January 26 -- "The Wine of Forgiveness"

 ►Click HERE to view today's "Word from the Word"

Read Mark 14:1-25

As Jesus held the cup of wine during the Passover Supper, He used it to symbolize something profound: His blood and the "New Covenant." This was one of the traditional cups drank during the Passover meal, but Jesus gave it a new, deeper meaning.

In Scripture, blood symbolizes life and is essential for atonement (reconciliation with God, Leviticus 17:11). The wine in that cup, Jesus explained, represents His blood, soon to be shed on the cross for the salvation of many. His words revealed the powerful truth of the New Covenant, which is founded on His sacrificial death. Instead of being about our efforts to reach God, the New Covenant is about God's initiative to reach us through Jesus' blood, offering forgiveness and new life.

The atonement of Christ is the heart of the Christian faith, ensuring that sin no longer separates us from the love of God. Jesus' declaration ushered in a new era of divine grace. While the Old Covenant, established through Moses and based on the Law, required ongoing sacrifices for the atonement of sins, the New Covenant—initiated by Jesus' blood—provided a once-and-for-all sacrifice. This new binding agreement between God and humanity is built on Jesus' perfect and sufficient sacrifice, granting us forgiveness of sins and freeing us from the burden of earning our righteousness.

Grasping the meaning of the New Covenant changes how we live. It invites us to rest in the completed work of Christ. We are called to live without the fear of falling short, secure in the knowledge that we are covered by His grace. When guilt and condemnation whisper their lies, we can boldly approach the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16), confident that we are forgiven and cherished. Each day, we can reflect this grace to others, showing the same love and forgiveness we have received.

Let this truth resonate deeply within you: Jesus' blood was poured out for YOU. Embrace the freedom and joy of the New Covenant. Let go of striving and rest in His finished work. Share this grace with a world that desperately needs to experience His love.

May the Lord bless you and keep you in His grace. As you live in the light of the New Covenant, may you overflow with His mercy and truth, shining His glory to everyone you meet.

January 25 -- "When Will He Come?"

 ►Click HERE to view today's "Word from the Word"

Read Mark 13:21-37

In today’s passage, Jesus urges His disciples to stay alert and be ready for His return, stressing the unpredictability of the timing. This call to vigilance is not about waiting idly but living actively and faithfully, reflecting our anticipation of His coming.

Jesus uses the metaphor of a household and its master to illustrate the unpredictability of His return. Just as a servant must stay awake and alert, not knowing when the master will come home, believers must also remain spiritually awake and ready at all times.

This warning is part of the larger discourse in Mark 13, known as the Olivet Discourse. Here, Jesus speaks to His disciples on the Mount of Olives, teaching them about the signs of the end times and the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. He underscores the necessity of being prepared for these events since no one knows when the Master is coming.

To "fall asleep" spiritually means to become complacent or indifferent in our faith. It signifies a lack of vigilance, a drifting away from faithfulness, neglecting our spiritual duties, and being unaware of "God’s clock" ticking. Falling asleep spiritually can lead to a life dominated by worldly concerns, sin, and a disregard for God's commands. Jesus' warning is a call to remain spiritually alive, alert, and engaged in the work of the Kingdom.

Consider Paul's words in 1 Thessalonians 5:6, "So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober." This echoes Jesus' exhortation, urging us to live differently from the world—being spiritually awake and sober-minded. Our watchfulness should be evident in our daily walk, mindful that our actions and attitudes matter.

Jesus’ exhortation in Luke 21:28 reminds us to keep our eyes upward looking for the Master’s soon arrival. "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” Jesus’ words are both a warning and an encouragement. They remind us to stay vigilant, hopeful, and actively engaged in our walk with Him, trusting that His return will be at the perfect time and will be glorious.

May the Lord grant you the grace to remain vigilant and expectant. May your hearts be steadfast, your spirits unwavering, your lives a testimony to His imminent return, and your spiritual eyes always looking up.

January 24 -- "Evangelophobia"

 ►Click HERE to view today's "Word from the Word"

Read Mark 13:1-20

One of the most joyous and thrilling experiences for a follower of Christ is sharing God's truth with others. Unfortunately, some people struggle with "evangelophobia," the fear of sharing the Gospel. But take heart, because the Holy Spirit provides an incredible opportunity to join Him in touching lives with God’s truth.

In Mark chapter 13, Jesus delivers a serious discourse about future persecution, the end times, and His second coming. During this profound message, He reassures His disciples that when they face persecution (and they will), they won't need to worry about what to say because the Holy Spirit will give them the words to speak. This amazing promise applies to us today as well!

Imagine this: standing before someone, even your toughest critic, ready to share the wonderful message of Christ, and the Holy Spirit astounds you by placing the perfect words on your heart! You suddenly recall Bible verses you haven't thought of in months, or even years. You have no idea how those words came to you, but you feel an extraordinary boldness, and you share what the Lord has given you.

Sharing your faith through the Holy Spirit is a beautiful collaboration between your spirit and His. Supernaturally and mysteriously, He guides you with gentle nudges, placing thoughts and feelings on your heart to create a powerful and genuine message that resonates with the listener. Your words become infused with the Holy Spirit's power, leaving a lasting impact.

Building a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit is essential to overcoming "evangelophobia." Pray, spend time in God's presence, study Scripture, and take small steps to share your faith. Remember, with faith and the Holy Spirit by your side, you can face any situation. So the next time you feel that nervous flutter before sharing your faith, don't be afraid! Pray, ask for the Holy Spirit's anointing, and watch as the evangelophobia disappears from your life. Let go of any anxiety about sharing your faith. When the moment comes, He will equip you with the perfect words, a gentle nudge in the right direction, and His still small voice in your heart.

May the peace of Christ be with you as you venture into new and uncharted waters. May He remind you of the incredible promise Jesus made — the Holy Spirit will be there to guide and empower you to be His witness.

January 23 -- "The Two Roots of Error"

 ►Click HERE to view today's "Word from the Word"

Read Mark 12:18-44

Jesus' words in Mark 12 are truly striking! He directly challenges the beliefs of a religious group known as the Sadducees, revealing the two flaws in their thinking: ignorance of the Scriptures and a lack of understanding of God's immense power. Our own spiritual struggles and misconceptions often stem from these very same issues.

The Scriptures, God's divine Word, form the bedrock of our faith. They teach us about God's nature, His plan for our salvation, and how to live in a way that pleases Him. When we don't engage with Scripture, we become vulnerable to deceit and mistakes. The Bible acts as our guide, leading us towards truth and aligning us with God's will. Without a solid grasp of Scripture, we become easy prey for false teachings and misguided beliefs.

Think of Scripture as the foundation for your beliefs. When encountering new ideas or teachings, you can measure them against the Bible to determine their validity. This helps you distinguish between truth and falsehood. Being well-versed in Scripture enables you to spot warning signs and avoid teachings that contradict Biblical principles.

The second root of error that Jesus points out is a failure to recognize God's incredible power. The Sadducees rejected anything supernatural, including the resurrection, the afterlife, and the existence of angels and demons. They confined God to the physical realm, unable to comprehend His power to resurrect the dead and bring about a new creation. Essentially, the Sadducees' mistake was trying to fit God's power into a limited human framework.

By overlooking the clear evidence of God's power beyond the physical realm, experienced by the Jewish people, they restricted their perception of who God truly was and what He could achieve. This, in turn, led to a distorted understanding of God and significant errors in their beliefs.

Jesus’ words remind us to anchor our faith in two vital truths: the Scriptures and the power of God. Like the Sadducees, we risk error when we neglect God’s Word or confine His power to human limitations. Commit to studying Scripture daily, allowing it to shape your beliefs and guard you against false teachings. At the same time, trust God’s limitless power to work beyond what you can see or understand.

As you hold fast to His Word and trust in His might, may your faith be strengthened, your discernment sharpened, and your life transformed by the living God.

January 22 -- "To God, The Things That Are God's"

 ►Click HERE to view today's "Word from the Word"

Read Mark 12:1-17

Should Christians pay taxes to governments that seem corrupt or evil? Jesus provides a profound answer to this question in Mark 12, guiding believers on how to navigate life under earthly authorities while remaining faithful to God.

The Pharisees tried to trap Jesus with a tricky question about paying taxes to the Roman government – to Caesar. However, Jesus masterfully evaded their trap and offered timeless wisdom. By declaring that we should render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, Jesus acknowledged the validity of earthly governments and our duty to respect and fulfill our civic responsibilities. The word "render" means to give, hand over, or surrender something to a particular person or authority.

But Jesus didn’t stop there—He also highlighted a profoundly higher duty we have—to God. As followers of Christ, we are called to render—hand over—our lives to Him. True discipleship means fully recognizing His authority and sovereignty over us. If we belong to God, our lives must reflect that devotion.

This teaching serves as a reminder: while we may live in this world and abide by its laws, our primary allegiance must be to God. Paying taxes, obeying laws, and fulfilling civic duties are important, but they should never overshadow our commitment to God's commandments and His kingdom. Paul echoes this balance in Romans 13, urging believers to be subject to governing authorities while understanding that all authority is ultimately derived from God.

Take a moment today to examine your life. Are there areas where earthly responsibilities might be eclipsing your spiritual devotion? Are you more focused on meeting societal expectations than on fulfilling God’s expectations? As you carry out your duties as a citizen, are you giving to God that which is His?

Jesus said to “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33), trusting that when you prioritize God, everything else will fall into place. In doing so, we honor both our earthly and heavenly responsibilities, living as true citizens of heaven while journeying through this world.

May the Lord grant you wisdom to navigate life under earthly authorities with grace and integrity. As you render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, may your heart be wholly rendered to God.

January 21 -- "As You Pray, Forgive"

 

►Click HERE to view today's "Word from the Word"

Read Mark 11:15-33

A heart filled with forgiveness is essential for effective prayer. The principle of forgiveness is a cornerstone for those who follow Christ. In today’s words from Mark 11, Jesus emphasizes the importance of releasing grudges and extending forgiveness as a vital part of our prayer lives, aligning our hearts with God’s mercy. He highlights the profound connection between our willingness to forgive others and receiving forgiveness from God.

In this context, Jesus had just performed miraculous acts and delivered teachings on faith and prayer. Here, He underscores that effective prayer is intertwined with a forgiving heart. Harboring anger and resentment can disrupt our spiritual connection with God. Forgiveness is not merely an act of obedience; it is crucial for maintaining a healthy, vibrant relationship with the Lord.

This teaching is just as crucial today. Modern believers often encounter conflicts and hurts in their relationships. The act of forgiving, even when it’s challenging, reflects the forgiveness we have received through Christ. Just as Jesus forgave those who wronged Him, we are called to forgive others in the same way, clearing any barriers that might hinder our prayers and spiritual growth. As Colossians 3:13 reminds us, "As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."

Begin by identifying any lingering bitterness or grudges. Pray for the strength to forgive, seeking God’s help to release these burdens. Consider the stories of many Christ followers who forgave those who betrayed or hurt them. Once they forgave, they experienced a profound sense of peace and a deepening of their prayer lives. Reflect on how forgiveness can transform your life and relationships.

Take a step today by reaching out to someone you need to forgive and simply let go in your heart through prayer. Embrace the freedom that forgiveness brings, allowing God’s grace to flow through you unhindered.

Today, may you release all bitterness and resentment, embracing the freedom that comes from a heart aligned with God's mercy. And as you forgive others, may your prayers flow unhindered, drawing you closer to the heart of your Heavenly Father.

January 20 -- "Hosanna in the Highest!"

 

►Click HERE to view today's "Word from the Word"

Read Mark 11:1-14

Imagine a vibrant street scene, buzzing with contagious energy and a sense of eager anticipation. People from all walks of life line the sidewalks, their faces alight with joy and expectation. In the midst of the crowd, children sit atop their parents' shoulders, their eyes wide with wonder. Elderly folks gaze in awe, their eyes glistening. Palm branches sway in the air, their rustling blending harmoniously with the fervent cries that echo through the streets. "Hosanna! Hosanna!" the crowd chants, their voices rising and falling like a rhythmic wave.

The word "Hosanna" traces its roots back to the Hebrew phrase הושע נא (hosha na), meaning "save, please" or "save now." This plea for salvation is found in Psalm 118:25, part of the Hallel—a series of Psalms sung during Jewish festivals— which says: "Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success!" Over the centuries, "Hosanna" has transformed from a cry for help into a shout of praise and adoration, signifying a recognition of God’s power and willingness to save.

In their shouts of praise, the crowd acknowledges Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. There is a palpable sense of witnessing something monumental—a fulfillment of prophecies and a promise of deliverance. They shout, "Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!" envisioning a new era of peace and divine rule.

In our lives, we often find ourselves in need of rescue. The cry of "Hosanna" should be our daily anthem, reminding us to seek God's intervention in our struggles and to recognize Jesus' sovereignty over our circumstances. When we proclaim, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord," we align our hearts with God's purpose and acknowledge Jesus' authority.

Reflect on the areas in your life where you need to cry out "Hosanna." Are there burdens you need to lay at Jesus' feet? Let the words of Mark 11:9-10 inspire you to invite Jesus into every part of your life, acknowledging Him as your King and Savior.

As you go through your day, remember that Jesus is the King who brings peace and salvation. May your heart be filled with the same joy and anticipation as the crowd in Jerusalem, continually crying out, "Hosanna in the highest!" Surrender to His reign and experience the transformative power of His love and grace.