DAILY DEVOTIONALS: 2.10.24

 ACertain Young Man “And they all forsook him, and fled. And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth castabout his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.” (Mark14:50-52) This “certain young man” is mentioned only in Mark’s gospel and was almost certainly John Mark himself. A rather obscure character in the New Testament, yet the Lord chose him to write what is probably the earliest of the gospel records of the life of Christ.If so, his account of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ is the first record we have of the most important events in all history. Mark’s family (Acts12:12) apparently was prosperous enough to own a home in Jerusalem with a large upper room where the disciples (even 120 of them, Acts 1:14-15) could meet for prayer after the resurrection. This was possibly the same “large upper room furnished and prepared” (Mark14:15) where the Lord’s last supper took place. Note that Mark’s account says, “And in the evening he cometh [not ‘goeth’] with the twelve” (v. 17). Thus, Mark—probably as a teenager—was very likely an intensely interested observer of all the moving events that took place in the upper room both before and after the crucifixion and resurrection. He may well have overheard the conversation with and about Judas, and then watched as the disciples went out to Gethsemane. Perhaps Judas returned with the soldiers, and Mark, already in bed, grabbed a “linen cloth” and rushed out to warn Jesus. The soldiersfound Jesus first, however, and Mark had to watch the disciples flee, and then finally had to flee himself. In any case, this close proximity to these great events made such a profound impression on him that he was later led to write about them, very probably working closely with Peter (1Peter 5:13), and Mark’s gospel was the result. HMM -------------------- Beforethe World Began “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.” (Titus1:2) There are some things that God, even in His omnipotence, cannot do. He cannot fail in His ultimate purpose in creation, for one thing. He cannot do wrong or be wrong, for what He does is right and what He says is true, by definition. And God cannot lie, sowhatever He has promised, He will perform. One of His most glorious promises is that of eternal life, for this promise was made even before He made the world, including space and time. But how could anything take place before time began? The same word is used in 2 Timothy 1:9: “his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” Similarly, Romans 16:25 speaks of “the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret since the world began.” Our very minds are locked in space and time, and therefore we cannot even conceive of anything “beyond” space or “before” time. Nevertheless, God is the Creator, and even “the worlds [that is, the aeons, the space/times] were framed by the word of God” (Hebrews11:3). He created time and space and all the phenomena that exist in time and space, and the fact that we cannot comprehend this simply confirms the Scriptures. “Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him?” (Isaiah40:13). “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it” (Psalm139:6). But what we cannot understand, we simply believe, for God cannot lie. Even though the worlds had a beginning, and our lives each had a beginning, the world will never end, and our lives will never end, for God will never end! We receive, by faith,His immutable promise of everlasting life, given us in Christ Jesus, according to His own purpose and infinite grace, before the world began. HMM ------------------------- TheMind of Christ “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.” (1Corinthians 2:16) The mind of the natural man is “a reprobate mind” (Romans1:28), a “carnal mind” (Romans8:7), and a “defiled” mind (Titus1:15), characterized by a daily walk “in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart” (Ephesians4:17-18). When a person is born again through faith in Christ, however, he should be “transformed by the renewing of [his] mind” (Romans12:2) and should henceforth seek to conform to the mind of Christ in every attitude and every decision. But what is the mind of Christ? As our text says, “Who hath known the mind of the Lord?” Paul echoed the same question to the Romans: “For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counselor?” (Romans11:34). There are many aspects to His infinite mind, of course, but the key is undoubtedly the great attribute of sacrificial love. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who...became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians2:5-6, 8). Thus, following His example, we should “in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (Philippians2:3). We should constantly “consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest [we] be wearied and faint in [our] minds” (Hebrews12:3). We should receive “the word with all readiness of mind” and serve “the Lord with all humility of mind” (Acts17:11; 20:19). Herein is the mind of Christ. HMM ----------------------- OurAdversary, the Devil “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whomhe may devour.” (1Peter 5:8) This grave warning concerning the devil was given not only to young Christians, easily subject to temptations, but also to “the elders which are among you” (v. 1). It often seems, in fact, that Satan’s greatest victories are won when he can cause the fall ofa Christian leader, thereby not only destroying that leader’s influence for Christ but also giving “great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme” (2Samuel 12:14). The devil is a roaring lion, but he doesn’t come as such. If he did, the intended victim would flee. He is, above all, the one “which deceiveth the whole world” (Revelation12:9), “transformed into an angel of light” (2Corinthians 11:14). As he did with Mother Eve, the “subtle” one will insidiously appeal to our pride, or our aesthetic sense, or our appetite, or our desire for material things. Peter could speak from bitter experience. Satan had desired to “sift you as wheat,” Jesus had told him, but he foolishly boasted that he would stand true (Luke22:31-34). No wonder Peter could warn with such urgency: “Be sober, be vigilant.” Note particularly that in the context, he is especially warning against greed (1Peter 5:2) and pride (vv. 5-6). We must not allow Satan to “get an advantage of us,” Paul says, “for we are not ignorant of his devices” (2Corinthians 2:11). Though Satan is deceptive and powerful, we need never fall to his tempting if we simply—along with staying sober and vigilant—“submit [ourselves] therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James4:7). HMM ------------------------- MessianicHope in the Midst of Rebellion “Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also take of the highest branch of the high cedar, and will set it; I willcrop off from the top of his young twigs a tender one, and will plant it upon an high mountain and eminent…and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing.” (Ezekiel17:22-23) Yahweh directs Ezekiel to deliver a perplexing riddle targeting rebellious Israel and its leaders. The word for riddle is masal, normally translated “proverb,” which means in this context a mystery meant to be discovered. If you take time to read the entire chapter, you’ll see three main divisions: the parable stated (vv. 3-10), the parable explained (vv. 11-21), andthe parable’s solution, including Yahweh’s covenant relationship with Israel and His promise to redeem (vv. 22-23). The first great eagle in this chapter represents Babylon’s leader, Nebuchadnezzar. The highest branch of the cedar represents the nation Israel. The eagle transports the “topmost shoot,” Israel’s remnant and key leaders, including Daniel and his friends, whowere carried into Babylonian captivity. The eagle then planted a “seed from the land,” King Zedekiah, who reigned as Jerusalem’s first “puppet king.” Zedekiah violated his oath both to Yahweh and Nebuchadnezzar, and sought an alliance with Egypt, the parable’ssecond eagle (vv. 7, 12-14). Our Father’s love towers above Israel’s disobedience as He takes a twig, a tender shoot, from the lofty tree and plants Him, the Messiah, in response to man’s critical need for a Savior (Isaiah52:13–53:2). Israel’s Messiah is our Savior as well, promising to hear our prayers if we cry out to the Lord Jesus Christ in repentance and faith (Psalm107; Romans 10:9-11). CCM ------------------------- Lifein Balance - by Greg Laurie � www.harvest.org And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. �Philippians 4:19 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/life-in-balance/- Listen I�m thankful that God overrules some of my prayers. Imagine, for example, what would happen in a family where parents gave their children everything they wanted. The kidswant hot fudge sundaes for dinner and demand everything at the toy store. Whatever they want, their parents give it to them. What those parents will end up raising are spoiled, undisciplined, hyperactive brats. And they will live to regret it because their children never will move out of the house.Parents need to teach their children responsibility, including how to work for things and how to save. God knows what is good for us as His children. He knows what we need, and He also knows what we don�t need. A Christian might pray, �Lord, I want to be incredibly wealthy. I want to be as wealthy as Bill Gates or Warren Buffett. Give me billions of dollars.� For some people, probably most even, receiving a great amount of money could be the worst thing ever to happen to them. It would come with a lot of responsibility as wellas a lot of temptation they may not be facing right now. The apostle Paul wrote, �And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus� (Philippians4:19 NLT). Notice Paul said that God would supply all your needs�not all your greed or even all your wants or desires. The writer of Proverbs 30 prayed, �Give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, �Who is the Lord?� And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God�s holy name� (verses 8�9 NLT). In other words, �Lord, don�t give me so much that I would forget about You. But don�t give me so little that I would feel that You had forgotten about me. Give me as muchas You think is right. I leave it in Your hands. I just want Your will for my life.� We can go through life saying, �I need this� and �What about my needs?� Or, we can say, �God has blessed me. He has provided for me. I had a meal this morning. I have clotheson my back and a roof over my head. What can I do for someone else?� When we start thinking of others instead of ourselves, one day, we will wake up and realize that we�re happy. But it won�t be the result of chasing after the things we thoughtwould fulfill us. Rather, it will be the result of having our priorities in order. If only we would do things God�s way. Then we would be able to say, like Paul, �I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach orempty, with plenty or little� (Philippians 4:12 NLT). If we have our lives in balance, we can be confident that God will provide. ------------------------------- CastAway Your Transgressions �Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart anda new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?� (Ezekiel18:31) Ezekiel likely penned this call to repentance in 592 BC, six years before the fall of Jerusalem. He hoped that Israel would turn from their transgressions and seek God. Chapter 19 begins with �Moreover take thou up a lamentation for the princes of Israel� andreferences the past and future fates of evil kings of Judah�Jehoahaz, Jehoiachin, and the present king, Zedekiah. What are the implications of Ezekiel�s call to action and warning for today? One, we are responsible for our own sins, and the consequence of sin is death (Romans5:12). But �whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved� and become a new creature (Romans10:13; 2 Corinthians 5:17). God is faithful and just to forgive believers if we confess and repent of our sins (1John 1:9). Two, leaders are responsible for where and how they lead their followers. The kings of Judah led their people into rebellion, and they suffered God�s judgment. Believers must not let themselves become victims of �grievous wolves� who would lead them into sin(James3:1-2; Acts 20:29). Paul warns, �Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them� (Ephesians5:6-7). Three, if we �cast away� our transgressions, God offers hope and salvation. This is available not only to the house of Israel but to everyone through Jesus Christ. Through Him, we can be �born again� (John3:3) and be given �a new heart and a new spirit.� How will you heed Ezekiel�s sober but encouraging plea? CCM --------------------------- No Higher Calling- by Greg Laurie � www.harvest.org This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. �Ephesians 1:1 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/no-higher-calling/- Listen We might think that people in the church who are called to be pastors, evangelists, or worship leaders are the spiritual elite of today. However, every one of us is called to be something by the will of God. Paul began his letter to the believers in Ephesus by saying, �This letter is from Paul, chosen by thewill of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus� (Ephesians 1:1 NLT). Not many people were called to be apostles, and indeed, Paul was in a position of significant leadership. But we also need to realize something. Paul�s Hebrew name was Saul.No doubt, his parents named him after the first king of Israel. King Saul was known for his attractiveness and his remarkable height. Young Saul of Tarsus probably took great pride in his name. He also had a notable spiritual pedigree and ultimately became a member of the Pharisees. And he was possibly amember of the ruling council known as the Sadducees. Yet Saul found emptiness in his life, which sent him on a quest that ultimately resulted in his committing his life to Jesus Christ. And then he started using his Roman name,Paul. We may not see this as all that significant, but the name Paul means �little.� Perhaps this gives us some insight as to why God so powerfully used the apostle Paul. He saw himself as little in the sight of God. Before, he might have boasted in his accomplishments,learning, and everything that he had. But after his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus, he recognized that he was a little man before God. This reminds us that we can never be too small for God to use, but we can think of ourselves as too big. God, according to His will, called Paul to be an apostle. In the same way, God might call someone to be an accountant according to His will, a police officer according toHis will, or a doctor according to His will. Let�s say, for instance, that you were having chest pains. Would you want a pastor by the will of God? No, you would want a doctor by the will of God. You want someone whoknows what they�re doing. Or, if someone is threatening your life, would you want a doctor by the will of God? No, you would want a police officer by the will of God. Then again, maybe you�re having problems with your finances and can�t balance your books. You don�t need a police officer, a doctor, or a pastor. What you really need is anaccountant by the will of God. Each of us has a part to play. Maybe you think that preaching is a higher calling. Granted, it is a high calling and a privilege. But don�t feel as though you�re a second-classChristian if you�re not in full-time ministry. The highest calling is what God has called us to be. There is nothing higher. Therefore, we need to be faithful to what God has set before us. --------------------------- AnEarly Christian Hymn �For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye shouldfollow his steps.� (1Peter 2:21) Some scholars have concluded that the four verses following our text were set to music and sung by the early Christian church. The hymn constitutes a praise of Christ for His nature and work. Let us look at it, with insights from the Greek not always apparentin the English. Stanza One: His character. �Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth� (v. 22). The words �no, neither, found� imply a careful scrutiny, with no sin or guile (i.e., craftiness) found. Total perfection. Stanza Two: His life. �Who, when he was reviled [i.e., a bitter, heart-rending wound], reviled not again; when he [continually] suffered, he threatened not [even though He had great resources at His disposal]; but [continually] committed himself to him thatjudgeth righteously� (v. 23). Stanza Three: His sacrifice. �Who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree [carried up the cross and offered Himself as on an altar], that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes [literally, one bleeding stripe.Christ was so brutalized by His tormentors that He was simply one big wound] ye were healed� (v. 24). Our healing is past tense, at the point of salvation. It does not refer primarily to physical healing, for in this context, and in Isaiah 53, from which the hymn is quoted, spiritual healing is stressed. Stanza Four: His mission. �For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned [have been turned back] unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls� (v. 25). He has done it all! He lived a sinless life and died as a worthy sacrifice, just so He could turn us back into His blessed fold. JDM --------------------------- Two-Realm Living - by Greg Laurie � www.harvest.org All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. �Ephesians1:3 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/two-realm-living/- Listen A Christian is someone who lives in two dimensions. There is the spiritual dimension, and as we walk in the Spirit, we know God in the Spirit. Yet we live on the earth. Andwe need to transfer what we have in the spiritual realm to the earthly realm. The apostle Paul wanted believers to know what was waiting for them in the spiritual realm. He wrote, �All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessedus with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ� (Ephesians 1:3 NLT). When Paul spoke of the heavenly realms, he wasn�t talking about something that is merely waiting for us in Heaven. He was talking about the supernatural realm. For example, when I travel outside the United States, I still maintain my citizenship as an American, but I am living in the culture of the country I�m visiting. There arethings that I need to adapt to. I need to exchange dollars for the currency of that nation. And I need to be aware of the exchange rate so that I know how much I�m spending. Spiritual resources are waiting for the believer who is walking with God. Although there are treasures in the heavenly realms, there are resources that God wants us to startusing here. As Christians, we often don�t know all that God has given to us. We don�t know the resources that He has placed into our spiritual bank accounts. For example, we sometimes pray for things that God has already given to us. We might say, �Lord, give me more love,� when the Bible says that God �has given us the Holy Spiritto fill our hearts with his love� (Romans 5:5 nlt). We might pray for more power, yet 2 Peter 1:3 tells us that �by his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life� (NLT). Maybe we have prayed for peace, but Jesus already has said, �I am leaving you with a gift�peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. Sodon�t be troubled or afraid� (John 14:27 NLT). It is not a matter of needing more; we need to use what we already have. We need to stop living like spiritual paupers and start laying hold of what God has given to us. Whenwe put our faith in Jesus Christ, we have God�s approval. He has adopted us, loves us, has chosen us, and has called us. Therefore, we don�t have to sit around doubting our salvation every other day, feeling defeated and unworthy. We never were worthy and never will be worthy. It is not aboutworthiness; it is about Jesus and what He has done for us. You and I don�t have to do X, Y, and Z to gain the approval of God. Rather, we need to understand what God has done for us and let it impact the way that we live.