After

Daily Reading: Mark 1

Scripture Focus: Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1.14-15)

Devotional Thought:  John was arrested and imprisoned.  That was bad.  Sometimes bad things happen to good people.  More important than what happens, though, is what happens after...

• Jesus comes.  God has a plan.  When you don't understand, look for Jesus to arrive on the scene.  Be aware and sensitive to what new thing God wants to do in your life.

• Proclaiming the good news of God.  Getting through the trial is not the goal.  Giving God glory in the trial is.  Can we be challenged in every difficulty to share the love and hope that we have in Christ?  Always be ready, the scripture says, to give the reason for your hope!

• The time is fulfilled.  Live in the trial with that thought in mind.  What opportunities for change present themselves in this struggle?  What amendments to your character need to be “passed and enacted”?  Jesus tells us not to say “four months more and then the harvest.”  Instead, we are to be ready now - in the midst of the difficulty - for a harvest of Christ-likeness.

• The kingdom of God is at hand.  God and his power are not far off.  His kingdom is within each one of us who follow Jesus Christ.  You may be in the midst of a bad thing, but Christ desires to break in on you with love and peace and power and hope, and yes, even joy!

Are you in the midst of a trial?  What are you going to do "after"?  Will you repent and believe?  Repent means to turn around, to face the other direction.  When bad things happen, don't dwell on them.  Turn to Jesus in faith!  If God is for us, who can be against us?

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, that when we go through the valleys you are there with us - to lead us, to strengthen us, and to deliver us to the other side.  Help us to be aware of what happens after the trial.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 18.7-12

7 Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations also of the mountains trembled and quaked, because he was angry.

8 Smoke went up from his nostrils, and devouring fire from his mouth; glowing coals flamed forth from him.

9 He bowed the heavens and came down; thick darkness was under his feet.

10 He rode on a cherub and flew; he came swiftly on the wings of the wind.

11 He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him, thick clouds dark with water.

12 Out of the brightness before him hailstones and coals of fire broke through his clouds.