And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. (I John 1:4)

Let’s meditate

John writes what he received from God, so that our joy may become complete.
In other words, when we read and know the Word of life, our joy increases.
Do you want to become joyful?
The only way is to know the Word of life, which is the truth.
It will set you free.

Let’s pray

Father, I want to read, know and understand the Word of life which is the truth. Please help me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. (I John 1:3)

Let’s meditate

What a privilege to enjoy the fellowship with the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!
God loves to have fellowship with us. That is why God sent His Son Jesus Christ into the world to bring us back to Himself so that we can enjoy the fellowship with God for ever.
Today, do you feel alone?
Let’s start with this fellowship: Fellowship with God.
You will really enjoy this walk with God. Try and see!

Let’s pray

Father, I also want to experience and enjoy this fellowship with you. Would you please help me? Let Your name be glorified. Thank You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

³ We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

Let’s meditate

John takes an effort to proclaim what they have seen and heard, so that we also may know this word of life, which connects us to other believers and connect us with the living God
In other words, knowing the Word of Life is essential to enjoy a true fellowship with God
Do you long to walk with God, talk to God, experience God and enjoy a personal journey with God.
All you need to do is to know the Word of life.

Let’s pray

Father, open our ears to hear the Word of life, open our eyes to see the life in you, so that we can enjoy a close fellowship with you and other believers. Thank you Jesus. Amen
 

The life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us. I John 1:2

Today’s Message

What all things we can learn about this life which is mentioned in this verse?

1. This life was once hidden but is now manifested.
2. We have seen this life
3. We bear witness of this life
4. We declare about this life
5. This life is eternal life
6. This life originated from the Father
7. This life is manifested to us

Prayer for the day

Lord, please help us to experience this life everyday of our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

[We are writing] about the Word of Life [in] Him Who existed from the beginning, Whom we have heard, Whom we have seen with our [own] eyes, Whom we have gazed upon [for ourselves] and have touched with our [own] hands. (I John 1:1)

Today’s Message

We can HEAR God, which means God speaks to us.
We can SEE God, which means God has revealed Himself to us through Jesus Christ, His Son.
We can GAZE upon God (A more deliberate and closer look), which means God is in front of us always.
We can TOUCH him and experience God, which means God’s presence is available with us.
These are the 4 ways by which we can experience God.
Are you able to experience God in any of the above ways?
May God help us to experience Him everyday.

Today’s Prayer

Lord, help us to experience you everyday. Amen.

that which we have seen and heard we declare to you I John 1:3

Let’s meditate

We have SEEN! We have HEARD! We DECLARE to you!
John was blessed to SEE the Word of Life. John was blessed to HEAR the Word of Life.
Now, he takes on the responsibility to DECLARE it to us, so that we may also SEE and HEAR the word of life.
Do you see this word of life? Do you hear this word of life?
Now, it’s time to speak about what you have seen and heard. It is not fair to keep the truth with yourselves.
3 things you need to do with the Word of life.
See, Hear and Speak it out!

Let’s Pray

Father, open our eyes that we may see you. Open our ears that we hear you. Open our tongue so that we may speak about you.
 

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. I John 1: 1

It’s concerning the Word of life.
Our source of life is the Word of God.
Do you feel something is dead within you? Do you feel that there is less life in you?
The source of life is the Word of God, which proceeds from the mouth of God. Today let us desire for that word which gives life.
Have a blessed day.

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. (Mark 1:14 NIV)

John was put in prison.
Why? What happened? What wrong did he do? Wasn’t John sent by God? Wasn’t John the one who baptized Jesus? Did he not do his best with his life? Did he not obey the will of God?
Then why John in prison?
Moreover, why did Jesus not intervene? Why did He not use His influence to talk to authorities and save his cousin John?
Why did Jesus go straightaway to Galilee preaching the gospel? Can’t He do something about John?
Tons of questions flood our minds when something like this happens to people who are living a good and holy life.
We fail to see the One who is in control of the whole situation. Do you know that King Herod cannot touch John without the knowledge of the King of kings?
Jesus went ahead to preach the gospel without worrying much about John because Jesus knew very well that it was the same Spirit guiding John and Jesus. Jesus trusted the Holy Spirit to help John in his situation.
When something strange happens to you, never be surprised. Just know that God is in control and trust in God.
Yes, John was put in prison, but God was in control

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. (Mark 1:14 NIV)

John’s mission comes an end. Jesus takes over.
God’s timings and God’s way of transitioning mission across His servants are amazing. God sent John to prepare the way for Jesus and John did it well. Jesus started walking in the path prepared by John.
God has the master plan in His mind. We are just appointed for a season. Somebody has prepared a path for us. We just need to start walking in that path, and once done, prepare the way for the next. This will continue for generations till Jesus returns.
Have you identified your path in this particular season of God’s mission on earth? It’s for a short period and the task is highly specific. And it is generation specific.
Get on to that path (as early as possible) which is already prepared for you by ‘someone else’ who was appointed by God to prepare a path for you.

he [Jesus] was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. (Mark 1: 13, NIV)

Jesus was placed in a terrible environment: Wild animals around (life was at risk), Desert and wilderness (heat of the sun, no food, water or shelter), Satan tempting Jesus (total negative influences)
But there were angels attending to Jesus. (Note the plural term)
Who are the angels?

Angels are ministering spirits sent by God to protect, guard, help and strengthen God’s people

In Paul’s words

What are the angels, then? They are spirits who serve God and are sent by him to help those who are to receive salvation. (Heb 1:14)

In their own words

I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus (Rev 19:1)

Another promise of God

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

There are many instances in the New Testament, where angels ministered to the servants of God.
When Paul was in danger, angel came and strengthened him.

Last night an angel, of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me ²⁴ and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ (Acts 27: 23)

When Peter was in prison, angel came and rescued him.

Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. (Acts 12:7)

When Jesus was in Gethsemane, being sorrowful and heavy-hearted, an angel came and strengthened him

An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. (Luke 22: 43)

Angels are there around you, guarding and protecting you even when you don’t see them.
Therefore, be cheerful and be courageous. God has assigned angels in charge over you. Have a blessed day
 
 
 

At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. (Mark 1: 12, 13)

Wilderness + 40 days + constant temptation by Satan + wild animals + no food + no people + no shelter
What wrong did Jesus do to suffer these? Why Jesus had to go through all these? 
Sometimes God allows us to go through terrible and wild experiences like these. We might feel it’s the end of our life. We see wild animals around. We see Satan constantly troubling and irritating us. We see no source of life anywhere around us.
But remember!
God has already sent His angels to attend to Jesus’ needs and His Holy Spirit to give guidance, power, strength, grace and wisdom.
Yes! God will not send you into the wilderness without providing additional support, grace and strength through the power of His Holy Spirit and God will always send his angels to guard over you and protect you.
What a great assurance! Have a blessed day!

And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. (Mark 1: 11,12,13)

Jesus heard a voice from heaven. God’s Holy Spirit descended on Jesus. Holy Spirit started taking the complete lead of the life and mission of Jesus. Jesus simply yielded to the leading of the Holy Spirit and went to the wilderness as guided by the Holy Spirit.
Who is the kind of person the Holy Spirit wants to lead? One who freely leaves himself completely to God’s will. without questioning or rebelling.
Do you want the Holy Spirit to lead you? Only way is to have a TOTAL surrender to the plans of God. Let us stop trying to push ourselves to accomplish something of our own desire and will, and let us pursue God’s will for our lives. Just like Jesus did, let us freely flow as per the leading of the Holy Spirit
Note: Thanks for your feedback on the daily posts. Please feel free to comment below so that I can also read what the Lord is teaching you from the same passages.

At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

Holy Spirit came upon Jesus. Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness. His first appointment was WILDERNESS, a place where no one wants to go. That too 40 days. A long period without food. A place where wild animals were present.
Looks like a terrible appointment.
But if the Holy Spirit is leading you, don’t worry about where you are heading to, what you are going to eat, who is going to harm you. Just go ahead and trust in God’s Holy Spirit. If God is with you, you really have nothing to worry.

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. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness (Mark 1: 10-12, NIV)

Jesus saw heaven being torn open. He saw Spirit descending on him. He heard the voice of God. Then the Holy Spirit started taking lead over Jesus. Holy Spirit sent Jesus out into the wilderness.
As our dear Father, God will not only speak to us but He will also lead us as dear children and equip us to take the next step.
Are you struggling to take the next step. God is leading you. Trust Him. Listen to Him. Take only one step at a time. He is holding your hands.
Father, thank you for this wonderful day. Lead us into the right paths. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

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. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:10,11)

Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus. Jesus heard the voice of the Father.
I see a connection between these two:- Holy Spirit coming upon us. We, being able to hear the voice of God. Yes! It is the work of the Holy Spirit to enable our inner ears to discern the voice of God.
Today, as we begin this day, let us pray that the Lord fill us with more of the Holy Spirit, so that we will be able to hear the voice of God more clearly.
Father, fill us with your Holy Spirit. Help us to discern your voice. Enable us to hear you more clearly, so that we will be able to walk according to Your guidance. Thank you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
 

And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11 NIV)

Jesus heard the voice from heaven. Note the words You, my and I. It’s a pure personal conversation between Jesus and the heavenly Father.
We speak to many different people everyday, but what matters the most is the you-and-i conversation that happens between God and us.
What was the you-and-i conversation that you had with God today?

And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11, NIV)

Jesus had a huge mission to accomplish and He was about to begin his mission. That’s when He hears the voice of God: You are My Son. I love you so much. I am very much pleased with you.
In other words, God was saying: My Son, No worries about your future. It will be painful, difficult and sometimes you may even feel like giving up, but My Son, always remember I am with you and I will be with you no matter whoever opposes you or rejects you. Go ahead! You will be able to accomplish all that I have assigned you. My presence goes with you.
Do you hear similar voice from your Father in Heaven?

And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased” (Mark 1: 11, NIV)

After 30 years of life on this earth, Jesus hears from God: I am ‘well’ pleased with you.
Is my Father in Heaven well pleased with me today?

And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11 NIV)

Voice came from heaven.
When we look up and sincerely desiring to hear from God, we will definitely hear from God!
Today, what did you hear from God?
 

At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 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. (Mark 1: 9,10 NIV)

Jesus looked up!
And He ‘saw’ heaven opened and the Holy Spirit descending on Him as He was about to start His own ministry. What a great approval from Heaven for His ministry!
As you being this day, look up towards God and you’re gonna see the heavens opened (which means God’s favour and approval) and the presence of the Holy Spirit filling you as seek Him in the morning.
Have a blessed day!

The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. (Mark 1: 5)

As John started speaking about God, suddenly people’s eyes were opened to their sins and immediately they started confessing their sins. What a powerful ministry! This is the work of the Holy Spirit.
As you speak God’s word to others, do people get convicted of their sins? 

And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:7,8)

John acknowledges the greatness of God. John admits his own unworthiness. The more you know about God and the more you know about your own selves, the more humble you will be!
Today, how much you know about God? How much you know about your own selves? May be that will make you more humble and trust in God more.

⁹ At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. (Mark 1 NIV)

Here comes Jesus who was more powerful and holy went to John to be baptized by him, because John was appointed by God to baptize people. Jesus simply heeded to the will of God being obedient and submissive!
How can we be more submissive and obedient to the people whom God has appointed over us?

⁶ John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. ⁷ And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. ⁸ I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1, NIV Version)

John had a message to preach and he had only one message to preach – and that was about Christ!
What is your message for the world and that one message? Is it about Christ?

⁴ And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁵ The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

John set out to do the work of God. People gathered.
When you focus on doing the work which God has given you, God will take care of bringing the needy to you. Remember! It’s a team work – you and God!

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the Prophets:
“Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.”
3 “The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.’ ”
4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 5 Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

Today’s word for me
Note the phrases: repentance and confessing their sins.
Yes, let’s repent and confess our sins. That’s how we can prepare ourselves to meet our Lord
God bless you. Have a blessed day!

Today’s Portion

The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah,[a] the Son of God,[b] 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
“I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way”
3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”
4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Today’s Message

God sent John before He sent Jesus. And there he is, John doing the task God has given for him, that is to
Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.
What is your task from the Lord today? May God help you find it, so that you may not waste any minute, but do those that God has assigned for you. God bless you