January 3 -- "The Physician's Subtle Diagnosis"

 ►Click HERE to view today's "Word from the Word"

Read Mark 2

In today’s verse, Jesus highlights His mission to reach out to those in need of spiritual healing, emphasizing that He came not for the righteous, but for sinners. Jesus addresses criticism from the Pharisees, a group in ancient Israel known for their strict adherence to religious rules. They questioned why He associated with tax collectors and sinners—which was something they would never do. His response reveals the heart of His ministry: to bring healing and redemption to those who are spiritually sick and broken.

Don't miss the subtle yet powerful truth Jesus is teaching here. On the surface, He affirms His mission to heal the broken, but beneath that, He cleverly addresses the Pharisees' spiritual blindness. By stating He came not for the righteous but for sinners, Jesus implies that everyone of us is spiritually "sick"—even those who think of themselves as “righteous.” This is because we are all affected by a sinful human nature. Recognizing one's need for Him is the first step toward healing.

This nuance is crucial. The Pharisees prided themselves on their adherence to their laws and religious traditions, yet their self-righteousness blinded them to their own need for grace and forgiveness. Jesus' response invites introspection, encouraging them to see that, like everyone else, they too need the Physician to heal their spiritual sickness. This aligns with Romans 3:10, "None is righteous, no, not one," and underscores that self-righteousness is a barrier to receiving God's grace.

Just like the Pharisees in Jesus' day, we can all fall into the trap of self-righteousness. We might judge others, consider ourselves better than others, or shun those we perceive as "sinful." But the truth is, we all fall short. Romans 3:23 tells us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Even those who consider themselves “good enough” are not exempt from the need for a Savior.

Let us take to heart Jesus' profound message. No matter how “good” or “righteous” we might think we are, we all need the Great Physician. Embrace humility, seek His grace, and extend this understanding to others, knowing that His call to repentance and healing is universal. True spiritual healing comes not from our deeds but from a humble acknowledgment of our need for Christ.

January 2 -- "What is This?"

 ►Click HERE to view today's "Word from the Word"

Read Mark 1:21-45

The opening chapter of Mark presents a stunning portrait of Jesus’s powerful ministry. People are left astonished, amazed, and in awe of His teaching, which radiates undeniable authority. His miraculous healings leave them speechless. They've never encountered anyone like Him before. Who is this? What is this? Today, we can still experience the same awe and transformative power of Jesus in our lives.

In this passage, Jesus enters a synagogue and teaches with captivating authority. His teaching is unlike anything the people have ever heard. He then encounters a demon-possessed man who recognizes Jesus as the “Holy One of God” (verse 24). With a simple command, Jesus expels the unclean spirit. This extraordinary event sparks amazement and ignites a flurry of questions about Jesus’s identity and power.

But Jesus’s authority doesn't stop there; He heals Peter’s mother-in-law and a man with leprosy, showcasing His dominion over illness and social stigma. News of these miracles spreads like wildfire, drawing crowds eager to witness Jesus’s power firsthand.

Just as the astonished crowds in Mark 1, we too should be filled with awe at Jesus’s power. His authority extends to every aspect of our lives – our spiritual battles, physical ailments, and even social anxieties. The healings in this passage serve as a beautiful reminder that Jesus desires our wholeness – spirit, soul, and body.

This passage compels us to actively seek Jesus and His power. You can encounter Him through prayer, studying Scripture, and participating in worship. By inviting Jesus into your personal situations and trusting in His calming presence, you too can experience astonishment and amazement along with newfound peace and focus. Just as Jesus spoke with authority to the demon, He can speak with boldness against your fear, doubt, and any negativity holding you back.

Let the awe of Jesus’s power reawaken your faith today. Seek Him and experience the transformation He offers. Get ready to be awestruck!

May the awe-inspiring power and authority of Jesus Christ fill your heart with wonder and faith. And may you experience the wholeness and joy that come from a deep, sincere relationship with Him.

January 1 -- "The First Words That Changed Everything"

 ►Click HERE to view today's "Word from the Word"

Read Mark 1:1-20

[Editor’s note: There's some debate about the exact dating, but Mark is generally placed in the mid-first century AD, making it likely the earliest written account of Jesus' life and teachings. Accordingly, we begin our New Testament journey here.]

The first recorded words of public figures often carry significant weight, setting the tone for their missions and signaling their priorities and intentions. These initial statements can serve as a foundation for their public persona and provide insight into their core values and beliefs.

The first recorded words of Jesus Christ as He embarked on His public ministry were, “REPENT and BELIEVE in the gospel.” With these words, Jesus invites everyone to embark on a life-changing journey that begins with repentance and faith in God’s message of salvation. This essential first step launches us on a path of profound, meaningful transformation that influences every part of our lives.

Jesus’ message is as relevant today as it was then. The call to repent and believe is for everyone, everywhere. It is a powerful reminder that faith is not just about intellectual agreement but involves a radical reorientation of our lives. Repentance isn’t merely feeling remorse for our sins; it's an active decision to change our behavior and align our lives with God's will. Following Christ means becoming a new creation, leaving behind the former ways of life as we learn in 2 Cornthians 5:17 – “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Belief in the Gospel requires trust in the Good News of salvation that comes through Jesus alone. In the Bible, belief is always tied to action; it means aligning your life with the truth you profess. This faith involves acknowledging Jesus as Savior and submitting to Him as Lord, trusting that His death and resurrection secure eternal life and abundant living now.

To integrate this into our daily lives, we must constantly evaluate our actions and attitudes, ensuring they align with the teachings of Jesus. For instance, when we notice any sinful behaviors, thoughts, or attitudes in our lives, repentance means seeking God’s forgiveness and making a deliberate effort to turn around and go the other, leaving sin behind. We are called to abandon old ways and follow Jesus with our whole hearts. Reflect on 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is…not wishing that any should perish, but that ALL should reach repentance.”

Today, let's take that first step of repentance and belief, renewing our commitment to the journey of faith that Jesus has laid out for us. If you haven’t already done so, now is the perfect moment to repent of your sins, put your faith in Jesus Christ and invite Him to become Lord of your heart and life.

December 31 -- "The Full Tithe"

 ►Click HERE to view today's "Word from the Word"

Today's Reading: Malachi 3 & 4

In the closing chapters of the Old Testament, God uses the prophet Malachi to deliver an urgent call to His people. He urges them to return to Him, promising rich blessings for their faithfulness and warning of judgment for their unfaithfulness. The message is clear: The Lord deeply desires a genuine relationship with His people. He invites them—and us—to honor Him, promising blessings for those who do.

Malachi 3:10 offers a powerful in invitation from God, asking His people to test His faithfulness by bringing the "full tithe" into the storehouse. It underscores the principle of trusting God with our resources, promising that He will "open the windows of heaven" and pour out abundant blessings. This verse highlights God’s challenge to His people to rely on Him fully and witness His provision. It's one of the few places in Scripture where God invites us to test Him, emphasizing His desire to bless those who trust and obey Him.

The Israelites were guilty of offering less than the full one-tenth of their increase ("tithe"), essentially shortchanging God. This disobedience showed a lack of trust in His provision and a failure to honor Him properly. God’s command to bring the whole tithe is a call to faithfulness and an invitation to experience His abundant blessings.

God's invitation to bring the full tithe not only promises abundant blessings but also reveals His desire for our total commitment. The word "full" signifies giving God our whole devotion, holding nothing back. God isn't interested in partial offerings or half-hearted devotion. He calls us to trust Him completely by bringing the entire tithe, showing our reliance on His provision. To live “holy” for God is to live “wholly” for God!

However, be cautious. Some misunderstand this verse as a formula for personal gain, thinking if I give, I will get. While it's true that you can't outgive our gracious and generous God, this verse isn't a map to personal wealth. The blessings He promises from your "full" devotion may not come as money or material wealth. But you can surely expect "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3).

Reflect on the areas of your life where you can more fully surrender to God. Are there aspects of your time, talents, treasure, or personal ambitions you've been withholding? Don't shortchange the Lord. Embrace the call to give your whole self to God.

May you go beyond financial offerings, and dedicate your time, talents, relationships, vocation, and entire being to His service. And, as you surrender every part of your life, may you experience deeper intimacy with God and the abundant life found only in Him.

December 30 -- "Marriage—A Three-Way Bond"

 ►Click HERE to view today's "Word from the Word"

Today's Reading: Malachi 2

Marriage is more than a human contract; it is a sacred covenant designed by God for His glory and our good. In Malachi 2:15, the prophet asks, “Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union?” This highlights marriage as a divinely established bond where God seeks godly offspring and faithful devotion to Him.

The phrase "a portion of the Spirit in their union" highlights God's active role in the covenant of marriage. It suggests that the union between husband and wife is not merely a two-person relationship, but a three-way bond infused with God's Holy Spirit. This "portion of the Spirit" points to the divine blessing and empowerment given to the couple, enabling them to reflect God's image through their relationship.

A marriage infused with God's Spirit is a glimpse of Heaven on Earth. When God's Spirit is present in a marriage, the relationship transcends human effort and becomes a reflection of divine love, grace, and unity.

Malachi goes on to rebuke the people of Israel for their unfaithfulness, both to God and their spouses. The Lord reminds them that marriage is a union the Lord created for a holy purpose. The "oneness" of marriage reflects God’s design from the beginning (Genesis 2:24). It is meant to be a relationship of loyalty, love, and spiritual unity. When couples abandon this covenant, it dishonors God and disrupts His purpose for their lives.

For believers, this truth is a reminder to rely on the Holy Spirit in their marriage. It encourages couples to pray for the Spirit’s presence in their relationship, seek His guidance in challenges, and lean on Him for strength to honor the sacredness of their bond. Marriage is not meant to be lived out in mere human strength but with the divine portion of God’s Spirit empowering the union.

May the Lord bless your relationships with faithfulness, love, and His abiding Spirit. May He draw you closer to Him and to each other, and may your life together shine as a testimony of His unfailing love.

December 29 -- "Fatherly Respect"

 ►Click HERE to view today's "Word from the Word"

Today's Reading: Malachi 1

God, as our Heavenly Father, deserves the highest honor and respect. In Malachi 1—the final Book of the Old Testament—God is grieved over being treated without the honor and respect due to a father or master, questioning why His people fail to recognize His rightful place in their lives. This verse challenges us to evaluate our attitude and actions toward the One who created and redeemed us.

In Malachi's day, sons honored their fathers through obedience, respect, and honoring their father's authority. This would include listening to their guidance, working diligently in the family business or inheritance, and carrying out the family responsibilities.

The priests in Malachi's time dishonored God through halfhearted offerings and careless worship. Though they claimed to serve Him, their actions spoke of indifference. God’s rebuke reminds us that His fatherhood is not merely a title—it demands reverence. Jesus echoed this truth when He taught His disciples to pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed [holy and sacred] be your name” (Matthew 6:9). Respect for God is foundational to our relationship with Him, expressed through obedience, reverence, and wholehearted devotion.

As Christ’s followers, we honor God as our Father by giving Him the reverence, obedience, and devotion He deserves. This includes obeying His Word, aligning our lives with His commandments, and demonstrating our trust and love. We offer Him wholehearted worship, not just in church but in every aspect of life, through sincere prayer, praise, and service.

Honoring God means giving Him our best—our time, talents, and treasures—prioritizing Him above all else. We also reflect His character by living in a way that upholds His holiness, love, and authority. We truly acknowledge this authority by humbly submitting to His will, trusting His plans, and seeking His kingdom first. In these ways, we show that we truly recognize and honor Him as our loving Father, worthy of all respect, gratitude, and praise.

Choose today to live in a way that honors your heavenly Father. Evaluate your heart and your habits. Are you giving God your best, or settling for less? Let your reverence for Him shape your priorities, decisions, and devotion.

May the Lord open your eyes to His worthiness and fill your heart with awe and gratitude. As you walk in His ways, may your life bring Him the honor He deserves, reflecting the beauty of a child who loves and respects their Father.

December 28 -- "From Tears to Joy"

 ►Click HERE to view today's "Word from the Word"

Today's Reading: Psalm 126

Seasons of sorrow and hardship are not the end of the story for God’s people.  The big idea of Psalm 126 is the transformative power of God to restore us from adversity and bring us back to a place of joy.

This Psalm celebrates the restoration of Zion (Jerusalem) and the immense joy experienced by God's people. It recounts the time when the Lord turned Jerusalem's fortunes around, filling the people with laughter and shouts of joy. The psalmist credits their incredible turnaround all to the Lord's unwavering faithfulness.

Verse 5 reveals a profound truth about our life’s journey, emphasizing the transformative power of God's work. For the Jewish people, "sowing in tears" refers to the hardships they endured during their exile in Babylon and Persia. Yet, the psalmist offers a hopeful outlook, proclaiming that those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. This imagery of sowing and reaping illustrates the victory the Lord brought about when He returned the exiles to their homeland with great joy.

For today's Christ followers, Psalm 126 reminds us that our struggles are not in vain nor will they continue forever. When we face trials with faith and perseverance, God works through these tough times to bring a harvest of joy and blessings. This principle aligns with Galatians 6:9, where Paul encourages believers— “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” 

So, dear follower of Christ, find hope and encouragement in the midst of your trials. Know that God is at work, and your tears and struggles are part of His larger narrative of redemption and restoration. Your faithfulness in sowing seeds of righteousness, even in tough times, will lead to a harvest of joy and fulfillment.

May the Lord of restoration and joy fill your heart with steadfast hope. As you sow in faith, even through tears, may His transforming power turn your sorrow into laughter and your trials into triumph.