“She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial.  Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her” (Mark 14:8-9).

And so it has been done according to the Lord’s will.  Our Lord is very intentional about the words spoken and these words are important.  They teach us about dependence upon Him and what He will have us do.  He does not expect us to do good deeds perfectly, for we cannot, but He who is perfect must be the One who leads us into perfection.  We are called to live lives that are balanced.

Lord, this world is filled with causes.  There are so many things that I hear, and there are pleas to do this or that.  I am often confused, not knowing which direction to take.  Be the One who helps me.  Lead me to learn from You what it means to be faithful.  Guide me to learn how to live in faithfulness.  Teach me the things I need to know and then help me to put them into action.

Lord Jesus, the stories You want to be told speak to our hearts to teach us eternal lessons.  There are those examples which You lift up so that we may know and understand.  Guide me in the best way of living life so that I hear and heed Your word, sharing the stories You would have me share.  Help me to look to You, hear Your word, and obey all that You command.  Lead me this day, dear Lord.  Amen.

“But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me.  For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me” (Mark 14:6-7).

What are our priorities?  Sometimes we look at the good we are supposed to do and that displaces our relationship with the Lord.  We have our religion to point us to the relationship our Lord makes possible.  We should not live for our own sake, but for the sake of the One who created us.  There is a fine line here that is often crossed.  Live in the relationship You have with the Lord and not for your own ideas of how things should be.

Lord, You care for all, but also You came to teach us how to live the godly life.  You have come to teach us priorities and the necessary boundaries which we may and often do cross.  Yes, we are to do good, but also, we are not to do these things for our own sake, but according to the Father’s will.  Lead us to be prudent and have balance so that our good deeds are in Your will  and not with our ideas of what is right and fitting.

Lord Jesus, this is a difficult lesson to learn.  You know how easily I go to the place where I operate from my own sense of right and wrong and not according to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Guide me to humbly submit to the Father’s will in all things.  Teach me what it means to be sensitive to others while remaining faithful to you.  Help me so that my religion builds upon the relationship we have.  Amen.

“But some were indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted?  For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they were scolding her” (Mark 14:4-5).

We are supposed to do what the world expects us to do.  Appearances seem to be very important, but reality is often left to the privacy of the individual heart.  The Lord is focused upon the heart and does not seem to mind whatever has brought the heart to this place.  Some poor are poor for their own selfish reasons.  Some are not.  What does this act of Jesus have to do with poverty?  The Lord gave infinitely more for your soul and mine.

Lord, I think too often in terms of dollars and cents.  I do not think enough in terms of temperance and prudence, or sense.  You have given me a mind that is able to think.  Help me to use my mind and think things through.  I do not know the heart of anyone, let alone myself, but You do.  I do not know the reasons for most things, but You do.  Help me to be less a judge and more one who loves You and my neighbor.

Lord Jesus, every act of mine could have been in another direction.  Help me to be led by the Holy Spirit so that my acts are faithful to the call You have given me.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to see that in You I have the hope of becoming like You as You prepare me to dwell with You eternally.  Lead me now and always in the way of everlasting life.  Amen.

“While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head” (Mark 14:3).

In the home of one whom He had healed, rejoicing with friends, a woman pours very, very expensive perfume over His head.  The Lord receives the gifts of those who give with a pure heart.  She may have been scarlet with sin, but in this moment, the purity of true love makes a sacrifice for the One who will sacrifice Himself for her as well as all of us.  This is true love displayed, that one would give wholly for the other.

Lord, help me to see the truth of this act.  Wickedness wants to know the history of the person but does not look at the heart.  The truth is in this moment.  Help me to see the moments as they come.  Guide me to look and see things as they are.  One I consider good may be bad and one I consider bad may be good.  Only You know.  Help me to live with my eyes wide open and learn from this example to truly love You and my neighbor.

Lord Jesus , I do not really know my own heart, let alone that of my neighbor.  Lead me to understand more each day and to receive what each moment brings.  Lead me away from the pretensions of this world and into the reality of the goodness You offer by grace to those who walk in Your light.  Convict me when I judge and encourage me when I need to move away from it.  Through all things, conform me to Your image.  Amen.

“Now the Passover and Unleavened Bread were two days away; and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to seize Him by stealth and kill Him; for they were saying, “Not during the festival, otherwise there might be a riot of the people” (Mark 14:1-2).

Amidst the celebration of the people, there are the wicked who plot behind smiling faces.  This world is filled with those who seek for themselves and believe that they are exempt from the reality that we all shall pass on with this world and leave all that is physical behind.  But the schemers are afraid of the crowds.  The majority is manipulated by the minority.  Trust in the Lord who has overcome all of this.

Lord, I have seen this pattern many times.  Too often, I am one of the crowd, and become overwhelmed with what is happening around me, not paying attention to what is really happening.  Lead me so that I see things through Your eyes and stand firm in the truth of Your revelation.  You have shown things as they are for those who are willing to see.  Lead me to see You and follow Your call.

Lord Jesus, You lead the way for as many as hear Your voice.  There have been those of this age who are constantly plotting to have their way, and they always fail against You.  The schemes  continue.  Take me away from the scheming of this world to humbly walk the path You have given me to walk.  Guide me into the goodness which has always been evident in Your commands.  Teach me how to be faithful amidst a world that is unfaithful.  Amen.

“What I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!’” (Mark 13:37)

We each need to pay attention.  So many things happen seemingly by chance, and we become anxious, worrying about things that are beyond our control.  There are things we can do.  So far as it concerns you, treat all things that happen with intentionality, deliberately making the right choices for what you do.  Do not just react, but follow the guidance of the Lord and do so with the intent the Holy Spirit gives you.

Lord, I often do amble along, and do not pay attention to what is happening around me.  Guide me to live into the life You have given me knowing that in You alone is there a true future, which is forever.  Lead me into the life You are offering me and to do so with intentionality and deliberation upon the things that I do.  Guide me, Lord, into all goodness knowing that You provide all that is needed.

Thank You Lord Jesus for pointing out the things I could be doing.  Lead me to live intentionally, seeking what is right and fitting for each situation.  Help me, I pray, to see what I need to see and to be alert to what is happening around me.  You have shown me that my faith is not a blind reaction, but a series of intentional things given by you.  Help me to live a life that is alert to what is happening around me.  Amen.

“Therefore, be on the alert – for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning – in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep” (Mark 13:35-36).

None of us knows the timing of events.  When things happen that we do not like, they often seem to come suddenly and at unforeseen times.  So also, the Lord knows our days, and we do not know the day or hour when the Lord shall come for us.  It is not that we are to live in fear, but we should live with a quiet sense of urgency, for our days are numbered and there is much to be done.  Be about the Father’s business.

Lord, help me to live not with anxiety, but with a sense of urgency.  Guide me to not do things out of compulsion, but willingly.  Lead me to see what is right and good and what is unnecessary.  Through all things, help me to live according to Your goodness and mercy.  You have come to give true and everlasting life.  This world seeks destruction.  Help me to see clearly the difference.

Thank You Lord Jesus for clearing the way before me.  Lead me in the truth You have revealed so that I may humbly walk in the way of righteousness.  Through all things, lead me to live each moment with intentionality, prudently weighing my thoughts and actions so that I live by the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Through all things, lead me to be in Your presence forever.  Amen.

“Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come.  It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert” (Mark 12:33-34).

We do not know what each day will bring.  Some treat the faith as an insurance policy and make no provision for the purpose of salvation.  We are called to come into an eternal relationship and grow to become like Christ.  In one sense, it is not about being saved, but about becoming.  We are to be on the alert so that nothing stops the progress of becoming.  Pay attention to everything, for all things are there for a purpose.

Lord, guide me to understand that in You alone is there a good future.  The world would have me flow with it in its endless cycles to nowhere, but You have called me to a new life.  Guide me in the way You know I need to go and let nothing hinder nor distract me from walking with You.  Let me leave behind what I must leave behind and walk on this journey with You.  All time is in Your hands.  Lead me through my number of days alloted.

Lord Jesus, You know that I become anxious about things and do not live in the promise You have given me.  I am distracted and little by little the world erodes my faith.  Help me to hold fast and stand strong in You so that I may persevere.  Guide me in Your goodness to continue becoming what the Father will make of me.  Help me to move beyond my understanding to stand in Your holiness.  Amen.

“But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone” (Mark 13:32).

So many in this world are proclaiming that they know what all the signs mean.  These signs point us to Jesus and He tells us to not worry about the day or the hour.  There is enough to be done in seeking to live righteously.  Focus upon what the Lord gives you to do and leave the outcome of all things to Him.  Be led by His goodness and mercy and walk humbly with Your Lord and God.

Dear Lord, You know how I get caught up in wanting to know things.  Many have come along and told me exactly how all these things will come to pass.  But they do not know.  Part of what they say may be true, but You have told me ahead of time so that I trust in you and not just the hopeful interpretations of these things.  All will come to pass according to Your word.  I believe there will be surprises.

Lord Jesus, You have asked me to follow You, knowing that You are always with me.  Guide me, Lord, to live the life You have given me.  Lead me according to the Father’s purpose and to focus upon what You would have me focus upon.  Teach me all I need to know and help me to walk the path of faithfulness.  I have commended my spirit unto You.  Raise me up with You to live in the new life You give.  Amen.

“Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away” (Mark 13:30-31).

This generation is the generation of rebellion.  The next generation will be of the redeemed and the condemned.  You were first born with flesh and blood.  Through Christ, you are reborn children of the Heavenly Father with your spirit alive.  The source of all things is God.  Through Him, all things have their being.  His words shall never pass away.  What we know of this generation shall pass away, but what He is doing is forever.

Lord, I do not understand all these things, but I do not need to.  You have given me the words of eternal life and in You, I have hope.  Hearing that Your word shall not pass away, helps me to focus upon this better portion which You have given me.  Guide me in all goodness to live by the word You have given me.  Life will happen in and around me, but You are with me and know the outcome of all these things.

Lord Jesus, Your word is a terror to those who will not believe, but a comfort to me, for I know all things are in Your hands.  Guide me in the way of life which prepares me to be with You forever.  Help me to see through the darkness of this age to abide in the light You shine in order that I may better understand.  I have life in You, Jesus.  Help me to live for the eternal life You have given me, abiding in You, the Word made flesh.  Amen.