Monday Mark 8:33-35
BIBLE PASSAGE
[Please do read the passage before (or after) reading the devotion.]
Jesus obviously didn’t bother about opinion polls or popularity contests. And he wasn’t trying to enlarge his following either – in fact, what he said would scare prospective disciples away! He used scary words/phrases like “deny (or relinquish hold of) self”, “cross” (sure to send shivers down hearers’ spines), “follow me” (i.e., go where Jesus goes and live just like he did; cf. Luke 9:58), and “losing one’s life” (how easy is that?). But Jesus was actually showing a new, satisfying way for us self-dependent, self-ish humans to live. When it comes to our relationship with Jesus Christ, only total surrender, sacrifice, and submission (or faithfulness) will bring us the life and joy that he promised. And the unique thing about all of it is that it requires only our giving him complete access to our lives for him to come in and make it happen!
Prayer: Lord, you make being your disciple not easy. Following you is scary because it seems you ask too much of me to “give up.” Forgive me for secretly thinking that you are no fun! Keep reminding me that whatever you do in me and ask of me is because you love me without limits and want what is best for my life. Help me understand that the worldly “clutter” and selfish tendencies in my life leave no place for you to come in, cleanse me, and fill me. All you ask is that I open myself completely to you. I know that means giving you complete control, but it also means you will fill me with Resurrection power, filling my life with compassion for others and a passion for you. Lord, I want to “see you more clearly, love you more dearly, follow you more nearly”. Amen.
Song: CLICK HERE
[Please do read the passage before (or after) reading the devotion.]
Jesus obviously didn’t bother about opinion polls or popularity contests. And he wasn’t trying to enlarge his following either – in fact, what he said would scare prospective disciples away! He used scary words/phrases like “deny (or relinquish hold of) self”, “cross” (sure to send shivers down hearers’ spines), “follow me” (i.e., go where Jesus goes and live just like he did; cf. Luke 9:58), and “losing one’s life” (how easy is that?). But Jesus was actually showing a new, satisfying way for us self-dependent, self-ish humans to live. When it comes to our relationship with Jesus Christ, only total surrender, sacrifice, and submission (or faithfulness) will bring us the life and joy that he promised. And the unique thing about all of it is that it requires only our giving him complete access to our lives for him to come in and make it happen!
Prayer: Lord, you make being your disciple not easy. Following you is scary because it seems you ask too much of me to “give up.” Forgive me for secretly thinking that you are no fun! Keep reminding me that whatever you do in me and ask of me is because you love me without limits and want what is best for my life. Help me understand that the worldly “clutter” and selfish tendencies in my life leave no place for you to come in, cleanse me, and fill me. All you ask is that I open myself completely to you. I know that means giving you complete control, but it also means you will fill me with Resurrection power, filling my life with compassion for others and a passion for you. Lord, I want to “see you more clearly, love you more dearly, follow you more nearly”. Amen.
Song: CLICK HERE
Recent
Archive
2026
March
Monday Mark 1:1Tuesday Mark 1:2-8Wednesday Mark 1:9-11Thursday Mark 1:12-13Friday Mark 1:14-20Saturday Mark 1:21-28Monday Mark 1:29-34Tuesday Mark 1:35-39Wednesday Mark 1:40-45Thursday Mark 2:1-12Friday Mark 2:13-17Saturday Mark 2:18-22Monday Mark 2:23-28Tuesday Mark 3:1-6Wednesday Mark 3:7-12Thursday Mark 3:13-19Friday Mark 3:20-22Saturday Mark 3:22-30Monday Mark 3:31-35Tuesday Mark 4:9-12Wednesday Mark 4:1-8, 13-20Thursday Mark 4:1-8, 13-20Friday Mark 4:21-25Saturday Mark 4:26-34Monday Mark 4:35-41Tuesday Mark 5:1-20
April
Wednesday Mark 5:24-34Thursday Mark 5:21-24, 35-43Friday Mark 6:1-6Saturday Mark 6:7-13Monday Mark 6:14-29Tuesday Mark 6:30-44Wednesday Mark 6:45-56Thursday Mark 7:1-13Friday Mark 7:14-23Saturday Mark 7:24-30Monday Mark 7:31-37Tuesday Mark 8:1-13Wednesday Mark 8:14-21Thursday Mark 8:22-26Friday Mark 8:27-30Saturday Mark 8:31-33Monday Mark 8:33-35
Categories
no categories
No Comments