“And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four men.  Being unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and when they had dug an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying” (Mark 2:3-4).

See the love the men carrying the paralytic had for him.  See the willingness to go the extra distance to have an opportunity to bring about healing.  This is faith in action.  Too often, many sit back and want it to come to us.  These men moved forward to meet the Lord.  The Lord is always encouraging us to live by faith, trusting that He is more than able to do all that He has promised.

Lord, who can heal all infirmities, You know I live in an age of being served.  It is filled with instant gratification.  I do not always look forward, seeking what is right, but sit in comfort expecting what I want to come to me.  Lead me out of my faithlessness and into a faith that goes as far as I am able on my own, knowing that only You can carry me the right distance.  Move me beyond the complacence of this age to do the good works for the age to come.

Lord Jesus, You know anguish and pain more fully than I ever will.  You also have given me the gift of fortitude to push me forward through the hopelessness I encounter.  Lead me to walk the distance, no matter what, so that I may truly be one who follows You in and through all things.  Teach me how to live and grant me the gifts I need to walk this life of faith which You have given me by Your grace.  Amen.  

“When He had come back to Capernaum several days afterward, it was heard that He was at home.  And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them” (Mark 2:1-2).

The crowds gathered.  We love to see things that are different.  People gather around what interests them whether they agree with what they encounter.  The Lord has come and there are many who still gather around, but that does not mean that they are there because they believe.  For all who gather, the bottom line is met when we find out for ourselves who Jesus is and whether we will follow Him.

Almighty God of all mystery, I am curious, and I want to know things before I commit to them.  Help me to live not for myself, but in the truth, knowing that You are the One who made me.  Guide me into the mystery of faith and lead me to humbly walk according to Your goodness and mercy.  I do not know how to do this, but You lead the way and You alone make it possible to complete the journey.

Lead me, Lord Jesus, this day.  Let me not be just one of the crowd who watches and waits for the next great thing to see, but live in the midst of what You are doing.  Help me to not worry about times and events but live out the faith You have given me.  Help me seek and learn  obedience through all that I do.  Guide me now and always, Lord Jesus, so that I may humbly walk the path You have set before me.  Amen.

“But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news around, to such an extent that Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city, but stayed out in unpopulated areas; and they were coming to Him from everywhere” (Mark 1:45).

Although cleansed and freed from infirmities, Jesus has a reason for saying what He says.  If He tells us to be quiet, we should be quiet, but we act as though we know better.  Yes, the Lord knew this would happen, but the greater lesson for us is to learn to be obedient to the Lord in all things.  Sometimes our exuberance causes more harm than the good we think we are doing.  Learn to listen to the Lord.

Lord, I want to do good, but sometimes in the desire for it I create more of a mess.  Help me to heed Your call and follow You through all things doing what You ask me to do.  Guide me, Lord, so that I humbly walk in Your ways and live according to the goodness and mercy which You give me.  When I am tempted to disobey, even for what I consider good reason, help me to realize that You are the Lord.

Lord Jesus, despite the good intentions of people who disobeyed, You continued to the cross for us all.  I too have gone astray with good motives.  Help me to learn repentance and walk in the way You have established.  Guide me up and out of this world’s thinking to live according to Your word alone, for You are the One who must save me.  Be the author of my faith today and teach me faithfulness.  Amen.

“Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.  And He sternly warned him and immediately sent him away, and He said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them” (Mark 1:42-44).

Our Lord did not come to do away with the law, for the law points to Him and reflects His love.  He has come to remove the obstacles that get in the way of our becoming what we were made to be.  No disease or infirmity can get in the way of what the Lord can do.  He created all things, and what has been perverted by sin, He makes clean by His grace.  Is that not what He did with the bacterial infection we call leprosy?  Is that not what He has done with your sin?

Lord, You are the Creator of all things, but things have gone awry.  You have come to set what has gone wrong, right.  You have come to call those who would enter onto the journey of salvation You give to become what You know we can and should be.  When You tell me to do something, help me to do it.  I have many questions, but they are answered along the way, not by confronting You beforehand.

Lord Jesus, You are my Lord and Savior.  I need You to lead me.  Deep is the infection of sin in me.  In the depths of the sin which You have come to heal, cleanse me so that I may become like You.  Heal me so that I may walk in faith as You intend.  Plant me back into the society in which You have placed me.  Through all things, help me to live the life You have given me with thanksgiving.  Amen.

“And a leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”  Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed” (Mark 1:40-41).

Look carefully at how this works.  Does your faith tell you that our Lord is able to do what you are asking Him to do?  But then, the truth comes in realizing that although Jesus can heal, the Father’s will may not be for healing.  “Are You willing?”  So many are conditional, thinking that if the Lord does not heal, then thinking that He is not able.  It is better to understand that the Father’s will shall be done in and through all that happens.

Lord, there are times when I do not understand why You do not heal.  Wickedness causes me to be disappointed and think that You are not able or do not care.  Teach me to be humble and submit to the truth that You alone work all things together for good.  Guide me ever deeper into Your goodness so that the conditionality of my heart goes away.  Lead me forward, trusting You above all things.

Lord Jesus, You are able to do all that I ask.  I do not receive because I ask with wrong motive.  Teach me to have the right motive and to trust every answer to my prayers which You give.  You know all that needs to happen, so keep me in the Father’s will, trusting that You will bring all things together for good.  Help me to be a part of living in the Father’s will and trusting that You have all things in Your hands.  Amen.

“He said to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.”  And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons” (Mark 1:38-39).

It is as if Jesus is saying to those who would try to hold on to Him, “I am not yours alone, but I came for all.”  How many times have local fellowships acted as if they had a corner on the truth?  “We are the ones who have the truth and You do not,” seems often to be an attitude that is projected.  Jesus has come for the world so that as many as believe would receive His salvation and live in the communion of love which comes from our Lord and God.

Lord, I find the place in which I am comfortable and think I have all that is needed.  You have placed a longing in every human heart which reaches beyond ourselves and out to You.  You are the only One who fills that longing.  Guide me, Lord, so that I live into the life You are offering me.  Teach me all that this means, and set my feet upon the course of the life of salvation which prepares me for an eternal life of communion with You.

Lord, You call us to be leaders and in leadership there is a temptation to think all that needs to be known is already known.  To lead is first to be behind You, for only You know where we need to go.  Help me to take those steps so that I follow You and then help me so that nothing gets in the way of my following You.  Guide me, Lord Jesus, in the way of right living, seeking Your righteousness and looking to You as the Author of my faith.  Amen.

“In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.  Simon and his companions searched for Him; they found Him, and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You” (Mark 1:35-37).

Is everyone looking for Jesus, or just wanting Him to be where they expect Him to be?  We have our own ideas of who Jesus is and do not see Him as He is.  He is in communion with the Father.  He invites us into that communion.  Many would rather take Jesus out of that communion and have Him join with them.  He came to save us; we did not come to invite Him to where we are.

Lord, You have called me to You.  I did not discover You and invite You to me.  You are the One who must be in control, for I will make a mess of things if I pretend that I am in control.  You are in a relationship of Trinity, bring me to You and help me to not expect You to come to me and compromise the eternal relationship — not that You would, but my sinful expectations get in the way.

Lord Jesus, teach me to pray and commune as You communed.  Lead me to be always mindful of where my heart is and curb my expectations.  Be the One who is leading and take from me those desires which would even slightly take the lead.  You are the One who must save me, so save me as You know I need saving.  Help me to keep my eyes always upon You.  Amen.

“When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed.  And the whole city had gathered at the door.  And He healed many who were ill with various diseases and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was” (Mark 1:32-34).

Once the word got out, many came to Him with hope that He would heal people of their infirmities.  Many settle for just that.  He has come to make us clean, whole, and ready to live eternally with Him.  There should be no settling for just the first steps.  We are called to make the whole journey and follow Jesus as He makes of us what He will.  Do not listen to the ones opposed to Him speaking against the faith but yourself speak His word and speak freely.

Lord, I see these things, but I am so wrapped up in the moment that I settle for temporary things.  Turn my heart toward eternity so that I long for the salvation You give, and reject the condemnation that is upon us all in this age of sin.  Guide me on the upward path and lead me out of myself and into You.  You alone give the words of eternal life.  Help me to learn to speak the truth at all times.

Lord Jesus, You have come into my ordinary life and walk alongside me.  You are healing me of my confusions.  Place Your words in my mouth so that I may speak the truth and bring Your healing to those around me.  Guide me in the path of salvation knowing that the wicked ones will speak out, but cannot harm me, for You counter their voices.  You have given me the words of hope to speak when I encounter adversity.  Help me to speak Your word always.  Amen.

“And immediately after they came out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.  Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they spoke to Jesus about her.  And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she waited on them” (Mark 1:29-31).

Look at the pieces of the story.  Jesus calls the sons, but the mother is sick.  Jesus heals her and she is back to work.  We were made to work.  Our life as disciples grows through the work we do.  Our work is our belief in action.  All authority belongs to Jesus, so at His word, we are restored.  Distractions of this world get in the way, but Jesus heals us of all infirmities, the greatest of which is death.

Lord, what You came to do You tell us with Scripture.  What You did is revealed in the life of faith which You have given us.  Guide us to understanding that we are not to rest when You call us to work, nor are we to work when You call us to rest.  As we follow You, lead us into living the life which You intend for all, so that we may learn how to be faithful in and through all things.

Lord Jesus, I try to figure things out.  I want to know what You are up to before I take that first step, but You are the One who knows, and You call us into eternity.  Lead me out of myself and into the life You are growing in me.  Remove any sickness so that I may get up and wait on others as You have waited upon me.  I need You to guide me into learning how to love others as You have loved me.  Amen.

“They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”  Immediately the news about Him spread everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee” (Mark 1:27).

Is this new teaching?  No!  Jesus came and fulfilled the law.  He’s the only One who has.  He did not come to do away with the law, but to fulfil it.  The Incarnate One, through whom all things were made, has come to give us opportunity to learn to obey the One who made us.  Ultimately, we all will in death.  As we turn to Him, He calls us, in our resurrection, to join with Him in eternity in a new obedience.

Lord, all power and authority belong to You.  Nothing exists apart from You.  In this age of rebellion, we can pretend that we have either power or authority, but we do not have either in ourselves.  You speak, and some rebellious ones hear, and they grudgingly obey.  They may hate You, but they obey.  You give us the opportunity to learn that obedience is better than sacrifice.

Lord Jesus, that day will come when all stand before You.  That will not be the time to realize that You do have all authority.  Help me to understand this here and now.  Guide me to realize that I am under Your authority here and now.  Change my heart, removing all hatred, so that I willingly, lovingly, and humbly come into Your presence and walk with You as You walk with me.  Guide me into holiness, my Lord and Savior.  Amen.