Today's Reading: Mark 1: 9-13
**For a simple and good way of Daily Devotion method please click this link: Subject Shifting Devotion.pdf.
Please click this link to read Mark 1: 9-13
Bible Study
The first chapter starts with the preparation for Jesus' ministry by the coming of John the Baptist to prepare the way for Jesus to come. Then the preparation for Jesus Himself as in His baptism. There are two important points that we need to know in the process of preparing Jesus through His baptism:
- Daddy loves you: How many sons and daughters long for their daddy to say the loving word to them as our Heavenly Father said that to Jesus here in this chapter, "You are my son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." It happens all the time, in families, businesses, churches, all over. All people long for this but most of them can't get that loving word and appreciation from their daddy, boss, pastor, leader and other people they need to have that kind of confirmation of being accepted and being loved. This should be the most important preparation for Jesus ministry that the Heavenly Father was always with Him no matter what kind of condition.
- Daddy always with you: The descending of the Holy Spirit gave Jesus to have another preparation that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit gave Jesus to have everything to do what the Father wanted Him to do. We should aware that before the baptism of Jesus, Jesus did not perform any miracle. After that, Jesus did every kind of miracles we can ever think of.
This two preparations leads Jesus to be able to take the test of being tempted by Satan and passed with a flying color! What Jesus two preparations teaches us is that with that "daddy loves you" and "daddy always with you" we can live a life of victory after Jesus example.
Have a time to be still and give the Holy Spirit space to speak through the passage of scripture we have just read. Offer this time up to God as you listen to him, while listening to "Gabriel's Oboe"
My Spiritual Journal
What I heard from Jesus today is: Daddy loves you!
What I received from Jesus is that to put my name into that two preparations:
"Daddy loves Silas", "Daddy always with Silas". And, the next one Jesus wants to give to me is that, "Go ahead courageously to take the test and pass with a flying color after my model and lead.
We can never avoid to be tempted by Satan. But, long time before we even know, God has already prepared for us the winning strategy through the classic example of Jesus. If you follow, you will prevail! If you do it yourself thinking that you can fight Satan alone, then your are through!
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for giving us your good example for us to know that you love us and always with us. Help us to be willing to prepare by you daily experiencing your winning strategy to face with every test and temptation and that we can lead a life of victory in you. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Chinese praise song - 祢讓我生命改變 You Transform My Life
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