SEED: God's kingdom is like a seed that grows in you - Mark 4:27

Then Jesus said, “God’s kingdom is like a man who plants seed in the ground. The seed begins to grow. It grows night and day. It doesn’t matter whether the man is sleeping or awake, the seed still grows. He doesn’t know how it happens. Without any help the ground produces grain. First, the plant grows, then the head, and then all the grain in the head. When the grain is ready, the man cuts it. This is the harvest time.” Mark 4:26-29

Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. I praise You, Lord Jesus, for accomplishing the impossible on the tree, the cross of Calvary, to usher in the Kingdom of God. Thank You, for teaching me about God's kingdom. Indeed, I don't understand how a dead seed planted in the ground sprouts and grows into a tree, plant, vegetable, grain, or beautiful flower, but I see it happen every day. Please plant the seed of Your Kingdom in my heart so it can grow, produce fruit, and prepare me for the harvest time, when You come to take me home. I praise and glorify Your mighty name. Amen.

UNDERSTANDING: Listen to Jesus to gain more understanding - Mark 4:24

Then He [Jesus] added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more. To those who listen to My teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.” Mark 4:24-25

Living Truth

• "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand." John 10:27-28
• "This is what the LORD says: Don't let wise people brag about their wisdom. Don't let strong people brag about their strength. Don't let rich people brag about their riches. If they want to brag, they should brag that they understand and know Me. They should brag that I, the LORD, act out of love, righteousness, and justice on the earth. This kind of bragging pleases Me, declares the LORD." Jeremiah 9:23-24

Prayer

Teach me Your ways, Lord Jesus. I treasure Your teachings which deepen my understanding of God's eternal purpose for my life and enriches my soul with a fullness of hope. Help me, Holy Spirit, to have a teachable heart so I can learn to be an attentive listener of Christ. Abba Father, I ask that You please give me wisdom and understanding to help build up family members and friends who are struggling with their faith. Use me today to help someone whom Satan, the father of lies, is tearing apart with deception and arrogant pride. I pray in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

FRUIT: Hear and accept the Word to bear good fruit - Mark 4:20

Then Jesus asked them, “Don't you understand this parable? How, then, will you ever understand any parable? The sower sows God's message. Some people are like the seeds that fall along the path; as soon as they hear the message, Satan comes and takes it away. Other people are like the seeds that fall on rocky ground. As soon as they hear the message, they receive it gladly. But it does not sink deep into them, and they don't last long. So when trouble or persecution comes because of the message, they give up at once. Other people are like the seeds sown among the thorn bushes. These are the ones who hear the message, but the worries about this life, the love for riches, and all other kinds of desires crowd in and choke the message, and they don't bear fruit. But other people are like seeds sown in good soil. They hear the message, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirty, some sixty, and some one hundred.” Mark 4:13-20

Prayer
Take my heart, Lord Jesus, and please cultivate it into good soil that treasures and lives Your word, so I bear fruit that impacts the lives of family members and people in the marketplace who are spiritually dead. I want my life to testify to Your goodness and grace by caring for people who Satan deceives, defeats, destroys, or chokes with the thorn bushes of worry, love for riches, and lustful desires. Holy Spirit, please guide and use me today to sow the good seed of God's word through my care for the people You place in my path. I pray in Jesus' mighty name.

INSIGHT: The Lord Jesus gives you insight to God's kingdom - Mark 4:11

When they were off by themselves, those who were close to Him, along with the Twelve, asked about the parables. He told them, “You’ve been given insight into God’s kingdom—you know how it works. But to those who can’t see it yet, everything comes in parables, creating readiness, nudging them toward a welcome awakening. These are people—
Whose eyes are open but don’t see a thing,
Whose ears are open but don’t understand a word,
Who avoid making an about-face and getting forgiven.” Mark 4:10-12

Prayer
I make an about-face, Lord Jesus, seeking Your forgiveness. I trust in Your precious blood that cleanses me from all sin. Please open the eyes of my heart so I can see as You do. Open my ears to hear as You hear, that I might gain greater insight into God's kingdom. Create in me, Holy Spirit, a teachable heart that is awakened not only to understand God's word but to live it, reflecting the character of my Lord Jesus Christ through my actions. Use me today to help guide someone who is spiritually blind and deaf to see, hear, and trust in Jesus as their LORD. Abba Father, I humbly ask this in the mighty name of Christ, my Savior. 

FAMILY: You are family to Jesus if you do the will of God - Mark 3:35

Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see Him. They stood outside and sent word for Him to come out and talk with them. There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.” Jesus replied, “Who is My mother? Who are My brothers?” Then He looked at those around Him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother. Mark 3:31-35

Living Truth:

• "The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever." 1 John 2:17
• "You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised." Hebrews 10:36
• “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Luke 11:28

Quote: “To know the will of God is the greatest knowledge! To do the will of God is the greatest achievement.” George W. Truett

Prayer
I delight in doing Your will, Abba Father, because I know with all my heart that Your will for my life in Christ Jesus is glorious and Your plans last forever. As Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, I, too, pray, "Not my will, but Your will be done in my life." Holy Spirit, please help me model that I am a child of God and part of Christ's family by doing what pleases my Heavenly Father. I pray in Jesus' mighty name.

CALLING: Jesus is calling you - Mark 3:13

And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Mark 3:13

Infallible Truth:

• "GOD CALLED YOU to this through the Good News we preached to you; HE CALLED YOU to possess your share of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Thessalonians 2:14
• "He has saved us and CALLED US to a holy CALLING, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began." 2 Timothy 1:9
• "But God chose what the world considers nonsense to put wise people to shame. God chose what the world considers weak to put what is strong to shame. God chose what the world considers ordinary and what it despises, what it considers to be nothing, in order to destroy what it considers to be something. As a result, no one can brag in God's presence." 1 Corinthians 1:27-29

Praise & Prayer
I am called and wanted by Jesus. No words can express the gratitude in my heart for Your amazing love and acceptance, Lord Jesus. Thank You for calling individuals like me who felt rejected and considered a nobody by society. In gratitude, I kneel before Your presence to praise You for saving me and calling me when I felt unworthy of God's mercy and grace. You have brought hope, purpose, and significance to my life. Please guide me, Holy Spirit, to someone who feels like an outcast and believes they are insignificant. Abba Father, please enable them to hear the calling of Jesus who says, "Come, follow Me and I will give you a new life that is fruitful and purposeful." I pray in Christ's mighty name."

GREAT-THINGS: Jesus performs great things (miracles) for you! Mark 3:8

And Jesus withdrew to the sea with His disciples, and a large crowd followed from Galilee, and from Judea, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and beyond the Jordan, and those from around Tyre and Sidon. A large crowd, when they heard what great things He did, came to Him. Mark 3:7-8

Living Truth

• "And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him." Acts 10:38
• "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly." John 10:10

Praise & Prayer

God loves me so much that He sent His Son to heal my soul and deliver me from the oppression of the devil, who seeks to steal my hope, kill my faith, and destroy my life. I am a living, breathing, walking miracle who is not ashamed or cowardly in declaring the great things Jesus has done for me. Please perform mighty works of salvation and miracles of healing in Your perfect timing for my family and friends who come to You for help. Abba Father, hear and answer this petition that I ask in the mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ.