And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

Mark 12:35-40

And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” Mark 12:38-40

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 12:35-40.  Excerpts from the commentary's second (of two) division (vv38-40):

• The title of the second division per the commentary is "The Coming of Jesus Results in a Greater Accountability."
• "“Revelation brings responsibility. The more you know, the greater is your accountability.” Where does this come from? It comes from Jesus (12:40; Matthew 11:20-24). One of the most dangerous vocations in life is being a theologian. One of the most dangerous places you can go is to a Bible-believing church that faithfully proclaims the gospel. Each time you hear God’s Word taught, your accountability before Him increases."  
• For those who go to such churches, myself included, we are warned to not become hardened by such faithful teaching of the Word. We are warned about hypocrisy and sin and for lack of fruit. 
• Using the scribes as examples of what not to do, per the commentary, Jesus warns us of seeking our own recognition and status vs that of God, of taking advantage of others (such as the poor, orphans, and widows) - see also condemnation from OT prophets (Isaiah 10:2, Amos 2, Micah 3 and Leviticus 19:18), and of practicing empty rituals for "show".  Ultimately we will all be judged.
• The commentary emphasizes that "[t]he greater our revelation, the greater our accountability (see Luke 12:48). To know what is right and not do it invites “the harsher punishment” in judgment. No wonder James would write in James 3:1, '"Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment.'"
• "Indeed God will judge with special severity hypocritical religious leaders who strut like peacocks, abuse the less fortunate, and traffic in false worship that is all show with no substance. Such wickedness in motive and action makes plain they never embraced the greatest servant of all, the greater Son of David, Jesus the Christ."   
•  Instead we should be humble (see Matthew 23:11-12). 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and who reveals Himself through Your Word - thank You Jesus for these blessings and for my salvation!  I am not deserving.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

Mark 4:21-34

And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” Mark 4:24-25

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on a commentary-assisted review of Mark 4:21-34, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary - which offers three divisions for this text, including the first division (4:21-25). Excerpts from the commentary's introduction and first (of three) divisions of the text: 

• Main idea for vv21-34: "The kingdom of God is guaranteed to grow by the power of God until it encompasses people from every nation." 
• "Mark 4:1-34 consists of four parables. Verses 21-34 comprise the final three of these. The theme of all of them is how God’s kingdom emerges and grows with the appearance of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, who came to give His life as a ransom for many (10:45). Mark brings these parables together to reinforce the main parable of the soils (4:1-20). These stories drive home the need for the response of faith to God’s revealed Word." 
• Jesus is of course the lamp and the parables share how we are to respond to Jesus, the Light of the World.  See also John 12:46, 1:4, 1:9, and 8:12.
• God sent His Son Jesus Christ to bring Light to all corners of the world and redemptive history is the story of how his servants fulfilled the Great Commission.  
• "The light may be, for the most part, hidden at the moment. However, eventually the whole world will see the glory of this light. That which is hidden will be manifest. The resurrection of the crucified King assures this revelation. The second coming of the glorified King will establish it." 
• Hearing of the Word is key: "If your hearing is good, rich, and receptive to the Word, you will receive it back and even more."  
• In contrast, "[r]efuse Jesus and the Word, and you lose the little you may once have had. This is a critical spiritual principle. Our spiritual health, our spiritual eternity, is at stake. How we respond to Jesus day by day is of the utmost seriousness. Do not take for granted the relationship you have today. It could all be lost tomorrow." 

A review of the commentary draws me to James 1:22-25 where believers are urged to be "doers of the Word."  If we are not, perhaps we should examine how closely we are reading God's Word...John 15:1-10 also speaks of bearing fruit based on abiding in Him.  Our response to the Light should be to become doers of the Word and to bear fruit.  We are to "use the Word."    

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me Your Word to know, love, obey and use the Word for Your glory.  Thank You Jesus!  I know I exist to bring You glory.  I am not deserving of how You saved me and give me Your Word to equip me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Often I fail to use the Light.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.

Proverbs 22:17-24

Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips. Proverbs 22:17-18

I continue with my study of Proverbs, and today I to week 8 from my study workbook, which focuses on Proverbs 22:17-24.  This morning my focus is on 22:17-21 where there are explicit expectations regarding our knowledge of the Word and God's wisdom (which has been the main focus of Proverbs - see Proverbs 1:7). We are not only to pursue God's wisdom, but we are also to apply this wisdom so that they are ready on our lips, and so that we "know what is right and true, that we may give a true answer to those who sent [us]" (Proverbs 22:21).  This is a recipe for us to demonstrate "fruits of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22-23) and for us to be a "living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1). 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father - Jesus - You are an awesome God and You provide for all of my needs, physical, emotional, and spiritual.  Thank You Jesus for everything...thank You for Your Word and Your Wisdom.  It feeds, it sustains, it sanctifies, etc.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of this nor any of the blessings You pour out for me.  My sin continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12

I continue with my study of - Ten Men of the Bible: How God Used Imperfect People to Change the World - eBook by Max Lucado (for purchase). This morning, I continue with the story of "Joseph: Shaky Limbs and Unanswered Questions*".

*Title of lesson six from the Max Lucado study.

The commentary* of day four starts with Max Lucado speculating how Joseph must have felt with the impending birth of Jesus - confused about why God was doing what He was doing and of course about what He was doing.  Joseph had so many questions about God's plan.  Lucado wants us to appreciate how our understanding and full clarity of God's plan is not a prerequisite for our obedience.  If it is clear that we have a command to follow, it does not matter what we do and don't know about God's plan or about our circumstances, we are to obey.  We exist to glorify God so we must be obedient to His commands.

One day we will see God face to face and have the clarity we so deeply desire but until then we must simply obey.

Lucado uses the following verses to help us more fully understand the importance of obedience.

• Luke 6:47-49
• John 14:21
  
• James 1:22-25

Comment and discuss this post here. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and whose Word is a lamp for my feet - even when I don't know what the plan is, I can trust in You to provide, to guide, to protect, to heal, etc. You will never leave or forsake me and You always love me - this I know with certainty.  I am deserving of how You love me.  I often fail to be obedient, and my sin continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

You are not to do as we do here today, everyone doing as they see fit, since you have not yet reached the resting place and the inheritance the Lord your God is giving you.

Exodus-Leviticus-Deuteronomy 12-13, 17-22, 26-28

You are not to do as we do here today, everyone doing as they see fit, since you have not yet reached the resting place and the inheritance the Lord your God is giving you. Deuteronomy 12:8-9

Day 47 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on Moses' laws which my commentary* describes as "some of which he gives here for the first time—or at least they are recorded here for the first time—and some of which he has already given but now further explains or reemphasizes. (As indicated earlier, all the laws previously given have been held in abeyance until this section in order to bring the total together in one collection organized by subject matter.) Although these laws are traditionally known as the Laws of Moses, it is of course God who is their source. However, because there will be other laws of Israel as the nation becomes more fully developed, it is appropriate to distinguish these early commandments by referring to them as Moses’ laws".

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. "

Much of the focus here is God's 2nd and 3rd commandments (see Exodus 20) where:
- "You shall have no other gods before me." Exodus 20:3
- "You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments." Exodus 20:4-6

To that end, God (through Moses) warns us of being seduced by "the world" as we will sow the seeds of destruction.  The more we grow comfortable with the world, the more we sow these seeds.  Instead we are to hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6) and be "doers" of the Word as James exhorts us. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has given me Your Word, the Holy Spirit, and so much more so that I can be filled - as I have been!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings because I know I am not righteous as You are.  I sin...daily..with arrogance and other sins.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

1 John 3

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. v18

Building on John's words from yesterday's post where we are encouraged to "remain in Him" to bear fruit, John knows that fruit is represented by actions - and James refers to this as well with James 1:22-25.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

And of course, our heart condition underlies all that we do.


My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and You never leave or forsake me...and You provide the Holy Spirit and Your Word - thank You Jesus!  I am grateful.  Yet I am undeserving of how You love me.  I worry, I gossip, and I have other sin.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

Hebrews 6

We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. v11-12

In v4-10, the author is warning us of a fate that awaits those who fall away.  John Piper addresses this very topic and I think he nails it here.  Piper, using the same analogy from Hebrews 6 (v8), warns us that a "persistently fruitless" faith that leads to a state of mind where we "are unwilling to put [our] faith into practice, and so [our] faculties are getting dull, right and wrong are becoming hazy...".

We must be obedient, have faith in action, and be "doers" of the Word.  

We must also persevere and have endurance as we run the race.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who will never leave or forsake me - thank You Jesus!  I need You badly as I run the race of faith.  You provide courage, endurance, etc. - thank You.  I am not deserving of such love and blessings - I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.

Philippians 4

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. v9

Paul wants us to imitate him as he imitated Christ.  We must not be just hearing the Word.  We must be DOERS of the Word as James says: 

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25

This is important because people are watching us and we lack an ability to influence others for Christ if we are not demonstrating Christ in our own lives - plain and simple.

See also this post from DesiringGod.com and another from a sermon I found online.

My Prayers: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has transformed my heart and life - I am blessed beyond what I deserve.  Thank You Jesus!  I know I am undeserving because my sin continues and Your work in me is not complete.  Forgive me Lord for my sin, which is daily, and help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa from her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you".

Romans 2

As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you". v24

Paul is blasting the Jewish leaders for their hypocrisy and as I read this I reflect on how I strive to be like God yet I acted very poorly and rudely with someone this afternoon from work.  I want to be more like God yet today I missed the mark...badly.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who is full of grace and love...and I know You love me.  Yet I am undeserving.  I am harsh with my words and actions and particularly today with a co-worker.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me be a doer of the Word.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

At the Lord’s command they encamped, and at the Lord’s command they set out. They obeyed the Lord’s order, in accordance with his command through Moses.

Numbers 9

At the Lord’s command they encamped, and at the Lord’s command they set out. They obeyed the Lord’s order, in accordance with his command through Moses. v23

Moses, Aaron, and the Israelites often did "just as God commanded".

The question is - how can we do just as God commands us?

The place to start is with study of the Bible where we renew our minds and enable ourselves to understand and do God's will:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

But we can't just know God's word - we must be doers of the word:

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22

To enable us to be doers of the word we must live life together - in fellowship with other believers.

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! Psalm 133:1

 

He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:10-11

 

One of the keys in achieving spiritual maturity togetherness: 

 

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:14-16

 

And of course:

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love, compassion, patience, etc.  Thank You Jesus...I am not worth such love.  I am often not a doer of the Word.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my in action.  Help me turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind, and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.