Daily Bible Plan - Mark 7

06. November 2025

Devotion by Reverend Joseph Antwi

Theme: Unleashed for Kingdom Advancement - Mark 7:1-37

Fortified City Church / Love City Church / Basel French Assembly / Luzern City Fellowship / ⁠PIWC Bern / ⁠Global prayer family

🕊 Introduction

Hello Church,

I’m so excited to take us back to the Book of Mark as we continue our Kingdom Advancement journey this November. Remember, the Gospel of Mark has so much to offer when it comes to Kingdom principles that Jesus came to reveal.

Today, we’ll be reading from Mark 7:1–37.

So wherever you are — in your chair time, in the office, or during a quiet break — open your Bible and read these verses aloud. Let the Word of God speak to you personally as we continue to walk through Mark together.

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⿡ Verses 1–13 — Religion vs. Relationship

“You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” (Mark 7:8)

The Pharisees confronted Jesus because His disciples ate without performing the ceremonial hand washing. Jesus immediately turned the question around — exposing how people can honor God with their lips while their hearts are far from Him.

He reminded them that religion without relationship leads to hypocrisy. They replaced the commands of God with their own traditions — turning spirituality into performance.

💭 Reflection:

True Kingdom advancement requires hearts that value obedience over appearance. You can be active in church yet far from Christ if your heart is not yielded.

💬 Prayer:

Lord, deliver me from routine religion. Let my service flow out of genuine love and communion with You.

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⿢ Verses 14–23 — Purity from the Inside Out

“Nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them… it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” (v.15)

Jesus redefined holiness. He said that purity is not about what we eat, wear, or how people see us — it’s about the condition of the heart.

Sin begins internally: with thoughts, motives, desires, and attitudes. Pride, envy, bitterness, lust, and hatred are the true pollutants.

A pure heart is the greatest weapon for Kingdom advancement because it carries divine authority and peace.

💭 Reflection:

Before God can work through you, He must first work in you. Let Him cleanse your heart daily through His Word and Spirit.

💬 Prayer:

Lord, purify my motives. Keep me free from hidden pride, jealousy, and bitterness. Create in me a clean heart, O God.

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⿣ Verses 24–30 — Unleashed Through Faith and Persistence

“Lord, even the little dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs.” (v.28)

Here we meet a Syrophoenician (Gentile) woman whose daughter was tormented by an unclean spirit. Though she was not part of the “chosen nation,” she approached Jesus with faith and humility.

Her persistence touched the heart of Jesus. She refused to be offended or turned away.

Jesus honored her faith, saying, “For this saying, go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter.”

This woman teaches us that Kingdom faith does not give up. Kingdom advancement requires persistence even when answers delay.

💭 Reflection:

Faith that moves mountains is faith that refuses to be offended.

When God seems silent, keep believing, keep speaking, and keep standing.

💬 Prayer:

Father, give me a persistent spirit like the Syrophoenician woman — faith that endures until breakthrough comes.

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⿤ Verses 31–37 — Unleashed in Compassion and Power

“They brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech… and He said to him, ‘Be opened!’ Immediately his ears were opened.” (v.32–35)

After leaving Tyre and Sidon, Jesus encounters a man who could not hear or speak.

Notice how personal Jesus is — He takes the man aside from the crowd, touches his ears, and speaks a word: “Ephphatha — be opened!”

That one word brought total transformation.

Kingdom advancement flows through compassion — when we are moved by people’s pain, not just by public ministry. Jesus touched one man privately, but the testimony spread publicly.

💭 Reflection:

The power of God flows through hearts filled with compassion.

If you want to advance the Kingdom, be willing to touch the broken, not just talk about them.

💬 Prayer:

Lord, make me an instrument of Your compassion. Let my words bring healing and my hands carry Your touch of mercy.