Mark 1 - 12.11.24

SCRIPTURE: Mark 1:15 NIV

“The Time has COME,” Jesus said. 

“The kingdom of God-- has COME-- near.

Repent and Believe the Good News!”

OBSERVATION:

Mark begins with the Promise of The Messiah as Isaiah prophesied:

“I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”—

“a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for HIM.’ ”

John the Baptist arrived and was that one whose voice cried out in the wilderness for people to Repent from their sins-Turn to God—and be Baptized. This Baptism did not wash away their sins BUT was a Public declaration that they had made a decision to choose a new way of life.

Jesus ARRIVAL marks a CHANGE.

The TIME has COME.

REPENT and BELIEVE.

The KINGDOM of GOD has COME NEAR.

APPLICATION

Jesus Changed EVERYTHING. Jesus is Our Hope and Assurance.

The Good News for us and for our families and friends.

Jesus is the SON of GOD, The WORD made Flesh, Jesus IS God, Jesus, alone, has the Authority to Forgive sins.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim Good News to the poor.

 He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind,

 to set the oppressed free, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19)

Jesus has the Power to Heal, Release Prisoners from Bondage, Break every Chain, Raise the Dead, Cast out demons, Redeem, Restore, Provide, AND--Make a straight Pathway in the midst of the wilderness.

Jesus Began His Ministry with the Same Important Words The Lost and Hurting Need to hear--Today.

The Time Has COME…Repent and Believe The Good News

PRAYER

Lord Jesus,

Thank You for who You are. Our Salvation. Thank You for The Good News that sets us Free from the debt of our sins and assures us of eternal Life in Heaven with You. Thank You for Your WORD that is Life and Thank You for Filling us with Your Holy Spirit to guide us and equip us for all that YOU call us to.

Thank You for people who are on mission sharing The Gospel-- even when others reject them. I was once the one doing the rejecting-but still YOU used those words to draw me in.

Thank You for The Power of The Gospel. Give me greater courage and desire to share wherever I go and May I desire MORE of YOU.  I want everything You have for me. Keep me At Your feet listening and fanning the flames. Nothing else matters. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Tina L Kudelka

Colossians 4 - 12.11.24

Scripture

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving. (Colossians 4:2, NKJV)

Observation

Keep praying earnestly. Don’t just pray. Pray vigilantly. Pray with purpose. Pray intentionally. Pray as if your life depends on it, because your life does depend on it! Prayer is not our last resort, prayer is our first resort. Let us pray about everything. Let prayer be our second nature. Let prayer be as natural to us as breathing. Let us pray without ceasing (Thessalonians 5:17). Jesus taught us to watch and pray so that we do not fall into temptation (Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38). We pray so that we can wear our spiritual armour, and stand against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:18, Ephesians 6:11).

The second part of the verse reminds us to be vigilant in prayer along with thanksgiving. The Bible instructs us to give thanks in everything, since this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Not being thankful is a sin (Romans 1:21). "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise" (Psalms 100:4). This verse tells us that thanksgiving is the key that opens the gates into God’s presence, and praise is the key that opens the access to his courts. Let us pray with thanksgiving and praise which adds additional power to our prayers. Thanksgiving is giving thanks to God for all his blessings to us individually and collectively. Praise is adoring God for his character, and for who he is. Praise and Thanksgiving go together, and take us through His gates and into His courts. 

Application

Let us be people who pray vigilantly and intentionally. Jude says that we are building ourselves up on our most holy faith, when we pray according to the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:21). The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man or woman avails much (James 5:16).  Let us have a thankful heart and lift our prayers to God with thanksgiving and praise, always.

Prayer

Father, I thank you for loving me and choosing me. Thank you for making me your child. Thank you for your presence which is always with me. Thank you for leading me with your eye. Thank you for your plans for me. Thank you for your hand on my life. I praise you, for you are faithful. I praise you, because there is none like you. You deserve all the praise, honor and glory. Help me to pray always. Help me to pray about everything. Help me to have a thankful heart, and to pray with thanksgiving and praise, as you have taught us. Help me Lord, because I can do nothing without you. (John 15:5). May your will be done in my life as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). Be glorified in everything I do and everything I am. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George

Colossians 3 - 12.10.24

SCRIPTURE:  Colossians 3:15,16 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.  Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

OBSERVATION:  Paul taught that living in love leads to peace.  He also taught that when our heart’s are grateful to God, it opens us up to God’s peace, which enables us to put on love.

APPLICATION:  As I allow God’s love to rule my heart, He will be faithful to help sustain me, even in times of great stress.  It’s up to me to clothe myself in His love, and as I do, He will be faithful to instruct me and guide me in His peace.

PRAYER:  Jesus came to glorify His Father in heaven.  We can have no clearer view of God than looking at Jesus.  He is the complete expression of God in human body.  God is glorified as His body (the believers) reflect His love.  This is my prayer:  As Jesus prayed and gave thanks to the Father, I pray my greatest aim in life will be to acknowledge my need of God, pray to Him often, and give thanks for ALL that He’s given me through Jesus.  I pray God will fill me to over-flowing with His love, and out of thanksgiving, I will do my part to reflect His love to others. Amen

- Robin Orefice