Save us! What do we expect?

 

Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Save us! What do we expect? Mark 11:1-11

So many times in my life I have reached out to the Lord in prayer with a simple cry – “Help me, Jesus!” Crisis situations come and I pray. People’s troubles press on me and I carry them to Him. When I find my heart drifting from true devotion I turn to Him with a child-like prayer for a changed heart.

Jesus came to Jerusalem, a city full of dreams of restored glory in Israel. The people were looking for a Deliverer. His miracles had made Him known. His teaching was simple, clear, and compelling so when came riding into the city on donkey, fulfilling an ancient prophecy, they were sure the time had come for Messianic hopes to be realized. The problem was what they thought that meant! They expected an overthrow of Roman tyranny and the renewal of a Davidic throne with Jesus as King. So, they cried – “Hosanna!” (Save us!)  But those celebratory shouts were only temporary.

Mark tells us the story.

11 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”

4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

“Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

Just a week later, the outcry was “Crucify Him!” They did not want a suffering Savior. They wanted a triumphant King.

Have you ever found your expectations of God’s deliverance unmet? I know you have. We all do. We become fixated on a certain outcome, certain that if we worship in the ‘right’ way, sing the ‘right’ songs, or pray the ‘right’ prayers, God will give us what we want, when we want it. Sometimes HE does and sometimes … well, He does not.

Isaiah was inspired with God’s truth - “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways.”  Can you accept that with real faith?

Jesus models the pathway for us in His own surrender to the Father’s will. In Gethsemane’s garden, He saw the Cross looming, the weight of the sins of the world that would rest on His shoulders, tearing Him from life. It was awful to contemplate, but He prays – “Not my will, but Yours be done.”

We will find the deepest assurance and the greatest intimacy with Jesus when we are willing let go of our expectations that He act in a certain way for us. Yes, we can pray bold prayers and we should. Yes, we can ask in full faith, but always with a child-like faith that let’s God be God.

Let’s not allow our hearts to become bitter when our expectations go unmet. Instead, let us find His love our comfort, His providence our hope, His wisdom our safe place.
May our “Hosanna” (save us) be an expression of worship that is offered in great faith.
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For reflection -
When I have I cried out in prayer and met with disappointment?
Will I surrender my desire to His will?
Who can help me find that peace that comes with acceptance of His will in my life?
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I am excited to hear of your discoveries, about your struggles, and to pray with you.
If you would like to share any of those things with me you may do by emailing me – JerScott55@gmail.com

 

For a video of this devotion go to

https://www.youtube.com/@FaithDiscoveryChurch

You Mean I Should Serve Others?

 

Monday, March 30, 2026
You Mean I Should Serve Others? Mark 10:32-45

So, how’s your serve? No, I’m not talking about tennis, obviously. How well do you willingly do what needs to be done – in your home, for your family, at your church, or in the community?

A little transparency is in order here. I love good service. When I dine out, I like the server to be attentive, to understand my order, and to present the meal with care. A smile always finds its way onto my face when the server at Chick-Fil-A responds to my thank you with their signature line – “my pleasure.”

Jesus reverses the natural love to be served asking us to learn to love to serve. It can be difficult to understand that principle as we see in this lesson from Mark’s Gospel.

32 They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. … 35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”  36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” 38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” 39 “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Our high calling is to serve – God and others – not for the glory but with joy. God’s pathway to true greatness does not come from a title or an executive office. It is found in faithfulness, in our willingness to seek to serve.

True service is fueled by love, not reward. It is offered without thought of thanks or compensation. How do we do this?
We can take notice of someone who is ‘unseen’ by others offering thanks or encouragement.
We can pray faithfully for someone who is suffering or broken, a service offered in secret.
We can love those who are difficult or unlovely.
We can wash the dishes when our spouse is tired.
We can go the extra mile for a friend.
We can take time to listen and speak of God’s love.

Can it be difficult? It sure can be. But the way of true greatness, Jesus said, is service. “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.”

So, how’s your serve?
This Monday, pray for opportunities to serve others and to find the joy of humility and selflessness in the moment. I can say for certain that you will come to the end of the day a happier Christian. Oh, by the way, God sees and never forgets. His reward for ‘good and faithful servants’ is one of which we are absolutely assured.

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Reflect -
Who will I choose to serve today?
Do I serve for recognition or for the joy of being useful to God and others?
Am I focused on eternal rewards when I serve?

I am excited to hear of your discoveries, about your struggles, and to pray with you.
If you would like to share any of those things with me you may do by emailing me – JerScott55@gmail.com

For a video of this devotion go to

https://www.youtube.com/@FaithDiscoveryChurch

Walking in the Dark?

Faith Discovery Church, where I served for many years as pastor, meets in a large building. It has beautiful laminate wood trusses supporting a deck roof that reaches 40 feet at its peak.

When the wind blows the building seems to come alive with sounds, creaks, and groans. I have been in that sanctuary for thousands of hours and know every inch of it well. However, when I am in that large room at night and hear those sounds, see the shadows on the walls, I feel uneasy in the darkness. In the light of day in that very same sanctuary, I feel no fear whatever even on the stormiest day. What’s the difference? Light!

Sometimes we find ourselves walking in the dark, in spite of having a beautiful life, don’t we?

Confusion, uncertainty, multiple challenges that exhaust us, combine to hide the ‘light’ of our soul and in that moment, we may feel fear creeping up on us.

Matthew tells us about Jesus telling His friend that He was about to go to Jerusalem and there He would die! Peter objected that such awful things could not be God’s will. Jesus severely reprimanded Peter: "Get behind me, Satan!"  He told him that he would deny knowing Him, to which Peter boldly replied: "Maybe those other guys, but NOT me!"   But, in the dark, when fear took control of his mind and heart, Peter failed spectacularly, even openly denying his Lord, not once, but three times!

When Jesus was taken into custody for an illegal midnight trial. Filled with fear, his friends deserted Him scattering into the night. That week ended with His crucifixion. John tells us that the disciples hid behind locked doors, deeply shaken and fearful. And you think you've had a bad week?

Sometimes God's people walk through dark times!
The Psalmist reminds us, however, that (23:4 NLT) "Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid..." Why? "...for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me." God’s promise is true. Even when we cannot see Him - He is with us. When we are walking through the dark rooms of death, disappointment, or even demonic attack He is with us.

We may wonder, why doesn’t He take us out of such situations? I don’t know! That’s the faith part of the equation. Years after his own fearful failure, a mature Peter urged Christians to be steady, even when they are walking in the dark. He tells us "Don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering, and afterward you will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory when it is displayed to all the world." 1 Peter 4:12-13 NLT

Are you in the dark today?

In Acts 16, we read a story of faith in the darkness! After doing much good in the city of Philippi, Paul and Silas, were accused of disturbing the peace, beaten by the authorities, and chained to a wall in a filthy jail! Sounds like a suitable time to complain, doesn’t it? “What’s up with this, Lord? Here we are trying to do what you want us to do. And, then you let us end up here in the dark, hurting and bleeding.” That’s not what they did.

They overcame the temptation to fear with a different choice. "Along about midnight, Paul and Silas were at prayer and singing a robust hymn to God. The other prisoners couldn’t believe their ears." (Acts 16:25, The Message) Their praises rose to Heaven, and the hand of God caused an earthquake that shook open the doors; the jailer’s heart was opened by the sincere faith he saw in these two evangelists; and the Light broke through!

If the sun is shining brightly at this moment in your life, be thankful and strengthen your relationship with God, through faith and worship. And, if you are living in the dark so to speak, remember that He is not far away, though you may not see Him in the moment. Instead of running, kneel. Instead of wailing, sing about the faithfulness of God. Sing like Paul and Silas sang at midnight! (Acts 16)

The Light will shine on you again.

Here is a word from the Word.

"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you." (Psalm 139:7-12, NIV)

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Video of this blog

https://www.youtube.com/@JerScott55

Fearless? Yes, and No

Are you naturally more bold or more cautious? How often do you hold back from doing something because “I might get hurt!” or “It’s just too risky.”?  I find myself more cautious these days than I once was. I suppose some would call it wisdom. It is true that I appreciate risk to myself and others more in this season of life than I once did. Fear can be useful, helping us to avoid danger, changing our behavior. It can also paralyze us if given free rein.

The Bible says that “the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.” (Psalm 33) Proverbs reminds us that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” (Proverbs 1:7) Do you have a healthy ‘fear of the Lord’ that keeps your heart reverent, that deepens your appreciation of the Gospel’s message of grace?

God is gracious, loving, and "patient ... not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9, NIV) But He is still God, always just, and perfectly holy. Some who read only of the ‘love of God’ tend to forget that He disciplines those He loves!

Have you ever watched an ineffective parent try to provide guidance to a child who has no respect? Even a little child will soon understand that the parent is all talk, no action if their actions have no consequence.  When a parent allows a toddler to run life, failing to establish proper boundaries for behavior, they are creating the probability of some terrible teen years.

Of course, I make no case for child abuse, for parenting in anger! Parents gain the respect and obedience in a child when they are fair, firm, consistent, and understanding. A child who learns to obey actually requires less correction. They learn to regulate their own behavior, knowing that actions have reactions!  A strong parent creates a home where there is less stress, less nagging, and more harmony. They project wisdom that invites the child to accept their guidance. A little one learns to trust and obey and avoids danger and harm.

The parallels to the Christian life are many. If we Believers are taught only the grace of God, if we only learn of Jesus, as our Friend, but not as our Lord; we will lose the awe and respect that motivates us to subjugate our will to God's will. We will see no need to let God own us (a definition of being holy) because we will trivialize His demands.

Passages like Isaiah 6 need to be read often to help us to understand the majestic 'otherness' of God, that He is not a man! The prophet wrote: "I had a vision of the Lord. He was on his throne high above, and his robe filled the temple. Flaming creatures with six wings each were flying over him. They covered their faces with two of their wings and their bodies with two more. They used the other two wings for flying, as they shouted, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord All-Powerful! The earth is filled with your glory." . . . Then I cried out, "I’m doomed! Everything I say is sinful, and so are the words of everyone around me. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord All-Powerful." (Isaiah 6:5, CEV) The LORD did not abandon Isaiah to that despair. He cleansed him of his sinfulness and commissioned him to go out powerfully under the Spirit's anointing with a message of hope and restoration to the people.

 

Is your God big enough to fear and respect?
Is He worthy of awe?
Do you trust His wisdom to guide and keep you?

The better question is, do you know Him as a true Father or only as a ‘Friend?’

We thrive in our devotion when our understanding is informed by the full revelation of His nature and character in the Word. No, that will not be a terror that makes you cringe and hide. Rather, you will feel a deep sense of awe that causes you to tremble, to love Him, to serve Him in holiness.

Here's a word from the Word. Meditate on this truth today.

"Have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, "My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child." As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness." (Hebrews 12:5-10, NLT)

His love is amazing.
The grace of God is beyond comprehension.
His discipline is always for our good.

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Video of this blog

https://www.youtube.com/@JerScott55