Bible League: Living His Word The Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God...— Mark 1:1 ERV The evangelist Mark begins his Gospel with these words, which sounds like this in the Armenian version of the Bible: "The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God". The word "gospel" translated from the Greek original, means "good news." In the ancient world, during the Roman time, the emperor considered himself as the "son of gods" and they announced the kingdom of the emperor. But in the Gospel, the evangelist Mark announces the beginning of the heavenly kingdom of the real King, the real Son of God. Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, prophesied about the coming of the Son of God and pointed to his son as His prophet, going before Him and preparing the way, the way of salvation: "You will make His people understand that they will be saved by having their sins forgiven," (Luke 1:77). Later, John the Baptist himself personally confirmed his mission by quoting from the book of Isaiah. As it is written in the Matthew 3:2-3: "John said, 'Change your hearts and lives, because God's kingdom is now very near.' John is the one Isaiah the prophet was talking about when he said, 'There is someone shouting in the desert: "Prepare the way for the Lord. Make the road straight for him."'" After His baptism and temptation in the desert, Jesus began to go from place to place in Galilee and to preach. "From that time Jesus began to tell people His message: 'Change your hearts and lives, because God's kingdom is now very near,'" (Matthew 4:17). By this, Jesus Himself also shared the Good News and evangelized. Evangelism is a very important key to bring people into the Kingdom of Christ. Through evangelism, people accept the Lord Jesus Christ and become children of God. As it is written in John 1:12-13, "But some people did accept Him. They believed in Him, and He gave them the right to become children of God. They became God's children, but not in the way babies are usually born. It was not because of any human desire or plan. They were born from God himself." Apostle Paul says, "God made us free from the power of darkness. And He brought us into the kingdom of His dear Son. The Son paid the price to make us free. In Him we have forgiveness of our sins," (Colossians 1:13-14). Thus, the preaching of the Gospel is the Good News about the kingdom of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, which was made possible by His coming into the world. He died on the cross for the sins of all humankind and rose victoriously on the third day. Now it is the sacred duty of every Christian to preach and proclaim everywhere the Good News of salvation, to share the Word of God, and to be active in evangelism. Our Lord Jesus Christ says, "Go everywhere in the world. Tell the Good News to everyone," (Mark 16:15). By Pastor Vardan Tadevosyan, Bible League International staff, Armenia Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingPsalm 119:1-48 Psalm 119 -- Blessed are those whose ways are blameless NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading 1 Corinthians 3 1 Corinthians 3 -- Christ as the Foundation; Rebuke for Divisions NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.Insight Many believed that Jesus came for the Jews only. But when Jesus said, “Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me,” he was talking to these Greeks as well. No matter who the sincere seekers are, Jesus welcomes them. His message is for everyone. Challenge Don't allow social or racial differences to become barriers to the gospel. Take the Good News to all people. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Isaiah 45:19 I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain.We may gain much solace by considering what God has not said. What he has said is inexpressibly full of comfort and delight; what he has not said is scarcely less rich in consolation. It was one of these "said nots" which preserved the kingdom of Israel in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, for "the Lord said not that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven." 2 Kings 14:27. In our text we have an assurance that God will answer prayer, because he hath "not said unto the seed of Israel, Seek ye me in vain." You who write bitter things against yourselves should remember that, let your doubts and fears say what they will, if God has not cut you off from mercy, there is no room for despair: even the voice of conscience is of little weight if it be not seconded by the voice of God. What God has said, tremble at! But suffer not your vain imaginings to overwhelm you with despondency and sinful despair. Many timid persons have been vexed by the suspicion that there may be something in God's decree which shuts them out from hope, but here is a complete refutation to that troublesome fear, for no true seeker can be decreed to wrath. "I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth; I have not said," even in the secret of my unsearchable decree, "Seek ye me in vain." God has clearly revealed that he will hear the prayer of those who call upon him, and that declaration cannot be contravened. He has so firmly, so truthfully, so righteously spoken, that there can be no room for doubt. He does not reveal his mind in unintelligible words, but he speaks plainly and positively, "Ask, and ye shall receive." Believe, O trembler, this sure truth--that prayer must and shall be heard, and that never, even in the secrets of eternity, has the Lord said unto any living soul, "Seek ye me in vain." Daily Light on the Daily Path Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Psalm 17:4 As for the deeds of men, by the word of Your lips I have kept from the paths of the violent. Deuteronomy 13:1-4 "If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, • and the sign or the wonder comes true, concerning which he spoke to you, saying, 'Let us go after other gods (whom you have not known) and let us serve them,' • you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the LORD your God is testing you to find out if you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. • "You shall follow the LORD your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him. Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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