TGN: Jesus

Prayer: LORD, I pray that each person be filled with the knowledge of Your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that we may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing You, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to Your glorious power, for all patience and long suffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. Praise the LORD, extol Him. For great is His love towards us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD! In Your Name, Jesus, amen (Colossians 1:9-12; Psalm 117).
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JESUS' MINISTRY IN GALILEE

Mark 3 v. 7-12 (NIV)*part 2*
Emphasis v. 11,12

Crowds Follow Jesus

11 Whenever the evil spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, "You are the Son of God." 12 But he gave them strict orders not to tell who he was.

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The evil spirits knew that Jesus was the Son of God; they knew His authority but they refused to turn from their evil purposes. Knowing about Jesus, or even believing that He is God's Son, does not guarantee salvation. You must also want to follow and obey Him or else you are just like the evil spirits here. For further study, read James 2:17 for more about how faith without works is dead. Works meaning how you live your life, your actions, your intentions...

Jesus gave the evil spirits strict orders not to reveal His identity and they listened. So Who is in charge of ALL? Umm... Jesus! He did not want them to reveal because, 1) His life was going to unfold in God's timing not theirs and 2) He did not want them to reinforce a popular misconception. The huge crowds were looking for a political and military leader who would free them from Rome's control, and they thought the Messiah predicted by the Old Testament prophets would be this kind of man.

Jesus wanted to teach the people about the kind of Messiah He really was-one who was far different from their expectations. A Messiah who offers freedom that is truly beyond our limited earthly understanding. Christ's Kingdom is spiritual. It begins with the overthrow of sin in our hearts.

-ARE YOU LIVING WITH ANY MISCONCEPTIONS OF JESUS?

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Prayer: Father, we often tend to form our own impression of who You are in our minds, that is absolutely untrue to Your character and glory. Correct us dear LORD. Rid us of all misconceptions, so that we don't miss You as many have before us. We desire to know who You are, not what we want You to be. In Your Name we pray, amen.
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"For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

Resources: biblegateway.com, NIV Women's Devotional Bible- Classic Edition, and Life Application Study Bible.

www.thegoodnews4yourlife.blogspot.com  "Providing you with what you already have access to in the most convenient way. So that we all can continue to grow in wisdom & understanding of God." LT