Tagged: Daily Reflection

“Let him who has ears to hear Me, hear!” –Mark 4:23 When you receive any revelation, blessing, encouragement, strength, or hope from reading the daily Scriptures and the commentary in this book, you must share what God has given you. “The gift you have received, give as a gift” (Mt 10:8). “In the measure you give you shall receive, and more besides” (Mk 4:24). The more you share from God’s Word, the more you will receive. If you don’t share what you receive, what little you “have will be taken away” (Mk 4:25). The Bible and even this book, One...

“The sower is sowing…the word.” –Mark 4:14 Modern agriculture sows seed very precisely. Along a row, seeds are planted with a specific spacing. In addition, rows are spaced apart horizontally. Thus the amount of seed necessary to plant a field can be calculated from the dimensions of the field. Using modern sowing techniques, seed is not wasted or over-sown. The farmer knows how many seed bags to buy, and can save his costs by not overbuying seed. This is not the sowing method that Jesus’ hearers used. They used the “broadcast” method of sowing. A sower went to the seedpile...

“Titus, my own true child…” –Titus 1:4 St. Titus the apostle is seen in the New Testament as one who brings peace and unity. Titus accompanied Paul to Jerusalem (Gal 2:1) when Paul had a council with the Jewish apostles for the purpose of submitting his preaching content “for their scrutiny” (Gal 2:2). Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles, and Titus, one of Paul’s Gentile converts to Christianity, was living proof of the fruit of Paul’s ministry (Gal 2:3). Titus’ living faith was a witness to the Jerusalem apostles, who stood united with Paul, approved him, and re-commissioned him...

“Saul for his part grew steadily more powerful.” –Acts 9:22 St. Paul is one of the greatest people in history. He was an apostle, the first missionary, a martyr, and a saint. He founded several churches and wrote much of the New Testament. His work and word continues to be a major influence in the world. The Lord’s work through Paul is so prodigious that most Christians may find it difficult to relate to him. However, Paul was as human as anyone. He considered himself to be the worst sinner (1 Tm 1:15). He was “an extreme case” (1 Tm...

“He came to Nazareth where He had been reared, and entering the synagogue on the sabbath as He was in the habit of doing, He stood up to do the reading.” –Luke 4:16 Jesus began His public ministry reading and proclaiming God’s Word. Ezra began a renewal of the Israelite nation by reading and teaching God’s Word from daybreak to midday (Neh 8:3, 8). We too can begin this year with an extensive time in God’s Word. Consider committing yourself to read and pray the Bible for an hour a day till the beginning of Lent. If this seems too...