Mark 14 - 7.23.25

Scripture

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak (Mark 14:38)

Observation

After completing the last supper, Jesus and his disciples went to Gethsemane. He took Peter, James and John apart and asked them to keep watch and pray. Jesus knew what was ahead of Him. He was prepared for the agony of the cross, and was ready to take the punishment for all the sins of mankind upon Him. He was in so much anguish, that he sweated blood (Luke 22:44).  He asked the Father if He would take this cup away. Nevertheless He submitted Himself to the Father’s will, and prayed that His will be done. He came back and found the disciples sleeping. He woke them up and asked them to keep watch and pray. 

Jesus told them to watch and pray so that they will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Jesus had earlier used the same words “watch and pray”, in the context of his second coming during his ministry. “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is” (Mark 13:33 KJV). Jesus compared His second coming to a Master who assigned tasks to his servants and went on a long journey. Some servants thought that the Master would take a long time to come, and were not faithful in doing what they were supposed to do. Instead they indulged in sinful activities, thinking that they could quickly get things right when the Master was about to come. But the Master would come when they least expect it, and those servants will have a terrible punishment. Blessed is the servant whom the Master finds doing His will when He comes (Matt 24:46). 

Application

We are called to fight the good fight of faith (1 Tim 6:12). Whether we acknowledge it or not, we are in a battle. We are commanded to wear our spiritual armour all the time (Eph 6:11). Our warfare is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Eph 6:12). 

We need to watch and pray so that we don’t fall into temptation. As children of God, our “spirit is willing”. Or in other words, we have a deep desire to live a holy life without succumbing to sin. However, we live in a fallen world, and there is an enemy who is out there enticing us with temptations to sin. We need to be vigilant and have an active prayer life, to make sure that we do not fall into temptation. Nobody is immune to temptation. Nobody is immune to sin. The Devil tempted even Jesus! To make sure that we do not fall into sin, we need to make sure that we do not take a vacation from our walk with God! Let us start every day with prayer and reading God’s word. Let us be watchful and prayerful throughout the day, to make sure that we don’t fall into temptation.

Prayer

Father, I thank you for loving me. I thank you for choosing me and making me your child. Lord, I want my life to be pleasing to you. I want to live a holy life, without sinning against you in thought, word or deed. But I cannot do that with my strength and good intentions. I need you Lord. Lord help me to understand what it means to “watch and pray” so that I don’t fall into temptation. Help me to watch and pray! Help me to prioritize reading your word and praying every day. When I am faced with intense temptation in my weak moments, please help me to cling onto you in prayer so that I do not sin against you. I know that I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me. I am victorious through you (1 Cor 15:57). I am more than a conqueror through you (Rom 8:27). I rely on you. I know that you are faithful to complete the work that you started in my life. When I am weak, I am strong in you (2 Cor 12:10). I trust you. I thank you. You are able to keep me from falling. Fulfil your purpose in my life, Lord. Make my life a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to you (Rom 12:1). In Jesus’s name. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George 

Mark 13 - 7.22.25

SCRIPTURE:  Mark 13:35-37 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back - whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.  If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.  What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch!”

OBSERVATION:  In this chapter Jesus refers to the future, His return, and our need to be ready for His return.  Jesus gave us the signs that will be happening before He comes back.  He talked about all the distress that will be going on in the world. He said there will be wars, and rumors of wars. Nations will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places and famines. Brother will betray brother to death, and a father, his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. Jesus told His disciples, “Everyone will hate you because of Me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

APPLICATION: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” GOD CERTAINLY IS AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN FOR US!  In Christ Jesus, we are more than conquerors! NOTHING shall separate us from the love of Christ.  Not trouble, not hardship, not persecution, not famine, not nakedness, not danger or sword! In ALL things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loves us…”For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height or depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 13:37-39). Christ-followers have never been exempt from hardships, BUT no matter what happens to us, God’s Word promises that nothing will be able to stop His constant presence and love for us! NOTHING!

PRAYER:  God, You alone are sovereign; all knowing and all powerful!  You are more powerful than the unseen forces of evil, and I am so grateful to be Your child!  Help me to keep my eyes on You, and obedient to Your Word.  Forgive me for the times I’ve been complacent, and have allowed the distractions of the world to distance myself from You.  Forgive me for grumbling instead of being on my knees in prayer!  Forgive me when I have allowed fear and panic to creep in when I have watched the news and witnessed the evil across the world, and recently being so prevalent in nearby streets!  Thank You for the guidelines You have given to us as Your redeemed people regarding how to behave as Christ-followers in these end times.  Thank You for teaching us how to live out our faith by staying closely connected to You.  Thank You for having good, perfect, and pleasing plans for our future, and it’s only through You that we are able to remain strong, be bold and courageous to share the Good News, and remain alert as we wait for Your return. 

- Robin Orefice

Proverbs 10 - 7.21.25

S‭‭cripture

Proverbs‬ ‭10‬:‭25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.”

Observation

In these proverbs that King Solomon writes, he compares and contrasts the ways of the wicked/foolish, to the ways of the godly/wise.

Application

On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand.

It’s one of the lyrics from my favorite Hymns that I would sing in church. It’s a great reminder to any of us out there who put our faith in Christ that we can weather any storm that life throws our way because we are standing on solid ground. While others put their faith in things like their wealth, their careers, their home, their friends and family, and yes, even their political leaders, they fail to realize that those things soon fade away. Those things will fail you. But our God never fails. He remains faithful and true. He has kept His promises to His children since the times of Abraham and Moses. He has kept them since the times of David. And I KNOW God still keeps his promises today! God may not always deliver me from a difficult situation, but He sure does empower me with the strength and endurance, as He walks me through it. 

So who or what do you put your trust in? Is it something that soon fades? If so, may I encourage you to put your faith in Jesus. He has conquered death and the grave. He is eternal and He will never fail you.

““Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”” -Matt‬hew 7‬:‭24‬-‭27‬ 

Prayer

I know this is the point of our SOAP Journal where I would usually write out a prayer, but today I wanted to do something a little different. I wanted to share with you all the lyrics of one of my favorite hymns. I hope you hold on to these lyrics and words in your hearts today. God bless you all! ❤️

1 My hope is built on nothing less

than Jesus' blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

but wholly lean on Jesus' name.

Refrain:

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand:

all other ground is sinking sand;

all other ground is sinking sand.

2 When darkness veils his lovely face,

I rest on his unchanging grace;

in every high and stormy gale,

my anchor holds within the veil. [Refrain]

3 His oath, his covenant, his blood,

support me in the whelming flood;

when all around my soul gives way,

he then is all my hope and stay. [Refrain]

4 When he shall come with trumpet sound,

O may I then in him be found:

dressed in his righteousness alone,

faultless to stand before the throne. [Refrain]

-Moses Gaddi