READ: Mark 1 (Focus vs. 35-39)
MEMORY VERSE
“Jesus replied…“That is why I have come.”” Mark 1:38
BACKGROUND
“May we invite you to be the main speaker in our nationwide church leadership conference?” After Jose read the invitation from the renowned organization, he replied, “Please let me pray about it first.”
Later, when he turned down the offer, he told a friend, “I knew God was calling me to editorial work on a mission’s project, and the speaking engagement would take time and energy away from that. I said no so I can do what God wants me to do.”
What God wants me to do—that was Jose’s priority and what determined his decision. Jesus also made God’s purpose His priority. The morning after healing many in Capernaum who were sick and demon-possessed, Jesus went to a solitary place to pray (Mark 1:32-35).
The disciples came, saying, “Everyone is looking for you!” (v. 37). Some of those seeking Him were likely requesting healing. Christ, however, didn’t allow urgency or His sudden popularity to determine what He’d do next.
“Let us go . . . to the nearby villages,” He said, “so I can preach there also. That is why I have come” (v. 38). Jesus followed His priority—a ministry that covered the rest of Galilee, and one that included preaching (v. 39).
How may we know God’s purpose for us? We can approach Him in prayer, be led by His wisdom found in the Scriptures, and seek counsel from people who uphold His ways. Let’s spend our life doing what God wants us to do.
Karen Huang
INSIGHT
Mark 1:38 declares that Jesus’ mission is to preach the gospel. On a few occasions in the Gospels, Christ reveals in a deep and intimate way that He understands His mission.
In Luke 4:18-19, He quotes the prophet Isaiah (61:1-2) to reveal to those listening in the synagogue who He is. Christ’s ministry included both the preaching of forgiveness and spiritual freedom as well as freeing those who were bound by various physical infirmities.
During the years of His ministry, He never veered from that dedication. And He also entrusted that ministry to His disciples. He empowered them to preach the kingdom and heal the sick. They even drove out demons (see Matthew 10; Luke 10).
Before Christ returned to the Father, He entrusted His mission to all His followers (see Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). God continues to show us what He wants us to do and how He wants to use us to share the gospel with others.
J.R. Hudberg
APPLICATION
How can you be intentional about asking God to lead you? How have you seen God help you live with His purpose?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“How may we know God’s purpose for us? We can approach Him in prayer, be led by His wisdom found in the Scriptures, and seek counsel from people who uphold His ways…”
PR’s TAKE
“When Christ is at the center of everything we do, ALL holds together.” pr
PRAYER
“Dear God, please show me what You want me to do.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“LORD I AM AVAILABLE…” Milton Brunson
You gave me my hands to reach out to man
To show him Your love and Your perfect plan
You gave me my ears, I can hear Your voice so clear
I can hear the cries of sinners
But can I wipe away their tears?
You gave me my voice to speak Your Word
To sing all Your praises to those who never heard
But with my eyes I see a need for more availability
I’ve seen the hearts that have been broken
So many people to be free
Lord, I’m available to You
My will I give to You
I’ll do what You say do
Use me Lord
To show someone the way and enable me to say
My storage is empty and I am available to You
Now I’m giving back to You
All the tools You gave to me
My hands, my ears, my voice, my eyes
So You can use me as You please
I have emptied out my cup
So that You can fill it up
Now I am free,
I just want to be more available to You
Lord, I’m available to You
My will I give to You
I’ll do what You say do
Use me Lord to show someone the way
And enable me to say
My storage is empty and I am available to You
Ah ah oh ah oh ah, ah ah…
Oh oh oh…
Use me Lord
And I am available to You…
And I am available to You
