Today I want to share something from each of the last three days of our Bible Reading Plan in Mark! Mark 12:24. Jesus said this in response to foolish questions by the religious leaders who were trying to trip Him up! Have you ever had unbelievers or unbelieving believers try to get you into a debate about Jesus and the Word? THIS is the answer Jesus gave them!
24 And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?
Jesus said that they were in error! Look at the Amplified Bible:
24 Jesus said to them, Is not this where you wander out of the way and go wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God?
AMP
These religious leaders had been raised with the Word of God being taught and yet they did NOT know the Word! In order to avoid being in their situation, we must obey 2 Timothy 2:15!
15 Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
KJV
Again, the Amplified Bible is very good here!
15 Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.
AMP
They COULD have been in this position where the Word of God is concerned! As leaders, they had greater access to the written Word of God than anyone else! Under our new and better Covenant, we ALL have access to the TRUTH (John 17:17)! GLORY to GOD! Make it your "determined purpose" that we spoke of yesterday and get to know Jesus, His Word and His power! The next idea I want to bring to your attention is covered in Mark 13:12.Jesus was speaking of the things that would be happening on the earth at the time of the end. THIS is going on right now. Do YOU recognize any particular group of people that this may apply to?
12 And brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; and children will take a stand against their parents and [have] them put to death.
AMP
There are so many different ways to identify this, but what comes to my thinking most clearly is the current rampant use of abortion as a means of convenience, with many times no thought whatsoever to the child that was created by these parents! The other is the also rampant use of sharia law within Islam that calls for the mutilation of women, so-called "honor" killing and other horrifying practices of those involved in this ungodly cult! Begun as a conglomeration of Judaism and Christianity, with other elements added, during the early 600s, Muhammad turned what began as a self-started religion, into a political entity and a military entity also. There is no mistaking that their continual goal is the take-over of the entire world for Islam! KNOW the Word of God so that you will not be taken in by false doctrine and false gospels! The last Truth I wanted to share, so that you can be aware, is found in Mark 14:37-38. Jesus was speaking to His disciples that He had taken with Him to pray in Gethsemane, specifically to Peter:
37 And He came back and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, Simon, are you asleep? Have you not the strength to keep awake and watch [with Me for] one hour? 38 Keep awake and watch and pray [constantly], that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. AMP
How do we get the weakness of the flesh changed by the willingness and perfection of our born again into the image of God spirits? 2 Timothy 2:15 above! STUDY! Otherwise, we are in danger of being one such as these whom Paul was speaking to in Hebrews 5:12-14:
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13 For every one that uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
KJV
Desire the meat of the Word of God so that you can become a DOER of that Word and be in position to help set others free! AMEN! Here is Hillsong United with "Tell The World":
Shalom in Him!