the same?

When we lie, cheat, and steal, are we not serving the adversary rather than the Anointed?

When we allow ourselves to be deceived by the wisdom of the world, are we not offering ourselves up to be devoured by the devil?

Are we not choosing Satan over God?

Let us take care that we do not judge others who made mistakes, because we too often make those same mistakes! Yes, the Jews chose Barabbas over Jesus; many times we make the same foolish choice today.

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

Mark 16:16. “He who believes ___________ is baptized will be ___________; but he who does not believe will be ___________.”

Pray

Pray for wisdom when making decisions, always seeking the guidance of God through His revealed Word.

Day 82/260: Read Mark 14

When Jesus was arrested, His followers “all forsook Him and fled.” When Jesus gets us in trouble today, do we do the same?

Look at what is said about Peter in the rest of this chapter. “But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.”

Was it mere curiosity that kept Peter nearby? He continued following, but “at a distance.” No longer was he right at the Lord’s side; no longer was he rebuking the Savior (Mark 8:32). Remember, he is the one who declared, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” (Matthew 26:35). But when the moment came, he “followed Him at a distance.”

How close are you to God? Do you “walk n the light as He is in the light” (1 John 1:7)? Or are you, like Peter, following “at a distance.” If you find yourself at a distance from the Lord, remember it is not He who moved.

“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1-2).

Memory (Copy into a notebook 5-10 times)

Mark 16:16. “He who ___________ and is ___________ will be saved; but he who does not ___________ will be condemned.”

Pray

Pray for a closer walk with Jesus.

Day 81/260: Read Mark 13

We often hear folks say something about the signs of the end of time. Whenever tragedy strikes, there’s another sign. Natural disasters, diseases, wars…to many, these are signs that the return of the Lord is imminent.

What do the Scriptures say, though? These things have occurred rather frequently throughout history. Why do so many think the current distresses of the day are more of a sign that previous calamities?

Jesus warned His followers against deception. Most of this chapter deals with the destruction of Jerusalem, not the end of the world. In fact, when the discussions shifts to the end of the world, Jesus plainly says, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

The things that are happening all around are not signs of the Lord’s return. He will give no sign! “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.” We must always be ready for Jesus to come back.

Friends, don’t listen to the shysters who are just after your money; they know nothing more than you know about the end of the world.
Listen to Jesus: “And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”

Memory (Read aloud 5-10 times)

Mark 16:16. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

Pray

Pray for the tragedies of this life, and for the hastening of the Lord’s return.

Day 80/260: Read Mark 12

Love reigns above all. Everything God commands has its basis in love, either love of God or love of man.

Jesus declared, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). How can one claim to love the Lord while ignoring His Word? We must do those things which glorify God, in the way that He says to do them!

Concerning love of man, Paul put it this way: “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 12:8-10).

In our dealings with our neighbor in sin, we should exhibit compassion while guiding them to the truth without indicating compromise or condoning their sin. “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:5-6).

Memory (Recite to a friend without looking)

Mark 9:50. “Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”

Pray

Pray for the wisdom to teach the truth in love.

Day 79/260: Read Mark 11

Forgiveness is so very important. Without forgiveness, we are lost in sin. Did you know that God’s forgiveness is available to all men? Here’s the thing, though: if we are not willing to forgive those who have done us wrong, God will not forgive us.

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive you your trespasses.”

Forgiveness is dependent on repentance; if you do not repent, God will not forgive. He is willing to forgive, though. The same must be true of us.

Whether someone asks for our forgiveness or not, we must be willing to forgive. Even if they never repent, we must be willing to forgive. It’s not easy, but it’s important.

Jesus, hanging on the cross in physical and emotional anguish, said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Some of them never repented, but Jesus still had the attitude of forgiveness.

Have you ever held a grudge for a much lesser offense? Commit yourself to develop an attitude of forgiveness, regardless of another’s desire to get right.

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

Mark 9:50. “Salt is ___________, but if the ___________ loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have ___________ in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”

Pray

Pray for those who have sinned against you, and pray for forgiveness of your own sins.

Day 78/260: Read Mark 10

The Christian life, while rich with blessings, is not an easy life. Suffering accompanies faithfulness. Those who teach differently have overlooked this plain teaching in the revealed Word.

Paul told Timothy, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). We may not suffer to the same extent as those in the first century, but we will be mistreated by those around us.

Yet, there are certainly blessings, both in this world and the next. “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.”

Yes, you will have to give up certain things in this life to be faithful to God. Human relationships may be broken. In sacrificing those things that keep you from Christ, though, you gain so much more that keeps you near Him: a church family that wants to help you go to heaven with them!

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

Mark 9:50. “___________ is good, but if the salt loses its ___________, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have ___________ with one another.”

Pray

Pray for the strength to say “no” to things and people that hinder your faith.

Day 77/260: Read Mark 9

Who is hurt by our sin? You may have heard someone say, “Let him have his fun. He’s not hurting anyone but himself.” But is this true?

Do we not influence those who are around us? And do the things we do (or neglect to do) have an impact on others? Your sin will not only cost you in eternity, but may influence others to miss out on God’s blessings as well.

Jesus warns, “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.” You may not realize it, but you are setting an example for others—in the home, in the church, at work, and on the internet. Take care what kind of example you are setting.

Is there a specific temptation with which you are dealing, that is preventing you from obeying God fully? Get rid of it! Uninstall the app that is causing you to stumble, don’t talk to people who make it easy to gossip and slander, and stay away from the places that lead you into sinful activities.

Hell is for eternity. Three times, Jesus says, “Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.” Unbearable, but avoidable. Obey the gospel and live faithfully.

Memory (Copy into a notebook 5-10 times)

Mark 9:50. “Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”

Pray

Pray for opportunities to set a proper example for those around you.

Day 76/260: Read Mark 8

Jesus begins to unfold the Father’s plan of redemption to His disciples, telling them of His pending crucifixion and resurrection. What was Peter’s reaction? Peter “took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.”

From the human perspective, Peter was right. He didn’t understand God’s plan and saw a way to prevent Christ from suffering. He didn’t want to see his friend hurt. Without knowing the whole story, the apostle’s action could be considered commendable.

But that’s just it: it’s not the human perspective that matters. Making statements without knowing the whole story often gets one into trouble.

Here’s how God revealed this concept to the people in Isaiah’s day: “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts’” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

All the bad stuff that happens in life can be used for the glory of God. We may not see it now, because we don’t have the whole story. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Memory (Read aloud 5-10 times)

Mark 9:50. “Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”

Pray

Pray for the wisdom to let God’s plan take shape, regardless of your current circumstances or troubles.