Mark 1 ~ I will send my messenger ahead of you

Mark 1

The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, 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. 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. 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.”




Psalm 121
A song of ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

Psalm 128

2 Corinthians 6
New International Version

6 As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you.”

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

3 We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; 5 in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; 6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; 7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 8 through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; 9 known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.

14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will live with them
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be my people.”

17 Therefore,

“Come out from them
and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.”

18 And,

“I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.

No matter the crop, the soil has to be tilled. Starting a crop in uncultivated earth is the most difficult work. Daunting.

Today a young woman was evangelized. She professed a faith that allows her to sleep in Church. She was asked if she had ever heard the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as Lord. Indeed not. She slept. So, in one on one conversation, time was taken to explain to her the Good News of Jesus Christ. She nodded off. As she was in conversation.

When she awoke, she was asked what type of grades she made - "A"s. Reminds us of the preparation for the message and the Word of God saying you must be called by God to hear the Good News first. The Child of God is old enough to have a child - and has never heard the message of Jesus Christ.

This makes you realize - you want to teach your children when they are young - God tells us faith arrives with the faith of a child. And your grandchildren. This of course is the logic - if fewer people pray - more blessings for you! And also make that grandchild realize they are wheat and not weed.

My grandmother Bit had a tradition she upheld, she took a book and put photographs of us looking over the art. To remind us - Grandmother Loves You.

~ Christmas to do idea for your children, with your children, family or grandchildren ~

 It's an excellent tradition and I suggest doing this with a Children's Book about Father God's Love. If you have the time - write your favorite most loving Bible Phrases and put in Photographs and make a book.

Good memories last a lifetime!!!

So sending a message can be snarky or even rustling the leaves on a limb way out there...

That's right. Jesus, the Son of God had a messenger go ahead of Him. So... another example of the more royal treatment for God and not for you... except... John the Baptist decided to declare at the beginning - "I don't know Him." (John the Baptist probably meant they did not grow up together.) Look at it this way - not Even God gets the perfect messenger or the perfect environment. You have to go with what you have - today. Even God works with what is.

And just as Jesus got rolling - John wass in prison about to be killed and sends his messengers to publicly ask his Cousin, "Are You sure?" And Jesus has to withstand some public embarrassment. Replying with Good News "The Blind See, The Deaf Hear and the Poor have Good News preached to them." 

Today - There are some very notable new miracles when you Google miracles- this is still going forth. Why cancel out what God can do? Better to believe God is there. Hope is a good thing!


Father God, we ask for all the love of Jesus Christ which surpasses knowledge. Let us be filled with all the fullness of God. 

We believe we will be abundantly blessed beyond all we ask or think, according to the Power of God working within us. To Jesus Christ be the Glory and for the Church and in all the generations we pray that in Jesus Christ the Lord all the generations will dwell with Him within us. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

<><