The Bible does not give us a lot of information about Mark. But we
do know that he was often called John Mark. In Acts, chapter 12, we learn that Mark’s mother was named Mary. She was a follower of Jesus. A group of Christians were meeting at her house when God freed Peter from prison.
Paul’s writings tell us that Mark worked with Paul, Barnabas and Peter. Mark probably learned more about Jesus from them. Colossians 4:10 tells us that Mark was Barnabas’ cousin.
Mark may have been in the garden when Jesus was arrested. Mark tells us what happened in Mark 14:50-52. “Then all of Jesus’ followers left him and ran away. One of those following Jesus was a young man wearing only a linen cloth. When the people tried to grab him, he left the cloth in their hands and ran away naked.” Most people think that Mark was talking about himself in these verses. Mark was the young man in the garden who ran away when Jesus was arrested. But the rest of the New Testament shows us that Mark continued to follow Jesus and help in churches around the world.
Sometimes we may be like Mark. We may run away from something that God wants us to do. But God is always willing to forgive us if we repent and continue to follow Him. Will you follow Jesus and do what He wants?
Mark, the Writer
January 6
January 6, 2019 • Jo Krueger
Hello 2020!
December 31, 2019 • Jo Krueger
Have you enjoyed the devotions over the past few months? I hope you have been encouraged and strengthened by God’s message in the New Testament books of Romans through Revelation. But maybe now you are thinking, “So what should I do now? I have studied the entire Bible. What do I do next?” The answer is that you keep on studying the Bible. God’s Word has the answers to all of life’s questions. The more we study the Bible, the more we learn. God doesn’t want us to study through the Bible and then forget it. He wants us to read it again and again and keep learning more and more. Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3:17 why studying the Bible is important. “Using the Scriptures, those who serve God will be prepared and will have everything they need to do every good work.” Reading and studying the Bible will prepare you to live in the world and help you do good things for God. Tomorrow a new year is starting. Make a plan to keep on studying the Bible every day of 2020. Pray and ask God to encourage you through His Word. And then share what you have learned with others!
Good-bye 2019!
December 30, 2019 • Cathy Garvin
We can look back over the past year of 2019 and remember the good things that have happened. We may also remember times of frustration, sickness, loneliness or sadness. We know what has happened during the past year. But we do not know what will happen in the future. Only God knows what will happen to us in 2020. Maybe exciting things will happen to us next year. Maybe we will face difficult times and decisions. Or maybe Jesus will return in 2020 and take us to live with Him forever. We may not know what will happen in 2020. But we can know how we should act as Christians in 2020. Paul talked about this in Colossians 2:7. “You must depend on Christ only, drawing life and strength from him. Just as you were taught the truth, continue to grow stronger in your understanding of it. And never stop giving thanks to God.” Paul’s words in Colossians are wonderful advice for us as we begin a new year — depend on Jesus, study the Bible so that you can understand it well, and never stop giving thanks to God. Stay close to God, and He will bless you and provide for you in the new year!
True Statements (4)
December 29, 2019 • Bonnie Hall
Today we will look at Paul’s final “true statement” which we can find in Titus 3:7-8. “We were made right with God by his grace. God saved us so that we could be his children and look forward to receiving life that never ends. This is a true statement. And I want you to be sure that the people understand these things. Then those who believe in God will be careful to use their lives for doing good. These things are good and will help everyone.” How does Paul say that God makes us right with Him? We are made right through His grace. Why does God want to save us? Because He wants us to be His children and share eternal life with Him. When we realize how we can become right with God and why He wants to save us, we will want to use our lives for doing good things. These good things are not for ourselves. We do these good things to help other people and show them God’s love. Take time today to think about how God has saved you. Next, think about how wonderful it will be to live with Him in heaven. And finally, use your life to do good things that lead other people to know about God.