Verse of the Day 2/24

Verse of the Day 2/24

Mark 4:23-24    If you understand what I'm saying, you need to respond!"

²⁴ Then he said to them, "Be diligent to understand the meaning behind everything you hear, for as you do, more understanding will be given to you. And according to the depth of your longing to understand, much more will be added to you.    The Passion Translation (TPT)

Our men's Bible study group will be starting a new study in the book of Mark tomorrow.  As it happens, the read through the New Testament plan that I'm reading is currently in Mark and today's verses were from this morning's reading.  What caught my attention this morning was the first sentence and where it is stated "you need to respond."  That is how it is with any Bible study.  We aren't just to take it in as a spiritual "hoarder", we are to use it, share it, pass it on in our every day lives.   The shape or form of that "sharing" can vary.  It may be in conversations with family or co-workers or it could be something like these posts, it is up to you to decide as the Spirit leads you.

These thoughts are in keeping with the short parable of the lamp.  To keep what we learn to ourselves is to keep it hidden, in reality to hoard it for ourselves.  To share it is to share to spread the joy as light in dark places.

I read the following quote in "Tabletalk's" weekend devotional.   "Let's strive to take something from our personal study of scripture and weaponize it.  Let us find someone and boldly and graciously hand them truth.  Can we get in the habit of giving out what we have learned in our quiet time to others?  Who would we rather look like, a hoarder or a proclaimer and giver of God's precious truth?"

As you go to worship service today or as you read/study your Bible "be diligent to understand" what you hear and read but don't stop there; share it with someone.

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Mark 4:21-25 English Standard Version (ESV)

A Lamp Under a Basket

²¹ And he said to them, "Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? ²² For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. ²³ If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." ²⁴ 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. ²⁵ For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away."