Welcome to the new year from our Bible Journal ministry! As a team, we have committed to reading the Bible cover to cover this year. As a part of this Journal, we will list Bible readings Monday through Friday that will allow you to accomplish this feat as well! No postings on Saturday or Sunday so you can take a break and attend a great worship service!
Let’s get started! Day one: Today’s readings are Genesis 1-2, Psalm 19, and Mark 1.
As we enter a brand-new year. New year’s resolutions are prevalent.
Most resolutions revolve around new goals, new beginnings, new perspectives, and a chance to start over. A new year gives us a chance to have a “clean slate” and strive for goals we did not achieve or accomplish last year.
Mark chapter one is an interesting book where the writer describes various events that occurred at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Pastor Gary Hamrick at Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, VA preached on this chapter and noted some very important verses.
Over the course of two days, Jesus cast out unclean spirits from a synagogue, healed one of His disciples’ mother-in-law, and healed “all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed” in Capernaum. The Bible says the “whole city was gathered together at the door” where Jesus was located. Jesus was likely overwhelmed by the crowds of people asking Him to heal them, to fix their lives, and seek His attention.
Verse 35 of Mark 1 says, “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.”
The Son of God, who was ultimately God in the flesh, took time to pray. Why did the Son of God take time to pray? What lessons can we learn from Jesus and His example to pray?
- Discipline: Verse 35a, says Jesus “having risen a long while before daylight.” Jesus was focused about making His prayer time a priority. He rose early and was disciplined about the importance of spending time in prayer. He made time for it.
- Deliberate: Verse 35b, says Jesus “went out and departed to a solitary place.” Jesus took time and made sure He was alone with God.
- Resolve: Verse 38, Jesus said “let us go to the next towns.” Prayer gave Jesus the resolve to minister and execute the purpose of His ministry. Pray rejuvenated Him and gave Him strength.
My goal in 2023 is to pray like Jesus did, read the Bible cover to cover, and commit to daily devotions. I will take time each day, in a quiet place, to read and study scripture, reflect on the events, happenings, and blessings in my life. 2023 is going to be a great year!
