The Word of God for wisdom:
Proverbs 9:11-12 (NLT)
11 Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life.
12 If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.
The Word of God for inspiration:
Psalm 35:10 (NLT)
10 With every bone in my body I will praise him: "LORD, who can compare with you? Who else rescues the helpless from the strong? Who else protects the helpless and poor from those who rob them?"
The Word of God for encouragement:
Mark 1:1-3 (HCSB)
1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: Look, I am sending My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way.
3 A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way for the Lord; make His paths straight!
Mark 1:9-11 (HCSB)
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John.
10 As soon as He came up out of the water, He saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending to Him like a dove.
11 And a voice came from heaven: You are My beloved Son; I take delight in You!
My observation:
Each of the gospel writers had a target audience in mind. Matthew's target was the Jews. In the gospel of Mark, his target audience was the Romans.
Mark was a companion in service of the Lord of Paul and Peter. It was Peter who led him to become a Christ follower.
1 Peter 5:13 (AMP)
13 She [your sister church here] in Babylon, [who is] elect (chosen) with [yourselves], sends you greetings, and [so does] my son (disciple) Mark.
In introducing his gospel Mark gives us testimonies in support of Jesus. First, he gives his testimony; he says Jesus is the Son of God.
Then he gives the testimony of the prophets by quoting Malachi 3:1, and Isaiah 40:3.
Malachi 3:1 (HCSB)
1 "See, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. Then the Lord you seek will suddenly come to His temple, the Messenger of the covenant you desire—see, He is coming," says the LORD of Hosts.
Isaiah 40:3 (HCSB)
3 A voice of one crying out: Prepare the way of the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.
Then to top it off, Mark gives the testimony of God the Father, and the Holy Spirit commending Jesus as He launches His ministry. This is what God the Father said about Jesus.
Mark 1:11 (HCSB)
11 And a voice came from heaven: You are My beloved Son; I take delight in You!
My prayer:
Father God, my dear Father, I am so thankful for all that Jesus said and did during His brief time in this world. Father, I am so glad that Your beloved Son is my Savior. Father, I take delight in Jesus also, and I give Him the praise, the glory, and the honor that He deserves. Father God, my soul sings, "My Jesus I Love Thee, I Know You are Mine".
My Song:
My Jesus I Love Thee (Click on link below for lyrics and to listen to this song):
http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh172.sht
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1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV)
2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
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