All Things Are Possible to Him That Believes

Scripture: Mark 9: 23-24, 29

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.(23-24) And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.(29)

Scripture Commentary: All things are possible with God

Do you really believe that prayer can answer your needs? The important word is “needs,” not wishes, wants, or desires. All things are possible through prayer.

God knows our needs, and He will take care of them. Faith is a gift from God, and prayer is the key that unlocks our faith. We are asking God to put our life in His hands when we pray. It is then that we are completely dependent on Him.

Prayer demonstrates our reliance on God as we humbly invite Him to fill us with faith and power. There is no substitute for prayer, especially in circumstances that appear to be impossible.

There’s a hymn by Bill and Gloria Gaither that sums it up well, saying, “I believe help thou my unbelief. I walk into the unknown trusting all the while.” We need help with our unbelief. Believing in Jesus means that anything is possible. Nothing is too difficult for God.

We cannot have everything we pray for as if by magic, but with faith, we can have everything we need to serve God. Put your faith in His hands and leave it there.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Mark Chapter 9

Have Faith in God to Move Your Mountains

Scripture: Mark 11: 22-23

And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

Scripture Commentary: Have faith in God to meet your needs

Many people ask God why He hasn’t answered their prayer although they’ve been praying it for a long time.

What are you praying for? Is it for money, a car, house, or it for something else?

God will answer your prayers if you are a believer. Don’t pray with selfish motives, and hold no grudge against anyone. When you pray, let it be for the good of God’s kingdom and not your earthly desires. God knows your needs, and He will provide. Believe in Him. He can move that mountain in your life.

Phillippians 4:6 tells us, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” And 1 Peter 3: 12 says, “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”

To pray effectively, you need faith in God, not faith in the object of your request. Change your focus; change your prayers. Focus on God, not on yourself.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Mark Chapter 11

Other Scripture on Prayer:
Philippians Chapter 4
1 Peter Chapter 3

Lord, Remember Me When You Come Into Your Kingdom

Scripture: Luke 23: 39, 42-43

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Acts 2:21

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Scripture Commentary: I want Jesus to save me and remember me as one of His own

Some of us know people who have not accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. There are people who think what they are doing will save them.

Two criminals hung on the cross next to Jesus. The man on the left died daring Jesus to save both himself and them.

The man on the right turned to Jesus to ask his forgiveness, and Jesus accepted him. This dying criminal had more faith than Jesus’ followers and disciples put together. He had the faith to ask Jesus to remember him in his kingdom. In contrast, most of the disciples ran and hid from the Romans while Jesus was hanging on the cross. Where was their faith after being a first-hand witness to Jesus’ works?

This shows that our deeds do not save us. So you may ask, “What will save me?” Exercise the same faith as the criminal on the right. Ask Jesus to save you.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Luke Chapter 23
Acts Chapter 2

Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord

Scripture: Mark 1: 1-3

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

Scripture Commentary: Prepare yourself for Jesus – He is coming again!

When the herald arrived in town, the people knew to prepare as someone of prominence was coming. Today through the newspapers, radio, TV, billboards, and online resources, we hear and read about who is coming to town.

John The Baptist announced and prepared the people for the coming of Jesus Christ. Even now there are heralds announcing the second coming of our Lord.

Are you ready for him? What are you doing to get ready?

Jesus promises to return, and God is not a liar. Jesus will come for us today just as he did 2000 years ago. If you haven’t done it yet, it’s time to give up your selfish way of living, renounce your sins, seek God’s forgiveness, and establish a relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.

We are living every day with the signs of His coming. Matthew 24: 7-8 says, “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.”

We know not the time, but we know that our Lord and Savior is coming!

Read the Entire Chapter:
Mark Chapter 1

Additional Reading:
Matthew Chapter 24

Watch! Be Alert For Jesus’ Return

Scripture: Mark 13: 34-37

For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Scripture Commentary: Watch and prepare for Jesus will return

Jesus left us the keys to his father’s house. The keys are his Word, the Bible. His footprints are on the ground, in the sand and on the floor.

Our God has gone to prepare our rooms.
What are you doing to prepare for the journey? Are you a servant for God or are you self-serving? Are you God’s porter, gate keeper, or a doorman to His temple? Do you spread God’s Gospel and try your best to live a Godly life?
Be Jesus’ servant; be a gatekeeper for Him. You don’t know when the Master will return.

Prepare! You plan for events in your life, such as births, weddings, home and car purchases. Are you preparing for Jesus Christ’s return?

When God has given you another second, minute, hour or day, give thanks. Spread his gospel to as many people as possible.

The Wise Take Time to Prepare

Scripture: Matthew 25: 1-4

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

Scripture Commentary: Are you wise or foolish?

Matthew 25 tells us to be prepared because Jesus Christ is coming. What about you – are you prepared?

If Jesus came today and asked you what have you done in His name, how will you answer? Have you fed the poor, visited the sick, helped someone in need or prayed for someone?

In John 14:3 Jesus said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself.” Help others. Show love. We are responsible for each other.

You will give an account on judgement day.

Jesus gives us the parable of the 10 virgins. Five came prepared, and five did not. The bridegroom took those who were ready to the wedding banquet, and he told the others when they returned that he didn’t know them.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Matthew Chapter 25

Additional Reading:
John Chapter 14

Judas Let Himself Be Used by Satan

Scripture: Matthew 27: 3-5

Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

Scripture Commentary: All of us have been in Judas’ shoes

How many times have we said or done something that we regret and wished we could have taken it back? If we truly think of the consequences of our actions before we say or do something, we wouldn’t do it. All of us are like Judas at some point.

Judas allowed Satan to use him. Consequently, we place ourselves in Satan’s hands when we let him use us.

Judas returned the silver to the priest but they refused to take it back and free Jesus. Therefore, they, too, became Satan’s instruments.

When we let ourselves slip into doing the wrong thing, we become like Judas. The Word – The Bible – shows us right from wrong, and the path to follow. It gives us the direction to travel, and all we have to do is follow God.

Forgive and forget. Love and help one another. Don’t be a hindrance. Ask “What would Jesus Do?”

Read the Entire Chapter:
Matthew Chapter 27

They That Were Ready Went In With Him

Scripture: Matthew 25: 6- 10

And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Scripture Commentary: Will you be ready when the time comes?

God has planned a banquet for us … and He sent each of us an invitation to attend. Sadly, we won’t all be there. Are you ready? Why not? Because not everyone has read the instructions for how to get to the banquet.

Where are these instructions? The instructions – the roadmap – is The Bible.

The instructions are easy to understand. In Matthew 25, He gives us three parables to help us find our way. These parables tell of three separate stories of joy, foolishness and judgment.

The first parable tells of ten virgins. Five are prepared and ready to go with the bridegroom; five are not and as a result, they are not able to go to the wedding banquet.

In the second parable, a master entrusts his money to three of his servants. When he returns, the servants must give an account of what they did with the money.

Lastly God tells us how it will be when the Son of Man sits on His throne in heavenly glory. He asks a number of questions: did you feed me, give me drink, clothe me, or visit me when I was sick or in prison?

What will be your answer?

Will you be in the group that He tells, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire”? Or will you be part of the group that He tells to “take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world”?

God loves you, and He has shown you the way to eternal life with Him. Spiritual preparation cannot be bought or borrowed.

Our relationship with God must be our own.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Matthew Chapter 25

I Once Was Lost But Now Am Found

Scripture: Luke 15: 6-7

And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Scripture Commentary: I Have Found What Was Lost

The parables in Luke illustrate that God is forgiving. Luke 15 takes us through the parables where there is a lost son, sheep and coin. Each parable illustrates the joy we feel when we have found what was lost.

We have all gone astray. We feel much joy when we return and accept Jesus as Our Lord and Savior. God loves us and feels much joy when we return to Him. God loves us so much that He sent His Son to earth to save us and to give us direct access to Him.

Just as the shepherd, the woman, and the father in the parables rejoiced on finding what was lost, all of heaven rejoices over the return of a repentant sinner.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Luke Chapter 15

And I Heard A Voice From Heaven

Scriptures: Revelation 14: 13 and John 5: 24

And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. (Revelation)

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John)

Scripture Commentary: Will you hear Christ’s voice on judgment day?

Is the Lord Jesus Christ your Savior? Death has no hold on you if He is your Savior. You are free from death if you have placed God first – not money, fame, and belongings that you can’t take with you.

Christ, on judgment day, will separate the faithful from the unfaithful. Physical death is inevitable but when Jesus Christ returns, that sleeping body of yours will be resurrected to live forever with Him. If you are a Christian, you will hear His voice on that day and your spirit will rise.

Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior? You face eternity apart from Him if you have not accepted Him.

Do not be one of those who thinks death is the end. It is the beginning. Jesus paid the price to save you.

You will face judgment. What will be the outcome?

Read the Entire Chapter:
Revelation Chapter 14
John Chapter 5