“John the Baptizer appeared in the wild, preaching a baptism of life-change that leads to forgiveness of missing God’s goal for us.” ~Apostle Mark

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Jesus, John the Baptist, Life-change, Mark 1, Repent

John paved the way for Jesus. He set the stage. It is all about life-change. I need to change my mind (repent) about the kind of life I can live.

I know I have missed the goal that God is mind for me. I need to make it clear that I understand that.

Being baptized with Jesus into death and resurrection gives me a changed life. It is His new plan for me. I can reach God’s goal for myself.

I don’t have to live a life that misses that. He is in an amazing mood and gives me this gift simply because He loves me.

Now how great is that?

John the Baptizer appeared in the wild, preaching a baptism of life-change that leads to forgiveness of missing God’s goal for us. People thronged to him from Judea and Jerusalem and, as they confessed their knowledge of missing God’s goal, were baptized by him in the Jordan River into a changed life. John wore a camel-hair habit, tied at the waist with a leather belt. He ate locusts and wild field honey. Mark 1:4-6

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“His baptism—a holy baptism by the Holy Spirit—will change you from the inside out.” ~John the Baptizer

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Good News, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Mark 1

Good news of God

I love to hear God remind me that I have been changed from the inside out!! I am a new man. A new creation.

I have been baptized for the changing of my mind about my missing the mark of God’s goal for my life and raised to a new life with our Master. I have also been baptized in the Spirit of power and changed completely.

The enemy reminds me of the opposite, accusing and condemning me at every turn. His message whispers in my ear. Twisting reality and seeking to steal, kill and destroy me.

Our Master has good news for us all. Jesus reminds me of the message of love.

I must choose to believe the reality of our Master. May it be so every day!!!

The good news of Jesus the Messiah—the Message!—begins here, following to the letter the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Watch closely: I’m sending my preacher ahead of you; He’ll make the road smooth for you. Thunder in the desert! Prepare for God’s arrival! Make the road smooth and straight!

John the Baptizer appeared in the wild, preaching a baptism of life-change that leads to forgiveness of sins. People thronged to him from Judea and Jerusalem and, as they confessed their sins, were baptized by him in the Jordan River into a changed life. John wore a camel-hair habit, tied at the waist with a leather belt. He ate locusts and wild field honey.

As he preached he said, “The real action comes next: The star in this drama, to whom I’m a mere stagehand, will change your life. I’m baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. His baptism—a holy baptism by the Holy Spirit—will change you from the inside out.

Source: Mark 1:1-8

 

"Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass." ~~Jesus

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Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Mark 1, New Person

Fisher of Men

Jesus turns my world upside down. That is the way Jesus is. When I followed Jesus, He made me a new person.

The way I had always done things got left behind. If I find that isn’t true, I have lost my way and not following Jesus.

The critical aspect of this is that Jesus teaches me. Being a new person isn’t natural. Jesus shows me the way and shows me how to mature in faith in God, our Father. Jesus makes me new, every day. Jesus shows me how.

 Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.

~~Jesus (Mark 1:17)

"Quiet! Get out of him!" ~~Jesus to the demons in a man

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Authority, Demons, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Mark 1, Master, Obedience

Jesus has authority over everything. To the demons He says “Get out” and they do. They know who Jesus is. They obey Him.

They also know why Jesus had come. Jesus, my Master, came to destroy the evil ones. And Jesus has. Jesus died for me. Jesus was buried like a man. Jesus, the son of our Heavenly Father, was raised up from the dead. Jesus is victorious. Jesus ascended into heaven and now sits at the right hand of God, ruling over all things.

Then they entered Capernaum. When the Sabbath arrived, Jesus lost no time in getting to the meeting place. He spent the day there teaching. They were surprised at his teaching—so forthright, so confident—not quibbling and quoting like the religion scholars.

Suddenly, while still in the meeting place, he was interrupted by a man who was deeply disturbed and yelling out, “What business do you have here with us, Jesus? Nazarene! I know what you’re up to! You’re the Holy One of God, and you’ve come to destroy us!”

Jesus shut him up: “Quiet! Get out of him!” The afflicting spirit threw the man into spasms, protesting loudly—and got out.

Mark 1:25-26 The Message

"Time’s up! God’s kingdom is here. Change your mind (repent) and believe the Message." ~~Jesus

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Change, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Mark 1, Mind Change, Repent

Time

Do I have enough time? Jesus demands that I understand that time is up. Now is the time.

I can’t delay understanding who is in charge. I need to change my mind. I must believe.

God’s world (Kingdom) is one where He is in total control. This requires that I change how I think and how I live.

Do I live like God is in charge or like I am in charge?

Do I ask God what he wants to do or do I tell God what I want to do and ask him to bless it?

Time is up. It is clearly up. Jesus has been put in charge of God’s world and I must change my mind.

After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee preaching the Message of God: “Time’s up! God’s kingdom is here. Change your life and believe the Message.”

~~Jesus (Mark 1:15)