MARCH 15 - JESUS’ PUBLIC MINISTRY
READ Mark 4
As Jesus expands His public ministry, He teaches extensively using parables.
INSIGHT
Faith does not come to us full-blown. It must be cultivated and nurtured. Jesus cultivates the faith of His disciples. After an extensive time of teaching, Jesus goes out into the Sea of Galilee with the Twelve, knowing that a storm will come. He calms the storm and then asks, rhetorically, “How is it that you have no faith?” (Mark 4:40). His disciples marvel and their faith grows. We, too, must go through times of testing to become strong.
PRAYER
Offer your praise to the God who loves you and who seeks your love in return:
Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).
You who are mighty have done great things for me, and holy is Your name. And Your mercy is on those who fear you from generation to generation (Based on Luke 1:49-50).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving. As you seek to keep your life free from sin, pray this confession:
No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13).
As you consider the mercy of God, confess any sins which the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s possessions—is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world with its lust is passing away, but the one who does the will of God remains forever (1 John 2:16-17).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
Lord, my rock and my Redeemer
(Psalm 19:14).
As Jesus expands His public ministry, He teaches extensively using parables.
INSIGHT
Faith does not come to us full-blown. It must be cultivated and nurtured. Jesus cultivates the faith of His disciples. After an extensive time of teaching, Jesus goes out into the Sea of Galilee with the Twelve, knowing that a storm will come. He calms the storm and then asks, rhetorically, “How is it that you have no faith?” (Mark 4:40). His disciples marvel and their faith grows. We, too, must go through times of testing to become strong.
PRAYER
Offer your praise to the God who loves you and who seeks your love in return:
Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).
You who are mighty have done great things for me, and holy is Your name. And Your mercy is on those who fear you from generation to generation (Based on Luke 1:49-50).
Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving. As you seek to keep your life free from sin, pray this confession:
No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13).
As you consider the mercy of God, confess any sins which the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s possessions—is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world with its lust is passing away, but the one who does the will of God remains forever (1 John 2:16-17).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
- The leading of the Lord in your walk with Him
- Christians worldwide who are persecuted for their faith in Christ
- Your activities for the day
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
Lord, my rock and my Redeemer
(Psalm 19:14).