Mark 16:15-20 - An Unusual Text

Mark 16:15-20

And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved, but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues, they will pick up serpents and if they drink any deadly poison, it shall not hurt them, they will land hands on the sick, and they will recover." So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.

Message: An Unusual Text

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying: The end of Mark is disputed as to whether verses 9-20 were part of the gospel or were added on later. In verse 15, the words are recorded that Jesus is sending His disciples into the world to preach the world. The idea is very similar to Matthew 28:19-20 in which are relayed Jesus' final instructions to his people to do the same, "Go and make disciples."  

So what is this text saying? 

For one, something will have to the person that doesn't believe, "he who has disbelieved shall be condemned." This is a clear statement, but whether in the New Testament or Old Testament there has always been the message of those that are chosen and those that are not. The difference here in these verses is the idea that the chosen one's are not as much ordained by God but have a choice - they can believe or not believe. And yet throughout our Old Testament, even the words or actions of others is part of the plan of God. In our free will choices, God's sovereignty holds true. I still to this day wrestle with idea of free will as I don't understand if we really have it, if God works out our free will choices for His purposes. But I suppose that is another matter to ponder in another lesson. The point here is simply there are the "have's" and the "have not's." There are the saved and there are the condemned. To believe is to believe in the gospel or the good news. 

This gospel I think is more broad than it is narrow. It is the kingdom of God on earth and the kingdom of God one day in heaven. The bottom line is we preach these words of this text and try to hold true to those words and its meaning. Mark started his book by starting with "the beginning of the gospel" by announcing it's coming and in verse 14 Jesus preached the gospel saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel." Jesus gives actions - repent and believe. But once again the gospel is not clearly described. There is instead some idea that everything that Jesus says is the gospel. He will give us actions that we will need to do. 

Going back to this text here in March 16 at the end. After Jesus in these words differentiates people into those who believe and those who do not, he now speaks more directly about the fruit of those who believe - basically those that believe will carry out some actions that, in this day and age, are rather supernaturally: 

• in My name they will cast out demons
• they will speak with new tongues
• they will pick up serpents and if they drink any deadly poison, it shall not hurt them, 
• they will land hands on the sick, and they will recover

In other words, these believers will carry out some things that will clearly set them aside as believers. 

Thus, there are some supernatural events that will occur. God works and God will work through His people, for His glory. He will do supernatural things and His people will do them. 

We are followers. Yes. We make responses. Yes. But we also are commissioned to do great things in people's lives. As believers, we will do things that will catch people off guard. We will do things that for some will be great things people see and point people back to God and for others it will only give them reasons to disbelieve more. 

And this passage concludes with a more radical statement, "they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed." We are to go out and preach - everywhere. And as we do this, the Lord is with us and working with us in this preaching and supporting. Yes, he is in heaven, but he is still working. He is with us which means a part of Him must be present with us and to this we will say it is His spirit. And through this working, the words of the Gospel will be confirmed by the signs or the supernatural things we do. 

Look out for the supernatural. It will be in the believer's life. 

Prayer: O God, you are rich in mercy and love. And you want me to be your messenger. I believe and You work. You give me belief in You that is supernatural and in response you will do supernatural things through me. Forgive me God for wanting to only focus on the supernatural and give myself praise for when those events happen. Help me to see that they will happen as we have faith and trust in You. But no matter what keep me focused on preaching the gospel. Keep me focused and thanks for working for me and through me and helping me carry out these truths in our world. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Proverbs 10:31 - Speak Well Inside and Out

Proverbs 10:31

The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom,

But the perverted tongue will be cut out.

Message: Speak Well Inside and Out

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God.

What the Lord is Saying: Once again, this verse starts out in familiar territory with "the righteous." The overall goal in this chapter and in this book and in probably the entire Bible is to be righteous. It is the subject that I keep coming back to, especially in this book. The person who is righteous is walking and living their lives in a manner directed by God. This is living in right relationship with God, other people, and all creation. It seems reasonable to say that everyone on this earth agrees with two of these three parts - living with other people well and creation, but not everyone subscribes to the God part. But I do. 

And so this book and these verses continue to give us quick reminders of what the righteous person is all about and also helping us see what that person is not about. Yet, these are not commands, but rather descriptions of a person. It is written as outcomes or results. Thus, you be a righteous person and this will happen. I keep seeing this. I keep seeing who I am to be and who I am not to be. 

Here in this verse, I am to be a person that has a good mouth. I struggle with my mouth, not on good days or good situations or fun times, but I struggle when I just want a laugh and so may be sarcastic and/or hurt someone in the process — or I am in a selfish moment of wanting myself to be pleased. When my focus is on me, my mouth is a problem. 

The perverted tongue can reveal what is in someone’s heart. A tongue that speaks in an unwelcome manner will be cut off or cut down. 

Prayer: Lord, teach me to have a God honoring tongue and mouth. Cultivate in me a mouth that speaks well. My mom always said, "Speak less." But I notice it isn't only what comes out of me, but also what is inside of me, my self talk. Lord, I pray that this talk honors you as well. Lord, it is hard to speak words of honesty and critique. Sometimes I wonder how I am to be a person of correction. I suppose these verses are not saying that my words have to only be uplifting all of the time. And yet I know from my son that I don't need to be passive aggressive as that is a tendency with me as well, to hint at guilt when I speak. Show me the right way Spirit of God. Birth in me good words. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Proverbs 10:20 - Everyday Use

Proverbs 10:20

The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver. 

The heart of the wicked is worth little. 

Message: Everyday Use

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God. 

What the Lord is Saying: The contrast in this verse once again involves the tongue, but at least today it reflects on something good about the tongue, but only for the person that is righteous. In looking at the various translations, there are not many variations to this verse or different words. 

Righteous is an interesting word in our Bible. Here it is the Hebrew word saddiq. There are 206 occurrences of this word in the Old Testament. 133 of those are in Job, Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes with 66 of those in Proverbs. It and Psalms comprise most of the occurrences. It is translated as 'righteous' (162x), 'just' (42x), 'righteous man' (1x), 'lawful' (1x). 

The usage in the Bible is defined as:

• just, lawful, righteous
• just, righteous (in government)
• just, right (in one's cause)
• just, righteous (in conduct and character)
• righteous (as justified and vindicated by God)
• right, correct, lawful

I suppose I find this interesting. It describes man and God, at various times, as being righteous. 

I grabbed my Oxford Companion to the Bible and it says its basic meaning is of someone or something proven true, especially in a legal context. Not simply true, but proven true. Perhaps someone that has been tested and through that process has shown to be true. There are different meanings based upon the context. It says that for ordinary people, it means treating one's neighbor as a covenant partner, neither oppressing nor being oppressed. For everyone it means keeping God's will as conveyed in the Torah (Deut. 6:25). 

Those are only a few thoughts on this word and its meaning. Here in this verse of proverbs, the tongue of the righteous is extolled or lifted up as being of choice silver. The tongue shines. Our tongue is meant to shine. Our words are meant to be pleasing to the eye. Gold and silver are the most commodity uses in the Bible for currency. Gold for larger purchases and silver for everyday, common purchases. Thus, the tongue here of the righteous is the everyday use or the common use. It is how we use our mouth each and every day, our customary and everyday life.

In contrast, the heart of the wicked is worth little. The comparison here is between the heart and the tongue. Heart is used 593 times in the Old Testament.  It is used (figuratively, like the tongue) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything. The feelings of the wicked, the will of the wicked and even the intellect of the wicked - these are all worthless. 

Words like tongue and heart, and even wicked and righteous or succinct words that have a wide range of meanings. Thus, this proverb, like many other proverbs cover a wide range of applications. 

People don’t aspire for things of little worth or value. So we need to be about things that are valuable. We need to work towards proving ourselves as people of truth.

Prayer: Oh, God, help me to be an every day person of truth. I want my life to be proven true. Clean me from the inside/out each and every day. I ask that in my every day living I would honor you with my words, thoughts, care, concern, and even feelings. I want to be worthy of my calling as a Christ-follower.  

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Mark 16:17-18 - Apostolic Signs and Wonders

Mark 16:17-18
17 These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Message: Apostolic Signs and Wonders

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus has been crucified but now He lives. He died on Friday and rose on Sunday, appearing first to Mary Magdalene, then 2 disciples followed by the rest of the disciples (minus Thomas) and in the process He reproves the disciples. They were not trusting that He had appeared to others. They trusted only in themselves and He corrects them in this but then He also commissions them to Go and preach the Gospel. This gospel message is believing (in Him) followed by baptism. If one does not believe He will be condemned.

Lord, continue to help me unpack the truths of this message that You are giving to me as I read Your word. The message of the gospel is interwoven in this book and even today it has meaning to people's lives. Help me to know how to communicate that to others. Lord, I don't want to just have an internal understanding and book knowledge, but want to be able to pass this onto others. Not so we just all live successful lives, but saved lives. Thank you for saving my wife, my son, my daughter and her husband and continue to work in my youngest son's life to bring him (and his girlfriend) to salvation. Lord, they need You and need You to be their light.

Jesus is speaking here and he continues to deliver a message to His disciples. He last specifically spoke to them at the Passover and the breaking of bread and drinking of wine as His body, His blood. He has declared that His body has been broken and blood spilled for them. He became the Lamb of God before their eyes. He tells them to preach the gospel and then also tells them this means believing.

It has been clear that His message to His disciples has never simply been a message of gaining information but it has always been about being ministers of the Gospel. We are not placed on this earth simply to gain a different understanding from our peers, but to serve our peers and minister to them. Jesus will now say some radical things about people carrying on His message and doing things in His name. These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” The radical look at things that He communicates - cast out demons, speak with new tongues, pick up serpents, drink deadly, lay hands on the sick -- sort of baffles us. On one hand we don't see some of these practices in our world today. Are we supposed to see them exactly as they are said by Jesus or is Jesus rather simply telling us that people will do radical things when they place their faith in Jesus and believe.

As I unpack these words from Jesus and try to figure out what He means, I recognize that in my life as a Christian I have been somewhat trained that these seemingly supernatural situations in the life of a believer do not occur today. They occurred with frequency during the time of the life of the apostles, from the death of Jesus and His commission to them in AD 33 to the time of the last apostles death around AD 100. But, since then they do not occur. Yet, many say they do occur and many ministries have capitalized on this and have a great following because of believing this ongoing ministry.

At first I see that Jesus does say there will be signs that accompany a believer. There are clear evidences therefore of a person that believes and follows Christ. He states clearly that not simply the disciples but believers will cast out demons, speak with new tongues, pick up serpents, lay hands on the sick and the sick will recover. The idea about drinking deadly poison and it not hurting them is an option rather than an prescribed thing. But, to me it also says that they naturally follow in the life of a believer. It is not a manufactured thing. Obviously, I think we must be careful in feeling like these exact things will follow in the life of a believer. My life has not exhibited these things, that I am aware of, but I also don't know the extent of my prayers in laying hands on the sick. Perhaps signs and wonders were needed more at this time of history.

So I'm not quick to necessarily write all of these things off, but I'm still, as a 51 year old man, and a follower of Christ since I was 1 month prior of my 15th birthday, trying to understand what this means to this day. Some clearly have these convictions so I pray for wisdom in not quickly judging them.

Summary - Jesus continues with His people to the disciples and after telling them to go and preach the gospel and that believing results in baptism and not believing, condemnation. He now passes onto them the idea that the believer in Christ is able to do things not previously done in that person's life. Believing in Christ changes us. Now people clearly did radical things then, but does this same practice follow today? I am not sure. The evidence would seem to be - no.

Promise: Signs accompany the believers life. Great things will follow the believer in life. The extent and variety of those signs is uncertain to me. But, I believe in Him.

Prayer: Lord, I pray for your understanding of these words. What is important to me is that a new life in Christ is simply that - a new life in Christ. Continue to train me in being Godly and serving others, for it is clear to me that ministering to others is what you are showing a new believer's life is about.

Mark 7:5-8 - Prophetic and Apostolic Tradition

Mark 7:5-8
⁵ The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?” ⁶ And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:

‘This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far away from Me.
⁷ ‘But in vain do they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’

⁸ Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.”

Message: Prophetic and Apostolic Tradition

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - In Mark 1:15 are the words from Jesus - The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel. Jesus initially calls a few to be his disciples and later expands it to 12. He will send out his disciples to speak this message of the kingdom of God. Along the way, Jesus performs many different types of miracles: physical healings, spiritual healings such as forgiveness, power over nature. There is the clear testimony of His power throughout these pages as He shares his message with the masses but also intimately with his disciples showing always his reliance on God and the power of God in people's lives. Jesus has become very popular in this area as many are coming to him to experience Him, to experience God. At the beginning of Chapter 7, Mark pauses a moment in his gospel to bring attention to the Pharisees and their attack on Jesus for doing things that are contrary to the laws and traditions they have followed. Jesus permits his disciples to eat without clean hands. 

As I saw in my reading at the beginning of Chapter 7, the Pharisees are following Jesus around, perhaps checking on him, but also disapproving of his actions. Mark mentions how one attack was related to not following traditions, not necessarily the Moses law, but traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation through the rabbi's. I think of faiths that have traditions like these, such as abstaining from caffeine or other types of abstinence issues. Thus, the Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?” Jesus uses this as an opportunity, hopefully to go beyond the mere act of washing one's hands prior to eating, which isn't a bad thing and something that is still encouraged to this day, to focus on the "why" of what we do. 

And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:

‘This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far away from Me.
But in vain do they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’

Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.

The concern by Jesus here is that the Pharisees are going to great lengths to purify themselves outwardly in hopes that this rituals would make themselves acceptable to God. If they kept enough rules, thus sacrificing one's own desires, then through the rule keeping they would be set apart as worth unto God. And this is chiefly what Jesus is counteracting in his message. Paul sums it up well in Romans 2:28-29 - A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God. Obviously, at this point Romans had not yet been written so Jesus brings us back to the words of Isaiah in 29:13 which conveys the same idea that simply speaking or doing something outward is not what Jesus is looking for, but rather a change of heart. 

In addition, the commandment of God comes to us from the written word of God. It is this word that we must hold onto....and nothing else. Nothing overrides the written word of God.

Summary - Jesus is speaking of the importance of a heart change. I don't think he is diminishing the importance of keeping oneself clean, but he is emphasizing that we all need to make sure that we don't get caught up in rules and outward appearances and forget the real issue is the motive of one's own heart.

Promise: We must not change Scripture to make it fit our man-made traditions.

Prayer: Lord, Jesus, help me to focus on what is on the inside. Yes, the outward matters and I knew my best to exemplify in my life the best in my obedience, but overall, I need to focus on the inside. This is where evil resides and can outpour evil onto my life. 

Proverbs 6:16-17 - Three Things the Lord Hates

Proverbs 6:16-17
¹⁶ There are six things which the Lord hates,
Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:
¹⁷ Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood,

Promise: Three Things the Lord Hates

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying: 

This is interesting. Obviously, Solomon seems to be speaking to a group of people, reminding them of what God hates. Chapter 6 has been summarizes as parental counsel. It is interesting, it starts with son being snared by the words of your mouth. Be on guard for what your mouth can lead you to do. We need to careful with our words. And then there is a warning to the sluggard and the speaker brings up the ant. How in some ways humiliating that he looks at the smallest creature whereby a baby's footprint could smash it and yet he looks to that creature as an example for hard work. The ant keeps working, no matter the obstacles, the ant is working. The ant is either working or sleeping. Get up. Stop just sleeping. Wake up and get busy. Then, he addresses one with a perverse mouth. This person is a wicked man, a worthless person. This chapter is shaping up to be a chapter about the mouth.

Then he emphasizes 6 things the Lord hates, but it's not just six, it's seven. This isn't a new section, just a new subject. He is continuing his counsel.

And today i look at the first three:

• Haughty eyes - This is thinking more highly of myself than I ought. At the start of the day, I must understand who I am. I am a child of God. I am a child. He is God. He is my father. I am not to think more of myself than is necessary. This doesn't have anything to do with self-esteem which is believing in myself. I have no reason to not believe in myself because God loves me and I am his child. I have confidence in who I am, for sure, but here I am simply realizing that God is always in charge. I need to be careful that I don't put to much credence on my own work, thinking that I control outcomes. I surrender to God and he is in charge. This is the opposite of the fear of God. It is being humble. I can definitely say, "I can do this" but not "I'm good." Only God is good and I can do this because God is on my side. This pride is the beginning of all other sins. The only reason I disobey God's commands is because I think I can. I want it my way. And my eyes are the giveaway. In Ephesians 4:2, Paul begins with a list of virtues and he begins with "Humility" or the opposite of pride.  
• Lying tongue - The speaker now mentions the tongue. After beginning with pride, the beginning of all other sins, he mentions once again the tongue. Earlier, at the beginning of this chapter was a warning about being snared by the words of our mouth. But, lying wasn't the focus there, but rather it was more being careful about our words and those words getting ourselves in trouble. And then there was a warning about having a perverse mouth. Once again, the mouth is ugly and can degrade people, belittle them. Those were warnings about the mouth. And now, he addresses a lying tongue. Jesus is the Truth. If I speak untruth then I am in opposition to God and I show no regard for God's character. Lying harms me and it can harm other people. I admit, I have struggling with lying most of my life. I really struggled with it as a kid, all growing and through college. I can remember specific ways that I lied. I felt it necessary to just tweak the truth. I wanted people to see me a little better so I changed words. Its horrible. I didn't trust that the person God had made was really good enough to present themselves before others. The reason I am a liar is because I practice lying.
• Shedding of innocent blood - It is one thing to have pride and to think that your way is always the better way, but to then carry out the act and take away the life of another. The horrible thing I see about abortion is a person deciding which life is more important. A choice was made to have sex and now people are deciding the result needs to be removed. This verse speaks of innocent blood. It is not speaking of war, but is speaking of taking someone's life when they haven't done anything wrong. As I read the paper and hear of bombings and slayings and murders, repeatedly there are innocent lives being hurt. This 23 year old boy that went to a bible study and then opened fire on those there is someone thinking that he must decided who is worth keeping around. It's just not that far from abortion. We stare at this young man and give him the death penalty while the potential money is told, she had every right to make that choice. Are not both parties innocent?

Promise: Be careful about my thoughts, my mouth, and thinking I am in control.

My Prayer: Lord, help me to be guided by your truths. On my own, I am selfish and think I know what is best for me. Keep me centered on You, truly humble, and understanding that I am your child at all times. I can never get away from you nor do I want to. Guard me from haughty, prideful eyes, that think I know what is best. And forgive me for my lying tongue, for not trusting in the person you have made in me. And forgive us as a society for the taking of innocent lives.

Ecclesiastes 5:1-3 - Measured Speech

Ecclesiastes 5:1-3

Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil. Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few. For the dream comes through much effort and the voice of a fool through many words.

Message: Measured speech

Time: Solomon's authorship is not stated. Solomon's reign as king of Israel lasted from around 970 B.C. to around 930 B.C. The Book of Ecclesiastes was likely written towards the end of his reign, approximately 935 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

I have always enjoyed the Phillips Craig and Dean song, "Let My words be few." Fernando Ortega also has a song, "Let the Words of My Mouth" based upon Psalm 19:14 and Philippians 4:8. 

Let the words of my mouth

Be pleasing to You, pleasing to You

The meditation of my heart 

Be pleasing to you, pleasing to You 

Oh Lord, my strength and my Redeemer 

Whatever is true 

Whatever is pure 

Whatever is lovely 

Whatever is worthy 

Think on these things 

Think on these things 

Let the words of my mouth 

Be pleasing to You Pleasing to You

That is what I think of as I open up and read these words and think about my speech. With my staff last week, in our weekly meeting, we talked about kindness. It reminded me how ill my words are often. I even found myself speaking ill of my wife and had to apologize to her as my response was not at all kind. 

Entering His Courts

As we enter the House of God, may our words be few and our ears be wide open. Our focus needs to be more on listening than on speaking. I appreciate this so much about our church for the focus is supremely on worship and knowing God through Song and His message. But, it's not simply that, it's confessing sin and rejoicing in God's grace. Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil.

Isn't that interesting that fools do not know they are doing evil. They may even offer gifts 

Think before Speaking

Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few. Do not hasten with your mouth, weigh your words, think much, speak little. 

For the dream comes through much effort and the voice of a fool through many words. Dreams are generally about the business of the day, multiple words evidence a foolish heart. 

Promise: Be purposeful about what I say. 

Proverbs 16:1 - Sovereign over our Speech

Proverbs 16:1 - The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

Message: Sovereign over our Speech

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

God's sovereign work has always been a tough concept for me to grasp. I wonder how much is man's responsibility and how much is God's. I approach it as an either/or idea. But, is it all or nothing or is there a different way to understand it? If God is completely sovereign and has ordained everything, down to the tiniest detail then man does not have free will and man's choices do not really matter. If this were the case, I think there would be no need for any commands from God, in the Bible. Why would he command us to do something if the outcome of our choices is already predetermined? Yes, this is an interesting question. 

I believe that the Holy Bible is complete and everything in it is there for a reason and everything in it is written for me. And so as I read it, I need to be thinking about how it applies to me and what it means to me. The biblical authors convey peoples thoughts, feelings, and their actions and their reasons for them. And the Biblical authors also convey God's thoughts and actions. They do coexist. The difficulty I have always seen is to what degree do they coexist. It is like there is a perfect explanation I am waiting for. So the authors put forth that man is fully responsible for his actions and yet that the Lord's way is comprehensive and he establishes everything that ever happens. 

This verse in Proverbs 16 expresses those two ideals. In the first half of the verse, "the plans of the heart belong to man." Man makes plans. He sets out a course for what he wants to do, needs to do, would like to do. I get up in the morning, I think about my day and I think about how my day will be ordered. I think about what I will work on during that day. Will I clean the garage or sit on the couch? Will I kiss my wife or not? Will I praise my kids or not see a reason to praise them and say nothing? Throughout the day I am making decisions, I am making plans. Right now, I had a choice, to read the Word, think about, ponder it or I could have simply gone outside to work or into the garage to work. But, I chose to start my day in God's word because I want to connect with God and learn from Him and meet Him. 

But then the 2nd half of the verse hits me, "the answer of the tongue is from the Lord." There is not simply a plan, there is also an answer. There is a result. There is an outcome. These outcomes fit into his will. This is the reality. God has a will. He has an outcome. He has a result. 

And this is my conclusion: I do not know how those two ideas co-exist. They do. Paul teaches that He "works all things according to the counsel of his will." Paul says, "All things work together for good." I studied Ecclesiastes 3 to see that there is time for events under the sun. These times will happen. God wants me to enjoy myself, but also recognize that he is in control. There was the study of Proverbs 21:1 - The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes. God moves, but man remains accountable. The Bible is clear that God listens to our prayers (I will say of late I have been thinking more about how I am to pray and what words I am to use). In October I looked at this verse from Proverbs 16 as well, "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord." There is the same idea. Man makes a choice, but its outcome if from the Lord. 

All I know is I must keep going. I must keep studying God and His word. I must keep trying to improve my ways and work on my life. God has given me the Holy Spirit to help me in my life. I must continue to get to know God and live for Him. And through it all, through all of the circumstances, God is in charge of the outcomes and results of my life. He understand why it all works together the way it does. He knows why my family can have great times together and then why my son fails a class at school. He keeps me safe and yet when someone or something dies and is no longer in my life, I can still trust Him. This is His world. I am His vessel in His world. I am here for Him.

Promise: At the end of every decision, every plan, every outcome, I look to heaven and I say, "This is your outcome. Teach me to accept it and trust You through it and show me what my response to your outcome should be. My desire is to glorify You in this world.

Psalm 119:9-16 - God's Word In the Heart

Psalm 119:9-16
⁹  How can a young man keep his way pure?
    By guarding it according to your word.
¹⁰ With my whole heart I seek you;
    let me not wander from your commandments!
¹¹ I have stored up your word in my heart,
    that I might not sin against you.
¹² Blessed are you, O Lord;
    teach me your statutes!
¹³ With my lips I declare
    all the rules of your mouth.
¹⁴ In the way of your testimonies I delight
    as much as in all riches.
¹⁵ I will meditate on your precepts
    and fix my eyes on your ways.
¹⁶ I will delight in your statutes;
    I will not forget your word.

Message: God's Word in the Heart

Time: The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

Background
In beginning to read Psalm 119 yesterday, I felt like the first 4 verses were sort of different than what began in verse 5. From verse 5 on, it seems to be a prayer. The first 4 verses were more of a declaration that we need to have a perspective or an orientation to walking a blameless way, walking and keeping the law of the Lord, seeking Him with our whole heart, acknowledging that God has asked us to keep diligently His commands. This is who I am in Christ. This is my position before the Lord. The Lord calls me, I answer, and my life is to be lived in purpose to Him and His commands. And then I discover that while I thought at first it was primarily about being secure with God forever for eternity, as He learn and walk in His ways I discover this is the only way to live in peace. Suddenly, there is a freedom in Christ.  

Here is verse 9 continues the prayer. 

A young man ponders his future (v. 9)
Looking at verse 9, I see a statement and then a man confessing to the Lord a desire. "How can a young man keep his way pure?" I think sometimes I have forgotten what it is to be a young man. Young men are specially exposed to temptation. As a young man, principles are still being established in their lives. The young man is pondering the question, "How can I be saved from the corruption of my own heart, and escape the temptations to which I am exposed to in my early years and lead a pure and upright life?" 

But, I also see that maybe this question is not even being asked. I think at its most rudimentary level the Christian is actually always asking or should be asking himself questions. As life is lived in the world and an engagement occurs with the world and its ways, are we asking questions? Or are people just living? I think what I see often is there is simply a going through the motions of life which occurs. Acceptance and belonging are so important in those early years. So the ambition is not necessarily purity, but instead it is belonging to another. So, the young person needs to ask the question and even be reminded that seeking purity is important. 

The answer to this question is to take heed and guard themselves according to God's word. And yet this may still be the question. The Hebrew of this phrase is "to keep according to thy word." And so the second phrase is not the answer yet, but instead a continuation of the question, so "how can a young man keep his way pure, guarding it according to your word?" But, the answer would still be for the young man to guard his life according to God's word. It is true that life needs to be anchored by God's words. 

With my whole heart I seek you (v. 10)
Yet, I see something a little different in verse 10 if the entirety of verse 9 is the question. Verse 10 begins with the statement, "With my whole heart I seek you." 

It is interesting, one of the major turning points, I believe, in my marriage, has been to really hone in and live out that little principle from Paul in Ephesians, "Husbands, love your wives (Ephesians 5:25)." I tried so hard over the years to find ways to fix my problems, setting up accountability partners, making sure I am not in compromising situations, reading and memorizing God's word. I do think all of these things are good and needed and necessary, but it wasn't until I really focused in on the idea of "loving my wife" that then those things made sense and worked. But, it started with having a love for my wife. 

And here in this verse 10 is the phrase, "With my whole heart I seek you." As the psalmist writes those words, "according to your word," the word he speaks of, at that time, consisted of what? Not sure, but it definitely wasn't much. It was mostly words to Moses. At this time, the Word was still evolving and would for hundreds of years. And yet their were basic tenets that were clear. 

I think what is important is to read verse 9 and 10 together. Yes, we are to start with seeking the Lord with my whole heart. It is because I have a desire to be pure, but it is in the context of God's word. Those must stand interconnected and not be separated. People in life, over time, will definitely see each of those at different times and in seeking them they will think they have achieved it all, but they all must stay connected. 

I notice in society right now that Love becomes the highest ideal, but Love is only truly love in the context of recognizing Who created it. Just because I feel love and feel a belonging doesn't mean it is correct. It must be in the context of God and His word. I am not to wander from His commandments. 

I think one of the big applications of this right now in society is the homosexual relationship. The focus is on love and two people loving each other and that becomes the highest good. Then, after that is achieved, then they try to bring the Bible into it. The bottom line is homosexuality is not consistent with biblical teaching. From Adam and Eve, to even Jesus, the assumption in relationship talk is a man and woman, a husband and wife. What homosexuals do is begin with premise of love and then try to define the Bible around it. The context of these verses is to start with a desire for purity, base it on the commands of God and then seek Him with our whole heart. 

Treasured God's Word (v. 11)
This is a great verse, "I have stored up your word in my heart." God's utterances or His words are the treasure in my life. It is deposited into my heart. I work hard and earn money and then money allows me to buy things I need. I work and build up mini-treasures that allow me to live. This is the idea, God's word is our treasure. 

And these words, treasured or stored in my heart, are there to keep me from sinning. I should be a changed person with God's words close to me. 

Teach me (v. 12)
What has happened? I have yielded to you Lord. I do not want to wander. Your word is stored up in my heart. Now, teach me. Make me more and more acquainted. 

My lips declare (v. 13)
This is not an inward, personal, practice of following God's commands and sticking to His ways. This is something my lips will declare. My mouth makes known to others the change that has occurred. I do not simply study God's word to be personally well versed, but my zeal is to show other people. It is to help others see and know God's truth.

I delight in God's laws (v. 14)
This is not a toil or a burden, but this is my delight. I love having things and buying things and filling my lot, but in the ways of God I delight, as much as in all riches. 

Mediate (v. 15)
You words will I meditate on and fix my eyes on. 

Not forget (v.16)
I will not forget. This will not be a momentary thing in my life. The world will try to crowd my thinking with other things. But, I will not let it happen.  

Promise: The Bible is not simply stored in our lives and homes. It is studied, it is meditated on, it is my delight, my treasure, it is taught, my lips speak of it, I never forget it.  

Jesus Calling: August 3

Watch your words diligently. Words have such great power to bless or to wound. When you speak carelessly or negatively, you damage others as well as yourself. This ability to verbalize is an awesome privilege, granted only to those I created in My image. You need help in wielding this mighty power responsibly.
     Though the world applauds quick-witted retorts, My instructions about communication are quite different: Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Ask My Spirit to help you whenever you speak. I have trained you to pray--"Help me, Holy Spirit"--before answering the phone, and you have seen the benefits of this discipline. Simply apply the same discipline to communicating with people around you. If they are silent, pray before speaking to them. If they are talking, pray before responding. These are split-second prayers, but they put you in touch with My Presence. In this way, your speaking comes under the control of My Spirit. As positive speech patterns replace your negative ones, the increase in your Joy will amaze you.

Proverbs 12:18
English Standard Version
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
   but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

James 1:19
English Standard Version  
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
 
Ephesians 4:29 
English Standard Version 
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

My Prayer
Lord, forgive me for my words, both spoken and unspoken. They can jab, sting, and smack those in my life, even people I love and keep close to me. Let my words be few, but when spoken they honor and glorify You. Help me, Holy Spirit. Lord, give me the power and strength each day to retrain myself to commit my Words to You each day. I want my words to be pleasing to people. Help me, Holy Spirit, for I am weak.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Romans 3:12-14 - The Mouths of Sinners

Romans 3:12-14 -
12 All have turned aside, together they have become useless;
There is none who does good,
There is not even one.”
13 “Their throat is an open grave,
With their tongues they keep deceiving,”
“The poison of asps is under their lips”;
14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness”;

Message: The first evil attribute: our tongue

Time: Paul probably wrote Romans between A.D. 57-58 while he was at Corinth in the home of his friend and convert Gaius. He planned to go first to Jerusalem to deliver a gift of money from the Gentile churches to the poor in Jerusalem. Then he hoped to visit Rome on his way to Spain. His hopes were later realized, but not as he had expected. When he finally arrived in Rome in early A.D. 60, he was a prisoner under house arrest (Acts 28:11-31).

What the Lord is Saying:

Reminder of Man's Depravity and Turning away from God
In Romans 1, Paul described the rejection of God by people. It was a process though. People start by not giving thanks to God (1:21) and then exchange God for something or anything else (1:22) and suddenly what people want is not God but their own desires, to the point that they are really in life serving their own needs (1:23-24). And then they reject God's intention and replace it with something else.

As I read these verses, I'm reminded of that description Paul has already given his readers of man's awareness of God and then rebellion. And yet that awareness is something God gave man. He gave man the knowledge of Him (1:19). God is evident within us.

Verse 12
The reality of these verses, is that on our own, there is none righteous. There is none who understands. None who seeks for God. And now in verse 12, we see that all have turned or bent themselves away from God. We have a bent, away from God. Like what was presented of the gentile in chapter 1, and so each of us needs to have more compassion on the lost. 

Moses, David, Isaiah, Jonah -- God reveals himself and the first thing we do is turn away.

We "become useless." This is the picture of rotten fruit. What a horrible verdict on man. And "none does good."

How quickly do I sometimes walk in to church and just start singing about the greatness of God without first reviewing the reality that I don't seek after God, understand Him, have turned from Him, and don't do any good apart from Him. Would by heart and voice be more impassioned if I began with that understand? I need to start with the idea that I am utterly offensive.

Verse 13
Psalm 5:9, "There is nothing reliable in what they say; Their inward part is destruction itself. Their throat is an open grave; They flatter with their tongue." What a horrible prognosis on mankind. Our throat reeks of death. Our speech threatens death. With our words, we push people into an open grave.

With our tongue, we keep deceiving. We lure people away from what is true. Deception is presenting a lie as truth. And this isn't a one time thing, but it is continuous in that we keep on doing it.

These are tough words about the tongue. The grave, deception, and poison. When a snake plants it's venom in a person, their is a quick need to cut it away. Asps refers to a bag of poison under the lips.

Verse 14
Cursing and bitterness. Cursing is blaming God or profanity. Bitterness is reproaching God because of the way He has run your life. Again, our first inclination is not to thank God, but to say to him, "why me?" Blasphemy is a frivolous use of God's holy name. Cursing is a declaration that God is to blame. Bitterness is all to common in my life as I look at the blessing of another and then look at me and say, "Why me?"


Promise: From Tabletalk: We do not serve God with the strength or focus that we ought, and if the standard by which one is declared righteous before Him is perfection, then outside of Christ we are indeed worthless servants of the Lord. Human beings are not born into a natural state of being on "God's side."

Jesus Calling: January 28

I AM with you always. These were the last words I spoke before ascending into heaven. I continue to proclaim this promise to all who will listen. People respond to My continual Presence in various ways. Most Christians accept this teaching as truth but ignore it in their daily living. Some ill-taught or wounded believers fear (and may even resent) My awareness of all they do, and think. A few people center their lives around this glorious promise and find themselves blessed beyond all expectations. 

When My Presence is the focal point of your consciousness, all the pieces of your life fall into place. As you gaze at Me through the eyes of your heart, you can see the world around you from My perspective. The fact that I am with you makes every moment of your life meaningful. 

Matthew 28:20

English Standard Version (ESV)

teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Psalm 139:1-4

English Standard Version (ESV)

 O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from afar.
 You search out my path and my lying down
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
    behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.

My Prayer
Lord, what a great reminder that You are with me always. How quickly I think that I'm living life on my own and having to will myself through life on my own. Lord, keep me on that high road, trusting you all the time, with my circumstances below. I think of Psalm 23 and that first line, "The Lord is My Shepherd, I shall not want." With you by my side and always with me, I can trust my life because it is in your hands. This doesn't mean the circumstances of life will always make sense to me, but I can trust you still. You have shown yourself to be faithful.

Lord, as I read or hear Your Word, I pray that it becomes a part of my life and not just head knowledge.

Help me to live in Your presence. I want to see life through Your perspective.

You know me Lord. You search Me and know Me and You are acquainted with all my ways. You know my thoughts and my days activities. How often do I pretend that you are not there.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.