TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. Mark 1:30
Read: Mark 1:29-31
Listen: Mark 1
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Jesus’s friends are amazed at his authoritative teaching and power to cast out demons. They leave the synagogue and enter Peter’s home. They quickly realize Peter’s mother-in-law has a fever. Fevers induce fear and sometimes mean death. They have no way to cure her. They now know Jesus can do the impossible, so they immediately ask him to help. With a touch, the fever leaves her.
We can go to many places with our seemingly impossible challenges today. We can call friends who have wisdom and experience (or at least a listening ear). We can search the internet for answers. We can text, tweet or post a request for help within minutes of discovering trouble. Seeking Jesus’s help can end up at the bottom of our list or not on the list at all. Yet we could seek Jesus’s help first, just as his friends did.
It’s not that we shouldn’t seek the help of doctors, wise counselors or friends with our challenges. God often works through the experience and expertise of others. But we do well to seek Jesus’s help first. Maybe we set a regular time to present our needs to God. Perhaps we begin a new habit of pausing before every conversation, meeting or doctor visit to invite his help.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Spend time considering what you need to bring to Jesus. Then bring the situation to him by worshiping with the Ada Bible Worship Team as they sing “Morning by Morning (I Will Trust).” Tell God that “Daily, daily I surrender… I will trust where you lead. I will trust when I can’t see.” Thank him for his help, grace and faithfulness in your life.
2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.
July is SOLITUDE. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
