Be Still… – Page 30 – Relevant Reflections to Let God's Word Back Into Your Hands and Heart

Mark 1:1-20 – Jesus Steps Into Ministry

Mark is one of the gospels telling of the life of Jesus. Mark, known as John Mark, was not one of the twelve disciples traveling with Jesus, but he is believed to have been friends with Peter. This manuscript would be the eyewitness account from Peter, one of Jesus’ closest followers.

Mark doesn’t start with Jesus’ birth but with God’s announcement of Jesus’ arrival by John the Baptist. We learn a lot about who Jesus is from John’s introduction. It can be helpful to have your own testimony of Jesus’ impact on your life ready to use when you introduce Jesus to others who haven’t met him yet. Continue reading “Mark 1:1-20 – Jesus Steps Into Ministry”

Revelation 21:1-7 – What Comes Next?

Read Revelation 21:1-7

What a beautiful glimpse into what we’ll see when God’s kingdom is fully revealed! The book of Revelation is full of imagery and prophecy with messages for all believers. As a whole, the book can be very difficult to read and understand. This passage, however, quite clearly represents what is to come.

The author, one of Jesus’ own disciples, John, has been privileged to see many visions he’s been asked to share with others. Here, John describes God’s kingdom, complete with a throne. The one sitting on the throne promises to make all things new. Continue reading “Revelation 21:1-7 – What Comes Next?”

2 Corinthians 4-5 – Fragile Clay Jars

Read 2 Corinthians 4-5

What a great message for us as believers. Paul’s words to the Corinthians can speak to our hearts, too. Wasn’t it as if Paul knew exactly what we were thinking because he understood the struggle with faith questions? Many people today are looking ahead to the future and what comes next. Paul gives us a glimpse into the future, too. Now we understand the honor and privilege it is to be followers of Christ.

This was an abnormally long reading for devotions on the “Go,” but there is so much wisdom in these two chapters, especially helpful for new believers. Paul would have been writing to folks, perhaps just learning about Jesus and what his kingdom looks like. If Jews, these people would still be grappling with the fact that their Messiah came to fight a different battle than they expected. Continue reading “2 Corinthians 4-5 – Fragile Clay Jars”

1 Corinthians 15:1-26 – What is Coming?

Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-26

If you ever wonder what people mean when they say, “the gospel,” then Paul’s opening remarks here give you a wonderful example of that “Good News.” It’s also Paul’s testimony of how he came to be a follower of Christ rather than a key persecutor. God’s transformation of Paul is one of the beautiful stories of the New Testament.

Paul always points to God as his guiding light in life. I love how Paul talks about how, by the grace of God, God is working through him. We can have that same assurance. God has a purpose for each one of us. Finding and living out that purpose makes life on this planet so much fun. We find ourselves, like Paul, wanting to live life to the fullest, bringing honor to the kingdom. Continue reading “1 Corinthians 15:1-26 – What is Coming?”

John 20:1-31 – How We’re Set Apart

Read John 20:1-31

As believers, we’re set apart by the promise from our risen Savior. We “will have life by the power of his name.” This Resurrection story beautifully recounts what happened to Jesus’ followers just days after he was brutally killed. Jesus’ death was on purpose; it had to happen because God loved us so much. Because Jesus was God, He could not stay dead. The impact of his resurrection from the dead is huge, and without it our faith would be meaningless. The apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:14, “And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless.”

This was a long reading, and there are so many nuggets of truth and wisdom for us to meditate on. We see Mary and his disciples at the tomb, angels, several appearances of Jesus, a doubting disciple, and so much more. Can you imagine how hard it would have been to make sense of what had happened that weekend? Jesus had died, and then he was back. The fear of association, the doubts, would have been crippling. And yet everything Jesus had told them was coming true. We can all learn from this that Jesus’ word is to be trusted. Continue reading “John 20:1-31 – How We’re Set Apart”

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)