Friday, July 24, 2020

FOLLOW ME

Today’s Reading: Mark 1

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).

This is the synagogue in Capernaum, the town where Jesus lived and taught. This late fourth century A.D. “White Synagogue” was built upon the remains of the earlier “Synagogue of Jesus.”

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, Click HERE.

Key Verse: Mark 1:17

Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”

 

The word “immediately” is repeated seven times here. Do you think that God is seeking our attention and wants to motivate us to ACTION? From the moment Simon (Peter), Andrew, James and John met Jesus, their priorities were radically changed. Number one is Jesus! And Jesus, Himself, takes on the job of MAKING these fishermen “fishers of MEN.” “IMMEDIATELY they left their nets and followed HIM” (Mark 1:18). “What Would Jesus Do?” became most important to them (“WWJD”). Jesus delivered a man from an unclean spirit; He emphasized Peter’s family as a priority by healing his mother-in-law; Jesus healed people and cast out demons; Jesus rose early to pray privately; Jesus preached; Jesus recognized the role of the Jewish priest, and much more. Follow Him and He makes us all He desires us to become.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, You promised to “make me” as long as I follow You. Here I am, Your follower. Reading this blog daily is one way I’m following Your Word and Your work. I pray that You will live in me and work through me today. There are immediate needs all around me. Please help me not to procrastinate but to act today with all the love and power with which You are loving and acting. I pray this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’m receiving feedback from blog readers that the two-year program of reading through the Bible is working so far. Many have said that they’ve tried a one-year program, but found they failed to comprehend well what they were reading. The two-year plan allows us to assimilate (make part of ourselves) God’s thoughts as expressed in His Words. One of the advantages is that anyone can start on any day and complete the Bible reading two years from that day. I find that by moving from Matthew to Genesis to Mark and back and forth from the Greek Scriptures to the Hebrew Scriptures brings not only variety but balance.

“Immediately” speaks to me. At age 18, while working as a public school teacher, I began to preach, as I simply could not wait until after my theological education to start fulfilling my calling to preach. The opportunity was there and following Jesus means stepping out of my comfort zone and working for Him. Eventually, by following Jesus in this way, a new congregation was planted in the Chalk River/Deep River area of Ontario. That Church is still thriving today.

Yours for WWJD and action “immediately!”

David

26 thoughts on “Friday, July 24, 2020

  1. Thank You Lord. I pray you make me a better servant to do the job you have called me to do as a Christian. We give thanks for this blog to read Your Word every day and spread the seeds of Your Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Thankful for Mark 1, reminding us of Jesus’ healings. Amen. Wishing all saints a blessed day.

    My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 ESV

    This song is for Irene:
    Joy of the Lord is Your Strength Lyric Video
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S44lZtakvg

  2. Definitely. The Joy of the Lord is my strength! Praise God! Blessings today & encouragement from the scriptures. WWJD! (lets bring that saying back. It is profound).

  3. Dear Lord God, happy Friday to You! Thank You for all the blessings of another day of life! Thank You for Mark, Simon, Andrew, James & John. Thank You for David, Norma Jean, Reynold & Ron. Thank You for Lorna, Kathy, Ann & Magdalene John. Thank You, Lord, for all Your followers. Bless each one with Your own presence in their lives. Fill each of Your people with the oil of Your Spirit, Lord, so each will burn brightly for You.
    Please, Father, choose the right leaders for Canada, as You chose David long ago to lead Israel. Raise up these people after Your own heart, Lord, and give them favour with You and with people. We need Godly leadership in this country, Father, so we commit it to You, in Jesus’s name, amen

  4. Amen, Amen. I pray daily for our politicians and Rob your words are inspirational.
    I am really enjoying this two year Bible reading. Bless all those that make it happen daily.

  5. We know the Lord told David how and when to start this blog.Around Sept,2013 I started following this blog not expecting to last long but I only missed about 4-5 days when I had my first knee replacement.Thanks to the Mainse family again for this extreme blessing.God bless

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