Tag: preach good news
Chosen and appointed
Scripture reading for January 4th: Mark 3, Psalm 3, Proverbs 3
Mark 3:13-16 “And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those whom He desired, and they came to Him. And He appointed twelve (whom He also named apostles) so that they might be with Him and He might sent them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons. He appointed the twelve: Simon, . . .“
As Jesus chose those He wanted to follow Him, He called them out by name. Do you know that God knows our names? He knows where we have been, what we think, and what choices we will make in the future. In spite of what He knows, He loves us and calls us to follow Him. He even chose Judas Iscariot, His betrayer, knowing what would happen! He appointed each one to be an apostle. The word ‘apostle’ means ‘chosen and special messenger.’ It also means ‘sent one.’ They were first called to be with Jesus and see how He lived and ministered. These ‘sent’ ones must be properly trained by following their master. They watched as Jesus preached Good News, cast out devils, and healed the sick. He then sent them out to do the same! That process is still going on today!
Psalm 3:8 “Salvation belongs to the Lord; Your blessing be on Your people!”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for calling each by name to follow You and become Your ‘sent’ one to this lost world. Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, empowering me to follow You today. Thank You for Your compassion for the lost and hurting. Teach me further to bring Good News to those in need of deliverance, healing, and release from demons. Use me to multiply ministry, making disciples.
Proverbs 3:21-22 “My son, do not lose sight of these–keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck.”
Staying true to our purpose!
Scripture reading for March 7th: Luke 4, Psalm 48, Proverbs 17
Key Scriptures: Luke 4:42-44 “And when it was day, He departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought Him and came to Him, and would have kept Him from leaving them, but He said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well, for I was sent for this purpose.” And He was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.”
Jesus had a successful ministry of preaching, healing, and casting out demonic forces. People flocked to Him for healing and deliverance, even when He sought to withdraw to lonely places for prayer and rejuvenation. The people wanted Him to stay around all the time. Jesus refused to be moved from His stated and called purpose and mission. He must preach the good news in all the towns!
Faith confession: Lord, thank You for calling me to preach Your Word and be a witness of Your grace. Guide me daily to the mission and places I must share and help me not to be distracted by the “good” and miss Your purpose.
Psalm 48:12-14 “Walk about Zion, go around her, number her towers, consider well her ramparts, go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever.”
Preaching with confirmation!
Scripture reading for October 20th: Mark 14-16
Mark’s Gospel tells of Jesus Christ serving, healing, casting out demons, and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom. Jesus particularly sought out those who were lost and willing to listen. He gathered disciples who were willing to leave all, follow Him and learn His character and His ways. He sent them out to practice what He had taught. He evaluated their work, encouraged them as well as rebuked them.
“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” …”Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed His word by the signs that accompanied it.” Mark 16:15-18, 20.
This Gospel’s closing words are a call to Jesus’ followers to continue the action of God. They were to wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit who would give them the power that was needed to be His witnesses. (Acts 1:8) Then they were to go and preach. As they preached, they were to act under the authority of the name of Jesus Christ. In His name supernatural signs would accompany the preaching of the Word. Demons would be cast out, sick people would be healed. People would be baptized in the Holy Spirit and speak with new tongues. The disciples would have supernatural protection as well.
These first disciples obeyed and went their way, preaching the Gospel and praying for the sick and demon possessed. Jesus Christ worked with them and signs followed their ministry. The truth highlighted here is that if you are seeking miracles, signs and wonders, the best place to find them is when you obey God’s command to go and preach! Are you willing to act in faith and experience the supernatural following your preaching and prayer? What is holding you back?
The anointing!
Scripture reading for October 2oth: Luke 3-6
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” “Then He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on Him, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:18-21
Not much is recorded about the life of Jesus from the time He was twelve until He was baptized by John at the age of thirty. We know that He worked with Joseph part of that time in their carpenter shop. He took part in normal family life and community life in the town of Nazareth. Can you imagine eating off of a table that Jesus had made? Or using an ox yoke that He had crafted?
At the proper time, Jesus went down to the Jordan River to where John the Baptist was baptizing. John had spoken of one who would come after him whose sandals he was not worthy to untie. When John saw Jesus, he immediately knew that He was this One! (John 1:29) Jesus was baptized and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in the form of a dove. A Voice from heaven declared: “You are My Son, whom I love; with You I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:21-22) How these words should speak to each of us who are adopted into God’s household! Jesus was then led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil for forty days. Each time Satan tempted Him, He successfully resisted because of the Spirit and God’s Word.
When he arrived in Nazareth at His home synagogue, He was invited to read from the scroll of Isaiah. The Spirit had anointed Him to preach the Good News and proclaim freedom to all who would hear. He was anointed to heal and deliver the blind and oppressed. He was to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. As they listened, Jesus was the fulfillment! (Luke 4:2) Through faith in Jesus Christ, the anointing and infilling of the Holy Spirit is available to us today!
Preaching good news to all!
Scripture reading for March 12th: Mark 16:1-20, Psalms 55:1-23, Proverbs 11:7
Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, just as He said He would. Death could not hold Him and He showed Himself alive to the women, the disciples, and others. The eleven remaining disciples had a hard time believing the reports of those who had seen Him. “Later Jesus appeared to the eleven as they were eating; He rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.” (Mark 16:14) These men should have been expecting the resurrection because Jesus had repeatedly told them about the crucifixion and coming resurrection. To whom much is given, much is required. A rebuke is a sign of love to those who can be corrected by it. (Proverbs 13:1) (Revelation 3:19)
Jesus had final instructions for these disciples. They were not to sit around feeling sorry for themselves and thinking of the good old days when Jesus was with them. They must now go into all the world with the good news of Jesus Christ and preach to every creature. Some would believe and be baptized unto salvation and others would refuse the good news and be eternally condemned. (Mark 16:15-16)
Those who believed had Jesus’ promise to confirm the good news with signs that would follow them and the preaching of the Gospel. They would drive out demonic forces as they spoke in His name. They would lay hands on the sick and see people healed in His name. If they were poisoned or ran into satanic opposition, God promised to protect them. Jesus would give them support.
Jesus was then taken up into heaven and He sat down at the right hand of God. (Mark 16:19) Acts records that Jesus was taken up into heaven on a cloud and would return the same way as He left. (Acts 1:9-11) Jesus had told the high priest and elders that they would see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Might One and coming on clouds of heaven. (Mark 14:62) From that position of power and authority, Jesus prays for us and watches over us as we preach the Gospel to every creature. This is His plan to reach the entire world! When this command is fulfilled, Jesus will come again on the clouds for His Bride, the church! What exciting days we live in!
The Anointing!
Scripture reading for October 22: Luke 3-6
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” “Then He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on Him, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:18-21
Not much is recorded about the life of Jesus from the time He was twelve until He was baptized by John at the age of thirty. We know that He worked with Joseph for part of that time in their carpenter shop. He took part in normal family life and community life in the town of Nazareth. Can you imagine eating off of a table that Jesus had made? Or using an ox yoke that He had crafted? Just think of the Son of God doing such menial labor for ordinary people! This was all part of His preparation for the ministry of preaching the Good News to the lost of the world!
At the proper time, Jesus went down to the Jordan River to where John the Baptist was baptizing those who would repent. John had spoken of one who would come after him whose sandals he was not worthy to untie. When John saw Jesus, he immediately knew that He was this One! (John 1:29) Jesus was baptized and the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in the form of a dove. A voice from heaven declared: “You are My Son, whom I love; with You I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:21-22) This beautiful anointing following the baptism of Jesus is something to savor and meditate on! God loved His Son and let Him know that very plainly. He was pleased with His Son and told Him so! How much these thoughts should speak to each of us who are adopted into God’s household!
Jesus was then led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. For forty days, Jesus fasted all food. Satan came to tempt Him and each time, Jesus quoted Scripture to defeat him. The anointing led Jesus and empowered Him with the Word of God! He was successful against the temptations of Satan because of following the anointing.
When he arrived back in Nazareth at His home synagogue, He was invited to read from the scroll of Isaiah61:1-2. He read the words quoted to begin this devotion. The Spirit had anointed Him to preach the Good News and proclaim freedom to all who needed it and would hear. He was anointed to heal and deliver the blind and oppressed. He was to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. This Scripture was fulfilled in the hearing of those present that day in Nazareth! (Luke 4:21)
The anointing of the Holy Spirit indwelling Jesus Christ is for us today! The Holy Spirit will do in our lives the same things and greater things because Jesus has gone to the Father! (John 14:12-13) Think on these things!