Mark 14 - 12.26.24
SCRIPTURE -Mark 14:3 NIV
“While Jesus was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman [Mary] came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head [and feet].”
OBSERVATION
Jesus was having a leisurely meal in Bethany at the home of Simon with several friends and his disciples. In John’s account we learn that Lazarus was there along with his sisters Mary—and Martha who was serving.
Martha is serving and once again we find Mary—at the feet of Jesus.
Serving is good and right and we all need to find our place in serving Jesus with the gifts we have been given.
And—In order to serve with the Fullness of God— it is of the utmost importance we are prioritizing spending time at the feet of Jesus.
Mary breaks this precious jar of perfume (worth a year’s wages) and pours it out over Jesus feet and then anoints his head. (John 12).
APPLICATION
She did what she could…
Three Times Mary is mentioned in the Bible.
Each time she is at The Feet of Jesus.
Jesus said of Mary, “She did what she could”
At this dinner Mary once again finds the Most important place to be—at Jesus Feet.
Mary had shown in this one single act that Jesus was more important-more precious-worth her whole devotion and worship—she held nothing back.
“Martha had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was continually listening to His teaching.” (Luke 10:39 AMP)
“When Mary came [to the place] where Jesus was and saw Him, she fell at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.””
(John 11:32 AMP)
“Then Mary took a pound of very expensive perfume of pure nard, and she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” (John 12:3 AMP)
PRAYER
LORD JESUS,
YOU are WORTHY of my complete devotion. Help me to be like Mary. To come and fall at Your feet. May my heart beat for You. Help me to be purposeful in finding the quiet times to Listen. To be Still and Know you are God. When I am distressed, help me to simply fall at Your feet knowing You take every burden. And each morning May I seek You and anticipate my time with You…falling more and more in love with my Heavenly Father. Help me to continually pour out the best and most expensive offerings I have to give. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Tina L Kudelka
Psalm 144 - 12.25.24
Scripture
“Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle”. (Psalms 144:1, NIV)
Observation
David the King of Israel praises God, from whom all his skills and abilities come. As a king, the most important skill that he needed was to protect his nation from enemies, and to lead his army into war. He did not go to military school. He was a shepherd boy in his youth, before he was made the king. But God who called him to be the king, trained his hands for war and his fingers for battle, and made him excellent as a warrior. We see a similar verse in Psalms 18 which says “He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.”
Application
The ability to work and to provide for ourselves and our families is a gift from God. Each one of us is called to a specific vocation. Luke, who wrote the gospel of Luke and book of Acts, was a doctor (Colossians 4:14). Paul the apostle who wrote almost half of the New Testament, was a tent-maker by trade (Acts 18:3). Bezalel, was anointed by God “to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.” (Exodus 31:4-5). Joseph (husband of Mary) was a carpenter (Matthew 13:55). Daniel was a government official and bureaucrat, being the chief administrator and ruler of Babylon (Daniel 2:48). Joseph, the son of Jacob was a high-ranking Government official in Egypt, second to the Pharaoh (Genesis 41:40).
Whatever we do for work in our life, we are called to it and planted in our workplace by God. Wherever God has placed us, He gives us the ability to excel. Let us ask God to make us excellent in the vocation He has called us to. Our Heavenly Father who taught David how to be a warrior, and who made Daniel the wisest of Babylon, and who gave administrative skills to Joseph will give us all the skills and wisdom we need to be excellent.
Our God performs all things for us (Psalms 57:2). This includes excellence in all spheres of life. Are you called to be a father or mother? Are you called to be a home-maker? Ask God who gives wisdom, and He has promised to give wisdom generously without finding fault (James 1:5).
Prayer
Father, I thank you for calling me into the area of work that you have called me to. Thank you for my vocation, and the workplace you have planted me in. According to your word, I pray that you will make me excellent in my work, and make me stand before kings (Prov 22:29). I pray that you will give me the skills to do the work that you have called me to do, just as you trained David for battle (Psalms 144:1). Give me the wisdom to do my work, just as you gave knowledge, skill and wisdom to Daniel (Daniel 1:17). Help me to serve you and be your witness, wherever you have placed me. Let my work bring glory to your name. Thank you because you are able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than I can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.
- Asha Chacko George
Psalm 143 - 12.24.24
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 143:8 “Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You.”
OBSERVATION: David recognized his need for the Lord. He also remembered that he served a faithful, righteous, merciful, loving God, Who was attentive to his prayers. What kept David feeling so hopeful, even in the midst of the troubles that surrounded him was knowing that God was with Him!
APPLICATION: Christmas is suppose to be the most wonderful time of the year, but for many it can have the opposite effect; a time that causes loneliness and sadness due to the loss of a loved one, health problems, the stress of finding the perfect gift, feeling unprepared, or sheer exhaustion due to all the planning, preparing, activities and busyness that comes with the season.
PRAYER:
I pray as we gather to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus that I will take the time to stop and remember that Jesus is the greatest gift, Who came wrapped in love so that all could receive salvation through Him.
I pray I will not allow the busyness of the season to take my focus off the real reason for the season.
I pray like David that I will remember all that God has done for me, along with the wonderful works of His hands, and for that reason, I want to be prayed up, and prepared to share the greatest gift that I have ever received for all who will take it.
- Robin Orefice