Sharing the Good News
The first words of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark are an announcement of the arrival of God's Kingdom. And Jesus' last words to His disciples, starting in Mark 16:15, build upon His first announcement.
The call Jesus left us with was to continue telling others the Gospel's good news.
This good news is that Jesus has brought the arrival of the Kingdom of God to earth and that through His death and resurrection, He has made a way for all people to have a new life in Him.
This task of evangelism—telling others about Jesus, was the first thing that Jesus asked His followers to do as He left earth. Telling others about what Jesus has done for them is one of the most important things we can do with our time. We have been given the greatest gift of all—eternal life with God. But that gift is also freely available to the rest of the world.
So take some time today to pray for those in your life who do not know the hope that Jesus gives. Pray for their salvation, but also pray for opportunities to share your own faith story with them.
Peace That Stays
Everyone wants peace. In the world, in our homes, and in our hearts. In difficult times, we seek comfort. In heartbreaking moments, we want a peace that remains steady despite the circumstances.
The Bible teaches about this kind of peace. Philippians 4:7 describes the peace of God. No amount of self-talk or meditation can manufacture this kind of peace—it only can come from God Himself. Preacher and theologian Charles Spurgeon described this kind of peace as the perfect calm and happiness of God, who is always content.
This peace transcends all understanding. It's the idea that something goes beyond our normal way of thinking. That is a beautiful description of what God’s peace does. It exceeds our understanding and surpasses anything we could expect or imagine. It also guards and protects our hearts and minds.
How do we get this kind of peace? The surrounding verses in Philippians offer guidance. Philippians 4:6 tells us to take every anxious thought and turn it into a ...