40 DAYS: Day 19

Mark 14:3-9 A woman anoints Jesus with Perfume

S (sin ... not giving everything to him)

P (promise to remember to do my devo's on a daily basis, not getting distracted and giving him my full attention)

A (attitude ... am i really giving everything to god?) 

C (command ... "")

E (example ... follow the woman in the story)

P (pray for strength and courage to put everything on God)

E (error to avoid ... don't be overcome with pride and take over everything)

T (truth ... God is almighty, you can't do anything without him)

S (something to praise god for? For my talents, skills, and knowledge that he's given me to use in school)

As I put myself in the position of the woman, It is really hard to comprehend her actions because it is completely opposite of my lifestyle today. I've been extremely blessed by God with all these amazing things and with a wonderful life to live. Therefore, its hard for me to relate to a poor individual who has nothing but still is willing to give everything to God. I'm wondering If I could do the same during that situation. Being spoiled, we usually take for granted what is given to us and It's really bad actually. 

I need to learn to be more thankful with everything I have and don't complain as much about anything that is small and insignificant in comparison to other people's lives. 

40 DAYS: Day 18

"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." 

Mark 11:25 

We must forgive to be forgiven

S (sin to confess? Am I holding anything against anyone?)

P (is there a promise that I should make?)

A (Do I need to change my attitude towards something?)

C (Is there a command I need to follow?)

E (Is there an example to follow?)

P (What prayer do I need to pray about?)

E (What error do I need to avoid?)

T (What's the eternal truth?)

S (what is there to praise god for?)

Through this simple verse, I've realized how little I've asked God to forgive me on anything. I need to remember that as a sinner, it blocks my path and light. I need to be able to relent to god meaningfully and remember to consistently do it on a regular basis to show my deepest apologizes to God. So my attitude change is to be more humble, to be more trustworthy in him. I need to follow these examples of my friends and my families. Lastly, I praise God for being constantly forgiving and for giving up his son so we are given this true blessing that we are clearly not worthy for. 

40 DAYS: Day 17

Mark 10:17-31 Jesus meets the rich young man

This passage is basically about how Jesus explains to the rich that in order to have a place in heaven, you need to use the commandment of "love your neighbours" This is done by giving all you have to the poor. In our society, this is very difficult because the mindset nowadays is to give and get something in return. No one really gives and expects nothing else in return. 

Therefore, we need to understand that we should be humble and willing to sacrifice everything we have all for God. This is because, once we die, what do we have? We don't have any materials or anything on earth but God alone. We lose everything except God and that is why we should put our entire focus on him and to do what he says because without him we are nothing. 

40 DAYS: Day 16

Mark 9:33-35 Who is the greatest in the kingdom of God?

Through this verses, I learned that the greatest in the kingdom of God is anyone who is humble, willing to be a servant for others and not just God. One who is helpful, loving, and caring is something that is well known and well recognized in God's view. 

I can apply this in my life by changing my attitude towards helping others. I find that when I help others, I will look for something in return in the future and I also get annoyed after a while if they take advantage of my help or they're not putting enough effort into my help for them. Therefore, I need to find ways to change this attitude and to continue to learn how to love them no matter how hard or how difficult it gets. I need to remember that everyone is God's children and that I should love them all and "welcome him in Jesus's name". 

40 DAYS: Day 15

Mark 8:34-38 Jesus teaches about taking up your cross

After this week's lesson on "Probing the text with questions" It really interested me and I was curious on how I'd encourage myself to continually apply the questions of S.P.A.C.E.P.E.T.S into my daily Devotionals or whenever I read into the bible. 

Sin to confess?

Our father in heaven, I thank you for all the wonders and amazing things you've given me in my life. I want to continually learn more and trust in you more God. However, I still find it difficult for some reason and I need to learn how to be able to apply the concept of "trust" towards you and also the concept of denying myself and taking up the cross. Please forgive me of my sins of pride that continually overcomes me everyday. In jesus's name I pray. Amen.

Promise to claim?

That my life will be saved if only I give my entire life to God.

Attitude to change? 

Continual efforts to rely on myself and no one else.

Command to follow?

Love the lord with all your heart, soul, and mind. (includes trust because love is based on trust.)

Error to avoid?

Being prideful in my knowledge and my skills and talents that God has given me

Prayer to pray?

To forgive me of my sins, to be less prideful, to understand that God is the one for me and that I am absolutely nothing without him.

Example to follow?

Jesus Christ and my friends and family that continually follow him.

Truth to believe?

He is almighty, everlasting, and will never change. He knows all about me and all I need to do is trust in him.

40 DAYS: Day 13

Mark 6:45-51 Jesus walks on water

Once again, I feel that God is constantly sending me messages and ideas of finding ways to trust him and why I should trust in him. I need to continue to find paths and ways to succeed in this and fully give my trust to him. I always ask people to trust one another but it seems contradictory when I can't even trust in the Saviour and God I love and gave my life to. This concept is actually  a lot harder for me to understand and put into action then I thought. I will continually pray for the support that I will learn to give my trust to him knowing that he has a plan for me and to know that whatever happens is his will and I need to be able to do things for him as he wishes me to.

40 DAYS: Day 12

Mark 6: 35-44 Jesus feeds the 5,000

This very well known miracle that Jesus shows everyone again spoke to me about my faith in Jesus. I seem to be constantly reminded that Jesus is the almighty saviour and that I am nothing without him. That I should put all my trust into him in order to see his amazing miracles and ways that I have never seen before.

I continue to learn about this and continue to struggle to find ways to completely give myself up to him and put my complete trust in him. I need to find ways and new goals for myself to slowly put my almighty trust in our amazing, just, righteous, and almighty God.