Mark 1:9-11 Jesus' Baptism
After John's statement, "I will baptize with water, but one coming after me will baptize with the Holy Spirit," Jesus comes to John and is baptized in water and the Holy Spirit descends upon Him. This is before the Holy Spirit indwelled the believer. In the Old Testament, the Holy Sprit fell on those who were set apart to do a special job for God. Now it is a sign of God's approval, and a picture of the Trinity, but now also time for Jesus to begin His ministry.
Ashamed to say that in the past I think I actually believed I was just about on par with Jesus, that I could almost hear God say, "Here is my daughter, Karen, in whom I take great delight and satisfaction." What in the world gave me that high value of myself? It's no fun seeing my sin and realizing how far I am from perfection, but thank you, God, for not letting me live in that deception. Please use me each day and make me what you want me to be.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
The Gospel According to Mark
Mark 1:1-8
v. 1 the gospel of Jesus Christ. Gospel means "good news" The good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Stated up front: this is good news! Jesus is the Son of God. He is the Christ, the Messiah. He's the One!
v. 2 Proof One: The Old Testament Scriptures announced his coming. Proof Two: the life and ministry of John the Baptist, also foretold in Isaiah. Prophecies are made to be fulfilled--now is the time! In our day--in our hearing! Should be very good news to the people.
v. 4 John the Baptist's life work was to prepare the way for Jesus' arrival, to point people to him, to explain Christ's purpose, which is to save people from their sins. Not an earthly king, but an eternal one.
vv. 5-6 People were drawn to John because of his message, but also his eccentricities. Like a carnival show. Let's take a trip out to thewilderness next Saturday and go see that guy who dresses in camel hair and eats locusts and honey every meal!
vv. 7-8 John's message was the real draw once you got there. A new song, a new message. Guess what, group, we're not okay with God--our sacrifices, our tithes and offerings, they're not acceptable--they won't remove our sins. Repent! It's the heart God wants.
And the Messiah is coming, the One we've been waiting for, the One we've stopped looking for. He's real! And He's so much better than I. He will be able to change your hearts. I can dunk you in water, but He can dunk your heart, mind, body and soul into the Holy Spirit.
Don't even know if they knew what the Holy Spirit was.
My prayer for my girls is that you will give all of yourselves to Christ, follow him wherever he leads you, obey every command, and love him completely.
Mark 1:1-8
v. 1 the gospel of Jesus Christ. Gospel means "good news" The good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Stated up front: this is good news! Jesus is the Son of God. He is the Christ, the Messiah. He's the One!
v. 2 Proof One: The Old Testament Scriptures announced his coming. Proof Two: the life and ministry of John the Baptist, also foretold in Isaiah. Prophecies are made to be fulfilled--now is the time! In our day--in our hearing! Should be very good news to the people.
v. 4 John the Baptist's life work was to prepare the way for Jesus' arrival, to point people to him, to explain Christ's purpose, which is to save people from their sins. Not an earthly king, but an eternal one.
vv. 5-6 People were drawn to John because of his message, but also his eccentricities. Like a carnival show. Let's take a trip out to thewilderness next Saturday and go see that guy who dresses in camel hair and eats locusts and honey every meal!
vv. 7-8 John's message was the real draw once you got there. A new song, a new message. Guess what, group, we're not okay with God--our sacrifices, our tithes and offerings, they're not acceptable--they won't remove our sins. Repent! It's the heart God wants.
And the Messiah is coming, the One we've been waiting for, the One we've stopped looking for. He's real! And He's so much better than I. He will be able to change your hearts. I can dunk you in water, but He can dunk your heart, mind, body and soul into the Holy Spirit.
Don't even know if they knew what the Holy Spirit was.
My prayer for my girls is that you will give all of yourselves to Christ, follow him wherever he leads you, obey every command, and love him completely.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Parathugater
Para thugater in Greek means "alongside daughter". I am composing this blog in order to share my daily morning Bible devotional with my daughters. I've always struggled with consistency in Bible study and prayer and am finally getting the hang of it. I hope that maybe my daughters will join me by blogging in when they can, study the same verses as me and then post their own thoughts.
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