Matthew 22

“Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God.

“‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’22:37 Deut 6:5. 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’22:39 Lev 19:18.

Mark 12

Realizing how much the man understood, Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” 

Lord God my Father,

Help me to allow the Scriptures to rest on me well and love as you have designed me to. Allow your understanding to be revealed.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Mark 11

“Have faith in God. 23I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. 24I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. 25But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.11:25 Some manuscripts add verse 26, But if you refuse to forgive, your Father in heaven will not forgive your sins. Compare Matt 6:15.”

John 12

Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, 

The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out. 32And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” 

I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. 

Lord God my Father,

Make my faith solid so it remains intact, protect me from deceit and judgment. Use me to show your light to the darkness.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. 7But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.

“Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. 10For the Son of Man19:10 “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself. came to seek and save those who are lost.”

 “‘Yes,’ the king replied, ‘and to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given.

Lord God my Father,

Give me a heart that is eager for you alone, cause me to turn only in your direction. Remove distractions that cause me to hesitate.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

 Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?’

 My Father has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.”

 I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce the proper fruit. 44Anyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on.21:44 This verse is not included in some early manuscripts. Compare Luke 20:18.

Lord God my Father,

Quiet my heart so I may hear you, prepare me to be chosen. Condition me so I may turn completely to you and protect me from stumbling.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. God has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.”

But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.

Lord God my Father,

Restore me to have a mind like an innocent child, give me strength to keep my heart in submission to you. Make me bold in your truth, allow me to truly see.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

 “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” 

Thomas, nicknamed the Twin,11:16 Greek Thomas, who was called Didymus. said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus.”

 Jesus would die for the entire nation. 52And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world.

So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night?

But they didn’t understand any of this. The significance of his words was hidden from them, and they failed to grasp what he was talking about.

But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Lord God my Father,

Open my eyes to see as you do, keep me from blindness of my perspective. Use me to draw your people together as you desire. Open my heart to understand your desire and how to pursue you.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light. 9Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.

Lord God my Father,

Direct my heart to do your will even when I don’t understand.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

 He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends

We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”

Lord God my Father,

Give me your wisdom on how to be in this world so I may honor you well. Help me to live so I can be one of the found.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. 

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

“Why can’t you decide for yourselves what is right? 

“The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. 9If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.’”

This shamed his enemies, but all the people rejoiced at the wonderful things he did.

“Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail. 

Lord God my Father,

Open my eyes so I may see your will, give me a heart that only longs for you, remove all false desires that are not of you and allow me to know what is right. I want you to remove all untruth and have courage to live as you desire today. Keep me from failure.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen