Today’s Reading: Mark 16
As we finish reading through Mark focusing on the words of Jesus has been so many Holy Spirit filled words Jesus spoke that have been so timely and encouraging throughout Mark. They have been great reminders to help get me back on track and stay focused on an eternal perspective instead of worldly. Today, in Mark 16 we hear from an angel. The angel tells Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, “Do not be alarmed… that He has risen, and will see Him again. The three of them leave trembling and astonished.
According to later manuscripts verses 16:9-20 did not get included. In the few bibles I reference, Mark 16:9-20 captures the essence of our calling as he reminds His disciples.
V 15 And he said to them, Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
We all have opportunities to share the gospel. Many times I have this opportunity and blow it. Maybe it’s my own “self talk” that gets in the way of proclaiming His glory. It could also being a mindset of bringing someone to Christ by use of the “just right” verses that roll off the tongue just the way I planned. The truth is I have failed this many times. A recent conversation I’m planning to continue is with a person that questioned stories found in the bible based on the belief that all you had to do was be good. This conversation could have started a few weeks ago but, I was waiting for that perfect moment. I had planned on asking a faith We started talking about the bible and the truth behind it. I quickly started to minimize the conversation as He shared his belief in the human Jesus but not in the spiritual context. For me, I could really speak only in that moment what I had seen, heard, and felt in my own life. I could talk of my old life and my new life with a relationship with Jesus. That we have been made by Him and for Him. How will I finish conversation we started last week? I can share what I believe. Telling this young man who I believe Jesus is and what HE has done. This can all lead into the grace God which can be shown through all of us and how this grace can be given to us all when we repent. Stephanie talked about the victory shown by Jesus when he overcame death. That Jesus paid the price so that all who believe in Him can be forgiven and live an eternal life.
Here are a few verses to help encourage and support you in a conversation today
Colossians 1:23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation
Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
John 3:15 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
2 Corinthians 5:17-20 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.[b] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling[c] the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
So today an opportunity will come up to share the good news of Jesus. Jesus will be with you in this conversation. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs. Be a brave ambassador and share your person story with others in lives.