YOU ARE BEING WATCHED
- Key Verse
- They were watching Him to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. (Mark 3:2)
READ TODAY'S PASSAGE-
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
People watch our daily actions to find a way to accuse us. Therefore, we have to get rid of the burdens and sin that consume us and to live out our faith.
Reflections
We are followers of Christ, and we are being watched. Do you live out the fact that you are a servant of God and love the Lord? Just stop and think. We are called to live out our faith 24/7! Not just when the cute boy, the popular girls, or your parents are looking. No, we are called to live out our faith ALL THE TIME.
The Pharisees were watching Jesus closely to find a reason to accuse Him (Mark 3:2). Even though they had no true reason to accuse Him, they did. This is our reality, too. People are always waiting for the chance to say, “Well, that Hannah girl is a Christian, but she didn’t sit with the new girl, so why should I?” In Hebrews 12:1-2, the Word tells us that we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses so we must throw off the sin that entangles and focus our eyes on Christ.
My family and I are HUGE Texas Longhorn fans. I have heard a great story about Colt McCoy that illustrates this truth. A few years back, UT suffered a heartbreaking loss at Kansas State. The morning after the game, Brad McCoy, Colt’s father, received a phone call from a member of the church Colt attended. On Saturday Colt had been bashed for his “not-so-great” play on the football field, and he had not gotten home from that away game until 4:00 a.m. on Sunday. But, on that same Sunday morning, Colt was at the 9:00 a.m. church service worshiping the Lord. The church member thanked Mr. McCoy for the huge impact Colt had made on his ten-year-old son. It goes to show that no matter how frustrated, disappointed, confused, or doubtful you are, serving the Lord counts. As in this story, even your presence can reveal how much your relationship with the Lord matters. Colt was able to influence the little boy just by demonstrating his priorities.
So remember, you are being watched. I encourage you to continue to live out your faith even when the persecution or hardships come.
Discussion Questions
1. Today, make it your goal to set your priorities straight and ask for forgiveness for the sin that could be hindering you.2. How have you lived out your faith to nonbelievers this week?
3. Have you chosen to share the good news with someone who could be watching you?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What did Jesus see about the Pharisees' hearts?
2. What does it mean to have a hard heart?
3. God wants us to have hearts that are teachable and soft. What can you do to keep your heart soft and teachable?
Mary Wall
May 6, 2010 05:42 AM
Hannah~ What wisdom you have been blessed with!!! I am so touched reading such a powerful, faithful reading from someone your age. And, thank you for sharing Colt's story. And, your writing skills are wonderful. (remind me of my sophmore daughter at Bishop Lynch)...one more gift you have defenitely been given. Blessings--Mary Wall
Kendra
May 6, 2010 05:43 AM
Thanks for this reminder Hannah! For me, I have three pairs of little eyes watching me every day in my own home. I wonder what my actions say to them about my priorities! I think I'll ask them and then pray, pray, pray that they will grow in stature and wisdom to be young women like you . . . passionately pursuing Christ all of the time! Thanks for spurring on one tired mom!
Kim Barber
May 6, 2010 07:40 AM
Great reminder Hannah! Thanks so much for the truth that you spoke into my heart this morning. Teaching second graders leaves a lot of little eyes watching me. I need to be reminded to live out my faith in front of my students daily. :)
Gwen Aragon
May 6, 2010 09:01 AM
Hannah, thank you so much for reminding me of the truth this morning. Your devotional really challenged and encouraged me more than you know. Live out the faith in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Lee Danis
May 6, 2010 09:07 AM
Beautiful devo Hannah. Keep reaching out to those kids that are not part of the in crowd. That is a beautiful way to demonstrate the love of Christ.
Drew Talley
May 6, 2010 09:20 AM
Very timely message Hannah. Great job!
Dave Delph
May 6, 2010 09:26 AM
Hey Sweet Hannah! Wow! What a great encouragement that people, Christians and non-Christians, are watching us. Thank you for reminding me that our "witness" reflects Him...or not. Thankful you are daily trying to please Him in all you say and do...we all know, at TCA, many, young and old, are watching! Proud of you, Mr. D
SarahBeth Jaqua
May 6, 2010 09:30 AM
Hannah, thanks for sharing your great devo and words of encouragement today! I love your heart to really figure out for yourself what it means to live out your faith. I am so proud of you. Its such a privilege to be a part of your life and watch you grow in your faith! I love you sweet girl!
Melissa Miller
May 6, 2010 10:06 AM
Hey Han,you did such a great job on this! I am encouraged by the way YOU live your life as a follower of Christ, and I do watch, and am often encouraged by you and your faith. Love you mean it!
Scott Coy
May 6, 2010 11:57 AM
I like watching Colt but I would rather watch Hannah Beckwith! And for the record, I have been. You and your brother Scott.I like what I see and your observations of today's Scripture confirm what I see in your life. Very encouraging to me--both the words you shared today and the life I see you livng! Stay the course little sister. Scott
MIKE shelton
May 6, 2010 02:16 PM
AWESOME JOB HANNAH! So thankful that you are in student ministries!
Tracey Beckwith
May 6, 2010 02:23 PM
Sweet Hannah! I love you and am so proud of you. Thank you for encouraging and challenging your mom on a regular basis to follow after the Lord with all my heart. The way I see you live your life encourages me, challenges me and convicts me. Thankful for you. Mom
Todd Wagner
May 6, 2010 04:25 PM
Love it Hannah. Praying 1 Peter 2:12 now for our friends and body. "Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation."
Robyn Dotson
May 6, 2010 11:44 PM
Loved seeing a Journey from you! It was a blessing to my day! Great job!
Sue Bohlin
May 10, 2010 04:04 PM
Absolutely delightful and right-on devo this morning, Hannah! Thank you! . . . Today's passage also has one of my favorite verses (13) from the gospels in it, where we learn that Jesus "summoned those that He Himself wanted." It's not just the twelve that He wanted to be His followers and His intimates; I think we can legitimately connect the dots to ourselves as well. If we have trusted Christ, it's because He chose us, and if He chose us, it's because He WANTED us. And there is absolutely nothing in us to deserve being wanted and desired and pursued; it's all His grace and mercy. Many years ago I wrote on a blank page in my Bible one of my favorite words of wisdom from someone named Reynolds Price: "There is one sentence that all humankind longs to hear: 'The Maker of All Things knows and wants me.'" Praise God!