Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Tuesday October 13, 2009 and we are beginning our studies in the book of Mark, please read chapters 1-3 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-october-13

Today's Message: Importance of Prayer
Prayer not only gets us to fellowship with God it also strengthens us and increases our faith in Him. Never underestimate the Importance of Prayer.

The Gospel of Mark is the second book of the New Testament, the forty-first book of the Bible, and contains sixteen chapters. The Author of the book is Mark and it was written to all believers, although the first intended audience was the Romans to whom Jesus is represented as just a servant. The purpose of the book was to present the ministry of Jesus, stressing His role as a servant and the Son of man. What we are to learn from the book is that we should seek to minister to others rather than to be ministered to. Mark was a sister's son to Barnabas and the son of Mary, a pious woman of Jerusalem, at whose house the apostles and first Christians assembled. Although in the book of Mark Jesus is recognized as a servant of God, His Divinity is clearly beyond all doubt. “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins...........And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.” - Mark 1:1-4,7,8. Isaiah and Malachi each spake concerning the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, in the ministry of John. From these prophets we may observe, that Christ, in His gospel, comes among us, bringing with Him a treasure of grace.

The Gospel of Mark records more of the miracles than of the discourses of our Lord, “And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. And all the city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him. And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.”- Mark 1:32-35. Wherever Christ comes, He comes to do good. Those kept from public ordinances by sickness or other real hindrances, may expect the Savior's gracious presence, He will soothe their sorrows, abate their pains, and impart new hope into their burdened hearts. We also observe the private life of Jesus in solitary communion with His Father, Praying and lifting up His eyes unto heaven from whence came His daily inspiration and power. In spite of a long difficult day and only a few hours to sleep, the Savior selected the morning, a great while before day, to pray. Prayer and the ministry of Christ were always closely associated. There are some who think they may be excused from prayer in order to work because they are so busy. There are others who think that God will be pleased with prayer in lieu of work, but the example of Christ rebukes all such inconsistency. It is in combination with prayer and work that we receive the Lord's blessing. I can relate to this, there are days when I do not get four hours of sleep, but am wide awake to spend time with God, yet there are days when I sleep in and barely spend time with Him. God gives us the strength we need in all things when we put Him first.

Whether in the desert or at the right hand of the Father, the Holy Spirit is with us, the same One that could perform the acts of healing is with us today. But when the multitude standing before Jesus could not physically see the Holy Spirit, they simply did not have the faith to know that even more important than healing someone that is sick in the flesh, is to heal the sickness that is within your soul. “And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee...........I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.” - Mark 2:1-5,11,12. These men had so much faith in Jesus that they carried this paralyzed man up on a roof in order to reach Him. Now, that is True faith and these men set an example that we all need to get in the habit of following. They never gave up that hope that they would reach Him. Jesus is always with us and all we need to do to reach Him is simply call on Him. Praise God! The great need among Christians today is to set aside time every day to read the Bible and pray. In doing this, our experience of Christ's presence will become more real and eventually our whole life will be radically changed.
Today's Prayer:

Dear God,
Lord, at this moment we turn our hearts to You and thank You for Your grace that meets our most pressing needs.  It also helps us to say “no” to those temptations that are common to all and purifies us so that we are eager to do that which is good. Your grace helps us to rise above the struggles of this world and most especially as we focus on the perfect, everlasting life to come when the glorious appearing of Jesus is seen by those He redeemed. Fill us with anticipation and expectancy while we wait for Jesus' return. In Jesus' Name..........Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and enjoy your week.
God Bless You,
Christina

Need More Inspiration?
Visit: I'm Following Jesus!
http://www.readytofollow.com/

Missed A Lesson?
Go to: Daily Bible Study
http://www.readytofollow.com/daily-bible-study

Learn About Salvation Only Made Through Jesus Christ
Go to: I'm Ready to Get Saved
http://www.readytofollow.com/salvation