The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

When he said these things, the people10:19 Greek Jewish people; also in 10:24, 31. were again divided in their opinions about him. 20Some said, “He’s demon possessed and out of his mind. Why listen to a man like that?” 21Others said, “This doesn’t sound like a man possessed by a demon! Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

“The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields. 3Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. 

‘We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate. And know this—the Kingdom of God is near!’ 

Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. 20But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”

Lord God my Father,

Protect my actions so I may live abundant, use me to unite your sheep so we may join into your plan. Give discernment so I will not waste what time I have. Allow others to see your guidance thru me.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

The world can’t hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil. 

 “He’s a good man,” but others said, “He’s nothing but a fraud who deceives the people.” 13But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public,

“Is there a single one of us rulers or Pharisees who believes in him? 49This foolish crowd follows him,

 “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

Lord God my Father,

Allow your Truth to rest on me without concern from the world. May others only see you in me and may I represent you well. Purify me from my sin nature.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

 “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.” 

“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move.

“The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. 23He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” And the disciples were filled with grief.

But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, 

“But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck.

But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.

Lord God my Father,

Allow me to hear you in all moments of this day, make me aware of what my decisions are based on. Remove my doubt and protect me from temptation, help me to see the blessing in the struggle, allow your power to cast out evil that is around and in me.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“You are blessed, Simon son of John,16:17 Greek Simon bar-Jonah; see John 1:42; 21:15-17. because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.

“Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Lord God my Father,

Open my eyes so I may see you as you desire, Use me to share your message. Protect me from the deceiver and give me courage to stand for you alone. I want to please you.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

“Don’t you understand yet?”

She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.”

“Good answer!” he said. “Now go home, for the demon has left your daughter.” 

Lord God my Father,

Soften my heart so it may be reshaped to your will, open my ears so I may hear you. I am unworthy but you make me worthy. Deliver me from my sinful way.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. 9“There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?”

Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man6:27 “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself.

“This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”

For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up.

Lord God my Father,

Give me faith to believe what I can’t understand and to seek you in all moments of my day. Quiet my thoughts so I may her you and follow your desire.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Then the king regretted what he had said; but because of the vow he had made in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders. 

But when he saw the strong14:30 Some manuscripts do not include strong. wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 

 Herod was greatly disturbed whenever he talked with John, but even so, he liked to listen to him.

“Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!6:50 Or The ‘I Am’ is here; Greek reads I am. See Exod 3:14.” 51Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed, 52for they still didn’t understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in.

Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead!9:60 Greek Let the dead bury their own dead. Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.”

Lord God my Father,

Keep me close so I have less regrets, help me to look past the storm to your calm and trust your plan. Keep fear away with confidence by knowing you and guide me to where you can use me.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve to be fed.

“Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.

And all nations will hate you because you are my followers.10:22 Greek on account of my name.

 if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.

Lord God my Father,

Help me to build relationships with others so we may know each other. Help me to join forces to do your will. Keep me from fear of others and balance my love of others with my love of you.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Then Jesus said to them, “If you can’t understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables? 14The farmer plants seed by taking God’s word to others. 15The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away. 16The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 17But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. 18The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word, 19but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced. 20And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”…

So Jesus gave them permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, 

Lord God my Father,

Give me understanding so I can learn, help me to become who you wish me to be. Allow your power to clear my path and inspire me to do what I should to be ready.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

 “You are permitted to understand the secrets13:11 Greek the mysteries. of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. 12To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. 13That is why I use these parables,

‘When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend.15 For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes—so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.

“I will speak to you in parables. I will explain things hidden since the creation of the world.

And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.

Lord God my Father,

Open my mind to allow your truth to rest on me, give me enough understanding to follow you without delay. Allow me to understand your secrets as I am ready so I may share you well.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen