Husband
Father
Pastor
Undertaker
Monument Builder
Hunter
https://read.csbible.com/?book=mark&chapter=2
Reading: Romans 3:21-26
Devotional: We all stand before God as debtors, criminals, and haters—words that sting but reveal our true condition apart from Christ. Like the paralytic in Mark 2, our greatest need isn't physical healing or financial prosperity; it's forgiveness. We've accumulated a debt we can never repay through good works or religious activity. The beautiful truth is that God doesn't ask us to pay what we owe. Instead, He sent Jesus to satisfy the debt completely. Today, look in the mirror and acknowledge your need. Then look to the cross and see your Savior. Your sins aren't forgiven because of your strong faith, but because of your strong Savior.
Reflection: What debts are you still trying to pay that Jesus has already covered?
Reading: James 2:14-26
Devotional: Faith is like a rake gathering leaves—it's the instrument God uses, but God Himself is the power behind it. The four friends who tore through the roof didn't save the paralytic; Jesus did. Their faith simply brought their friend to the One who could. This liberates us from the crushing weight of "faith performance." On days when your faith feels weak or extinguished, Jesus remains strong. Faith isn't about mustering enough belief; it's about directing whatever belief you have toward the right object—Jesus Christ. Faith always has legs; it moves, acts, and persists. But remember: the power isn't in the instrument; it's in the Master's hands.
Reflection: How can you exercise faith with legs this week, even if that faith feels small?
Reading: Psalm 103:1-12
Devotional: When Jesus declared, "Son, your sins are forgiven," He wasn't just being compassionate—He was flexing His divine authority. The scribes were right about one thing: only God can forgive sins. What they couldn't accept was that God stood before them in flesh. This truth should revolutionize how we view ourselves and others. To refuse to forgive yourself is to claim a power that belongs to God alone. To withhold forgiveness from others is equally presumptuous. You don't own the courthouse of judgment; God does. If the Almighty has removed your sins as far as the east is from the west, who are you to keep dragging them back?
Reflection: Who do you need to forgive today—yourself or someone else?
Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Devotional: Sometimes God puts you on a mat to bring you to Him. The paralytic's greatest blessing may have been his paralysis—without it, he'd never have encountered Jesus. We live in a fallen world where sickness, suffering, and limitation are real. Not every trial is divine punishment, but every trial can be divine purpose. Perhaps your current struggle—that thing you've begged God to remove—is actually the very instrument bringing you closer to Christ. The paralytic couldn't walk to Jesus, but his friends carried him. You may feel immobilized by circumstances, but God's Spirit is carrying you still. Trust that whatever you're facing, God is good, strong, and working all things for your ultimate healing.
Reflection: What "mat" in your life might God be using to draw you closer to Him?
Reading: Matthew 9:35-38
Devotional: If we truly believe Jesus has the power to forgive sins, we'd tear the roof off to get people to Him. The four friends didn't let crowds, obstacles, or social awkwardness stop them. They believed their friend's only hope was Jesus, and they acted accordingly. Faith without works is dead. Today, you're not called to literally tear through roofing—but you are called to put legs on your belief. Grab that gospel tract. Send that text. Make that invitation. Share your story. Yes, people know your past. Yes, you feel inadequate. But it's not your power that saves anyone—it's Jesus who forgives sins. Your job is simply to bring people to Him, however you can.
Reflection: Who is one person you can intentionally point toward Jesus this week?
Week 6 -Mark 1:39-45 - The Touch That Changes Everything https://read.csbible.com/?book=mark&chapter=1
https://read.csbible.com/?book=genesis&chapter=2
Devotional: "It is not good for man to be alone." These words from the beginning of creation reveal a fundamental truth about our design—we were made for fellowship, both with God and with others. Isolation damages us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Just as children in orphanages suffer developmental harm without relationship, we too wither when separated from community and from our Creator. Today, consider the areas where isolation has crept into your life. Are you withdrawing from fellowship with believers? Have you distanced yourself from God's presence? Remember, the silence of isolation is deafening, but God calls you into relationship. You were not meant to walk alone.
https://read.csbible.com/?book=isaiah&chapter=64
https://read.csbible.com/?book=romans&chapter=3
Devotional: The leper's condition mirrors our spiritual reality—we are all born infected with an incurable disease called sin. Like leprosy, it makes us spiritually numb, causes us to stink before a holy God, and isolates us from His presence and His people. Our own righteousness is like polluted garments. But here's the glorious truth: what is impossible with man is possible with God. Just as the leper had no hope apart from divine intervention, neither do we. Yet Christ came to touch the untouchable, to cleanse the unclean, to heal what no human remedy could cure. Have you acknowledged your desperate need for the Great Physician?
Reading: Mark 1:40-45; Hebrews 4:14-16
https://read.csbible.com/?book=hebrews&chapter=4
Devotional: Jesus didn't just pity the leper—He felt his pain in His gut, blood for blood, stomach for stomach. This visceral compassion moved Him to reach out and touch what everyone else avoided. Even now, in His glorified state, Jesus is not disconnected from your brokenness. He experiences your highs and lows, your pain and your joy. When you're hurting, He doesn't stand at a distance offering sympathy; He enters into your suffering. The writer of Hebrews reminds us we have a High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses. Whatever isolation you're experiencing today, know that Jesus feels it with you and reaches toward you with compassion.
Reading: Leviticus 14:1-20; 1 Peter 1:17-21
https://read.csbible.com/?book=leviticus&chapter=14
https://read.csbible.com/?book=1%20peter&chapter=1
Devotional: The cleansing ritual for leprosy required blood—one bird killed, another set free covered in that blood. Two lambs sacrificed, their blood applied to ear, thumb, and toe. This wasn't just ceremony; it pointed to the ultimate sacrifice. Jesus touched the leper knowing it would cost Him everything. His isolation on the cross—crying "My God, why have You forsaken Me?"—purchased your freedom from isolation. Like that freed bird soaring away with blood on its wings, you've been released through the blood of Christ. The very isolation Jesus took from the leper was placed upon Him at Calvary. You are clean not through ritual, but through His sacrifice.
Reading: Psalm 40:1-5; Ephesians 2:1-10
https://read.csbible.com/?book=psalm&chapter=40
https://read.csbible.com/?book=ephesians&chapter=2
Devotional: Imagine being Bird B—watching Bird A slaughtered, (see yesterdays Leviticus reading) expecting death, but instead being dipped in that blood and released to fly free. How could such a bird not sing? Yet we who have been rescued from death, cleansed from leprosy of sin, and brought into the family of God often lose our song. We complain, grumble, and forget the miracle of our salvation. A free bird always sings. Jesus died so you could be set free—from sin, from isolation, from death itself. Today, let gratitude rise in your heart. Return to fellowship with God's people. Sing of His mercy. And if you're still outside the camp, still rotting with sin's effects, hear Jesus say, "Come." He will cleanse you and give you a new song.
Week 5- Mark 1:21-38
Devotional:
Jesus entered the synagogue and taught with an authority that left people astonished. Unlike the scribes who elevated human traditions to the level of Scripture, Jesus spoke truth because He is the Truth. Today, consider what voices you're listening to. Are you building your life on the unchanging Word of God or on cultural traditions and popular opinions? The bound are set free not through rehabilitation but through regeneration—through encountering the truth of who Jesus is. His teaching has power because it comes with divine authority. When you open Scripture today, remember you're not just reading ancient words; you're encountering the living Christ who still speaks with authority into your circumstances, your confusion, and your captivity.
Devotional:
A demon-possessed man interrupted Jesus' teaching, and with a simple rebuke—"Be silent and come out"—Jesus set him free. No elaborate ritual, no special ceremony, just the powerful Word of God. You may not battle literal demons, but what holds you captive today? Shame, addiction, unforgiveness, fear? The same Jesus who walked into that synagogue walks into your life with liberating power. His strength is not diminished by time or distance. The weapon against spiritual bondage is still the sword of the Spirit—God's Word. Don't underestimate the power of Scripture spoken over your struggles. Jesus doesn't just sympathize with your captivity; He commands your freedom. The bound are set free.
Devotional:
Jesus entered Peter's home and found his mother-in-law burning with fever. In a culture that would have avoided contact with the sick, Jesus took her by the hand and raised her up. This unnamed, seemingly insignificant woman received the personal touch of the Creator of the universe. Do you feel overlooked, unimportant, or too broken for Jesus to notice? This passage declares otherwise. Jesus is both strong enough to heal and kind enough to care about your individual suffering. He doesn't heal from a distance when He can draw near. He doesn't issue commands when He can offer His hand. Whatever fever consumes you today—anxiety, grief, illness, despair—Jesus sees you, comes to you, and offers His healing touch.
Devotional:
While it was still dark, Jesus withdrew to pray. He prayed for Himself, for His disciples, and remarkably, for you—those who would believe through their message. This wasn't a one-time prayer. Hebrews tells us Jesus lives to make intercession for us. Right now, at the Father's right hand, Jesus is praying for you. When your prayer life feels anemic and your faith weak, take comfort: Christ's intercession compensates for your inadequacy. He prays for needs you don't recognize and protection from dangers you don't see. He prays that your faith won't fail. You're not holding onto Jesus by your grip; He's holding you by His. This isn't just theology for your head—let it sink into your heart today.
Devotional:
The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many. But the question remains: Is Jesus your Savior, or just a Savior? The devil can acknowledge Christ is the Holy One of God, but only true believers can say, "He is mine, and I am His." Christianity consists in possessive pronouns. The life-changing difference isn't knowing about Jesus but knowing Jesus personally. He isn't offering generic salvation to faceless crowds; He's offering Himself specifically to you. His strength is for you. His care is for you. His intercession is for you. Today, move beyond intellectual agreement to heart-level trust. Say it aloud: "Jesus is my Savior. He has set me free. He prays for me. I am His." Let that truth transform how you walk through this day.
Devotional: Jesus' call to the first disciples reminds us that following Him often requires leaving behind the familiar. Just as Simon, Andrew, James, and John left their nets, we too are called to surrender our old ways and trust Jesus completely. Reflect on areas of your life where you may be hesitant to fully follow Christ. What "nets" might you need to leave behind? Remember, when Jesus calls, He also empowers. His invitation comes with the promise to transform us, making us "fishers of people." Today, listen for Jesus' call in your life and respond with faith and obedience.
Devotional: The sermon emphasized Jesus' unique authority - unlike that of the scribes and Pharisees. This authority was evident in His teaching and His power over evil spirits. As you read today's passage, consider how Jesus' authority impacts your life. Do you truly recognize Him as Lord over every aspect of your being? Reflect on areas where you might be resisting His authority. Remember, submitting to Christ's authority isn't oppressive; it's liberating. His authority brings freedom from sin, fear, and the enemy's influence. Today, consciously yield to Jesus' authority in a specific area of struggle or decision-making.
Devotional: The sermon highlighted how Jesus began His ministry not in prestigious religious centers, but among common people by the Sea of Galilee. God often works in unexpected places and through unlikely individuals. Lydia's conversion in today's reading exemplifies this truth. Where might God be working in your life or community that you've overlooked? Consider the "everyday" spaces of your life - your workplace, neighborhood, or local hangouts. How can you be more attentive to God's presence and activity in these places? Ask God to open your eyes to divine appointments and opportunities to share His love in your daily routines.
Devotional: James and John left their father Zebedee to follow Jesus, illustrating the potential cost of discipleship. Today's passage addresses this reality while also highlighting the immense rewards of following Christ. Reflect on sacrifices you've made or may need to make to fully commit to Jesus. Are there relationships, ambitions, or comforts that compete with your devotion to Christ? Remember, whatever we give up for Jesus pales in comparison to what we gain in Him. Pray for the courage to prioritize your relationship with Christ above all else, trusting in His promise of eternal reward.
Devotional: Jesus promised to make His disciples "fishers of people," a call that extends to all believers. Today's readings reinforce this mission. As Christians, we're all called to participate in God's redemptive work. This doesn't necessarily mean becoming a full-time evangelist, but it does mean being intentional about sharing God's love and truth with others. Reflect on your own journey of faith. Who were the "fishers" God used to draw you to Him? How can you play that role for others? Start small - pray for opportunities, invite someone to church, or simply ask how you can pray for a friend. Remember, it's God who ultimately draws people to Himself, but He invites us to participate in this beautiful process.
Devotional: God's timing is perfect. Just as He sent His Son "when the fullness of time had come," He is working in your life with divine precision. Reflect on moments when God's timing seemed evident in your life. How has His perfect timing brought about growth, healing, or new opportunities? Today, trust that even in waiting or uncertainty, God is orchestrating events for your good and His glory. Pray for patience and faith to align your heart with His perfect timing.
Devotional: Jesus proclaimed that the kingdom of God was at hand. This wasn't just a future hope, but a present reality. How might your life look different if you truly believed God's kingdom power was available to you right now? Consider areas where you need God's rule and reign - in your thoughts, relationships, or circumstances. Invite His kingdom to come in those specific areas today. Ask for eyes to see His work around you and for courage to participate in His kingdom-building activities.
Devotional: Repentance and belief are not one-time events, but ongoing postures of the heart. Repentance means turning away from self-reliance and sin, while belief means actively trusting in God's goodness and power. What areas of your life need fresh repentance today? Where might God be calling you to deeper belief and trust? Take time to confess areas of struggle and reaffirm your faith in God's love and forgiveness. Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you for continual repentance and belief.
Devotional: The gospel is not just good advice, but good news of what God has done for us in Christ. We are justified - declared righteous - not by our own efforts, but through faith in Jesus. How does this truth impact your sense of worth and security? Reflect on the freedom that comes from knowing your standing with God is based on Christ's work, not your own. Thank God for this incredible gift of grace and ask Him to help you live from a place of acceptance rather than striving for acceptance.
Devotional: Jesus' lordship extends to every aspect of our lives and the entire universe. Are there any areas you've tried to keep separate from His rule? Perhaps your finances, career decisions, or personal ambitions? Meditate on Christ's supremacy and sufficiency. How might surrendering fully to His reign bring peace and purpose to your life? Pray for the courage to enthrone Christ as Lord in every area, trusting that His rule brings true freedom and fulfillment.
Week 2 -Mark 1:8-13
Devotional: As we read about John the Baptist proclaiming the coming of Jesus, we're reminded of the powerful work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Just as John baptized with water, Jesus baptizes us with the Holy Spirit. This spiritual baptism is all-encompassing, cleansing us thoroughly and transforming us from the inside out. Today, reflect on how the Holy Spirit has changed your life. Are there areas where you need to surrender more fully to His cleansing and empowering presence? Ask God to fill you anew with His Spirit, making you strong in your weaknesses and equipping you for His purposes.
Devotional: The baptism of Jesus reveals a beautiful picture of the Trinity and God's love for His Son. As Jesus emerges from the water, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father's voice affirms His beloved Son. This scene reminds us that when we are in Christ, we too are beloved children of God. The Father looks at us with the same love and pleasure He has for Jesus. Take a moment to bask in this profound truth. How might your life change if you truly lived as God's beloved child? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you grasp the depth of God's love for you and to live in the confidence of your identity in Christ.
Devotional: Immediately after His baptism, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted. This reminds us that even as God's children, we will face trials and temptations. However, like Jesus, we can rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome. Reflect on the temptations and challenges you're currently facing. How can you lean more on God's strength rather than your own? Remember that Jesus understands our struggles and has paved the way for our victory. Pray for the Holy Spirit's guidance and power to resist temptation and stand firm in your faith.
Devotional: Paul's teaching on spiritual gifts reminds us that the Holy Spirit unites believers into one body, despite our differences. Each of us has been given unique gifts to contribute to the whole. Consider the gifts God has given you and how you're using them to build up the body of Christ. Are there ways you've been critical of others in the church instead of appreciating their different gifts? Ask God to help you see fellow believers through His eyes and to use your gifts in harmony with others for His glory.
Devotional: As we conclude our study, we focus on the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. When we walk by the Spirit, He produces love, joy, peace, and other Christ-like qualities in us. This transformation isn't something we can accomplish on our own—it's the work of God in us. Examine your life for evidence of the Spirit's fruit. Where do you see growth? Where do you need more of the Spirit's work? Surrender those areas to God and ask Him to cultivate His fruit in your life. Remember, as you abide in Christ and walk by the Spirit, He will continue to shape you into the image of Jesus.
Week 1
Read: Mark 1:1-8
Devotional: As we begin our journey through Mark's Gospel, we're reminded that our lives are like paintings. Just as Mark carefully crafted his account of Jesus' life, we too are creating a masterpiece with our daily choices and actions. What is the focal point of your life's painting? Is it Jesus, or something else? Today, reflect on how you can make Christ more central in your life's picture. Consider one area where you can shift your focus to Him and ask for His guidance in doing so.
Read: Luke 3:1-14
Devotional: John the Baptist's message was universal and timeless: repent and turn to God. This call isn't just for non-believers; it's a daily practice for all of us. Repentance isn't a one-time event, but a continual turning away from sin and towards God. Today, take time to examine your heart. Are there areas where you've grown complacent in your walk with God? Confess these to Him, asking for His forgiveness and strength to live a life that honors Him. Remember, repentance is not about shame, but about drawing closer to our loving Father.
Read: Acts 15:36-40; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Devotional: The story of John Mark reminds us that God uses unlikely people to accomplish His purposes. Despite his earlier failures, Mark went on to write one of the Gospels. This is a powerful reminder of God's grace and His ability to redeem our mistakes. Have you ever felt disqualified from serving God because of past failures? Remember that in Christ, you are forgiven and made new. Today, offer your perceived weaknesses to God, trusting that He can use them for His glory.
Read: Mark 1:7-8; Philippians 2:5-11
Devotional: Mark's Gospel presents Jesus as both fully God and fully man. This profound truth is the cornerstone of our faith. As God, Jesus has the power to save us. As man, He understands our struggles and temptations and lived the life that we couldn’t.
Reflect today on what this profound truth means for your daily life. How does knowing that Jesus is both divine and human impact your prayers, your struggles, and your hope? Take time to thank Him for bridging the gap between humanity and divinity.
Read: John 1:1-18
Devotional: The Gospel isn't just a message; it's a person - Jesus Christ. As we conclude our reading plan, let's focus on this transformative truth. The good news is that God Himself came to earth, lived among us, died for us, and rose again to offer us eternal life. How does this personal aspect of the Gospel change how you view your relationship with God? Today, approach Jesus not just as a historical figure or a theological concept, but as a living, personal Savior. Speak to Him as you would a close friend, sharing your joys, fears, and hopes.