Morning Reads & Prayers - 2 Timothy 4:5-8- Mark 1:1-8: "Be Watchful & Patient in the Spirit" ...

Good morning… Great is His faithfulness…

Psalm 63.11,1

The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord.

Verse: Oh God, hear my cry.

The reading is from St. Paul's Second Letter to Timothy 4:5-8

Timothy my son, But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Paul’s Valedictory

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

(v. 5): the Greek word for watch or watchful- νήφω nḗphō, nay'-fo; of uncertain affinity; to abstain from wine (keep sober), i.e. (figuratively) be discreet:—be sober, watch… to be sober, to be calm and collected in spirit! and to be temperate, dispassionate, circumspect

Like Timothy and Paul we are called to watchmen or watchwomen to be sober minded calm and collected in the Spirt …

(v. 7): THE RACE: Greek word: (Strong’s Definitions Legend)

δρόμος drómos, drom'-os; from the alternate of G5143; a race, i.e. (figuratively) career:—course… This is speaking of St. Paul the life and work that was given to him by God …

1 Corinthians 9:24-27:

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may [a]obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize [b]is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Long term training prepares an athlete for a competition, so does the spiritual discipline we engage in prepares a Christian for the kingdom of God …

The Gospel According to Mark 1:1-8

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in [a]the Prophets:

“Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,

Who will prepare Your way before You.”

3 “The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord;

Make His paths straight.’ ”

4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance [b]for the remission of sins. 5 Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.

6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. 8 I indeed baptize you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

4 Kingdoms 1:8: They answered him, “A hairy man wearing a leather belt around his waist” … And he said , “It’s Elijah the Tishbite” … John the Baptist and Elijah had the same outward appearance, John the Baptist fulfills the Spirit of Elijah… (Matthew 3:4): 4 Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.

"As the world slips further into crazy mode I believe it’s fair to say we haven't seen anything yet, because 2023 is going to a wild ride my brothers and sisters in Christ!!!"

Morning Prayer Focus: Psalm 100 (101)

Verse of the Day:

Proverbs 3:5-6:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall [b]direct your paths.

in Christ love ❤️ Jared W Campbell …