Actions of Jesus:
1. Coming to Galilee after John was arrested.
2. Proclaiming the Good News of God!

I asked myself what were the sayings of Jesus?

Sayings of Jesus:
1. The time is fulfilled.
2. The kingdom of God has come near.
3. Repent and believe the Good News.

Interpretations:
Why are the actions of Jesus significant?
It is interesting to know that Jesus came to Galilee after overcoming every temptation thrown by Satan at Him and after John, the Baptist was arrested so that He can proclaim the Good News.

We need to remember that John, the Baptist was the one who was proclaiming the Good News and preparing the way of the Lord. John also lets people know that there is more to the concept of baptism than being 'baptized in water'. John realizes that he is just a messenger and there would come One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. John was preparing the people for a transition. He did not want people to regard him highly as opposed to the One who was to come. God allowed John to prepare the way and when John's time would come to an end, the people could be prepared for the transition.  (Mark 1:1-8)

When John was arrested, there was a vacancy in the ministry area pertaining to 'proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins' and 'baptizing those that repented with water' (Mk 1:4-5).

Jesus finally came to preach in Galilee after John's arrest. Jesus said, 'the time is fulfilled'. This could refer to what John was proclaiming especially about the 'One who would come'. Jesus came to accomplish all that John was proclaiming. Jesus knows the perfect timing when things need to be done.

I asked myself, what do you think is the most important saying of Jesus and why?
I think the most important saying of Jesus is 'The Kingdom of God has come near:, repent and believe in the good news.' Jesus wanted people to turn away from sin that was hindering them from being close to God. This is what repentance is.

It is also interesting to realize that Jesus does not say, 'The Kingdom of God has come near:, believe in the good news.' but says 'repent and believe in the good news'.

(To be continued....)

Implications:
I asked myself what are the implications for my own life?

I want to share a personal story and relate it back to what I learned today from Mark 1:14-15! When I married to my lovely wife Chandraleela on July 30, 2010 in India, I had to be back in the states for my job within a week on August 05, 2010 but found out that my wife had to wait behind because of visa issues. Within less than a week of our marriage, she was still in India and I was in the U.S. It was a painful time for both of us. But, then my sister-in-law's wedding came in December 2010 and the Lord provided the financial means to go back to India. There I was reunited with my sweet wife for almost 12 days. Her love for me grew more and more in those days. BUT, alas, I had to come back to the states again but she could not accompany me because of the visa situation. It was very painful and saddening. My church Oakland International Fellowship kept praying for the day they would see us together here in the states. Then, the summer time of June 2011 came. Lord provided a way again for me to be with my supportive wife Chandra and her loving family for almost 4 months. We had awesome times there and I hope to share those times with a musical slideshow. We enjoyed each other's company in different awesome ways. Then, August arrived but her passport was not in her possession because they sent it to the wrong address delaying the visa process again. We were so frustrated but kept praying to the Lord Jesus for His intervention.

One day we came across a church we had never been too and my wife felt we should go there. When we went there Pastor Vampati told us that he knew a sister at visa center who would look into the situation. After prayer and help from my sister-in-law's husband, we eventually got her police clearance certificate and passport. But no VISA yet. Then, the time came for me to leave for the states and again I could not take my wife with me. I delayed it as much as I could hoping the time I was there she can get her visa and we can come together. It did not happen. BUT, the Lord allowed my job to give me an extension and then weather conditions in JFK delayed my trip on the last day. This gave my wife and I 11 extra days together until Sept 08, 2011 when I had to leave her behind. That was the most difficult time to leave her as we had been together enjoying each other's company for 4 months in a row.  But, we again knew the TIMING was not right because the Lord knows the perfect timing even though being apart was so hard. Pastor Hugo Cheng and Calvin Chiang of Transformers small group encouraged me a lot and the whole church was praying for my wife's visa situation.

Then, my birthday came on October 05, 2011 and my wife was still not here. It was the second birthday after marriage without her by my side. When I was blowing out the candles, I made a prayer to the Lord asking Him this wish: "I want to go to India when my wife gets her visa and personally bring her back to the states with me."

Even while I was praying, I knew financially what it could do to me because I had already gone 3 times to India and now if it came this year, it would be the second time in less than 6 months. I knew only the Lord Jesus could make it possible. And HE did.

My wife received her visa  and I was able to see her on December 23, 2011. Then, by God's grace and mercy we were able to celebrate Christmas together for the second time and land in the U.S. on New Year's Eve Day of December 31, 2011. On January 01, 2012, we celebrated New Year's together in Downtown Pittsburgh.

Lord finally brought my precious wife and me together to be in the states in His perfect timing. It was painful to wait through those hours, days, weeks, months, and even a year but Lord was growing us in Him during those times and helping us fall more and more in love with each other.

 When she came to the states, my precious wife conceived by God's grace. I have been able to be with my wife through each day, week, and month of pregnancy by His grace.

We know that is the Lord's timing and His perfect timing. The wait was painful but the timing became joyful. The results of me going back to India have been profound. Because of those times in India, I became more closer and closer to my in-laws and miss them so much. Every opportunity I get, I want to go back to India to see them and spend with my wife there our vacations as the Lord allows.

Now we have two beautiful, precious daughters Esther - 5+ and Evangeline 2+. We named her Esther because my youngest brother loved that name and it reminded us of Esther in the Bible especially the verse: "For you were born at such a time as this!" Thank you Lord Jesus! We named our other daughter Evangeline because we felt it was related to Evangelism, Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

An awesome promise of the Lord “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31) has helped me so much.

I share this with you to show that the Lord's timing is the perfect timing even when we cannot understand it always. When the timing comes then, we can look back and see, 'if this had happened sooner, then we would have missed out on this and that' so thank you Lord for the right timing.

There is a timing for everything and the Lord Jesus knows the right timing. Jesus knew when the right timing was for Him to minister to the people. In the same way, Jesus knows the right timing for events in our lives. Even now, we wait on the Lord for different things in our lives as we struggle knowing He has the perfect timing for everything.

I ask you now dear friend, what is your view of T.I.M.I.N.G in life?
Dear friend, many times in life we may feel rushed to do this and that: 'find a boy or girl friend quickly, get married, get a job, finish the degree, etc. Things need to get done but there is a timing for everything. When we follow our own timing, it is not effective than when we follow the Lord's timing.

^“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD , "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

"In nothing be anxious, but in everything by prayer and petition, let your prayers and supplications be known to the Lord and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will keep your hearts and mind, quiet at rest as you trust in Jesus Christ!" (Philippians 4:6-7)

"He will keep in perfect peace whose thoughts turn to the Lord, for in the Lord Jehovah is your strength!" (Isaiah 26:3)

We relied on and rested in the Lord Jesus Christ for His timing in our lives to be reunited together again no matter what we saw as obstacles. You should too rely on the Lord Jesus for His timing. It won't always be easy but He will help you through and get you through as He has helped us. 

Lord's timing is the perfect timing to follow not only in relationships but in all areas of our lives because He who created you and knows you by Name, knows perfectly well what you need and when you are need of it. His waiting time is for our own good to develop us more and build us up for His honor and glory.

So friend when you are tempted to go your own way and do your own things, resist the devil and he will flee from you, humble yourself under the mighty hand of God and He will lift you up. (James 4:7)

Leave to Him all your worries and cares for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you. (1 Peter 5:7)

That is so exciting to know friend that He is always thinking about us and watching everything that concerns us which means He knows the right timing for our lives. Praise the Lord. So always be courageous and follow the timing of the Lord. But to experience the Lord's timing, you have to know Him and be known by Him. Help us Lord Jesus.

God knew the people needed a Shepherd and sent Jesus Christ in His perfect timing after John prepared the way. The Lord wants to be your Good Shepherd too! Knowing Jesus as our Lord and Personal Savior is the best thing we all can do.

"Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you." (1 Peter 5:7) 

"Trust In Messiah's Involvement Now Greatly!"(T.I.M.I.N.G)/"What is your view of T.I.M.I.N.G in life?"

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, we come to you right now and bring our requests before thee. You Oh Lord know the condition of our heart, you know the times we have sinned and dishonored you. We come before you and ask you for your forgiveness. Please cleanse us with your cleansing blood and we will be clean again. Wash us and we will be whiter than snow. I thank you Jesus! Lord our life can be so rushed at times. We want so many things when we want them but I thank you Lord that you do not always give us what we want but you do give us what we need. You know some of the wants we want are not good for us and you keep them from us. There are needs we have that you give in your prefect timing as we wait on you. Help us Oh Lord. Thanks for coming to proclaim the Good News and set the captives free in your timing We do repent of our sins and turn to you for help and choose to believe in the Good News you offer. We give our lives to thee. I pray Oh Lord that you would be with those that are not feeling well and have so much on their mind. You alone can heal them and restore them completely. We do know and believe you are a God of miracles. Please intervene in your timing Oh Lord. We lay our requests before thee and ask thee for your strength to help us get through the times of pain and sorrow. I thank you Jesus! We trust in you the lives of those who are hurting physically, emotionally, mentally, financially, and spiritually. Thanks for hearing us and answering us! We leave to you all our worries, cares, and needs. Thank you Jesus for always thinking about us and watching everything that concerns us!  In Your Name We Pray Jesus! Amen!

Pray the prayer below or use your own words to invite Jesus Christ into your life and have a personal relationship with Him. Now is the time of Salvation. Don't wait. 

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I read that you alone can give me access to Heaven and be delivered from the bondage of sin and death. I want that Lord. I believe you died on the cross for my sin and rose again to give me new life. I believe your Blood shed on the cross saves me when I turn to you. So I turn to you now with all that I am and ask you to make something of my life for you. Please be my Lord and Personal Savior. Please come into my heart and make my heart your home. Thank you Jesus. Thank you for hearing my prayer and answering me. Thank you for delivering me from my sin as I am sorry. I love you Jesus. I need you. Help me Jesus! In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!