Thursday, March 31 by Melissia Mason

Read Mark 5:21-34.

I’ve often wondered what this woman was feeling when she tentatively reached out to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment. She was so sure that even the lightest touch would heal her. Can you imagine her relief when her faith paid off?  Her desperation led to her healing.

When was the last time you reached out to God in desperation? It can be difficult to maintain the level of hopeful faith that the healed woman displayed. It’s not often that we see a miracle like the one she experienced.  Very often we are left wondering… where is my miracle?

I heard a story once about a child who was watching her mother cross-stitch. The child was sitting at the mother’s feet looking at the back of the handiwork. From that perspective, it looked like a jumbled mess. But from the mother’s perspective, the cross-stitched image was becoming increasingly beautiful and detailed.

From our perspective, life may look like a picture of chaos. But God has a different perspective. He’s looking at the masterpiece he’s creating and only he knows what the finished product will be.

God, give us patience as you work your miracles in our lives. Give us eyes to see the subtle brush strokes that go into creating your masterpiece. Amen.

Wednesday, March 30 by Rev. Rick Mang

Read Mark 5:1-20.

After such a wonderful miracle of saving a man’s life, the people asked Jesus to leave.  Why?  Were they afraid of his supernatural power?  Did they fear that Jesus would continue to cast demons into other herds of animals in the area?

Obviously, for any type of farmer or rancher, their personal security was tied directly to the number of animals they owned.  The Gerasenes chose their income and sense of security over their having the privilege of Jesus staying with them and teaching them.

Have you made similar choices in your life, choosing your sense of security over Jesus?

Dear God, forgive me when I do not put my full trust in you to take care of me. You, O God, are my security!   Amen.

Tuesday, March 29 by Dr. Cindy Ryan

Read Mark 4:35-41.

In today’s passage the disciples and Jesus are in a boat; Jesus is asleep and a huge storm comes up.  The disciples wake Jesus up and say, “Teacher is it nothing to you that we are perishing?”

I’ve felt like that before, haven’t you?  I’ve had a time or two when the wind in my life has been blowing, the waves crashing and the water rising up around me.  There have been times when I believed all was lost and I was going down.  Certainly, there have been times when God seemed fast asleep or at least very, very far away.  I can identify with the disciples saying to Jesus, “Do you see that we are in trouble here, don’t you care?”

I can relate but what I find very compelling is that Jesus says to the disciples, “Why are you so timid?  How is it that you have no faith?”

When we panic, when we believe all is lost, it has a powerful effect on our faith and our ability to trust or to even see the bigger picture.  Jesus reminds us here that God is in control.  Is the boat going down?  Don’t panic.  Just look up.

God when my boat encounters the storms of life, give me courage. Give me faith.  Help me to look up.  Amen.  

Monday, March 28 by Chris Abram

Read Mark 4:30-34.

The mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds there is (1 - 2 mm), yet it grows to a 10-15 ft. tall tree - almost 5,000 times its original size.  In the scripture, it tells us that the tree grows so large that it gives shade for the birds. Though this parable is trying to give a representation of what the Kingdom of God is like, ultimately it is about faith.

In the heat of summer, shade provides us with comfort, relief and gives us a chance to regain our strength.  God's kingdom is no different.  When we rest in him, through faith, he gives us strength to persevere,  relief in knowing that He will always be there for us and comfort as we heal.  And it all starts with the smallest belief that He is our God.

God, help us to start each day like the blooms on a tree, opening up to receive your reign in our lives. Give us growth and make us fruitful in the spirit. Amen.

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Sunday, March 27 by Dr. Ken Diehm

Read Mark 14:53-72.

I wonder how Peter remembers this night?  How did he feel years later when he heard this story of his denial of Jesus retold?  Jesus had foretold that Peter would deny him.  Peter had vigorously responded that he would never betray Jesus in such a manner.  Yet after his betrayal the passage tells us Peter suddenly remembered Jesus telling him, “Before a cock crows twice, you will deny Me three times.”  Peter’s response was to weep.  His betrayal is part of the gospel story.  How do you think he felt about that?

Fortunately for Peter his story does not end with the denial.  He encounters Jesus in John 21.  There forgiveness is not only offered but Jesus gives Peter the task of “feeding the sheep.”  Peter was able to experience forgiveness and become a great leader in the early church.  How about you?  When you really fall short, are you able to receive the forgiveness God has to offer?  Or do you somehow feel unworthy of the forgiveness? 

Forgiveness is nothing that we deserve; it is a gift God offers to each of us. God, help us to receive your free gift of forgiveness. Amen.

Saturday, March 26 by Rev. Louis Carr

Read Mark 4:26-29.

In a culture where Christian conversation is faux pas, sowing seeds can be difficult, uninviting and unsettling.  As we operate in a world that calls us to go along and get along, we find ourselves as a people of faith suppressing our call to spread the good news.

Be encouraged to know that in this passage we are called to simply throw the seed.  After we throw the seed our job is done.  We are to do the very basic act of seed sowing and nothing more until the harvest comes. 
Whether it is the act of saying, “God loves you,” to a stranger or helping someone in need, we must understand that a random act of kindness is an act of sowing a seed.  From that point we simply let go of the situation and let God do the rest.

God, show us where and when to sow seeds. Give us the courage to show our faith, with or without words. Amen.

Friday, March 25 by Dr. Cindy Ryan

Read Mark 4:21-25.

“No one brings a lamp home and hides it.” - Jesus

Following Jesus is a light journey.  Saying yes to Jesus means we accept his light in us, not to hide it or bury it, but to let it shine.  God likes radiant, shiny Christians.  Shiny Christians are different than obnoxious, pushy, over-the-top, in-your-face Christians.  Radiant Christians exhibit the light of Christ in natural, authentic, joyful ways. 

Author Elisa Morgan says it well, “When we shine, we hold out the Word of life to a world in deep need.  When we shine, we draw others to the source of our hope.  Even a single speck of light alters the very nature of darkness.”  (from Twinkle:  Sharing Your Faith One Light at a Time)

God, in the whole scheme of things, I’m just a speck of light. Allow me to twinkle for you.  Amen.