I usually post a Following Jesus Today class midweek, but we did not have class this past Sunday so that class members could attend a Ministry Fair and learn about local and global ministries our Church supports. So, instead of a class, I thought I would post a H-E-A-R journal entry from earlier in the week.

H-E-A-R Journals are a regular part of the D-Groups – discipleship groups of 3 to 5 people – that happen at our church. D- Group members read the same Scriptures each week, try to understand and apply them to life, and respond to the truth they see. When they meet with their group, they share one of their journal entries from the week.

I read Mark 9-10 on Saturday. My HEAR journal follows. (This is not exegesis, but devotional thoughts based on a particular text.)

Highlight (Mark 10:51): “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

Explain: Jesus didn’t simply heal blind Bartimaeus. He first asked him what he wanted him to do. Jesus either did not know what the man wanted, or the man didn’t know what he wanted (think of the man in John 5 who had been paralyzed for 38 years), or he knew it would benefit the man to articulate his desire. Sometimes it is necessary to clarify our thoughts and set our hearts before faith can ignite.

Apply: It is good for me to think and speak to Jesus about what I want.

Respond: Jesus, I want to keep growing – more and more – in the knowledge of God. I want to be pure – sanctified wholly. I want to be humble, free of the demand that things go “my way,” ready to go a different way when I see wisdom in it. I want good work to do through my later years – work that I can share with Karen. I wanted never to be governed by fear or sin. I want hope to energize me until I die—and hope becomes sight. I want my sons and their families to experience you in these same ways. I want to bless people through my work. I want our church family to be united, fruitful, and joyful. I want to be free of deceit. I want to see you in the glory you had with the Father. I want more and more to want what you want for me.

(For more information on D-Groups, see Foundations, by Robby and Kandi Gallaty.)