Editors note: The devotionals that appear from this month on will be taken from the summer archives because I want to go over the Gospel of Mark from the beginning.. It is possible they will have updates and will be highlighted in pink.

Quiet Times: (Psalm 31,  Proverbs 1,, and Mark 3:7-8)

"So cheer up! Take courage if you are depending on the Lord." (Psalm 31:24, TLB)

"How does a man become wise? The first step is to trust and reverence the Lord! Only fools refuse to be taught." (Proverbs 1:7, TLB)

“Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. When they heard all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon.” (Mark 3:7-8, NIV)

Observations::

I asked myself who are the characters involved!

I asked myself what were the actions of Jesus!

Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake!

Jesus was doing things that attracted people from all over!

I asked myself what were the actions of disciples!

The disciples followed Jesus to the lake.

I asked myself what were the actions of crowd!

They were attentive to their surroundings and followed Jesus.

They came to Jesus from Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, Jordan, Tyre, and Sidon.

Interpretation:

I asked myself what is the significance of these statements.

What Jesus was doing spread like wildfire that people from 7 different places separated by long distance heard about it too and came to Him. The news of all that Jesus was doing caught the attention of a lot of people that they came to see Him. That is so cool the impact Jesus was making because of His actions.

Implications:

I saw important implications to my own life. All these people came to Jesus for a reason and it was because of the impact Jesus was making wherever He was. I need to do the same and become an impact where Jesus has placed me so through my actions, people will be drawn to Jesus. My impact would then be seeing people come to Jesus Christ!

I ask you now dear friends what is your impact?

Dear friends, there is an impact we all make but the question becomes is it a good impact or a bad impact. Our actions can draw people to Jesus Christ when people hear about us or they can make people think if this is what Christianity is all about, I don’t want anything to do with this Jesus. People do base their decision to come to Christ based on those they have contact with many times.

There is an expression that states, “You may be the only Jesus they see.” In other words, our Christian life should reflect Jesus so much that people want to come to know who this Jesus is that has transformed and changed our life. They would be drawn to the impact Jesus is making! Yes, they will!

You have that opportunity as the Holy Spirit leads you to draw people to Christ through your actions. You can be used as a vessel for the Lord to make an impact right where you are.

The Bible says that you were brought here for such a time as this! You can be an impact where you are. If it is studying, study for the honor and glory of the Lord. If it is preaching, preach for the honor and glory of the Lord, etc. Anything done for the glory and honor of the Lord will not go unnoticed.

In all this we need to remember Jesus did everything to draw people to a relationship with God. We need to do everything not to bring glory to ourselves but to the One who has given Himself for us. No one ever need think that they cannot make a difference. Jesus did and His power will work in you to make a difference! I know His power will work in us! Amen!

May you know the power that comes from the Lord to help you make an impact for His Kingdom knowing impacting many people always Christ triumphs!

“Impacting Many People Always Christ Triumphs! (I.M.P.A.C.T)/”What is your impact?”

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you so much even when you withdrew to places, people wanted to come to you. You were doing so many things that you had an impact on people from all over. Thank you Jesus they heard about your actions and came to follow you. Oh Lord help us please to make an impact where you placed us. You Oh Lord are our God and we need you! Thank you Lord for all your help and guidance! We rest in your care and depend on you. Please motivate and inspire us to be vessels for your Kingdom. Help us to draw others to you because of our own wonderful relationship with you that others see. Those of us that do not know you as we should, help us Lord. I know I want to know you more and more and be transformed by your loving grace! Please forgive all our sins and cleanse us with your precious cleansing blood. We are sorry for our sin and we are in need of a Savior. Come Lord Jesus into my heart and be my Lord and Personal Savior! Thank you Jesus! Lord, help me to live for you and serve you the rest of the days of my life as you have come back to life to give me life. Thank you Jesus and thanks that you have heard us and answered us! In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

If you would like to invite Jesus Christ into your heart and make Him a daily part of your life, you can this very moment. You will never be alone. You can claim God's promises for you in the Bible and see them come true, before your eyes, in His wonderful timing. You don't have to wait for a special time to come to the Lord. You can come right now as you pray this prayer, meaning it in your heart.

Friend, you may feel something or you may not but this you can be assured that the Lord Jesus has come into your life and will give you a new beginning! Amen!

Get yourself involved in a campus Bible study, fellowship, and most of all find a Bible believing church and be involved to grow in your Christian walk with the Lord. They all need to be supplements for your own precious time with the Lord in prayer and meditating on His Word. If you need a Bible, please let me know!

If you need anyone to talk to, pray with, or study the Bible with this Fall of October 2005, you can email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com or call me at 412-720-4579.

Love in Christ,
Ramesh

Next Devotional:
What is your I.M.P.A.C.T?

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