The Essential Jesus, Day 73 Prayer. As we look at Jesus and prayer, he spends a lot of time teaching and explaining about prayer. Looking at day 73 of The Essential Jesus reading plan on YouVersion.com, we are in John 14:1-14. So often we end our prayers with the phrase, “in Jesus’s name.” What does that even mean to ask? Yes, Jesus tells us to pray in his name and that we will receive, but it’s more than just uttering a name in a prayer. To pray in Jesus’s name means we are using his authority as a way to fulfill his purpose. Jesus is God. As he states earlier,…

The Essential Jesus, Day 72 Together in Christ. As we read day 72 of the Essential Jesus reading plan on YouVersion.com, we read through Mark 3:20-35. Jesus is explaining that a kingdom that is divided against itself can’t stand. It will fall into nothing. Jesus is never against God and they are never divided against the Holy Spirit. If God is never divided, then are we divided against other believers? Do we seek to lift them up, no matter where they are or what their circumstances? Are we reaching out and praying for our Ukrainian and Russian brothers and sisters in Christ, as an example from current events? How can…

The Essential Jesus, Day 71 Jesus is the bread of life. As we look at day 71 of the Essential Jesus reading plan on YouVersion.com, we read Luke 6:25-71. As Jesus continues to speak, he is trying to help them ti understand that he is more than just a source of miracles. Jesus is the bread of life and he is the one that God uses to bridge the gap between our sin and his glory. Are we focused on all that Christ is doing in our life? Do we allow him to fill us and nourish us for all that he has for us to do?

The Essential Jesus, Day 70 The Spirit is willing. As we read Mark 14:32-42 we Jesus wrestling in prayer. Today we are looking at day 70 of the Essential Jesus reading plan on YouVersion.com. As Jesus wrestled in prayer, the disciples slept. How often has there been important work to be done and Jesus is busy working and moving, and we are sleeping? As we consider all that Jesus is doing, we must be willing to wake up. Just wanting to wake up and address the situation isn’t enough. We must actually do it or else we will be like the sleeping disciples in the story. Are we taking action…

The Essential Jesus, Day 69 Jesus prayed for us. As we read John chapter 17 as part of day 69 of the Essential Jesus reading plan on YouVersion.com, we see what is truly the Lord’s Prayer. As Jesus is praying, we see all the areas that Jesus prays for us. He even prays for all of us believers today when he prays for those who will believe based on what others share. We believe in Christ because of what others have shared with us and their message. Who will one day be able to say that they believe in Jesus because of us?

The Essential Jesus, Day 68 Persistence in prayer. As we look at Day 68 of the Essential Jesus reading plan on YouVersion.com, we see that Jesus’s prayers were answered and that Jesus is persistent in his requests. Read Luke 11:1-13. Do we pray? I mean, really pray. Do we pray expecting an answer? Do we keep praying until we hear from God. God has promised us that if we ask, seek, and knock, he will answer. When we pray we must be fervent and focused. We are to be relentless in our desire to see God be glorified and to experience him move. If we don’t see that yet, we…

The Essential Jesus, Day 67 Come to the Lord with joy. Today, in Luke 10:1-24 we look at day 67 of the Essential Jesus reading plan on YouVersion.com. Jesus comes to the Father in joy. The disciples who have been obedient to God return with joy. God knows that as we serve and are obedient to him, we have great joy. Do we display joy to others? Do we have God’s joy in the first place? God knows us and loves us. If we are struggling with joy, then we need to evaluate if we have truly given everything over to God? Often our own worry is what keeps us…

The Essential Jesus, Day 66 Focus. Jesus had unbelievable focus. As we read day 66 in the Essential Jesus reading plan on YouVersion.com we read through Mark 1:29-39. Jesus came to Earth to preach the message of salvation. He desired that the people understand who he was and why he was there. Jesus spent time praying so that he could continue that focus and make sure he was doing exactly what the father desired of him. Are we that focused and disciplined in what we do? Jesus spent time with the father praying and because of that, he made the decision to leave where he was and to go to…

The Essential Jesus, Day 65 Jesus is life. As we read today from The Essential Jesus reading plan on YouVersion.com we see day 65 and the focus on how Jesus is the life. Read John 11. The people have seen death. They understand how it has rouched their lives and worked and moved through them. It is the constant that we experience, then and now. How can that be overcome? Is it even possible to overcome? The answer is yes, through Jesus Christ. He is the Resurrection and the Life. He overcomes death in every way. We can see and do all that God asks of us through Jesus Christ…

The Essential Jesus, Day 64 Believe and have faith. As we read this passage in Mark 5:21-43 we see the importance of believing and having faith in God. Today is day 64 of the Essential Jesus reading plan on YouVersion.com. When we think about God, we know that he does many and amazing things. But when we pray or bring situations to him, do we truly expect Him to move and work in those situations? Do we believe in him in every day life? Do we have faith that he will follow through? God is capable of amazing things and he sees all our needs and knows the best way…