Passage:
38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him because he wasn’t following us.”
39 “Don’t stop him,” said Jesus,“because there is no one who will perform a miracle in my name who can soon afterward speak evil of me. 40 For whoever is not against us is for us. 41 And whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you belong to Christ — truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.
42 “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to fall away — it would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.
43 “And if your hand causes you to fall away, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and go to hell, the unquenchable fire. 45 And if your foot causes you to fall away, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to fall away, gouge it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. -- Mark 9:38-48 (CSB)
Song:
I Belong to Jesus by Hannah McClure, Paul McClure, and Sean Curran
Lyrics:
When I feel the fear come I won’t run away
Even in valleys Your presence is enough
When I feel the shaking oh I will stand my ground
Oh Your presence is enough
You are with me Father You’re for me
Fear will never conquer me I belong to Jesus
I’m never alone I’m never abandoned
Oh fear you'll never conquer me I belong to Jesus
When I feel the pressure I won’t run away
Even in tension Your presence is enough
When I'm in the mystery oh I will stand my ground
My God You are enough
When the rain fell when the floods came
When the wind blew I was ok
You were right there You’re in every step I take
When the night falls when my heart aches
If I stumble I will not break
You’ll be right there You’re in every step I take
You're my shepherd You're my keeper
My provider my protector
You surround me You're in every step I take
You're the goodness You're the constant
You're my first love and my future
You surround me You're in every step I take
Oh fear you'll never conquer me
I belong to Jesus
Even though I walk through the valley
Of the shadow of death I will fear no evil
Prayer:
Most loving Father, whose will it is for us to give thanks for all things, to fear nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on you who care for us: Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested to us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
