Week 1, Day 1
January 3, 2022 Scripture: Mark 1 Bible Project Gospel of the Kingdom As we begin the New Year and a new reading plan together I want to say thank you to those who participated with me last year in reading through the whole Bible. I’m so grateful for your support and encouragement throughout the year. This year instead of focusing on the whole Bible, I intend on reading through the New Testament. All it takes to read through the New Testament in a year is 5 chapters a week. I suppose this whole process could take five minutes a day. But I intend on prayerfully reading the text and sharing an encouragement gained from my time in God’s Word. I found this process to be helpful in my accountability to continue my reading plan. Hopefully it does for you as well. Having others read along with me, and sharing their own insights and encouragements was a daily reminder that I’m not alone and it helped me press forward. Reading in community has been life giving for me. I pray you will join me in slowly reading through the New Testament. Now for today’s reading. We are introduced quickly to Jesus in Mark’s Gospel. This first reading is like hopping on a treadmill on highest speed. When reading the other Gospels, it takes a few chapters to cover what Mark handles in only a few verses. We get John the Baptists ministry, Jesus baptized, and preaching all in a matter of the first few verses. John’s ministry is preparing the way for Jesus Christ to come and announce the “Good News of the Kingdom of God.” Mark’s opening, “The beginning of good news of Jesus Christ” is a clear declaration of his intent and purpose of writing. This is to inform us of all that we need to know regarding the Good News of God’s Kingdom breaking into the world through Jesus Christ. Our New Year begins with this wonderful Good News: Jesus is the Messiah, the long-awaited Son of God, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, who will rescue God’s people, set them free from sin and death. Repent and believe this Good News, and come enjoy life in the Kingdom of God. Are you open to the love of the King and life in His Kingdom? Prayer Lord as John called people to return to you, I turn my heart, soul, mind and strength back to you. Where I have sought the kingdoms of this world, its riches, security and comforts, I repent and offer my life back to you. In this new day, in this new year, I give my life to you. Amen
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AuthorJordan Ickes, Minister of Etna Green Church of Christ. Archives
December 2022
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