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 Proverbs 11:25 He that watereth shall be watered also himself.We are here taught the great lesson, that to get, we must give; that to accumulate, we must scatter; that to make ourselves happy, we must make others happy; and that in order to become spiritually vigorous, we must seek the spiritual good of others. In watering others, we are ourselves watered. How? Our efforts to be useful, bring out our powers for usefulness. We have latent talents and dormant faculties, which are brought to light by exercise. Our strength for labor is hidden even from ourselves, until we venture forth to fight the Lord's battles, or to climb the mountains of difficulty. We do not know what tender sympathies we possess until we try to dry the widow's tears, and soothe the orphan's grief. We often find in attempting to teach others, that we gain instruction for ourselves. Oh, what gracious lessons some of us have learned at sick beds! We went to teach the Scriptures, we came away blushing that we knew so little of them. In our converse with poor saints, we are taught the way of God more perfectly for ourselves and get a deeper insight into divine truth. So that watering others makes us humble. We discover how much grace there is where we had not looked for it; and how much the poor saint may outstrip us in knowledge. Our own comfort is also increased by our working for others. We endeavour to cheer them, and the consolation gladdens our own heart. Like the two men in the snow; one chafed the other's limbs to keep him from dying, and in so doing kept his own blood in circulation, and saved his own life. The poor widow of Sarepta gave from her scanty store a supply for the prophet's wants, and from that day she never again knew what want was. Give then, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and running over. Daily Light on the Daily Path Psalm 119:57 The LORD is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words.1 Corinthians 3:21,23 So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you, • and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God. Titus 2:13,14 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, • who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. Ephesians 1:22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, Ephesians 5:25,27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, • that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. Psalm 34:2 My soul will make its boast in the LORD; The humble will hear it and rejoice. Isaiah 61:10 I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, My soul will exult in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Psalm 73:25,26 Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. • My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 16:2,5,6 I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good besides You." • The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. • The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me. 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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