Key Thought

Today's Prayer

O loving and tender Father, God Almighty who has the power to save, forgive me for those periods in my life when I have let my time with you suffer. I confess that I let other things and the hectic pace of my life steal away my time with you. Empower my resolve to put you first in my heart and in my daily schedule. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

Jesus and the followers left the synagogue. They all went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon's mother-in-law was very sick. She was in bed and had fever. The people there told Jesus about her. So Jesus went to her bed. Jesus held her hand and helped her stand up. The fever left her, and she was healed. Then she began serving them. That night, after the sun went down, the people brought many sick people to Jesus. They also brought people that had demons inside them. All the people in the town gathered at the door of that house. Jesus healed many people that had different kinds of sicknesses. Jesus also forced many demons to leave people. But Jesus would not allow the demons to speak, because the demons knew who he was. The next morning, Jesus woke up very early. Jesus left the house while it was still dark. He went to a place to be alone and pray. Later, Simon and his friends went to look for Jesus. They found Jesus and said, "All the people are looking for you!" Jesus answered, "We should go to another place. We can go to other towns around here. Then I can tell people {God's message} in those places also. That is why I came." So Jesus traveled everywhere in Galilee. He spoke in the synagogues. And he forced demons to leave people.

Related Scripture Readings

But the news about Jesus spread more and more. Many people came to hear Jesus and to be healed of their sicknesses.

Jesus left the city (Jerusalem) and went to the Mount of Olives. His followers went with him. (Jesus went there often.) Jesus said to his followers, "Pray for strength against temptation." Then Jesus went about 50 steps away from them. He kneeled down and prayed, "Father, if it is what you want, then let me not have this cup {of suffering}. But do what you want, not what I want."

But in the morning, I will sing songs of praise to you. I will rejoice in your love. Why? Because you are my place of safety, high in the mountains. And I can run to you when troubles come.