March 14 - Mark 1

Some facts...
Mark is the shortest gospel.
Jesus Christ is not first and last name. Christ means "messiah" - essentially it's Jesus "the" Christ

The gospels are loaded with so much in one chapter so I'll just pick a few to focus on. If you have any questions for a chapter, please email P. Rana at ranap927@gmail.com or leave a comment.

Preparation for God's Work...
Jesus is baptized, He sees the heavens torn open and sees a dove descending.. The heavens approve of the work that Jesus is about to do.
He is then sent out into the wilderness to be tempted and tested...
One way temptation is described is something that causes you to choose something over God (Francis Chan)...

When we have committed ourselves to God - to have a relationship with him - since we live in a world of sin, we are immediately tempted by Satan to choose something else over God. There are distractions, there are deceptions, there are temptations.. Such temptations, trials give us an opportunity to show that one is qualified and ready to take upon this calling and the other is to strengthen us...

Is there opposition or temptation in your life? What must you do to choose God above all else? Begin by giving the basics to Him... your time in prayer and in the Word. Fill your mind with the words of God and devote your conversations to the Lord in prayer.

⁸Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

If you have some free time, take about 50 minutes to listen to this sermon by Francis Chan!