Mark Reading Plan – W11D3
Week 11 | Day 3 | Mark 11:18-25
Check out all the previous readings here.
Pray
As you come to the reading today, write down all the things that are troubling you, giving them to God. Then ask God to open your eyes and your ears to his Word
Bible Reading (read these verses three times slowly)
The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.”
When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.
In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!””
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Reflection & Questions
The disciples are amazed to see that the fig tree Jesus cursed has withered within 24 hours, even to the roots. How could that happen?!
But instead of focusing on the tree, Jesus wants them to see something much deeper.
We read yesterday that a fruitless faith is a contradiction Jesus does not stand for. As He returns to the fig tree, Jesus turns the lesson on its head and tells them that genuine faith results in big changes. Genuine faith results in answered prayer. Not that every prayer prayed in faith will be answered the way that we expect. However, prayer does change things. We can, and should expect God to answer prayers. He might say “yes”, “no”, “not yet” or “not in that way.” But we shouldn’t be surprised when God shows up in mighty ways, moving mountains in our lives!
Pray
Talk to God about the “mountains” (challenges) in your life. What do you want Him to do for you? Listen for His voice.
Worship Song
You could worship our “mountain-moving” Jesus through this song today:
Bible Reading
The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.”
When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.”
In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!””
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Reflection and Questions
The disciples are amazed to see that the fig tree Jesus cursed has withered deep to the roots within 24 hours – it died already! How could that happen?! But Jesus wants them to see something much more important than a dead fig tree. ”
We read yesterday that a fruitless faith, one that looks good but doesn’t really do anything, is something Jesus does not stand for. As He returns to the fig tree, Jesus turns the lesson upside down and tells them that real faith results in big changes. True faith leads to answered prayer. And don’t be confused, not every prayer prayed in faith will be answered the way that we want. So if you pray for a million dollars right now, there’s a pretty good chance that isn’t going to happen. But, prayer does change things. We can, and should, expect God to answer prayers. He might say “yes”, “no”, “not yet” or “not in that way.” But we shouldn’t be surprised when God shows up in mighty ways, moving mountains in our lives!
Prayer
Talk to God about the “mountains” (challenges) in your life. Is there anything that you need to ask Him for help with right now?
Bible Reading
The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.”
When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.”
In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!””
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Devo Focus
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. Vs. 22
Devo
Who knew that the little fig tree would have so much purpose in the lessons that Jesus was trying to teach his disciples!
The disciples are amazed to see that the fig tree Jesus cursed has withered deep to the roots within 24 hours. How could that happen?! But Jesus wants them to see something much deeper than a withered fig tree.
We read yesterday that a fruitless faith is a contradiction Jesus does not stand for. As He returns to the fig tree, Jesus turns the lesson on its head and tells them that genuine faith results in big changes. Genuine faith results in answered prayer. Not that every prayer prayed in faith will be answered the way that we expect. However, prayer does change things. We can, and should expect God to answer prayers. He might say “yes”, “no”, “not yet” or “not in that way.” But we shouldn’t be surprised when God shows up in mighty ways, moving mountains in our lives!
Prayer
Talk to God about the “mountains” (challenges) in your life. What do you want Him to do for you? Listen for His voice.
