Devotions
When using devotional material, it is good to remember that it ia not menat to be a Bible study. Especially for these devotions in in the Gospel of Mark, to topics and titles are focused sometimes on the background story. This is done delibrately because we often take for granted the main story and miss the other stories in the background. As a result, these devotions will not satisfy every curiousity nor will they appeal to every person but hopefully they might help you to look on some familiar passages in a new way.
One hope is that you will not need devotional materials outside of the Bible but instead will be able to look for the minor stories in the Bible even as you read the main one.
Here are a few suggestions to help accomplish that task.
- Pray before starting your devotion. The Bible is inspired through the Holy Spirit so ask God to give you the Holy Spirit to help you understand.
- Look at each person in the story or passage you read and try to honestly see things from their perspective. What are their concerns, fears, joys, hopes etc. Even the ones who are considered bad.
- Compare yourself to them and consider in what ways you are similar.
- When you acknowledge that you are not where you need to be, confess it to God, ask for forgiveness, receive His grace and move on.
- Grow stronger in Christ each day by submitting to Him more and more as you read and devote your life to His will and purpose.
Blessings on your journey
For your convenience, clicking on the verse will open a new page with the Bible text for you to read the verse.
On to Mark 1:1-8