Read: Mark 13:1-31 What has destruction looked like in your life? The loss of a loved one, a job, a relationship? For those who experienced Hurricane Helene, this passage may feel eerily familiar. Mark 13 speaks honestly about chaos and fear. Yet at its center is Jesus’ call: “Stand firm to the end” (v.13). Christ does not deny the shaking; He calls us to endure, grounded in His sovereignty. Phili...  Read More

March 25 - Lenten DevotionMark 12:35-44Mark 12:35-44 is best known for the scene where Jesus observes a group of people entering the Temple to give an offering, among them a poor widow who drops in two small coins. After witnessing this, Jesus gathers his disciples and says “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny ...  Read More

Lenten DevotionMarch 24, 2026Mark 12: 13-34In our society, we have a tendency to make things more complicated than they need to be.  This happens in all areas of our life, including our faith.  That is one of the reasons I love this scripture for today’s devotion.  Jesus is asked which commandment is first or greatest.  His response is very straight forward: Love God and Love Your Neighbor!We can ...  Read More

Mark 12:1-12The Parable of the TenantsI coached high school basketball, and I was notorious to implement full court presses.  I had at least four my players knew by heart.  We spent more time on defensive pressure than offense, because if you run the press correctly, you’ll get a turnover and an easy bucket.  As soon as we’d get a couple of turnovers, the opposing coach would call a time out to sh...  Read More

Mark 11 11:33 God Is telling us about his authority, His ability to love us but he also shows us how he can destroy us when we disobey him.   He asks us to check our hearts and make sure they are right with GOD.  When we are struggling, he is the first person we turn to asking for help or forgiveness.  Do you truly believe in Jesus’ authority? Do you trust him and follow him.  Jesus was unhappy wi...  Read More

"What do you want me to do for you?” How would you answer Jesus? As a blind man heard Jesus passing by, he shouted for mercy. I always thought this odd. Surely, he knew what Jesus could do. Surely, he heard what Jesus had done. Why not ask instantly to see? He does get there eventually. Why not immediately? I think this speaks to how we are to answer as well. When Jesus asks what we want we have a...  Read More

Mark 10:32-45In Mark 10: 32-34, Jesus tells the disciples again that He will be tortured, mocked and killed in Jerusalem but that on the third day He will rise again.  The disciples were both amazed and afraid.  What amazed them?  Perhaps they were still in awe of Jesus’ teachings, His miracles and especially His courage as his continued toward Jerusalem, fully aware of what awaited HIm.  What fri...  Read More

Lenten Devotion for 3/18/2026Mark 10:17-31This section of scripture includes a well-known biblical story. There is the rich man who asks Jesus what he needs to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus tells the man to sell his possessions and give the money to the poor in order to have treasure in heaven, only to have the man walk away sadly due to the fact that he had many possessions. This story is a c...  Read More

Devotional  - Mark 10:1-16Mark 10:14-15 (NIV) – “When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’”In Mark 10:1-16, Jesus shows us how much He loves and values children. When th...  Read More

Mark 9:33-50In Mark 9:33–50, the disciples argue about who is the greatest, but Jesus completely reframes greatness. He places a child among them and says, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me.” In Jesus’ time, children had no status or power. By lifting up a child, Jesus teaches that true discipleship is marked by humility and radical welcome. When we receive thos...  Read More

Lenten DevotionMarch 14, 2026Mark 9: 14 – 32The title of the first part of this scripture in NIV is “Jesus Heals a Boy Possessed by an Impure Spirit”.  The focus of this passage is on the boy with an impure spirit and Jesus who removes the spirit after his disciples failed to do so.  There is also something to be learned from the boy’s father who tells Jesus: “I do believe; help me overcome my unb...  Read More

Mark 9:2-13Together on this mountain top Jesus, Moses and Elijah, are talking, likely preparing for the most significant event in the history of the universe. At the same time we experience Peter, John and James; overcome with panic, as they struggle to comprehend what they see. It is not until we hear the voice of God intervene, “This is my beloved son, Listen to him” that a sense of calm returns...  Read More