VERSE: Mark 3:35–“For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother.” TRUTH: Jesus is speaking and trying to help those gathered around Him to understand what it means to be part of God’s family. Jesus indicates that the family of God is made up of people who do the will of God and have the same goal and purpose that He does. Are we part of the family? Are we acting like we are part of the family on a daily basis? RESPONSE: Father, Your family is vast and You open up Your arms for more. If people are willing to lay down their…

VERSE: Mark 2:17–And hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” TRUTH: Jesus came to seek those who needed Him. He came for the sinners so that He would be able to provide the way of forgiveness and salvation. Since we are all sinners, we are all in need of Jesus. Are we also helping to seek out the hurting to share the love of Jesus with His message of forgiveness and salvation? RESPONSE: Father, Your message is for everyone. We are to be following Your…

VERSE: Mark 1:17-18–And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. TRUTH: In our lives, there is a call of Jesus to follow Him. He promises to make us into something that we were not before and couldn’t have become on our own. Simon and Andrew heard His call and followed immediately, without hesitation When we hear the promptings of the Spirit, do we obey immediately? Anything less than immediate obedience is disobedience. RESPONSE: Lord, You have a plan and have called me with a purpose. Occasionally I hesitate, thinking that I need to ask…

VERSE: Ruth 4:14–Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed is the Lord who has not left you without a redeemer today, and may his name become famous in Israel.” TRUTH: The people praised God for how He had provided for Naomi. He had given her a redeemer who had taken what was lost and forgotten and given it purpose again. Jesus is the Redeemer who does the same for us in our lives. Even when we are desolate and feel forgotten and alone, Jesus has redeemed us and given us purpose and value. RESPONSE: Father, because of You and Your redemption, You have made life meaningful. You are worthy of…

VERSE: Ruth 3:1–Then Naomi her mother-in-law said the her, “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you?” TRUTH: Naomi has made great progress in this short time. She went from believing that she had nothing to offer Ruth, to creating this plan that would provide security for Ruth. When we are sad, depressed, and full of grief, often the best thing we can do is turn our attention to helping others. We have lots to offer to other people, even if it’s just advise and counsel. The Lord has a plan and purpose for each one of us. RESPONSE: Lord, no matter…

VERSE: Ruth 2:2–And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go to the field and glean among the ears of grain after one in whose sight I find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” TRUTH: Naomi and Ruth were poor and had essentially nothing. However, instead of sitting around and wallowing in self-pity, Ruth decides to go and see what she can do to help out their situation. Nothing good ever comes from self-pity. God wants us to do the things we know to do and allow Him to work through it. Are we getting up and doing what we know to do each day?…

VERSE: Ruth 1:11–But Naomi said, “Return my daughters. Why should you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?” TRUTH: When we are experiencing sadness and even depression, our first impulse is to turn others away and convince ourselves we should suffer alone. In truth, what we need most is other people. Naomi had lost her husband and her sons and she was busy thinking about her own grief and all that she had lost. She thought she should be alone because she felt he had nothing left to give to others. This couldn’t have been further from the truth. We all…

VERSE: Ephesians 6:11–Put on the full armor of God so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. TRUTH: How do we survive the constant attacks of Satan? We must be fully equipped and stand firm. The Lord provides everything we need to withstand, but if we don’t use it, we won’t be able to stand firm. Just like we wouldn’t leave for work without our pants, we must be certain to be fully dressed in God’s armor each moment of every day or we are opening up ourselves to be attacked. Are we full dressed today? RESPONSE: Lord, You have provided everything for…

VERSE: Ephesians 5:8–for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light. TRUTH: Before we accepted Christ, we were lost and in darkness. Once we accept Christ int our hearts, we become Light. There is a big difference when we look at light and darkness and so it should be when people compare our life before Christ and after. Are we now giving off the Light of Christ in our everyday life? RESPONSE: Lord, I was once in darkness, but no more. I am now in the Light and my whole life is to display Your Light to everyone that is around…