The Gospels through the Summer, Day 46 Are we looking for the Lord’s salvation? Read Luke 2. As we read about the salvation through the birth of Jesus, we see people who had no idea what to expect, but they came running. Then there are others who had been watching and waiting. They were anticipating all that God would do and as a result, they recognized it when God did it. How do we respond? If we don’t know it’s coming, do we still come running when God makes his plans known to us? Are we excited to be wherever God is? Or, are we the person who has been…

The Gospels through the Summer, Day 45 God still fulfills his promises. Read Luke 1. As we finished Mark yesterday, we saw at the end of his life Jesus fulfilling all his promises to us. Here, as we begin again through the story of the life of Jesus, we see God still fulfilling all his promises. Two different authors. Two different times in history. Still, the theme remains the same. God fulfills his promises. As Mary heard the message that she would be the mother of Christ, we see how this is a fulfillment of God’s promise. Will we believe and trust in Christ and patiently wait for him to…

The Gospels through the Summer, Day 44 Jesus does what he says he will do. Read Mark 16. Jesus told his disciples that he would arise again from his death. Still, his disciples were surprised when what he said would happen, happened. Are we surprised when Jesus does what he says he’s going to do? When we are looking through the promises of The Bible, this is an opportunity for us to see all that Jesus has said he will do. Many of the things he has already fulfilled, but some of the other promises he has not yet. But make no mistake, everything that Jesus has said he will…

The Gospels through the Summer, Day 43 Jesus is God. Read Mark 15. As we read about the crucifixion of Jesus, we see how others responded to this event. I’m sure that centurian had overseen countless crucifixions. He had probably seen so many people die. Yet this one was different. When seeing Jesus die, he knew this one was different. He recognized that Jesus was the Son of God. When we are going through the daily activities, do we recognize when things are different? Do we see Jesus in our lives? Jesus is there every single day and he is working. Are we in awe of who he is and…

The Gospels through the Summer, Day 42 God knows us. Read Mark 14. So many truths are in this chapter. The passover meal, Jesus prays for them, and then Jesus is arrested. Yet through it all, Jesus displays the fact that he knows us. Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves. This statement and the verse above is such an incredible reminder that no matter what our best intentions are, we are still going to face temptation and we’re still going to fall. We need Jesus to be able to do anything today. Only through Jesus will we withstand the temptation that we face. We must continue to pray…

The Gospels through the Summer, Day 40 What belongs to God? Read Mark 12. Jesus continued sharing stories and this time we see how God is truly the owner of everything. It starts with the parable about the tenants and tmaster of a field. It ends with Jesus making this statement above and calling out a widow for putting in 2 small coins. Even though others put in more quantity, this woman put in all she had. When we think about our lives, do we recognize that God is truly the owner of everything. We own nothing. Everything we have is simply a result of what God has allowed us…

The Gospels through the Summer, Day 39 How do we use God’s house? Read Mark 11. As Jesus is entering Jerusalem, triumphantly, we see that he calls out all those people who are using the temple and that area for their own personal gain and profit. Jesus makes the statement that his house will be called a house of prayer. When we think about God’s house, how we using God’s house? Is it simply a place that we get together with friends? Is it a place of healing? Is it a place to socialize? Or is it a place of prayer? Also, because Christ lives in us, we are his…

The Gospels through the Summer, Day 38 Happy Independence Day! What does it truly mean to celebrate independence? Read Mark 10. Today, in the United States, we celebrate the day that we declared our independence as a nation. However, God gives us an entirely different definition of what it means to be free. God explains that he came in freedom as a servant. Jesus Christ, the king and ruler over everything in the universe, came as a servant. When we think about our freedom and when we think about those countries around the world that do not have the same level of freedoms, we all must remember that freedom is…