1 Corinthians 15 - Praying God's Word

Please read 1 Corinthians 15.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/1co/15/1/s_1077001

Meditate on verses 13-14.

But if there is no resurrection of the dead, 

not even Christ has been raised,

 and if Christ has not been raised, then 

our preaching is vain; your faith also is vain.

There were people in the Corinthian church who doubted the resurrection of Jesus. Without a resurrected Savior, there is no Christianity. This truth is so fundamental to the foundation of Christian faith that Paul devoted a portion of his letter to prove Jesus indeed rose from the dead.

At one point in the letter, Paul lost patience with the Corinthians for asking, “How are the dead raised? And with what kind of body do they come?” (vs. 35-36). Paul answered that a picture of resurrection happens every time a plant comes out of the ground looking nothing like the seed that went into the ground. Every tree, flower, fruit, vegetable, blade of grass, etc. comes from an individually buried seed, miraculously raised up by its Creator. The entire earth screams resurrection! Not coincidentally, the LORD crafted this beautiful resurrection picture on the third day of creation (Genesis 1:11-13). Ever since the third day of the world’s existence, the LORD foreshadowed what would take place on that incredible third day, 4,000 years later.

As you enjoy fresh flowers, fruits, and vegetables this spring, thank your risen Savior for His daily gifts and His future gifts in the resurrection. Pray 1 Corinthians 15:58 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, make __________ and me steadfast, immovable,

always abounding in Your work, knowing 

that our toil is not in vain in You,

Our resurrected LORD Jesus~”

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

Mark 16 - Praying God's Word

Please read Mark 16.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/mar/16/1/s_973001

Meditate on verse 6.

And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are

looking for Jesus the Nazarene,

who has been crucified.  He has risen; He is not here;

 behold, here is the place where they laid Him.”

Resurrection! It is what separates Christianity from every other religion. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the crux and proof of everything a Christian believes. For the trembling, astonished, fearful, mourning, weeping, unbelieving, and hard-hearted disciples (vs. 8, 10, 14), a resurrected LORD so changed them that they lived the rest of their lives going everywhere with “the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation” (v. 20).

Has the resurrection of the LORD Jesus Christ changed you from a trembling, fearful, hard-hearted unbeliever into a faithful follower? If you are a Christian, you have resurrection power in you because the same Holy Spirit who raised Christ from the dead also lives inside of you. Use His power to proclaim eternal salvation, so others will believe and not be condemned (v. 16).

Pray Mark 16:15 and 20 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“Resurrected LORD, let ________ and me obey Your command

 to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation. 

LORD, work with us and confirm Your Word in us.

 Jesus, through us, send out the sacred

 and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation.

Because You are the living Savior, Jesus~”

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

Mark 15 - Praying God's Word

Please read Mark 15.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/mar/15/1/s_972001

Meditate on verse 38.

And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

The veil of the temple separated the holy place from the holy of holies, which contained the Ark of the Covenant and represented the presence of God (Exodus 26:33-34). The veil partitioned Holy God from sinful people. Only the high priest was permitted entry into that sacred place once a year by taking the blood of a sacrifice offered for the sins of himself and the people (Hebrews 9:7).

When Jesus Christ took your sins upon Himself, He was separated from God because Holy God cannot be in the presence of sin. The separation was so agonizing that Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (v. 34). The sacrifice of Jesus for your sins was enough to satisfy Holy God, so much so He tore down the veil separating Himself from people. Now you have the joy and privilege of boldly coming into God’s presence by the blood and through the body of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:19-22).

Let the story of Christ’s sacrifice and crucifixion penetrate your heart and mind like never before this Easter. May the agonizing death of your LORD not be in vain. Live so others can see the evidence of what Jesus did on that cross; He sprinkled your heart clean from an evil conscience and washed your body with pure water (Hebrews 10:22).

Use the words from Mark 15:34 and 38 in a prayer of thanksgiving and commitment to Jesus.

“LORD, thank You that I will never have to say,

 “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?”

 The veil of the temple has been torn in two from top to bottom.

 LORD, I come to You.

All because of You, Jesus~”

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

Mark 14 - Praying God's Word

Please read Mark 14.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/mar/14/1/s_971001

Meditate on verse 38.

Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation;

the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Two days after Jesus commanded His disciples to stay on the alert (Mark 13:33-37), He gave them the opportunity to obey. Jesus knew prayer was the only way to go through the most horrible day of His life, and He wanted His disciples empowered by prayer as they faced the trying day ahead of them. In the midst of His own agonizing prayer time, the Master Teacher continued to instruct His sleepyhead students, waking them up and reminding them to pray. After doing this three times, He led them away to face the greatest trial of their lives. Peter failed the test; instead of heeding his LORD’s admonishment to pray three times, he denied Him three times. Imagine what Peter might have said and done around the campfire if he had been armed with the power of prayer.

Take seriously Jesus’ words to “keep watch; keep watch; keep watching and praying” (vs. 34, 37-38). Is He asking you this question: “Are you still sleeping and resting” (v. 41)? The LORD wants you to “get up and be going” in your prayer life (v. 42).

Pray Mark 14:38 and 41 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7). 

“LORD, help ________ and me keep watching and praying

 that we will not come into temptation;

the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

 Let us stop sleeping and resting.

 It is enough; the hour has come!

By Your power, Jesus~”

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

Mark 13 - Praying God's Word

Please read Mark 13.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/mar/13/1/s_970001

Meditate on verses 23 and 31b.

But take heed; behold,

I have told you everything in advance.

My words will not pass away.

Mark 13 contains fascinating end of time prophecies. Jesus introduced the prophecies by exhorting His listeners not to be misled by anyone (v. 5). In the middle of His teaching, Jesus reminded His listeners He was telling them everything in advance (v. 23). Then He ended His teaching with: “My words will not pass away. Take heed, keep on the alert” (vs. 31, 33).

Jesus issued the command to “be alert” four times (vs. 33-37). The command was given to all, so this includes you.

What I say to you I say to all, “Be on the alert!”

—Mark 13:37

Well, if God says something one time, it is important; if He says it four times, He certainly wants you to take notice. God’s Word is eternal, and He has told you everything in advance. Take heed and keep alert in what He says.

Pray Mark 13:5, 31, and 33 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, help ______ and me see to it that no one misleads us.

Thank You that Your Words will not pass away.

Help us to take heed and keep on the alert.

For the sake of Your name, Jesus~”

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

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

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