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!

"Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near:, repent, and believe in the good news.'" (Mark 1:14-15, NIV)

Observations:

Actions of Jesus:

1. Coming to Galilee after John was arrested.

2. Proclaiming the Good News of God!

Sayings of Jesus:

1. The time is fulfilled.

2. The kingdom of God has come near.

3. Repent and believe the Good News.

Interpretations:

It is interesting to know that Jesus came to Galilee after John was arrested to proclaim the Good News.

Why do I think it is interesting?

We need to realize that John 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 will 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. (Mk 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).

What would happen now?

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 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 the things that were 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.

Implications:

I saw different implications for my own life. I decided to focus on timing. I should wait on Jesus’ timing for things in my life.

There is an awesome promise that has helped me a lot.

“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)

I ask you now dear friend, who controls your time?

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.

Jesus set an example for us. Jesus did not rush in to preach the Good News but waited for the appropriate timing. Only when John was arrested did Jesus come to proclaim the Good News.

From Jesus we can learn that there is a time for everything. Jesus loves you so much and wants you to rely upon Him even when you feel rushed to get things done. It would be more beneficial and fruitful when we allow our lives to follow God's perfect timing for us whether it involves relationships, academics, career, ministry, etc.

Don't be discouraged if something you want is not coming to you right away because God knows what you need and will provide it for you. You are His precious child and He will take care of you.

Deion Sanders used to play for many NFL teams such as San Francisco, Atlanta, and Dallas Cowboys. He thought he had it all but his life was not fulfilling. He loved football but he was not happy with his life and football was not giving him as sense of meaning. As he contemplated suicide, he gave his life to the Lord Jesus asking Him to take control of his life and give him a new beginning. Sanders became a born-again Christian and started sharing his testimony with prisoners and so many others. During that time he also gave up football and retired from it. I believe the Lord Jesus was working in his life and helping him to grow strong in the Lord. For four years, he did not play football.

Lord knew how much Sanders still loved playing football. In God's timing, Sanders got another opportunity four years later. He waited four years but now plays for the Baltimore Ravens. This time though he has made Christ an integral part of his life on the field and off the field.

^“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)

Friend, maybe there is something in the Bible that is hard for you to follow. God wants you to still believe in His Good News because the Good News of Christ has the power to change any life. When we are willing to repent and believe in the Good News, the Lord will take care of the rest. Whatever your desires are in, don't give up but take it to the Lord in prayer and seek Him always. He loves you friend! Yes, He does!

It has been 3 years since I have not directly worked with a Christian fellowship to do ministry on campus. I miss it so much! But, the Lord has used these years to help me grow in Him and show me new things.

He has given me a wonderful job serving students on campus where I work full-time. He has also given me a newspaper to run online to reach hundreds of students each month.

Just as the Lord used Deion Sanders to help people in their walk with the Lord, I am so thankful that the Lord has used me through the Pittsburgh Standard to help students in their walk with the Lord.

Even though I have not worked with a fellowship on campus, it was put upon my heart to have a religious section called EXPRESSIONS in the paper. In that section, I have shared what I have learned from my Quiet Times with the Lord.

I was so touched when a student came up to me and told me during the activities fair how much those devotional times I shared meant to her. She told me they became a major part of why she became saved and born-again. My heart was so excited because the Lord has used this paper as an instrument to save a soul. Now she helps out with a Christian fellowship on campus and is involved in their Bible study.

I share this with you because there are times the Lord could remove you from one area because He wants to use you in another area to bless you and others. Don't resist it but hold on to the Lord and you will be holding on to hope!

Hearing her testimony not only blessed me but encouraged me very much. Sometimes things happen in our lives that we don't expect but our Lord and Savior has more wonderful things planned for us than we can imagine. He even can bring us back to where we loved to be in. I wait on the Lord regarding campus ministry but am thankful to the Lord where I am at now too!

The people who were following John and listening to his teachings must have been really sad when he got arrested.

Where were they to go?

Who would reach out to them?

God knew the people needed a Shepherd and sent Jesus Christ. The Lord wants to be your Good Shepherd too! This is the best thing that happened to them. Jesus is the best person to intervene in your life because He can be your Lord and Personal Savior!

No matter what you are facing now, know that the Lord feels your pain too. When you feel helpless, bring even that before the Lord for He cares for you. In His perfect timing, He will open the doors as you trust in Messiah everyday!

"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 Everyday! (T.I.M.E)/”I ask you now who controls your time?”

Make this your prayer for yourself and others and let the background song minister to you making it also your 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. Thanks for coming to proclaim the Good News and set the captives free. 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!

Love in Christ,
Ramesh