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November 8, 2015 By Clint Scott Leave a Comment

God vs Lust and Pride

God-vs-Lust-Pride

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 10:1–11:8, Mark 6:45–7:13, Prov 3:1–5

Today’s Theme: God vs Lust and Pride

Today’s themes are varied but there is a running theme of God vs the lust of the flesh and the pride and deceitfulness of man. We will either worship man or God. The worship of man can be manifest as sexual sin, pride in our own ideas and trusting in ourselves and not God.

1 Kings 10:1–11:8

Supernatural wisdom

And Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her. (1 Kings 10:3, ESV)

The wisdom God gave to Solomon was supernatural. When we ask God for wisdom, know that He will give you supernatural wisdom, available no where else.

Bountiful riches

the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the Lord, there was no more breath in her. (1 Kings 10:5, ESV)

Solomon’s wealth was breath taking, this spoke of God’s bountiful resources for our lives and His glory.

To the praise and glory of his name

Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord loved Israel forever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness.” (1 Kings 10:9, ESV)

The wisdom and prosperity God gave Solomon caused the queen to give praise to God. May it be the same in our lives

The wealth of Solomon

All King Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were of pure gold. None were of silver; silver was not considered as anything in the days of Solomon. (1 Kings 10:21, ESV)

This is an indication of just how rich Solomon was.

The presence of Christ

And the whole earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put into his mind. (1 Kings 10:24, ESV)

This prefigured Christ, one day the earth will seek the presence of the king who will reign from Jerusalem.

Compromise, lust and idolatry

from the nations concerning which the Lord had said to the people of Israel, “You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. (1 Kings 11:2, ESV)

Solomon clung to all of these women in lust and replaced God with his idolatry towards them and himself. It all started with a pragmatic compromise.

Sex as a god

For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. (1 Kings 11:4, ESV)

Sex and intimate relationship has always been connected to worship and devotion. This is why the enemy has invested so much in drawing people into the false promise and trap of sexual lust. It is all about worship and idolatry, sexual sin becomes a substitute for God.

Jesus over family

And so he did for all his foreign wives, who made offerings and sacrificed to their gods. (1 Kings 11:8, ESV)

When we compromise for “loved ones” we are turning our back on God. Jesus said we should love Him more than family.

Mark 6:45–7:13

Jesus worked hardest

Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. (Mark 6:45, ESV)

This is no small point, Jesus took on the lion’s share of the work as a real servant.

Pull on the word of God

And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well. (Mark 6:56, ESV)

The fringe represents the promises and covenant thus the Word of God.

Where is your heart

And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “ ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; (Mark 7:6, ESV)

Other religions and the new age movement teach that regardless of a man’s life, sin or relationship to God, that they can tap into principles and command the forces of the universe, this is not true. God is very much a conscious person who makes actual responses.

We can not pull the wool over God’s eyes. He knows where our hearts are despite our words and prayers. We need to ensure our hearts are close to God.

The traditions of men

You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” (Mark 7:8, ESV)

Lord keep us for this error. The Roman Catholic church went down this road hundreds of years ago when they exalted church tradition over the word of God.

The priority of God’s word

thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.” (Mark 7:13, ESV)

God’s word should always trump our traditions and ideas.

Proverbs 3:1–5

Long life

for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. (Proverbs 3:2, ESV)

Obeying God’s word will help us live a long life, which is a typical shadow of eternal life in the New Testament.

Faithful and steadfast

Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. (Proverbs 3:3, ESV)

As people we must learn to be faithful and steadfast in our love and devotion. Solomon learnt this the hard way.

Trust the Lord

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5, ESV)

A major theme in scripture, we must trust in the Lord.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Mark 6

Filed Under: Daily Bible Notes

November 7, 2015 By Clint Scott Leave a Comment

Teaching and Miracles

Teaching-and-Miracles

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 8:54–9:28, Mark 6:7–44, Prov 2:16–22

Today’s Theme: Teaching and Miracles

The ministry of Jesus was defined by two activities, teaching the truths about God and the kingdom, and performing miracles.

As His ambassadors, our lives should be defined by His teaching and our faith in His supernatural power to perform miracles today, to the glory of God.

1 Kings 8:54–9:28

God backs His talk

“Blessed be the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed of all his good promise, which he spoke by Moses his servant.(1 Kings 8:56, ESV)

God is ultimately able to come good on His word, like no one else can on theirs.

May God incline your heart

that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his rules, which he commanded our fathers.(1 Kings 8:58, ESV)

We need God to incline our hearts to Him so that we walk in His ways.

The Lord is God

that all the peoples of the earth may know that the Lord is God; there is no other.(1 Kings 8:60, ESV)

One of God’s great ultimate purposes is that He alone is God.

Be wholly true

Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the Lord our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day.”(1 Kings 8:61, ESV)

Not a superficial show of obedience, but heartfelt passion for God with singular devotion.

Mark 6:7–44

Authority over unclean spirits

And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits.(Mark 6:7, ESV)

Authority over unclean spirits comes from Jesus directly.

Gospel proclamation

So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent.(Mark 6:12, ESV)

Their primary job was Gospel proclamation.

Hear and change

for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.(Mark 6:20, ESV)

Lord, save us from being like Herod, hearing Your word and being perplexed by what we hear, hearing it gladly and even enjoying the oratory, but not changing.

Rest is important

And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.(Mark 6:31, ESV)

After successful ministry must come rest.

The priority of teaching

When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.(Mark 6:34, ESV)

Jesus always began with teaching, not with miracles. Miracles without the clear teaching of God’s truth, will not ultimately help anyone.

Don’t be limited by human thinking

But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?”(Mark 6:37, ESV)

The question betrays the fact that we so often think with our own human limitations. God is able to do the supernatural.

Pass it on

And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all.(Mark 6:41, ESV)

This miracle appears to be a parallel to the sending out of the disciples, to teach what Christ had taught them. You should share what the Lord has entrusted to you.

An astounding miracle

And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.(Mark 6:44, ESV)

This was a huge miracle, we can become so familiar with these account, so just stop and think about how great a miracle this was.

Proverbs 2:16–22

Escape adultery

So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words,(Proverbs 2:16, ESV)

It seems that without the wisdom God supplies, it is difficult to escape adultery. In the spiritual sense of the forbidden woman of sin and adultery, in fake worship, it is impossible to escape without God’s wisdom, which is manifest in Jesus.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Mark 6

Filed Under: Daily Bible Notes

November 6, 2015 By Clint Scott Leave a Comment

Treasure Hunters

Treasure-Hunters

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 8:1–53, Mark 5:21–6:6, Prov 2:1–15

Today’s Theme: Treasure Hunters

Today theme is about finding our supreme, most precious and prized treasure in God Himself and the deep, rich truth of His word, as recorded in the bible.

Choose to be a treasure hunter today.

1 Kings 8:1–53

Worship without measure

And King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who had assembled before him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered.(1 Kings 8:5, ESV)

This is how our sacrifice and worship should be before the Lord… Without measure.

The weight of God’s presence

And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.(1 Kings 8:10–11, ESV)

The cloud of God’s glory and presence is so powerful, that normal religious service cannot continue.

God’s hands

And he said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who with his hand has fulfilled what he promised with his mouth to David my father, saying,(1 Kings 8:15, ESV)

God can use men as His hands, to fulfil the promise He has spoken.

God the unique

and said, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart;(1 Kings 8:23, ESV)

God is unique and is no robot or force, He does not just keep covenant with anyone, He keeps it with those who meet the conditions outlined here (those who walk before Him with all their hearts).

Confirmation

Now therefore, O God of Israel, let your word be confirmed, which you have spoken to your servant David my father.(1 Kings 8:26, ESV)

God’s word is confirmed in it coming to pass.

Temple Symbolism

that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you have said, ‘My name shall be there,’ that you may listen to the prayer that your servant offers toward this place.(1 Kings 8:29, ESV)

Solomon understood that God would not actually be in the temple other than in manifest presence.

The house was a symbol for the Israelites to focus their prayers on God, and a point of remembrance for God to look to and hear the prayers of the faithful.

Walk in righteousness

then hear in heaven and act and judge your servants, condemning the guilty by bringing his conduct on his own head, and vindicating the righteous by rewarding him according to his righteousness.(1 Kings 8:32, ESV)

There is a reward to be had for walking in righteousness.

God is active, not automatic

then hear in heaven your dwelling place and forgive and act and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways (for you, you only, know the hearts of all the children of mankind),(1 Kings 8:39, ESV)

No one can demand automated blessing, we need to realise that God is very actively involved in answering prayers and responds to hearts and ways, in truth and love.

Global evangelism

hear in heaven your dwelling place and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to you, in order that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and that they may know that this house that I have built is called by your name.(1 Kings 8:43, ESV)

Global evangelism was on God’s mandate for Israel, the rabbinic teaching that the Gentiles were less than dogs, is nowhere found in scripture.

Repentance is still needed

if they repent with all their mind and with all their heart in the land of their enemies, who carried them captive, and pray to you toward their land, which you gave to their fathers, the city that you have chosen, and the house that I have built for your name,(1 Kings 8:48, ESV)

What is concerning about the 1948 return is that many were not repentant, because they reject the son of God and many are now secular Zionists. We must continue to pray and be witnesses for Jesus so that more and more Jews will accept Yeshua as Messiah.

The root of Anti Semitism

For you separated them from among all the peoples of the earth to be your heritage, as you declared through Moses your servant, when you brought our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord God.”(1 Kings 8:53, ESV)

The world hates this truth, hence anti semitism, because the Jewish people stand as a testimony to God and the bible.

Mark 5:21–6:6

Make God famous

She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment.(Mark 5:27, ESV)

The benefit of the spread of His fame and glory is that people will hear our reports about Jesus and reach out to Him by God’s grace.

Reach out in faith

And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”(Mark 5:34, ESV)

When we reach out to The Lord, we must do so in faith.

Believe that Jesus can deliver

But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”(Mark 5:36, ESV)

Or, don’t be afraid concerning your daughter, instead believe that I can deliver. Out of context, this has fuelled the easy believism (just believe without repentance) ideas.

The importance of teaching

And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands?(Mark 6:2, ESV)

One of the main things Jesus did was teach, so the teaching we submit to and any teaching we ever give, is a very important thing.

The problem of familiarity

And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.”(Mark 6:4, ESV)

Be encouraged by this, those familiar with you and your gift or call may not appreciate it. Don’t allow that to deter you, continue to use your gifts and operating in your calling, to the glory of God.

Proverbs 2:1–15

Treasure God’s word

My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you,(Proverbs 2:1, ESV)

Do we do this, do we actually treasure, like a precious possession, the commands of God’s word? We should, this is where true joy is found.

Having a good hearing appetite

making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;(Proverbs 2:2, ESV)

We must make our ears tuned in and attentive to the wisdom that God has for us. When we treasure His imperatives and commands, we will naturally have ears which have a taste for wisdom.

The greatest treasures

yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,(Proverbs 2:3, ESV)

There ought to be a yearning and seeking for insight and understanding. We should study and ask questions and seek God with fervent hunger, that we might gain the greatest treasures of all, wisdom, understanding and knowledge.

Hunt for treasure

yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,(Proverbs 2:3, ESV)

We should be treasure hunters, not tourists, as we read through God’s word.

God, our source

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;(Proverbs 2:6, ESV)

We should no doubt seek this from the ultimate source, God Himself.

God, our shield

he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,(Proverbs 2:7, ESV)

Yes Lord, be a shield to me and my family.

God, our carer

guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.(Proverbs 2:8, ESV)

Gods providential care.

What is your appetite for?

for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;(Proverbs 2:10, ESV)

Test your appetite… Where are you? Be honest and make changes if you feel the conviction to.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Mark 5

Filed Under: Daily Bible Notes

November 5, 2015 By Clint Scott Leave a Comment

Grow Strong

Grow-Strong

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 7:1–51, Mark 4:26–5:20, Prov 1:28–33

Today’s Theme: Grow Strong

Today’s theme is about us growing, as we are established in strength by God. God desires that we grow greatly and live securely as we trust in Him.

1 Kings 7:1–51

Don’t let your heart be stolen

His own house where he was to dwell, in the other court back of the hall, was of like workmanship. Solomon also made a house like this hall for Pharaoh’s daughter whom he had taken in marriage.(1 Kings 7:8, ESV)

A sign that Solomon was allowing his heart to be stolen. Signs will be the thing or one you spend the most money and time on.

Like Bezalel

He was the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in bronze. And he was full of wisdom, understanding, and skill for making any work in bronze. He came to King Solomon and did all his work.(1 Kings 7:14, ESV)

A bit like Bezalel from Moses’ time, both are a good examples of how the Lord blesses us and wants us to use our practical skills to build His kingdom.

Be established in strength

He set up the pillars at the vestibule of the temple. He set up the pillar on the south and called its name Jachin, and he set up the pillar on the north and called its name Boaz.(1 Kings 7:21, ESV)

The names of these pillars are significant; the first means established, and the second means strength. We ask the Lord that you, your household, career and ministry would be established in strength.

Be a finisher

Hiram also made the pots, the shovels, and the basins. So Hiram finished all the work that he did for King Solomon on the house of the Lord:(1 Kings 7:40, ESV)

We must be finishers of the work we set our hands to.

Mark 4:26–5:20

Growth in God

But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”(Mark 4:29, ESV)

We do not know how the kingdom of God grows, but we do know that we benefit from the regeneration, sanctifying and building work of the Holy Spirit.

Great growth

yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”(Mark 4:32, ESV)

In God’s kingdom, internal value and potential is most important, thus the example of the mustard seed, which seems most insignificant but grows larger than all other seeds in its class.

It is through internal growth and investment that great growth and progress is made.

Everything explained

He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.(Mark 4:34, ESV)

Ours is not a mystery religion, The Lord explains everything to His disciples, He wants us to be informed, intelligent and in the know, so we grow.

Don’t be afraid

He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”(Mark 4:40, ESV)

It is so easy to respond like the disciples. Lord, help us to have faith and to not be afraid of the storms around us.

Fear God

And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”(Mark 4:41, ESV)

Now they were filled with the right kind of fear.

Total authority

So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea.(Mark 5:13, ESV)

There was no fight here, Jesus had total authority over these demons, they had to ask His permission.

Mental health has a spiritual dimension

And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs.(Mark 5:16, ESV)

The pigs prove this is not just a state of mind.

Proverbs 1:28–33

Have a soft heart

Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me.(Proverbs 1:28, ESV)

We must not have hard hearts towards The Lord or His instruction, otherwise when we seek it in earnest, we may not find it.

Don’t be complacent

For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them;(Proverbs 1:32, ESV)

Avoid complacency at all costs, it will lead to destruction.

Live securely, listen to Jesus

but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”(Proverbs 1:33, ESV)

Whoever listens to Jesus, who is wisdom, will live securely.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Mark 5

Filed Under: Daily Bible Notes

November 4, 2015 By Clint Scott Leave a Comment

Listen carefully and intently

Listen-carefully-and-intently

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 5:1–6:38, Mark 4:1–25, Prov 1:20–27

Today’s Theme: Listen carefully & intently

Today we read about not being complacent, walking in wisdom, making preparations, and the importance of the internal condition of our hearts. These all point to the main theme which is found in the parable of the soils.

We are called to listen intently to the teaching of Jesus, the bible and our leaders, humbly apply what we hear to our lives and walk in repentance. This is only possible because of God’s desire to reveal the truth to us, so that we will be fruitful.

If we are not careful about what we hear or do not listen intently to the good revealed to us, the same teaching will either be a snare (when it is false), or stand as judgement against us (when it is true).

1 Kings 5:1–6:38

Don’t become complacent

But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune.(1 Kings 5:4, ESV)

This is good and means the kingdom of God can be built, but as we see later in the story, it can cause complacency.

Good business relationships

As soon as Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly and said, “Blessed be the Lord this day, who has given to David a wise son to be over this great people.”(1 Kings 5:7, ESV)

This is wonderful, there appears to be a genuine alliance and friendship here. Also, God gave wisdom to Solomon to deal with Hiram with respect and honour, which was reciprocated.

Wisdom leads to peace

And the Lord gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him. And there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty.(1 Kings 5:12, ESV)

Ask God to give you the wisdom that leads to peace today, at home, school, work and church.

Make preparation

When the house was built, it was with stone prepared at the quarry, so that neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron was heard in the house while it was being built.(1 Kings 6:7, ESV)

This is significant and makes two points. Firstly, the building of God’s kingdom is not accomplished through the hard work of men, it is the work of God, so no flesh can glory.

Secondly, it speaks of the preparation that is needed before we go to build up the body of Christ. For example, if teaching, we should prepare the teaching and not try to work it out in the middle of the youth group, Sunday School or event.

Finish the job

So he built the house and finished it, and he made the ceiling of the house of beams and planks of cedar.(1 Kings 6:9, ESV)

When we set our hands to build something for God’s kingdom, we must finish it. Lord, help us to finish whatever we have begun in You.

A conditional promise

“Concerning this house that you are building, if you will walk in my statutes and obey my rules and keep all my commandments and walk in them, then I will establish my word with you, which I spoke to David your father.(1 Kings 6:12, ESV)

This verse is conditional, God promises to establish His word, only under the condition that His statues are lived out. God is not just a force that can be fooled or manipulated, God’s promises are almost always predicated on right relationship and His own grace.

The importance of the internal

And Solomon overlaid the inside of the house with pure gold, and he drew chains of gold across, in front of the inner sanctuary, and overlaid it with gold.(1 Kings 6:21, ESV)

This is symbolic, that the internal is far more important and valuable than the external. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for getting this wrong, they made their bodies and clothes clean, but their hearts were still dirty.

Mark 4:1–25

Jesus teaches with parables

And he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them:(Mark 4:2, ESV)

Again Jesus is teaching, we do not know everything He taught but we do know He used parables and the parable of the sower and the seed was one of them.

Jesus, the sower of the seed

“Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow.(Mark 4:3, ESV)

The sower of the seed is Jesus, even if it is through us, it is still Jesus.

The effect of parables

so that “they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.”(Mark 4:12, ESV)

This verse can seem strange but as a quote from the OT, it reveals the truth of a basic principle, the teaching and proclamation of truth can have either of two effects, it can lead to repentance (good soil) or cause a hardening of heart (bad soil).

God has chosen us, we are no longer those on the outside, so we need to listen intently to that which we are taught, so that we can apply it to our lives in humility and repentance.

God is active and necessary in the revelation of truth.

God later (in verses 21-23), speaks about His mission to reveal truth, which supersedes its concealment implied here, and shows us the ultimate purpose of the hardening of hearts. God’s ultimate pursue is to reveal, illuminate and save by the truth shone through the teaching of the parables.

However we cannot cower away from the truth that the same teaching which brings life, will stand as a judgement and condemnation to those who hear but do not listen and repent. The warning is clear.

Share the word

The sower sows the word.(Mark 4:14, ESV)

We, like Jesus, must sow the word of God by sharing it with others.

We have an enemy to combat

And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them.(Mark 4:15, ESV)

We have a real enemy in Satan and his demons, when we share the word with someone.

The word must take root

And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away.(Mark 4:17, ESV)

We must allow the word to take root in our lives or we will fall away. What does that mean for you today?

Chocking materialism

but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.(Mark 4:19, ESV)

The deceitfulness of materialism can choke out the word of God. Meditate on the word of God today, over and above the concerns of this life. Find a moment to be quiet today, to silence the chocking hold of materialism.

Intently hear

But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.”(Mark 4:20, ESV)

This is what we must do with the word, intently hear it, accept it and as a result put it to work and bear fruit.

What are you paying attention to?

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.(Mark 4:24, ESV)

We must be very careful what we give our attention to, we will grow in what we give ourselves to.

Proverbs 1:20–27

Don’t be simple

“How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?(Proverbs 1:22, ESV)

We should not love being simple, in some false sense of piety, we should seek to be wise in God’s word and in walking with God.

God did not call us to be anti intellectual, we should love knowledge.

Repentance and revelation

If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.(Proverbs 1:23, ESV)

If we listen to God’s call and repent, He will make His word known to us.

Don’t reject wisdom

I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you,(Proverbs 1:26, ESV)

If we reject the wisdom that God offers in Jesus, we will remain under the wrath of God.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Mark 4

Filed Under: Daily Bible Notes

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