Quiet Walk

[Judy Harder]

Read Mark 14 -- 16

Highlights In Today's Reading:

Two days until Passover with Jesus as the ultimate Sacrificial Lamb (14:1). His prayer (14:36); betrayal, arrest, Peter's denial (14:10-11,43-72). Go . . . tell; Go ye into all the world (16:7,15)
When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the Sanhedrin determined that Jesus must die (John 11:53). But His popularity made them fearful of arresting Him because so many believed Him to be the Messiah (Luke 22:2; Mark 12:37).

It was now the Saturday evening before Sunday's triumphant entry into Jerusalem (John 12:2,12). Simon, a leper who had been healed by Jesus, lived in Bethany; he had invited Jesus and the disciples to his home for supper. As they sat eating, there came a woman (Mary) having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on His (Jesus') head (Mark 14:3; John 12:1-8; Matt. 26:6-13). This ointment was valued at three hundred pence -- almost a year's wages (Mark 14:5; Matt. 20:2). Judas spoke up, saying: Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? (John 12:5).

Obviously, this was a great sacrifice for Mary. Yet she poured out her very precious treasure upon the head and feet of Jesus as an expression of her devotion to Him. But to Judas, Mary's action was a great waste. But, what is "waste"?

Since Judas was the one who spoke openly against Mary's loving gift, Jesus must have been looking at him even though He also rebuked the others: Let her alone; why trouble ye her? . . . She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint My body to the burying (Mark 14:6,8).

The lost opportunity to sell the ointment and keep the money, the strong rebuke from Jesus, and the great honor He bestowed upon Mary probably embittered Judas, and he went unto the chief priests, to betray Him (14:10; Luke 22:3-4). Judas' greedy offer gave the chief priests the opportunity to arrest Jesus and to press for the death penalty much sooner than expected. They were glad, and promised to give him money (Mark 14:11). All this was foretold by the prophet: I said unto them . . . give me my price . . . So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver (Zech. 11:12).

Judas' greed was in striking contrast to Mary and others who treasure Jesus and His Kingdom: The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field (Matt. 13:44).

Thought for Today:

Glory and honour are in His presence; strength and gladness are in His place (I Chr. 16:27).
Word Studies:

14:31 spake the more vehemently =protested emphatically; 14:65 buffet Him =hit Him with their fists; 15:15 scourged =whipped; 15:38 twain =wo; 16:16 damned =condemned to eternal hell.
Cross References:

For Mark 14:27: See Zech. 13:7. Mark 14:62: See Ps. 110:1; Dan. 7:13. Mark 15:24: See Ps. 22:18. Mark 15:28: See Is. 53:12. Mark 15:29: See Ps. 22:7-8. Mark 15:34: See Ps. 22:1. Mark 16:19: See Ps. 110:1.
Prayer Needs:

Pray for English International Shortwave Broadcasts for the month of October sponsored by Mr. Rick Lokites • Staff: Gina Lesnefsky • Government Officials: Rep. Patrick Murphy (PA) and Rep. Kurt Schrader (OR) • Country: Guinea-Bissau (1 million) on the western coast of Africa • Major languages: Portuguese and Criolo • Religious freedom • 51% animist; 42% Muslim; 6% Roman Catholic; .7% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Rely upon the Lord at all times; He is your refuge (Ps. 62:.
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 15:19

[Judy Harder]

October 20

Ephesians 3

Paul is called to be a minister and to take the Gospel to the Gentiles.

INSIGHT

Paul calls his ministry the fulfillment of a "mystery." In the Bible, a mystery is nothing mysterious but something previously unknown. The mystery was that Jews and Gentiles would join together to form a new entity--the church. This mystery was foretold by Jesus, but the details of the doctrine, walk, and destiny of the church were communicated by Paul and his fellow apostles. Now as a new thing--the body of Christ--we are all to allow Christ to live His life through us.

PRAYER

Praise God for the mighty plan He has for the church:
Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
Praise the name of the Lord! . . .
The Lord is high above all nations,
His glory above the heavens.
Who is like the Lord our God,
Who dwells on high,
Who humbles Himself to behold
The things that are in the heavens and in the earth?
(Psalm 113:1, 4-6)

Pause for praise and thanksgiving.

Now pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (James 5:16)

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
By Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:16-18)

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

Wisdom as you serve in your local church
Your activities for the day
Whatever else is on your heart
Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. (Colossians 1:9-10) 

[Judy Harder]

October 21

Ephesians 4

Christians are to live in righteousness and holiness, worthy of their calling in Christ.

INSIGHT

On the basis of who we are in Christ - redeemed, inheritors with Christ, adopted into God's family, and destined to spend eternity with Him - we are to live a lifestyle that reflects our identity. We are no longer to live as we did before we knew the Lord - or as those who do not know Him. By putting on the "new man" we will preserve the unity of the Spirit and show the world that Christ is real. He makes a difference in the life that is dedicated to Him.

PRAYER

Praise the Lord that He is molding you into His image:
Praise the Lord!
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,
Who delights greatly in His commandments.
His descendants will be mighty on earth;
The generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches will be in his house,
And his righteousness endures forever.
Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness;
He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous (Psalm 112:1-4).

Pause for praise and thanksgiving.

Now pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
I will behave wisely in a perfect way.
Oh, when will You come to me?
I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
I will set nothing wicked before my eyes;
I hate the work of those who fall away;
It shall not cling to me.
A perverse heart shall depart from me;
I will not know wickedness
(Psalm 101:2-4).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
O Lord my God, You are very great:
You are clothed with honor and majesty,
Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment,
Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain. . . .
You who laid the foundations of the earth,
So that it should not be moved forever
(Psalm 104:1-2, 5).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
sensitivity to the Holy Spirit,
unsaved friends and co-workers.

Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
Whoever is wise will observe these things,
And they will understand the lovingkindness of the Lord
(Psalm 107:43)

[Judy Harder]

October 22

Ephesians 5

We are to walk in love just as Christ did.

INSIGHT

The wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience (the unsaved). Therefore, we are not to partake of their deeds. For we were formerly darkness, but now we are light in the Lord. If this is so, do you as a Christian need to alter any of your present habits? What about your television viewing habits? If it is disgraceful even to speak of the things that are done by the children of darkness, how much more disgraceful is it to sit in our living rooms and watch it? What about movies, books, magazines, or conversations with friends? Do your habits reflect the light of God?

PRAYER

Praise the Lord that He has transferred us out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light:
Mary said:
"My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His name.
And His mercy is on those who fear Him
From generation to generation"(Luke 1:46-50).

Pause for praise and thanksgiving as you pray this confession to the Lord:
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity,
And in whose spirit there is no deceit
(Psalm 32:1-2).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
The Lord God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer's feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills (Habakkuk 3:19).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
greater love for your family,
the work of missions in South America.

Finally, close with this prayer:
To Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, . . . to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
(Romans 16:25-27)

[Judy Harder]

October 23

Ephesians 6

We are to put on the full armor of God to fight and win the spiritual war.

INSIGHT

Satan is a deceiver and a destroyer; he deceives in order to destroy. A part of his deception is to have us believe he is not at work opposing our pursuit of righteousness. To combat his efforts, we must do several things. First, recognize that we must "be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might"(v. 10), not in our own strength. Second, we must "put on the whole armor of God" (v. 11). Each piece described in verses 14-17 must be in place daily. Third, we must pray at all times Òin the SpiritÓ (v. 18). And finally, having done all that, we must stand firm without fear, knowing we are secure (v. 13).

PRAYER

Because the Lord has promised to fight for us, we can praise Him!
Praise the Lord!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.
The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
He gathers together the outcasts of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds.
He counts the number of the stars;
He calls them all by name.
Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;
His understanding is infinite. . . .
The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him,
In those who hope in His mercy. . . .
He has not dealt thus with any nation;
And as for His judgments, they have not known them.
Praise the Lord! (Psalm 147:1-5, 11, 20).

Pause for praise and thanksgiving.

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I have not hidden.
I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,"
And You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Selah (Psalm 32:5).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
(2 Corinthians 5:21)

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
faithfulness with your finances,
revival among Christians in America,
your activities for the day.

Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen
(2 Corinthians 13:14)

[Judy Harder]

October 24

Philippians 1

Paul urges us to have his perspective: "To live is Christ, and to die is gain" (v. 21).

INSIGHT

With Paul's perspective on life, he cannot lose. Wherever he is, Paul considers it "the world" into which the Lord wants him to go to preach the Gospel. Even prison is a positive experience for Paul, because he is able to spread the Gospel there. And if he is to die, that is even better. To live is fruitful ministry, but to die is gain. Most of us have our affections too deeply implanted in the things of this world to identify with hisperspective. We must learn to let go.

PRAYER

The Lord is worthy of our praise:
"Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You. You show lovingkindness to thousands, and repay the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after themÑthe Great, the Mighty God, whose name is the Lord of hosts. You are great in counsel and mighty in work, for Your eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, to give everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings."
(Jeremiah 32:17-19)

Pause for praise and thanksgiving.

Now pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me.
(Psalm 51:1-3)

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.

Then pray this affirmation to the Lord:
You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
(2 Corinthians 8:9)

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
an eternal perspective,
your ministry in your local church,
whatever else is on your heart.

Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
To Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
(Ephesians 3:20-21)

[Judy Harder]

October 25

Philippians 2

We are exhorted to be like Christ, who practiced only selflessness.

INSIGHT

Selfishness is the source of most interpersonal conflict. Someone is taking something from us (materially, emotionally, socially, etc.) that we don't want to give, and we fight to keep or gain our desires. Unselfishness is the source of most interpersonal harmony. Think about the people you really like - even famous people you don't know personally. Usually the reason you like them is because they are gracious and kind, and give of themselves. If you want to be a harmonious, likable person, you must be unselfish.

PRAYER

Thank the Lord that we see God in Christ, and praise Him for the privilege of knowing Him:
Daniel answered and said:
"Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
For wisdom and might are His.
And He changes the times and the seasons;
He removes kings and raises up kings;
He gives wisdom to the wise
And knowledge to those who have understanding.
He reveals deep and secret things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
And light dwells with Him". (Daniel 2:20-22)

Pause for praise and thanksgiving, and pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Against You, You only, have I sinned,
And done this evil in Your sight -
That You may be found just when You speak,
And blameless when You judge
(Psalm 51:4)

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.

Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
(Colossians 1:13-14)

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
greater personal discipline,
persecuted Christians,
your activities for the day.

Close this time of worship with the following prayer:
May the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
(1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

[Judy Harder]

October 26

Philippians 3

Our goal in life should be to forsake temporal things for the sake of the eternal.

INSIGHT

Benjamin Franklin once decided to become morally perfect. He chose 13 qualities he felt embodied moral perfection and tried to perfect one a week - at the end of 13 weeks he would be morally perfect. He failed, yet later wrote he had become a much better man for trying and failing than if he had never tried at all. Our situation with the Lord is similar. We will never become morally perfect, as Paul writes, but we can experience maturation as we grow into the image of Christ.

PRAYER

Because the Lord knows our weaknesses and loves us anyway, we can praise Him with enthusiasm:
Inasmuch as there is none like You, O Lord
(You are great, and Your name is great in might),
Who would not fear You,
O King of the nations?
For this is Your rightful due,
For among all the wise men of the nations,
And in all their kingdoms,
There is none like You. . . .
But the Lord is the true God;
He is the living God and the everlasting King.
At His wrath the earth will tremble,
And the nations will not be able to endure His indignation
(Jeremiah 10:6-7, 10)

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit
(Psalm 34:17-18).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
The Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
(Romans 8:26)

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
a stronger desire to be like Christ,
churches across the nation,
whatever else is on your heart.

Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
To the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen (1 Timothy 1:17).

Take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
(Ephesians 6:13)  

[Judy Harder]

October 27

Philippians 4

We must focus on those things which are pure and good.

INSIGHT

You are what you eat." Your body reflects what you feed it. Eat well and your body rewards you with health. The same is true spiritually and mentally. We become like what we put into our minds and like what we allow our minds to dwell on. Paul encourages us to think about whatever is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, or of good report (v. . If you are unsatisfied with your spiritual, mental, or emotional development, ask yourself: "What do I put into my mind - what do I think about?" You may need a radical change in your spiritual diet.

PRAYER

God's attributes include love, joy, kindness, and mercy. Praise Him for developing these characteristics in your life:
Oh, give thanks to the Lord!
Call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples!
Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;
Talk of all His wondrous works!
Glory in His holy name;
Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!
Seek the Lord and His strength;
Seek His face evermore!
(1 Chronicles 16:8-11)

Pause for praise and thanksgiving.

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I have not hidden.
I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,"
And You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Selah (Psalm 32:5)

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.

Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness, And will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.
(Psalm 7:17)

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
graciousness toward others,
laborers for Christ in India,
whatever else is on your heart.

Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
The Lord is their strength,
And He is the saving refuge of His anointed.
Save Your people,
And bless Your inheritance;
Shepherd them also,
And bear them up forever (Psalm 28:8-9).

[Judy Harder]

October 28

Colossians 1

Christ is the image of the invisible God and the Head of the church.

INSIGHT

On the surface, it is pretty difficult to explain why you believe in God. No one has seen Him face-to-face, touched Him, or smelled Him, yet His fingerprints are everywhere. You must get beneath the surface where the intangible becomes tangible. God is made visible through Jesus Christ. Paul writes that Jesus is "the image of the invisible God" (v. 15). If you want to know about God, learn about Jesus. If you want to see God, look at Jesus. If you want to please God, follow Jesus. He is God in the flesh!

PRAYER

Praise God that He came to us in the person of Jesus Christ:
"Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."
(John 14:10-13)

Pause for praise and thanksgiving.

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge - by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen
(1 Timothy 6:20-21)

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen
(1 Timothy 6:15-16)

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
spiritual discipline,
strength for those ministering Gods Word in China,
your activities for the day.

Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.
(John 1:18)