Category: Daily Devotions

“Don’t be afraid; just believe.” (Mark 5:36) Jesus has controlled a storm, overpowered evil spirits, and healed a woman whose life was draining out of her. Now there is a greater test of Jesus’ power, because Jairus has learned that his daughter, who was sick, has actually died. But in the face of death Jesus…

“Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” (Mark 5:34) Many of us have difficult personal situations and histories that we cannot escape or change. And we would really like it to be otherwise. Somehow this woman, who was, in effect, dying for 12 years in her helpless condition, trusted that if she just…

“Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) God is especially close to us when we are lying on a sickbed. God will make the bed soft and will freshen it with His presence and with His tender care. He makes…

“What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?” (Mark 5:7) Yesterday we saw how Jesus dealt with a storm on the sea. Today Jesus and his disciples encounter a storm on the land. The raging man in this story is dangerous and uncontrollable, and his howling voice screams like the…

“But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.” (Daniel 1:8) The Bible says, “Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which…

“Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Mark 4:41) While the chaos of a storm threatened the disciples, Jesus slept soundly on a cushion. The disciples were just starting to get to know Jesus, and they wanted him to help. They may have thought he could help with a bucket, but…

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14) Part of Paul’s amazing success was because he was so focused. “I press towards the goal for the prize of the upward call.” Focus can bring energy and power to almost anything, whether…

“… What shall we say the kingdom of God is like … ?” (Mark 4:30) Spring is coming and people look through seed catalogs and choose seeds to buy for planting gardens. It takes a sense of vision to see what those seeds will become. For example, no matter how closely you look at a…

“Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalms 139:16) Iyanla Vanzant said, “Everything that happens to you is a reflection of what you believe about yourself. We can’t … draw to ourselves more than we think we are…