Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 18:1–46, Mark 10:17–52, Prov 4:8–17

Today’s Theme: The God who Answers

Today’s theme is about the God who answers. We must ask in faith believing in God’s ability to do what we ask Him for because we know that He alone is good.

1 Kings 18:1–46

Fear the Lord like Obadiah

And Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly, (1 Kings 18:3, ESV)

We can tell Obadiah really did fear the Lord, it was evident in his daring actions of hiding the prophets and feeding them. We too should fear the Lord and act accordingly.

The responsibility of leaders

And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father’s house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals. (1 Kings 18:18, ESV)

When a leader rebels against God and goes into idolatry all those under the leader suffer as a consequence. With this in mind, pray for our leaders.

Be resolute

And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word. (1 Kings 18:21, ESV)

We must be resolute in our convictions. Jesus and the apostles warn us against being taken by the wind and encourage us to be like stones and rocks.

Our God

And you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, he is God.” And all the people answered, “It is well spoken.” (1 Kings 18:24, ESV)

This is our God YHWH, the only true God.

Is god (the false one) on the toilet!

And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” (1 Kings 18:27, ESV)

This is really funny and tragic at the same time, the devil is such a deceiver, he is bound under the sovereign rule of God and is not even nearly on a par with God.

A lot of sweat, but no answer

And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention. (1 Kings 18:29, ESV)

In some ways this reminds me of the folly in parts of the charismatic movement where people will sweat and work themselves up and at the end of all that there is no answer from God because they are not really praying to the God of the Bible but of their own imagination or belly / lust.

Rebuild the altar

Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” And all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been thrown down. (1 Kings 18:30, ESV)

Notice he did not just use any old altar, he repaired the alter dedicated to God. The first step in dealing with idolatry is to rebuild God’s altar in your life, practically that will be time spent with Him in the word and prayer.

Why do you want an answer from God

Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.” (1 Kings 18:37, ESV)

Here Elijah gives a good reason why he wants an answer to his prayer. It is for three reasons, for God’s glory, His confirmation as a prophet and for the sake of the people. Can you articulate why you want an answer from God today.

The fire of God

Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. (1 Kings 18:38, ESV)

The very stones and dust were set on fire, this was some powerful fire. The dust also speaks of the flesh.

God gets the glory

And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.” (1 Kings 18:39, ESV)

The result of God’s demonstration of power in this showdown is the worship of the people, bringing God glory.

Slauter sin

And Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape.” And they seized them. And Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon and slaughtered them there. (1 Kings 18:40, ESV)

We can have no mercy on sin, it must be slaughtered.

Have persistent faith

And he said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” And he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go again,” seven times. (1 Kings 18:43, ESV)

Elijah had persistent faith.

Mark 10:17–52

Jesus more than good, he is God

And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17, ESV)

Jesus was not just a good teacher, he was God. The man was focused on the works he would have to do.

Human achievement does not = good

And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. (Mark 10:18, ESV)

Jesus corrects this man’s understanding of goodness, no man by any human achievement can be called categorically good only God is categorically and completely good.

The man was putting himself and Jesus on an elevated level because they kept the law but Jesus destroys this false sense of security because we have all fallen short of the glorious goodness of God.

A challenge to idolatry

And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” (Mark 10:21, ESV)

This is not a maxim to all Christians but a challenge to the man’s idolatry, the breaking of the 1st commandment.

Salvation is only possible with God

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27, ESV)

With man no one rich or poor could be saved, although Jesus’ emphasis is on the trappings of wealth. The point is made that it is only with God that salvation is even possible.

Eternal assurance

who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. (Mark 10:30, ESV)

If we leave all and follow Jesus in true discipleship we will be assured of eternal life.

God has a plan

but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” (Mark 10:40, ESV)

God has a preordained plan.

Servant leaders

But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, (Mark 10:43, ESV)

This is the new way of Jesus to be a servant leader.

Limited atonement

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45, ESV)

We are not universalist (those who believe that Jesus died for all people so everyone will make it to heaven regardless of faith in Jesus), we believe the atonement of Jesus is limited in its effectiveness and purpose to all those that God knew ahead of time would put their faith and trust in Jesus for salvation, notice it says a ransom for many, not for all.

We must put our faith in Jesus and repent to be saved.

Ask God in faith

And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way. (Mark 10:52, ESV)

Ask God for what you want Him to do for you and He will do it if you ask in faith and your request is aligned with His word and will.

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 10

 

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 15:25–17:24, Mark 9:38–10:16, Prov 4:1–7

Today’s Theme: Salt vs Self

Today’s theme points to Jesus teaching that we should have salt in our lives and not be elitists. We should walk in humility and seek to serve God in that spirit, encouraging others who are not like us but are also serving God and walking in trust like children before God.

Our lives should be a salted sacrifice before God, not a monument to the flesh. Otherwise we leave ourselves open to the raw elements of sin and our lives will become ones that offer up our own children on the altar of our own convenience, ambition and evil.

1 Kings 15:25–17:24

Judgement will be fulfilled

And as soon as he was king, he killed all the house of Jeroboam. He left to the house of Jeroboam not one that breathed, until he had destroyed it, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite. (1 Kings 15:29, ESV)

This is the judgement that God had promised. While the opportunity is available we are all called to repent and seek God’s mercy and grace.

God raises up leaders

“Since I exalted you out of the dust and made you leader over my people Israel, and you have walked in the way of Jeroboam and have made my people Israel to sin, provoking me to anger with their sins, (1 Kings 16:2, ESV)

God is the one who raises up leaders. We should pray for leaders in all spheres of life in this context, that they would fulfil the mandate God has given them. This includes MPs, pastors and business leaders.

God hates hypocrisy

Moreover, the word of the Lord came by the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha and his house, both because of all the evil that he did in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam, and also because he destroyed it. (1 Kings 16:7, ESV)

One of the things that is sure to provoke God to anger is hypocrisy.

Drunkenness is never good

But his servant Zimri, commander of half his chariots, conspired against him. When he was at Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza, who was over the household in Tirzah, (1 Kings 16:9, ESV)

Drunkenness is never associated with anything good. This is why many faithful Christians abstain from alcohol altogether.

Moral depravity, a slippery slide

Omri did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and did more evil than all who were before him. (1 Kings 16:25, ESV)

Things just seem to be going from bad to worse for Israel. The moral depravity of previous generations seems to be having a snowball effect, it will rise to a critical mass where the Northern Kingdom will be sent away into exile.

This is why we need to be lively in loving God and killing sin the moment it seeks to gain a foothold.

Wicked King Ahab

Omri did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and did more evil than all who were before him. (1 Kings 16:25, ESV)

It is as though Ahab represents a new level of depravity in the kings of Israel. They all seem to model the depravity of man but he has reached the level of being not just bound by sin but committed to it and in covenant with it represented by his marriage to Jezebel the Sidonian.

Deeper depths of sin

And Ahab made an Asherah. Ahab did more to provoke the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him. (1 Kings 16:33, ESV)

Ahab, took the sins of his father and the previous kings of Israel to a new height with the house he built for Bal and the idols he raised up. Sin is ugly, it is like a virus, if it is not burnt out it leaves its victims in a depraved and helpless state.

Don’t sacrifice your children

In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho. He laid its foundation at the cost of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke by Joshua the son of Nun. (1 Kings 16:34, ESV)

This is a wicked man, he sacrificed his own sons to build this abomination. We must be careful that we do not sacrifice our own children when we are trying to build things in our own lives.

These children were only infants and were put into the foundations. In the depraved mind of the king, to placate the gods and ward off evil… this is the debase folly and madness of sin.

Elijah, obedient to God

So he went and did according to the word of the Lord. He went and lived by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan. (1 Kings 17:5, ESV)

This may seem simple but Elijah went and did what God said, he was obedient to the Lord’s word, unlike the young prophet from an earlier reading.

A submissive woman

And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” (1 Kings 17:11, ESV)

This was a submissive servant hearted woman. The folly of the women’s liberation movement, and extremes of egalitarian thought and philosophy in the west has given women the idea that being submissive is bad when in fact it is the character God desires in all his daughters.

God provides

For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’ ” (1 Kings 17:14, ESV)

This is a wonderful miracle and word, showing that God cares for and provides for His people in the midst of great adversity. Stand on that truth today… Our God provides.

Life and death, in the hands of God

And he cried to the Lord, “O Lord my God, have you brought calamity even upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by killing her son?” (1 Kings 17:20, ESV)

Elijah knew that life and death was in God’s hands (not the hands of man).

God answers prayer

And the Lord listened to the voice of Elijah. And the life of the child came into him again, and he revived. (1 Kings 17:22, ESV)

This was not magic from Elijah, this was God hearing and answering the prophet’s prayer.

Mark 9:38–10:16

Don’t be an elitist

John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” (Mark 9:38, ESV)

John has not learned the lesson of servant like service as a disciple, his question betrays a sense of entitlement, privilege and exclusion. This is alive today in the division found in the church along denominational, traditional and cultural lines.

We should rejoice when we see God using others and not think of ourselves more highly than we ought to or that our particular denomination, culture or just way of doing things is best or should be followed.

Jesus corrects this emphasis on this exorcist not following the disciples (who just failed at the work of exorcism themselves) and shows us the way is open for God to use His people in multiple ways.

We should not seek to control God’s people or God’s kingdom, God alone is God.

Resist sin

And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. (Mark 9:43, ESV)

This reminds us of two truths, firstly symbolising how radically we must resist sin and secondly the reality of Hell.

Salt in yourselves

Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” (Mark 9:50, ESV)

The salt we should have in ourselves is all that Jesus has just been teaching us about our behaviour and attitude in the world for the Lord’s sake and in our quest as disciples.

Sacrifices in the Old Testament were always given with salt. We must have the preserving element of salt in our lives as believers as we offer our lives up as a pleasing offering to God. Not concerned with our own rights and privileges (see the elitist point above) but focused on the task of discipleship to the glory of God.

Love teaching

And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them. (Mark 10:1, ESV)

Jesus was always teaching, this verse says it was His custom. We should be eager to hear the teachings of Jesus and have our minds trained to enjoy and apply the teachings the Lord provides for us through His ministers.

Marriage defined

‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. (Mark 10:7–8, ESV)

The foundation of marriage, it is and must be a man and woman.

The nature of marriage

What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Mark 10:9, ESV)

Marriage is a sacred rite before God, not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly but reverently and in the fear of God.

Bring children to Jesus

But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. (Mark 10:14, ESV)

We should bring children to Jesus through story time, prayer and activities. Thank God for the youth groups and Sunday Schools we have.

Trust God

Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” (Mark 10:15, ESV)

We must be trusting and faithful to God like children to enter His Kingdom.

Proverbs 4:1–7

Do you listen?

Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight,(Proverbs 4:1, ESV)

The younger ones should listen attentively to a father’s instruction, this is like listening on the edge of your seat.

Teach your children

he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. (Proverbs 4:4, ESV)

Lord may our children hold fast to our words.

Hold onto loving instruction

Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. (Proverbs 4:6, ESV)

Loving instruction will be like a guard in your life.

Study

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. (Proverbs 4:7, ESV)

This is why it is so important to study and to study deeply to get understanding/insight.

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 10

 

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 14:1–15:24, Mark 9:2–37, Prov 3:23–35

Today’s Theme: Killing and Building

Today’s theme is that we must be lively in killing and building. We must actively kill sin in our lives and actively seek to build God’s kingdom in God’s way. We see this in the life of king Asa who reformed Judah and the life of Jesus who built God’s kingdom by building His disciples and taking authority over the enemy.

1 Kings 14:1–15:24

A bad husband

And Jeroboam said to his wife, “Arise, and disguise yourself, that it not be known that you are the wife of Jeroboam, and go to Shiloh. Behold, Ahijah the prophet is there, who said of me that I should be king over this people. (1 Kings 14:2, ESV)

This man was no covering for his wife and was willing to put her in danger by asking her to deceive the prophet.

The apostate

but you have done evil above all who were before you and have gone and made for yourself other gods and metal images, provoking me to anger, and have cast me behind your back, (1 Kings 14:9, ESV)

Jeroboam was apostate, this is the worst position any man can find himself in where they move beyond the ability to repent because they have totally turned their back on God, the only one who can help them.

God is merciful

And all Israel shall mourn for him and bury him, for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there is found something pleasing to the Lord, the God of Israel, in the house of Jeroboam. (1 Kings 14:13, ESV)

In mercy God allows this son to die a non violent death.

Judgement for idolatry

the Lord will strike Israel as a reed is shaken in the water, and root up Israel out of this good land that he gave to their fathers and scatter them beyond the Euphrates, because they have made their Asherim, provoking the Lord to anger. (1 Kings 14:15, ESV)

The prophesied judgement was because of idolatry.

The old abominations

and there were also male cult prostitutes in the land. They did according to all the abominations of the nations that the Lord drove out before the people of Israel. (1 Kings 14:24, ESV)

There was homosexual debauchery in ancient Israel. The Bible speaks in very clear words, this was an abomination before God and still is.

Build a legacy

because David did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and did not turn aside from anything that he commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite. (1 Kings 15:5, ESV)

When we live uprightly before God we start to build a legacy. For the sake of your children, grandchildren, church community and wider society, set your mind to building a legacy to the glory of God today.

The Bible is an honest book, notice the report includes David’s failure.

Righteous king Asa

He put away the male cult prostitutes out of the land and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. He also removed Maacah his mother from being queen mother because she had made an abominable image for Asherah. And Asa cut down her image and burned it at the brook Kidron. (1 Kings 15:12–13, ESV)

This king went straight into action because God was in his heart. He dealt with the homosexuals and idols and even the wickedness of his own mother, this is a bold stand for God. We can learn from his stand and life.

A true heart

But the high places were not taken away. Nevertheless, the heart of Asa was wholly true to the Lord all his days. (1 Kings 15:14, ESV)

Our hearts before God should be true like king Asa.

Be lively in killing and building

Now the rest of all the acts of Asa, all his might, and all that he did, and the cities that he built, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? But in his old age he was diseased in his feet. (1 Kings 15:23, ESV)

He was industrious in killing sin and then showed the same work ethic in his life. We should be lively men like this, very active in killing sin and then in building the kingdom.

Mark 9:2–37

God’s testimony

And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” (Mark 9:7, ESV)

Testimony from God that Jesus is His Son, equal with God.

The suffering Son of Man

And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? (Mark 9:12, ESV)

The teaching of the Jews at the time ignored this side of the Messiah. This is partly why they never understood it when Jesus raised it

Jesus cares

And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. (Mark 9:21, ESV)

Jesus asked the caring question “How long has this been happening to him”. This shows that Jesus was not just some practitioner, He cared about people.

Believe, God is able

And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” (Mark 9:23, ESV)

We must believe God fully, it is not an if you can, God is well able.

Complete deliverance by Jesus

And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” (Mark 9:25, ESV)

Jesus has complete authority over demons and can tell them boldly to never enter a person’s body or life again, hallelujah.

The power of prayer

And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” (Mark 9:29, ESV)

Maybe this relates to the type of demon that has been in someone since they were a child explaining Jesus’ question.

This account focuses on prayer as being far more important than the fasting as fasting is not mentioned. Fasting without prayer is quite pointless.

Private discipleship over public ministry

for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” (Mark 9:31, ESV)

Jesus prioritised teaching his disciples over public ministry.

Be a servant of all

And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35, ESV)

This is true in family, church and business.

Child Sponsorship

“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” (Mark 9:37, ESV)

This is why child sponsorship is so important.

Proverbs 3:23–35

Good sleep

If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. (Proverbs 3:24, ESV)

Yes Lord, thank you as we meditate on Your word we have sweet sleep.

Help others

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. (Proverbs 3:27, ESV)

This is an important life principle, when it is in our power we must help.

Don’t be dishonest

for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence. (Proverbs 3:32, ESV)

It is important to remember this even in business.

Walk in wisdom

The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace. (Proverbs 3:35, ESV)

Lord help us to walk in wisdom and not in disgrace as fools.

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 9

 

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 13:1–34, Mark 8:11–9:1, Prov 3:13–22

Today’s Theme: The Danger of Unbelief

Today’s theme looks at the great danger of unbelief and disobedience. This pitfall saw the tragic death of the young prophet and Jesus has to take a man out of the place of unbelief to heal him and warn him to not return.

We must believe God’s word, with our minds set on Him which is the pathway to wisdom, understanding and the resulting riches and long life (which is fully expressed in eternal life).

1 Kings 13:1–34

Actual prophecy

And the man cried against the altar by the word of the Lord and said, “O altar, altar, thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, a son shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name, and he shall sacrifice on you the priests of the high places who make offerings on you, and human bones shall be burned on you.’ ” (1 Kings 13:2, ESV)

This is an amazing prophecy because this is what actually happened.

Reprobation and Apostasy

And the king said to the man of God, “Entreat now the favor of the Lord your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored to me.” And the man of God entreated the Lord, and the king’s hand was restored to him and became as it was before. (1 Kings 13:6, ESV)

Jeroboam is a true apostate, notice he says ask your God not our God, he is truly on the other side. What deception because he also knows that the false gods can not help him.

Gods word trumps visions

for it was said to me by the word of the Lord, ‘You shall neither eat bread nor drink water there, nor return by the way that you came.’ ” (1 Kings 13:17, ESV)

The Word of God trumps any supernatural encounter. We can trust the word of God more than dreams, angels and visions.

The sin of disobedience

So he went back with him and ate bread in his house and drank water. (1 Kings 13:19, ESV)

This is a very important verse, it is here that the young prophet disobeys God and displays a type of unbelief.

Direct judgement

And he went and found his body thrown in the road, and the donkey and the lion standing beside the body. The lion had not eaten the body or torn the donkey. (1 Kings 13:28, ESV)

A sign that this was direct judgement.

Disobedience weakens the message

After this thing Jeroboam did not turn from his evil way, but made priests for the high places again from among all the people. Any who would, he ordained to be priests of the high places. (1 Kings 13:33, ESV)

Maybe if the man of God was obedient to the word of the Lord the message and signs would have had a greater impact.

Mark 8:11–9:1

The weakest type of faith

And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” (Mark 8:12, ESV)

Those seeking a sign have a type of unbelief at worst and very weak faith at best. We were called to preach the gospel, not to put on a circus.

Beware false ideologies

And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” (Mark 8:15, ESV)

Jesus wants us to beware of being sucked in by false ideologies whether political or religious.

Don’t live in unbelief

And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” (Mark 8:23, ESV)

As Pastor Dennis has always taught us, Jesus had to lead the man out of the place of unbelief.

Don’t go back to a place of unbelief

And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.” (Mark 8:26, ESV)

Do not go back to the place of unbelief.

Who is Jesus?

And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” (Mark 8:29, ESV)

This is a crucial question for all mankind. The scriptures are clear, Jesus is the Messiah, God the Son incarnate, the one and only God-Man.

Set your mind on the things of God

But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” (Mark 8:33, ESV)

We must keep our minds set on things above, the eternal things of God’s kingdom, not the temporal things of this life.

The call to discipleship

And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (Mark 8:34, ESV)

This is the call to discipleship, we need to deny ourselves, acknowledge and take up our burden and set about following Jesus. The easy Christian life is not in the Bible.

Nothing

For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? (Mark 8:36, ESV)

The answer to this question is nothing.

What will you exchange

For what can a man give in return for his soul? (Mark 8:37, ESV)

Mankind has given many things in exchange for his soul, these include: honour amongst men, riches, comfort, pleasure.

Stand

For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38, ESV)

We must be bold in our stand for Jesus

Proverbs 3:13–22

Wisdom, more valuable than money

for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. (Proverbs 3:14, ESV)

Wisdom and understanding are better profit for our lives than money.

Understanding is precious

She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. (Proverbs 3:15, ESV)

Wisdom and understanding are precious, we should hold them dear.

The path to prosperity

Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. (Proverbs 3:16, ESV)

Wisdom will bring long life and riches, so get wisdom and riches and health will come in some way too and are clearly gained through the promise of eternal life in the world to come.

God’s scientific brilliance

The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; (Proverbs 3:19, ESV)

When God created the earth He did it with scientific brilliance which is why true science will cause men to glorify 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 8

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 11:9–12:33, Mark 7:14–8:10, Prov 3:6–12

Today’s Theme: Our Biggest Problem

Today’s theme points to our biggest problem, which is the self deception, pride and evil of our own hearts. We should listen to our elders, walk in honesty and work hard, not live in the pride and the selfishness of the human heart.

God doesn’t want us to be religious about superficial things like food. He wants us to live before Him in joy and holiness as He brings us true satisfaction through the new nature (heart) He gives us by the Holy Spirit.

1 Kings 11:9–12:33

Don’t turn from the Lord

And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice (1 Kings 11:9, ESV)

If we turn away from the Lord in our hearts, He will be angry with us, and justly so because He deserves our worship.

God’s judgement

Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, “Since this has been your practice and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and will give it to your servant. (1 Kings 11:11, ESV)

The split kingdom was a judgement from God. We should remember this when we consider the splitting and forming of nations.

Jerusalem a special place

However, I will not tear away all the kingdom, but I will give one tribe to your son, for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem that I have chosen.” (1 Kings 11:13, ESV)

Jerusalem is a very special place it is called the city that God chose. Places matter.

Don’t forsake the Lord

because they have forsaken me and worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Milcom the god of the Ammonites, and they have not walked in my ways, doing what is right in my sight and keeping my statutes and my rules, as David his father did. (1 Kings 11:33, ESV)

We will suffer loss and punishment if we forsake the Lord.

God keeps covenant

Yet to his son I will give one tribe, that David my servant may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem, the city where I have chosen to put my name. (1 Kings 11:36, ESV)

God would not forsake His covenant with David, it was an important one connected to Jesus Himself.

A conditional promise

And if you will listen to all that I command you, and will walk in my ways, and do what is right in my eyes by keeping my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did, I will be with you and will build you a sure house, as I built for David, and I will give Israel to you. (1 Kings 11:38, ESV)

Another conditional promise, it was Jeroboam’s for the taking. Live a life that meets the conditions.

Serve well

And they said to him, “If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them, and speak good words to them when you answer them, then they will be your servants forever.” (1 Kings 12:7, ESV)

These older men knew that the best way to win the hearts of men is to serve them well.

Don’t throw away the wisdom of your elders

But he abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him. (1 Kings 12:8, ESV)

It is as if he considered it and then threw it away.

Lord help us to listen to the wisdom of our elders and not our peers.

The Sovereignty of God

So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of affairs brought about by the Lord that he might fulfill his word, which the Lord spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat. (1 Kings 12:15, ESV)

God was sovereignly and providentially at work.

God’s plan

‘Thus says the Lord, You shall not go up or fight against your relatives the people of Israel. Every man return to his home, for this thing is from me.’ ” So they listened to the word of the Lord and went home again, according to the word of the Lord. (1 Kings 12:24, ESV)

The divided kingdom was in God’s plan, we should not fight against what God has ordained.

Ungodly pragmatism

So the king took counsel and made two calves of gold. And he said to the people, “You have gone up to Jerusalem long enough. Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” (1 Kings 12:28, ESV)

The spiritual death and destruction wrought by ungodly pragmatism.

Dangerous false ministers

He also made temples on high places and appointed priests from among all the people, who were not of the Levites. (1 Kings 12:31, ESV)

The danger of false ministry and false ministers.

Holy days?

He went up to the altar that he had made in Bethel on the fifteenth day in the eighth month, in the month that he had devised from his own heart. And he instituted a feast for the people of Israel and went up to the altar to make offerings. (1 Kings 12:33, ESV)

He literally made this date up as a holy day. This is the way of all world religions with their holy days and festivals.

Mark 7:14–8:10

It’s not about food

There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” (Mark 7:15, ESV)

Our words and actions coming from our own hearts defile us before God. It’s not the food we eat or don’t eat, that was just a sign and good healthy eating.

All food is permissible

since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) (Mark 7:19, ESV)

Yes we can eat pork and shellfish now, that doesn’t necessarily make them the healthiest options though!

Our biggest problem

For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” (Mark 7:21–23, ESV)

This is mans biggest problem, not demons, but the evil of his own heart.

Testing your humility

And he said to her, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.” (Mark 7:29, ESV)

I believe Jesus calling her a dog was a test of her humility which she passed. What insults or slights come your way which are really a test of your humility and meekness.

Jesus is Awesome

And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” (Mark 7:37, ESV)

Jesus is AWESOME!! There has never been and will never be anyone quite like Him.

The Church is loved

“I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. (Mark 8:2, ESV)

Jesus loves the church, there is a lot of talk against the church today but Jesus loves the church and died for the church (all those who would trust and believe in Jesus for salvation).

Jesus satisfies

And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. (Mark 8:8, ESV)

Jesus seeks to satisfy His people. You can find ultimate satisfaction in Jesus.

Proverbs 3:6–12

Always acknowledge God

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:6, ESV)

We need to acknowledge God in everything, even simple things like eating, driving or catching a train.

Turn from evil

Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. (Proverbs 3:7, ESV)

Lord please keep us form this self deception.

Every man is responsible for turning away from evil.

The healthy life

It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:8, ESV)

Fearing God and walking in repentance will literally make you healthier. It makes sense because you will not indulge in sins that rot the bones and the mind.

Your wealth!

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; (Proverbs 3:9, ESV)

All our money belongs to the Lord. We must honour Him with offerings and gifts as well as good stewardship and investment.

Don’t be weary of correction

for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:12, ESV)

We must not be weary of correction we need it to grow and be safe, God reproves us in love.

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 7

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

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

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

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 example 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

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