PERSONAL JOURNAL:
SIN ( Mark 3:4 ): I must admit, when I read through these first few verses, I was immediately convicted. How often have I looked down at someone that is trying their best to do good just because I do not agree with their approach or something like that? How often have I thought and behaved just like the Pharisees here? Please forgive me, Father. I should not be placing limitations and requirements on doing good for Your kingdom. Help me to be better at immediately identifying when I do things like this so that I may quickly correct myself in those moments and praise You through what is being done.
PROMISE ( Mark 3:35 ): This is such a POWERFUL promise to Your followers, Father. Jesus tells everyone that whoever is doing the will of God is His brother, sister, mother, etc. I am considered Jesus’ brother under You if I am doing the will of God! WOW! I’m slowly embracing that I am a child of God, but now I need to also embrace that Jesus is like a sibling to me if I am doing Your will, Father! Help me to truly accept this promise into my heart, Father.
ATTITUDE ( Mark 3:35 ): Going back to this verse, it also reminds me that I need to shift my thinking on this topic. I often deem myself undeserving of everything You give to me, Father. I often do this in a way that prevents me from even accepting Your grace, love, mercy, and joy in some moments, but this is not in line with Your teachings. I am undeserving of the sacrifice Jesus made for me, but He did it anyway. I am not undeserving of the grace, love, mercy, and joy You provide to me because that is a part of me embracing my new, born-again identity in Christ! Help me to be better at embracing this identity, Father. Help me to be better at truly knowing my identity in Christ, Father.
COMMAND ( Mark 3:28 ): Although this is a promise from Jesus, I also see it as a needed command to me this morning. Jesus says that people will be forgiven for ALL of their sins and blasphemies, so why do I pick-and-choose what I allow You to lift off my shoulders, Father? Why do I hold onto things that I’ve done in the past as-if I’m not deserving of You to forgive me for those things. Jesus tells them that ALL is forgiven! Not some, not certain ones, not even a limit but ALL, so why do I keep placing limits on this forgiveness? Help me to be better at releasing ALL of my burdens and weights from my mistakes onto You, Father. Help me to be better at following through with this amazing promise of Yours from my end instead of placing limits on Your forgiveness.
EXAMPLE ( Mark 3:1-6 ): Jesus goes into this situation knowing very well that the Pharisees were going to talk negatively about Him if He chose to do ANY type of healing on the Sabbath. Jesus knew better than to allow the pressure and negative thinking from them to determine His steps. He knew that it is Your will that is to be done, not those around Him. He knew that no matter what the perception of others is, that if He’s doing Your will in that moment that He is doing what’s pleasing to You and the thoughts/opinions of others are irrelevant. Thank You for providing such a perfect example of abiding in Your will and doing what is pleasing to You even in the face of adversity.
*DAILY NOTE: I know it’s been several days since my last quiet time, Father. Thank You for speaking so loudly to me this morning as I really needed this. Thank You for never giving up on me no matter how many times I slip or look away. Thank You so much for being the forgiver of ALL of my sins, not just some. Thank You for the amazing love, grace, and mercy You’ve shown me, Father, because I know I’m not deserving of any of it even though Jesus gave Himself freely for me. Thank You for everything, Father.
EXPAND TO READ: GENERAL NOTE FOR MY QUIET TIMES
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