“If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame, than, having your two feet, to be cast into hell, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:45-46).

We live in a time where outward things are considered to be of ultimate importance.  The ultimate importance is living in peace with the One who made you.  Knowing that this life is limited and short, why do you cling to what is temporary when what is eternal has been offered to you?  Enter into the struggle to become what He will make of you.  Walk willingly with the Lord who is creating in you to be like Jesus.

Lord, I do not see clearly nor do I understand what all of this means.  I have heard and believe that You have spoken the words of eternal life.  Guide me so that I do not stop with the things of this world but press on toward the prize.  Help me to walk by faith even though I do not yet see what my heart longs for.  Guide me to live according to Your word no matter what the cost to this temporary body You have given me.

Lord Jesus, at first these words seem so harsh, but they make sense.  You have come to complete me in You.  I do not even know what this means, but I do know that I have my part.  Help me to be rid of whatever it is that would get in the way of my trusting in You above all things.  Teach me how to be faithful and to be willing to pay whatever the cost to complete the journey You have placed before me.  Amen.

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea.  If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire, (where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched)” (Mark 9:42-43).

There seems to be much stumbling going on in our world.  The simple truth is that Jesus has opened the way for all who believe to come into life as it is meant to be lived.  He is the way, truth, and life and all must come through Him into eternal rest.  Any other way proposed is a stumbling block.  Do not hinder any who might see the light shining in the darkness.  Be an encouragement to all.

Lord, I have caused others to stumble through my careless words and thoughtless actions, but I know that You have called me to humbly submit to You knowing that You will work all things together for good for those who love You.  Help me to not be a stumbling block, but a faithful follower of the way You have established.  Lead me to live the life You have given me knowing that in You is all hope.

Lord Jesus, You are teaching us to live intentionally, being careful with all that we say and do.  Guide me in the way You know I need to go.  Help me to neither stumble, nor cause others to stumble.  No matter what it costs me in this world, keep me close to You through all that comes.  Guide me in the upward call You have given me so that I may be faithful by Your grace.  Amen.

“For he who is not against us is for us.  For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward” (Mark 9:40-41).

In this world, there are many who are against the truth of the Lord God Almighty.  Living in the wishful thinking that things can be the way they want them to be, they live according to what they want.  Such things are an illusion.  Do not be driven by what you think, but by reality.  Those who are not against the Lord will end up with and for Him.  It may not be in a way You understand, but trust the One who understands all things.

Lord, I do things the way I do them.  Others who do things differently are foreign to me.  Foreign itself is not evil or wrong, so help me to understand that different is different and that is all it is.  I am not the judge, You are.  Grant that I would learn this lesson of humility so that I do things according to Your will and not my own.  Guide me in Your goodness to do what is right in the Father’s sight.

Lord Jesus, You are the One who knits together Your body, the church.  Help me to humbly do my part and not take into my hands control of how things are done.  You are the Savior of us all.  Only in You do we have salvation.  You are the One with all power and authority.  Help me look to You for all things, including the mercy and grace I need to give to others.  May I look to You first always Lord Jesus.  Amen.

“John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.”  But Jesus said, “Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me” (Mark 9:38-39).

The more subtle form of control is to exercise conformity and exclusivity.  It is true that only through Christ are we saved, but that business belongs to Christ alone.  The earthly church has long practiced segregation.  Jesus reminds us that in the use of His name there is great power.  No one can use His name and not be affected by the One who has that name.  Trust that our Lord is always at work.

Lord, there are those who do things differently than I do.  All people are in Your hands.  Teach me to be faithful with what You give me to do.  Guide me so that I live according to Your word and not according to my idea of Your word.  You know those who are in the field.  Help me focus upon what You give me to do and lead me by the power of Your Holy Spirit to be faithful in all things.

Thank You Lord for calling me into Your kingdom.  There may well be those who have talked to You about me.  With humility, help me to encourage all who use Your name rightly and not castigate them because they do not do things the way I would them.  You are the One who must lead.  Lead me Lord so that I learn from You what it means to be faithful.  Guide me in Your goodness to do what is pleasing in the Father’s sight.  Amen.

“Taking a child, He set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me” (Mark 9:36-37).

Humility and true equanimity are a part of the attitude of Jesus.  All people are precious in the sight of the Lord.  They should be precious in our sight also.  All people are different, so we should see each as an individual.  In becoming like Christ, we are not to become wrapped up in the insanity of the world which divides and determines people by sinful standards.  Receive all with the same love with which you have been received.

Lord, this world has always been filled with hate and segregates people, classifying them, while there are those who seek to dominate.  It is not so with Your kingdom. Help me to see through the evil smoke of this age in order that I may humbly receive all as You would receive them.  Guide me into the faith You have given me that I may live according to Your precepts and principles.

Lord Jesus, with a simple illustration You have shown us the truth.  Small children, the old and feeble, and those with special needs are all people who are precious in Your sight.  Teach me to have compassion upon all whom I meet.  Help me to receive them as You receive me.  Guide me out of this world’s thinking and into the truth of eternity.  Guide me so that I live what You are teaching me about receiving others.  Amen.

“Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35).

Does it really matter where we are in God’s kingdom?  We are whom the Lord is making us to be.  It is like arguing with the potter when you are a lump of clay.  Position does not matter, for we all are positioned to be with the Lord.  What more could you want?  Be guided then by what the Creator is doing and not by the insanity of this self-seeking world that wants position and status.

Lord, Help me to understand that You alone are the Lord of my life.  You have wonderfully created each one of us.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to see through the lies of this age in order that I may realize that Your purpose is already unfolding in me.  Great or small does not matter, for You have great purpose for all whom You have made.  Lead me into the life for which I have been created.

Lord Jesus, I want to be with You in Your kingdom.  Place me where You will and by the power of Your Holy Spirit, lead me to not worry as the world does about where I am placed.  Lead me to live in the righteousness You give and seek You above all things.  Guide my heart and soul to seek first Your kingdom knowing that all that is needed will be added.  Thank You Lord for the invitation You have given me.  Help me to belong to You.  Amen.

“They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them, “What were you discussing on the way?”  But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest” (Mark 9:33-34).

Who is the greatest?  God is.  We are the created and our Lord will do with us what He will do.  The Savior laid down His life so that we might have life.  He who created us with purpose knows the plans He has for each one of us.  Why worry about what we shall be?  The Lord is good and all who believe are invited to the eternal feast.  The world wants position.  In the Lord, You have position with Him already.

Lord, I am filled with pride and I want what I want.  Help me to look beyond the sin of this age in order that I may realize that You are the Creator of all things.  I am who I am, placed where You have placed me.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy to understand that in You alone do I have my being.  I am who You are making me to be.  Help me to rejoice in all that You do, for You are creating me anew each day by grace.

Thank You my Lord and Savior Jesus for dying so that I might have life.  Lead me according to Your purpose in order that I may humbly walk in the way You would have me walk.  Guide me according to Your purpose so that I may now and always live with the goal of being with You forever.  You know all that is needed and what I need to know is to trust You.  Guide me in that trust forever.  Amen.

“For He was teaching His disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later.”  But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him” (Mark 9:31-32).

We celebrate the resurrection, but do we really know all that this means?  Probably not.  Allow the mystery of this to dwell richly within you and, Like Mary, the mother of our Lord, ponder these things in your heart.  Do not act as one who understand all things, but as one who trusts in the One who knows all things.  Our Lord is leading and will lead all who believe in order that they may be with Him forever.

Lord, pride does get in the way and I think I know things.  All I need to know is You, the Author and Finisher of my faith.  Lead me in the way You know I need to go and guide me according to Your never-failing precepts which You have established.  You were crucified and on the third day, You rose.  Uniting me with Your death, You have united me with Your resurrection.  You are the Lord of my life.

Lord Jesus, Savior and King, be the One who leads me in all things.  Let me not trust in what I think I know, but in You through whom all things have their being.  Guide me according to the Father’s will to live the life which You have created.  Guide me step by step along the way of living so that I may be conformed to You, the One who saves all who believe.  Guide my footsteps that they may be faithful.  Amen.

“From there they went out and began to go through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know about it” (Mark 9:30).

Amazing things happen, but the Lord sometimes wants that to be between Him and you.  The more important thing is to learn when to speak and when to be silent.  Let the Lord direct your mouth so that you may speak what is pleasing to the Lord.  Yes, he can and will lead you even to this small detail in Your life.  He desires that You be His child, speaking the things of eternity in all that you say.

Lord, I know that we each have the call You have given us.  The first call is to be obedient to all that You command.  Help me to learn the lessons You teach that I may learn how to be faithful.  Guide me in the upward call You have given me so that as I am conformed to Your image, I learn to look to You for all things.  You are the author of my faith.  Lead me by faith all the days of my life and help me learn how to be obedient.

Thank you Lord Jesus for being with me in my life.  You care enough to deal with all of the issues of my life.  Guide me according to Your purpose so that I humbly submit to Your command.  Keep me as one who is constantly in prayer in order that I may learn from You how to be a willing and obedient servant.  Through all things, may I learn from You what it means to be a child of the Heavenly Father.  Amen.

“But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him; and he got up.  When He came into the house, His disciples began questioning Him privately, “Why could we not drive it out?”  And He said to them, “This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer” (Mark 9:27-29).

It is important that we understand that Jesus does not make us free agents.  We, who are lifted out of the mire of sin only know in part.  He who is perfect knows all truth.  Has not Jesus told us to be continuously praying?  Yes, we can do all things with the Lord, but the Lord will or will not have us do certain things.  His is the power and we are the servants.  Serving the Lord, we are to pray, listen, and then do as He says.

Lord, I can drive out no demon, but You can do all things through me.  It is Your power that accomplishes the Father’s will, not mine.  You are the One who must lead me.  Guide me in living so that I am constantly in communion with You.  Teach me so that I never think of these things as mine, but realize all things come from You.  Plant in me faith, even as small as a mustard seed that it may sprout and grow.

Lord Jesus, continue teaching me how to pray.  Guide me to the inner depths of my being and show me where I resist Your presence and the Father’s purpose.  Help me through all things to trust and believe that You will lead me into everlasting life.  Be the One who guides me and help me to hear as the Holy Spirit speaks to me.  Through all things, be the One who finishes my faith according to the Father’s will.  Amen.