DING. DING. (thank you for the alarm)

Mark 1:14–20 marks the moment Jesus steps onto the public stage with urgency, authority, and invitation. It reveals the arrival of God’s kingdom, the call to repentance, and the radical summons to discipleship that redefines identity and purpose.

🌅 1. The Shift in God’s Redemptive Timeline

• John’s arrest signals a transition—the forerunner’s work is complete, and Jesus now steps forward to begin His ministry.
• This moment is described as “the time is fulfilled”—the long-awaited moment in salvation history has arrived.
• Jesus proclaims the kingdom of God has come near, meaning God’s reign is breaking into the world in a new and decisive way.

🔄 2. The Core Message: Repent and Believe

• Jesus echoes John’s call: “Repent and believe in the good news.”
• Repentance here is not just sorrow—it’s a turning, a reorientation of life toward God’s kingdom.
• Belief is not mere agreement but trusting allegiance to the One who brings the kingdom.

🎣 3. The Call of the First Disciples

• Jesus calls Simon, Andrew, James, and John while they are doing ordinary work—casting and mending nets.
• His invitation, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men,” reframes their identity and vocation.
• Their response is immediate:
  • They leave their nets (their livelihood).
  • They leave their boats (their security).
  • They leave their father (their social identity).
• Mark emphasizes the urgency and totality of discipleship.

⚡ 4. Theological Significance

A. Jesus’ Authority

• He doesn’t persuade—He commands.
• His call creates the ability to respond; His word is performative.

B. The Nature of Discipleship

• Discipleship is relational (“Follow me”), not merely instructional.
• It is transformational (“I will make you…”).
• It is missional (“…fishers of people”).

C. The Kingdom’s Nearness

• The kingdom is not a distant hope but a present reality breaking in through Jesus’ ministry.
• This passage sets the tone for Mark’s fast-paced gospel—God is on the move.

🧭 5. Practical Significance for Today

For someone like you, Kevin—who blends leadership, service, and spiritual reflection—this passage speaks directly into your rhythm of life:

• God calls in the midst of ordinary work. Just as the disciples were found at their nets, Jesus meets you in your leadership at Hershey’s, your Toastmasters service, and your community work.
• Discipleship is both surrender and purpose. Leaving nets isn’t about abandoning responsibility—it’s about letting Jesus redefine your “why.”
• Your calling is relational and missional. Every space you step into becomes a place where the kingdom can break in through presence, integrity, and invitation.
• The kingdom is near—now. Not someday, not when life is perfectly arranged. Right here, right now, in Bainbridge, in your routines, in your leadership, in your service.

If you want, we can also explore how this passage connects to your current season—especially your leadership roles and the transitions you’re preparing for.

Thank you… as you are aware… I am using my ETFs as a seperate income stream… The dividends that I recieve are helping me pay my bills… I want to put some of my money into a strong, dividend paying growth stock that I can let grow for 20 years. Can you give me a recommendation?

A long‑term dividend‑growth stock you can hold for 20 years needs three things: unstoppable cash flow, a proven record of raising dividends, and durable competitive advantages. Based on the latest data, Coca‑Cola (KO) stands out as one of the strongest candidates for a 20‑year hold.

🏆 Top Recommendation: Coca‑Cola (KO)

A global, recession‑resistant powerhouse with 63 consecutive years of dividend increases and strong free‑cash‑flow generation.

Why KO fits your 20‑year growth‑and‑income goal

• Ultra‑reliable dividend growth: 63 straight years of raises makes KO a “Dividend King,” one of the most elite categories in the market.
• Strong financial performance: KO posted 30% EPS growth in Q3 and generated $2.4B in free cash flow, supporting long‑term dividend sustainability.
• Global brand dominance: Coca‑Cola’s asset‑light model (selling concentrates to bottlers) keeps margins high and costs low.
• Resilient across economic cycles: People buy beverages in recessions, expansions, and everything in between.
• Perfect complement to your ETF income strategy: KO gives you slow, steady, compounding dividend growth while your high‑yield ETFs give you weekly/monthly cash flow.

🥈 Strong Alternatives (Also 20‑Year Worthy)

Procter & Gamble (PG)

• Over 135 years of uninterrupted dividends and decades of increases.
• Household‑staples giant with brands people buy no matter what.
• Excellent long‑term compounding potential.

Broadcom (AVGO)

• Double‑digit dividend growth fueled by massive AI‑related revenue expansion.
• Lower yield than KO, but much higher long‑term growth potential.

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)

• Huge free‑cash‑flow generator with decades of dividend raises.
• Healthcare demand is durable across generations.

📊 Quick Comparison

Stock	Dividend Strength	Growth Potential	Stability	Why Consider It
Coca‑Cola (KO)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Safest long‑term dividend compounder
Procter & Gamble (PG)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Ultra‑stable consumer staples
Broadcom (AVGO)	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	High growth + rising dividends
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Healthcare stability + cash flow

🎯 My Personalized Recommendation for You, Kevin

Given your strategy—ETFs for income now, and one stock for long‑term compounding—Coca‑Cola (KO) is the cleanest, safest, most reliable 20‑year anchor. It grows slowly but relentlessly, and it won’t stress you out during market swings.

If you want a bit more growth while still keeping dividend reliability, Broadcom (AVGO) is the next best fit.

DING. DING.