Friday, March 31, 2017

Mark 12 - Praying God's Word


Please read Mark 12.
www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/mar/12/1/s_969001
Meditate on verse 24.

Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are mistaken,
 that you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God?”

Mark 12 is filled with rich doctrine.  Ask God to help you understand these truths and His power.

·      Jesus is the chief cornerstone (v. 10).  Are you building your life on Him?
·      Rising from the dead is a fact (v. 26).  Are you confident about resurrection, or do you fear death?
·      God is God of the living, not of the dead (v. 27).  Is He your God; are you alive in Him?
·      You shall love the LORD your God (v. 30).  Is He your LORD, your Master, the One in charge of you?  Do you love Him?
·      The Holy Spirit, Christ, and God the Father are even in the Old Testament (vs. 35-36).  Do you understand that Jesus is LORD and that Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit are One?

Jesus admonished His listeners for not understanding the Scriptures or His power.  Ask the LORD to give you insight with understanding into His Word, so you can walk by His power.

Pray Mark 12:30 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD my God, help _________ and me to love You
with all our heart,
 and with all our soul,
and with all our mind,
 and with all our strength.
In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Mark 11 - Praying God's Word


Please read Mark 11.
www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/mar/11/1/s_968001
Meditate on verse 22.

And Jesus answered saying to them,
 “Have faith in God.”

Mark 11 starts the week of Christ’s crucifixion. It began on Sunday with Jesus riding into Jerusalem on an untamed donkey. When that colt was under the command and control of its Creator, it was able to do the impossible; maneuvering well through busy streets and shouting people. The LORD does the same in your life when you give Him the command and control of yourself and those you love.
As the story progresses into Monday, Jesus expected a fig tree to bear fruit, even out of season. The fig tree did not respond to its Creator like the donkey did, and Christ was not pleased. By Monday evening, it had withered. Do you relate more to the untamed donkey doing the impossible because you are Christ-controlled, or are you more like a withered fig tree?
Jesus gave the antidote to withering: “Have faith in God” (v. 22). Without faith in Almighty God, you are an untamed, out of control donkey. But when, by faith, you submit to Jesus Christ, your life will no longer be withered and out of control. Instead it will be purposeful, even producing fruit out of season.
Pray Mark 11:22-24 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, I have faith in You, God!
Do not let _______ and me doubt in our hearts,
 but believe that what we say will happen and be granted to us.
Jesus, I believe You when You say:
‘All things for which you pray and ask,
believe that you have received them,
and they will be granted you.’
In Your name, Jesus”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Mark 10 - Praying God's Word


Please read Mark 10.
www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/mar/10/1/s_967001
Meditate on verse 47b.

“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Observe the various reactions of the people to Jesus. 

·      A man was saddened and grieved by Jesus’ answer to his question (vs. 17-22).
·      Jesus’ disciples were amazed and astonished at His words (vs. 23-26).
·      Some followed Jesus with fear (vs. 32).
·      Bartimaeus courageously obeyed the LORD’s command.  This blind beggar jumped up, came to Christ, and boldly told Him what he wanted (vs. 46-52).

Picture blind Bartimaeus begging Jesus to have mercy on him. Stern reproaches to hush only made him beg louder. And when Jesus issued the command to come to Him, he jumped up and came to Christ, despite his inability to see where he was going. Bartimaeus knew what he needed, and he knew Jesus was the One who could meet his need. Jesus granted his request to see because of his faith. 

How do you respond to Jesus? Are you more like the sad, fearful people or Bartimaeus, who faithfully came to Christ fearlessly asking for mercy to regain his sight? 

Pray Mark 10:47 and 50-52 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on _________ and me!
Help us throw aside any hindrance, jump up, and come to You.
We want You to do ________ for us!
Let us hear You say, ‘Your faith has made you well.’
We will follow You.
In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Mark 9 - Praying God's Word


Please read Mark 9.
www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/mar/9/1/s_966001
Meditate on verse 29.

And He said to them,
 “This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer.”

Christ’s disciples ineffectively tried, on their own power, to drive out a demon from a boy. When the father brought his still-possessed child to Jesus, the LORD was not pleased, describing his disciples and the crowd as unbelieving (v. 19). The LORD had compassion for this father, who must have many times pulled his convulsing little boy out of fire and water. Jesus said to him, “All things are possible to him who believes” (vs. 22-23). Jesus healed the boy because the father believed and brought him to the LORD.
Jesus is the “all things are possible” God (Matthew 19:26), and He says to you that all things are possible when you believe and trust Him. As you ponder this story, understand that your belief is made evident to the LORD when you prayerfully bring your loved ones to Him.
Pray Mark 9:22-24 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, You can do anything!
Take pity on us and help us!
Please make __________ possible for ___________.
I believe; help my unbelief.
In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell




Monday, March 27, 2017

Mark 8 - Praying God's Word


Please read Mark 8.
www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/mar/8/1/s_965001
Meditate on verse 34.

And He (Jesus) summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them,
 “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself,
and take up his cross and follow Me.”

Peter knew Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, and he wanted his Messiah to do things his way. So, Peter rebuked Jesus for talking about impending suffering and death. Jesus quickly responded by publicly rebuking Peter, calling him Satan because he set his mind on man’s interests instead of God’s. Jesus then gave the invitation to everyone listening to get behind Him, not as a self-serving Satan, but as a self-denying disciple (vs. 29-34).
Is Jesus telling you to stop being rebellious and line up behind Him as His faithful follower? Ask Him to reveal areas where you are more concerned about the things of the world instead of the things of God.
Pray Mark 8:34 and 38 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, help _______ and me to come after You, deny ourselves,
 and take up our cross and follow You. 
Let us not be ashamed of You and Your Words
 in this adulterous and sinful generation.
In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Sunday, March 26, 2017

Mark 7 - Praying God's Word


Please read Mark 7.
www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/mar/7/1/s_964001
Meditate on verse 9.

He (Jesus) was saying to them,
“You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God
 in order to keep your tradition.”

The Pharisees considered themselves experts in God’s Law, and in their prideful zeal, they added to and changed God’s Word to fit what they wanted to teach. Jesus sharply rebuked such arrogant behavior, calling them hypocrites whose hearts were far from the LORD because they neglected God’s commandments and taught their manmade precepts as scriptural doctrine.
What about you? Have you compromised God’s Word for the sake of the traditions of your family, friends, and the world? The Bible counters culture; do not be tempted to change Scripture to fit the culture.

The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
—Psalm 19:8

Let God’s Word change your mindset, enlighten your worldview, and create your traditions.

Pray Mark 7:14, 32, and 37 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, help ________ and me listen to You and understand.
We implore You to lay Your hand on us.
We will be utterly astonished and say, ‘You do all things well.’
In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Saturday, March 25, 2017

Mark 6 - Praying God's Word


Please read Mark 6.
www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/mar/6/1/s_963001
Meditate on what Jesus said in verse 31.

“Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.”

In the midst of people taking offense, a cousin beheaded, and caring for thousands of people, Jesus gave the command to “come and rest.” Christ knew the importance of quiet times. Several times, Scripture records the LORD being alone to pray (Matthew 14:23; Mark 6:46; Luke 6:12). Ponder the fact that God Himself took time to rest in prayer.
Jesus extends the same invitation to you, calling you to Himself to breathe deeply and exhale slowly, absorbing His peace and letting go of stress and worry. Your quiet times with the LORD can be your favorite time of day, your time to get away from the coming and going, being nourished by God and His Word (v. 31).
Pray Mark 6:31 and 51 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, I accept Your invitation to come away
to a secluded place and rest a while. 
Help _______ to do the same. 
As we do, let us be utterly astonished by You.
In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell
 


Friday, March 24, 2017

Mark 5 - Praying God's Word


Please read Mark 5.
www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/mar/5/1/s_962001
Meditate on verse 17a.

And they began to implore Him…

There was a lot of begging in Mark 5. The demons begged Jesus not to send them out of the country; they begged Him to send them into a herd of swine instead (vs. 10-12). When the people in the region heard about the man delivered from the demons and about the drowned pigs, they begged Jesus to leave them (v. 17). The man, who had been demon-possessed, begged to go with Jesus (v. 18). And a synagogue official named Jairus begged Jesus to save his dying little girl (vs. 22-23).
Do you relate to anyone in this chapter? Do you want to be with Christ, excited about what He is doing in your life and the lives of others, or does the miraculous make you nervous, so you would rather not be around it? Are you seeking the LORD and asking Him to save those you love, knowing that simply touching the hem of His garment brings healing (v. 28)?
Pray Mark 5:33 and 36 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, I come and fall down before You.
I want to tell You the whole truth about ___________.
Help ________ and me not be afraid any longer; may we only believe.
In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Mark 4 - Praying God's Word


Please read Mark 4.
www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/mar/4/1/s_961001
Meditate on verses 9 and 39.

And He was saying, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” 
And the wind died down, and it became perfectly calm.

Jesus taught a very large crowd with these opening words: “Listen to this!” (v. 3). He proceeded to tell a parable, a story that teaches truth. Afterwards, Jesus explained to His followers what the main elements of the story represented and that not everyone listening to the story actually heard Him.
Mark 4 ends with a vivid picture of really hearing Jesus. When Christ gave the wind and the sea the command to “hush, be still,” they listened and obeyed Him; the wind died down, and the sea became perfectly calm (v. 39).
Do you have ears to hear Jesus? The proof will be your obedience to His Word.
Pray Mark 4:20 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, let _______ and me be good soil on whom Your seed is sown.
Let us hear the Word, accept it,
 and bear fruit thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.
For the sake of Your kingdom, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Mark 3 - Praying God's Word


Please read Mark 3.
www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/mar/3/1/s_960001
Meditate on verse 5a.

After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart…

The Pharisees continued maliciously watching Jesus in order to bring accusations against Him. After healing a man’s withered hand, Jesus asked the Pharisees a question about harming versus healing and saving versus killing. Their attitudes and refusal to answer made Jesus both very angry and deeply sad. How could people who claimed to love God care so little about others?
What does Jesus see and how does He feel when He looks around at you? How will you answer His questions about what you are doing to bring good to others instead of harm, saving their lives instead of killing them?
Let the LORD examine your heart for hardness. Ask Him to remove your hard heart and replace it with His compassionate heart.
Pray Mark 3:5 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, please forgive ________ and me
for making You angry and grieved at our hardness of heart. 
We stretch our lives out to You. 
Restore us!
In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell


Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Mark 2 - Praying God's Word


Please read Mark 2.
www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/mar/2/1/s_959001
Meditate on this phrase from verse 5.

And Jesus seeing their faith…

There is much to see in Mark 2.

·      Jesus saw four men’s faith on behalf of a paralytic.   Their faith resulted in forgiveness and healing (vs. 2-12).
·      Everyone saw the paralytic healed and walking.  They were amazed and glorified God (v. 12).
·      Jesus saw Levi and invited him to follow Him.  Levi immediately accepted the LORD’s invitation (v. 14).
·      The scribes of the Pharisees saw Jesus eating with sinners.  They questioned Him accusingly (vs. 15-16).
·      The Pharisees saw Jesus’ disciples picking grain on the Sabbath.  They continued with their skeptical, faultfinding questions (v. 23-24).

What do you see, and what does Jesus see when He looks at you?  Do you see circumstances, others, and yourself with cynical negativity?  Or do you see life through faith-filled eyes, proclaiming, “Ah LORD God!  Behold You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm!  Nothing is too difficult for You!”  (Jeremiah 32:17). 

Ask the LORD for His perspective.  Intentionally and faithfully follow Him.  The LORD will be pleased with what He sees.

Pray Mark 2:5 and 14 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“Jesus, see ________ and my faith and forgive our sins.
Help us to get up and follow You.
In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell


Monday, March 20, 2017

Mark 1 - Praying God's Word


Please read Mark 1.
www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/mar/1/1/s_958001
Meditate on verses 2-3.

As it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
“Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You who will prepare Your way;
The voice of one crying in the wilderness,
‘Make ready the way of the LORD; make His paths straight.’”

Mark quoted Isaiah to introduce Jesus Christ as LORD and John the Baptist as God’s messenger. The last word Mark recorded from the prophecy is straight (v. 3). It comes from the Greek word euthys, meaning “immediately, straightforward, and forthwith.”1 Mark used the word euthys 43 times as he wrote about Jesus, and it is most often translated as “immediately.”
For the next 16 days, you have the privilege of going down the straightforward path of God’s Word and immediately seeing your Savior in action. As you marvel at Jesus’ power and authority, immediately speak to Him about your concerns, falling on your knees and beseeching Him for the miraculous (vs. 30, 40).

Pray Mark 1:30 and 40-41 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“Jesus, I am immediately speaking to You about _________.
Jesus, I come to You, beseeching You, and falling on my knees before You.
If You are willing, You can ____________.
Jesus, please be moved with compassion, stretch out Your hand, and touch __________.
Let us hear You say, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’
In Your name, LORD Jesus~”

1. Retrieved from: www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G2117&t=NASB

The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Sunday, March 19, 2017

Hebrews 13 - Praying God's Word


Please read Hebrews 13.
www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/heb/13/1/s_1146001
Meditate on verses 15-16.

Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God,
that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.
And do not neglect doing good and sharing,
for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

In light of the glorious work of the LORD in establishing the new covenant for you, how should you respond? God says that giving praise and thanks to Him through Jesus are spiritual sacrifices (v. 15). He also views doing the right things and living unselfishly with others the same way (v. 16). These are acceptable acts of service (Romans 12:1).
Note this list of holy actions that you can do as sacrifices to God:

Ø  Love the brethren (v. 1)
Ø  Show hospitality to strangers (v. 2)
Ø  Remember the prisoners (v. 3)
Ø  Honor the marriage bed  (v. 4)
Ø  Be content and trust God for the needs of life (v. 5)
Ø  Fear the LORD, not man (v. 6)
Ø  Remember and imitate those who brought you to faith (v. 7)
Ø  Jesus is the same - do not be carried away by strange teaching (vs. 8-9)

Pray with excitement Hebrews 13:20-21(in the Holy Place in heaven) over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7). 
“LORD, You are the God of peace, who brought up from the dead
the great Shepherd of the sheep through
the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our LORD.
Equip _________ and me in every good thing to do Your will;
work in us that which is pleasing in Your sight.
Through Jesus Christ to whom be the glory forever and ever! Amen!!”


The WATCHMAN on the WALL 2 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell