A Daily Purpose

Bible Study & Devotional Day 46

🔴 Abide in the Lord

Guiding Scripture: Psalm 35:9 “And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord: It shall rejoice in his salvation.

We begin the Gospel according to Mark, believed to be the first written work. The church tradition considers Peter the Apostle the source of Mark’s account of Jesus’ life. This Gospel, believed to be written with a Greek audience in mind because various terms throughout the book, intentionally undermine the mythological gods and goddesses they worshiped. Mark set out to separate the pagan gods from the One True Living God.

The Good News is Jesus.

Mark opens with John the Baptist preaching a baptism of repentance. That called for the readers to acknowledge the errors in their lives. John stressed transformation. The question for us: How have we missed the mark? For the wages of sin is death. We will pay for the known rebellion if we are unwilling to submit to our Lord. Jesus Christ is the Way, Truth, and Life. When we turn from our sinful ways, we can confidently seek forgiveness from our Lord.

Even the Demon-Possessed Recognize God.

Mark 1:22-28 records how demons or evil spirits can speak through and use humans even in the church. Christ showed the Jewish people that their sacred places were not immune to evil. However, they (demons) recognize the Son of God and were afraid. Mark 1:25, And Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!”

As John the Forerunner of Christ preached to the people imploring them to change their inner self, he gives us four ways to reflect and seek God’s divine wisdom:

1. To change your old way of thinking (mental habits)

2. Regret past sins (express sorrow and turn away from repetition)

3. Live a life that proves repentance.

4. Seek God for a purpose-driven life abiding in Christ.

Prayer: Lord renew a right spirit within me contend with those who contend with me. Fight against those who fight against me. Speak to my heart Lord, remind me and etch in my soul that Jesus is my Salvation. Amen

~Torrie Slaughter