Writing with faith, hope, and love
Express your letters to the Editor

Editors note: These devotionals are taken from the PS archives and are based on the time I spent with the Lord in His Word. I wanted to share them with you this new school year from the Gospel of Mark! Revisions have been made!

^“At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." (Mark 1:10-11)

Observations:

I looked for all the CHARACTERS involved:

1. Jesus
2. John
3. Spirit
4. Voice

Observations/Interpretations:

I asked myself what happened as Jesus was coming up out of the water!

1. Jesus saw heaven being torn open.
2. Jesus saw the Spirit descending on Him like a Dove.
3. A voice came from heaven

Observations/Interpretations:

I decided to look at the 3 points more closely and I was reminded of the previous devotional S.T.A.N.D to remember the reasons for the praise.

Point 1: Jesus saw heaven being torn open.

That is so amazing that Jesus saw heaven being torn open because He was baptized in the Jordan by John. Heaven opened as Jesus identified with humanity as He was willing to be baptized. Not only that but something remarkable happened twice which is evident in Point 2. Coming out of the water reminded me of baptism by immersion as opposed to baptism by sprinkling. If people want to be baptized, it would be awesome to be baptized as Jesus was baptized in the water. That is my preference!

Point 2: ‘Jesus saw the Spirit descending on Him like a Dove!’

When the heaven was torn open and the Spirit descended on Jesus like a dove I was reminded of Jesus as the Prince of Peace. The crowds who were there witnessed it too as revealed in another Gospel. It did not end there which is evident by Point 3.

Point 3: A voice came from heaven.

I asked myself what was the content message of the voice and the significance of each point?

After the Spirit descended on Jesus, the voice said 3 things:

You are my Son.
Whom I love.
With you I am well pleased.

I decided to look at these 3 statements:

Statement 1: You are my Son.

The voice is giving identity to Jesus for humans benefit. I believe even as Jesus began to relate with humanity, the voice made many in the crowd to realize there is a divinity aspect to Jesus. The voice does not stop there which is evident by point 2.

Statement 2: Whom I love.

This is so cool to know that the voice actually lets Jesus know that He is loved. It can be an awesome feeling when someone tells you that they love you. It gives a sense of belonging and worthiness. I believe the voice is speaking to the crowds already there including John to let them know that Jesus is the One they have been waiting for. Emphasis is placed on love after Jesus is baptized. It does not end there which is evident by point 3.

Statement 3: With you I am well pleased.

Jesus is being praised by the voice for His actions. The voice is not just pleased but well pleased. Jesus knows that and those around could have been informed about that too.

Again, I was reminded of the previous devotional S.T.A.N.D to remember the reasons for the praise.

Implications:

I saw important implications for my own life.

When people do right it is so important to praise them! A word of encouragement and praise goes a long way! This reminds me of public praise as opposed to private praise for doing right. Jesus was praised in front of the crowds gathered there. I need to do the same by praising those who do right not only privately but publicly for their actions.

I ask you now friend, how is your loving praise?

Dear friend, if you are in a position to praise someone, take that opportunity to praise them in public for their good works. This will not only boost their level of competency because they don’t want to disappoint but it will also increase their level of responsibility. This way those around them may also want to change and improve.

Will you praise Jesus in front of others for what He has done in your life?

One way you can do that is by letting others know what an awesome God you serve. Jesus in His humanity also has the qualities and characteristics of His Divinity which are elaborated more in the Gospel of John.

You can praise Jesus privately and publicly in a worship setting, etc. When Jesus came to relate to humanity, He did it because of His love for you. Yes, friend He loves you so much and you are never out of His love and never out of His reach. He loves you as you are and reaches out to you.

I don't know what you are going through but Jesus does. One thing I know is it may not have been easy for Jesus to have trekked three days so He could be baptized in the Jordan, yet He did it. He overcame that obstacle to fulfill His obedience to the Father. Whatever you are facing Jesus knows about it. Take it to the Lord in prayer!

Whether you are facing issues with classes, family, job, work, athletics, etc, Jesus wants to be there for you. Yes, He does! Sometimes it could be hard to move ahead and you may even feel so lonely because of the situation you may be in. I don't know if this applies to you but if it does, take heart in the Lord even as you listen to the background song.

Won't you reach out to Jesus in praise and love?

He waits for you! Yes, He does friend! Now is the time. Don't wait but make your life a worshipful sacrifice to the Lord. Your spiritual act of worship can be the way you live your life for the Lord. There are many ways to worship the Lord and it does not always have to be singing.

May you experience the love of Jesus in your life! Amen!

“Prayerfully Reiterate Almighty Immanuel's Service Everyday!” (P.R.A.I.S.E)/"How is your praise?"

Prayer:

Jesus thank you so much for what you have helped me to learn. I love you Jesus and need you. Thank you Jesus that we are never out of your love, never out of your reach. You are there for us always and we yield our lives to you. Help us to praise you daily in our lives. Thank you so much Jesus. Forgive ours sins and help us please. We thank you for your help Oh Lord. We trust in you for guidance. Thank you for being there for us and we give our lives to thee. In Your Name We Pray Jesus! Amen!

Love in Christ,
Ramesh