Mark 1:9-20 9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.
19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
Tom Patitucci
Hope Center Covenant
Observation: Father, in this passage I see You affirming Your Son Jesus, and I see Jesus affirming the men He calls to be with Him. I also see that this affirmation did not exempt Jesus from temptation, or make it easy for Jesus’ disciples to follow Him.
Action: This week, I will use temptation and difficulty as reminders to pray, thanking You that You have placed a high value on me and will never leave me.
Observation: I hear a good word into a person’s identity goes a long way! It can carry them through temptation, into mission and to relationally driven discipleship.
Action: Lock in to a good word about identity and give a few away today!
Did Jesus know that he was being led into knock-down, drag-out fight? Probably. As his follower, I can expect the same. He won. He will coach me to victory.
Observation: I love affirmation, but I’m also quick to forget it when other things crowd in.
Action: Remember the words of praise You give me through others, especially during trials when the enemy’s voice threatens to drown out Your praise. And give some praise to people who are following me too. Remind them not to forget.
Observation: I see that the Kingdom is here and that I can participate in it.
Action: I continue to pray for Kingdom breakthrough in my life and I evaluate myself to see what nets and boats I need to let go of so that I can enter that Kingdom fully.
It wasn’t easy for You, Jesus. It helped me today to see how pro-active You were when You picked Your disciples. And affirmation, yes, people need that. Please help me to be a good listener today and also hear with the third ear.
Today, I will be pro-active in the tasks Jesus puts right in front of me. My responsibilities. And to really care about those kids. So many of them all over the world!
Observation: In Numbers 8 the Levites were baptized and set apart for service to the Lord. Jesus follows the pattern. His affirmation at baptism is a commissioning too! His identity as Son of God releases Him into His mission as the Son of Man through all the trials and challenges ahead!
Action: God’s affirmation of me is meant to encourage my ambassadorship of Him today!
I see Mark over-editing a story!
I hear God reminding me that He is ever present in my wilderness places. I know this – but I forget when I am in the midst one.
Today I am at a loss for how to lead, how to move forward, I am in a wilderness place.
I will remember that God is with me. I will not give in to the many lies of the enemy. I am God’s and He is mine and there is nothing that can separate me from His love.
I have always loved Mark’s insertion about Jesus being with the wild animals. I think he’s trying to portray the intensity of Jesus’ wilderness experience.
I want to be that child to whom God says he is well pleased. I hear in this “Fishers of Men” and with that comes the people Jesus approached knew very little about Gods plan or where Jesus would lead them but they against popular opinion surely they followed him.
I am called to “Speak” to people in what way I, myself am unsure. What I do know is if I continue to nurture my walk with my Father; He will lead me. I know today I will step in further to take “me” out and allow leaders in my life to help me become the woman God intends me to be and use the gifts I’ve been given