God's Word for Me Today

Wednesday, December 5, 2001

Unwrapping a Christ-Centered Christmas!

A note about online study
Introduction to God's Word for Me Today

My Prayer Today

Heavenly Father, thank You for the light of Your Word. I pray this day that You will give me ears to listen, and wisdom to understand. May every word that I read be written upon my spirit that I may live it out today and every day. Fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may have the power necessary to live in the light, as You are in the light. God, may my light shine brightly for You this day, and may I never be ashamed to live boldly for You. These things I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

God's Word for Me Today: Mark 4:21-25

21 Then Jesus asked them, "Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed to shut out the light? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine. 22 "Everything that is now hidden or secret will eventually be brought to light. 23 Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand! 24 And be sure to pay attention to what you hear. The more you do this, the more you will understand – and even more, besides. 25 To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But to those who are not listening, even what they have will be taken away from them."

Questions for Reflection

How would you live differently if you knew that every secret you have would be made known to the world?

What is the most important truth that you have ever understood? How does it impact your daily life?

What do you want Jesus to give you more of today?

Questions for Exploration

What place does light play in this text? (4:21-22)

Why ought we live with our lights “shining” each moment? (4:22)

What is the result of those who listen to Jesus’ words and those who don’t? (4:23-25)

Questions for Understanding

What does it mean in the context of today’s reading to let our lights “shine”?

What principle does Jesus offer about hearing, listening and understanding?

Questions for Application

Consider one truth from Jesus that you know for sure. Commit to God in prayer to live it out today.

Take some time and confess to God those things that you keep secret from others, and receive His forgiveness as you turn away from them.

The Principle of Hearing and Listening!

Once when my brother Tom was about four years old, he was riding his tricycle on the sidewalk of the local store in Gipsy, PA. My mother started calling for him. As her calls become louder and more intense, a salesmen who had just come out of the store, turned to my brother and said, “Little boy, I think your mother is calling for you.” Tom answered, “Yeah, I know, but I can’t hear her.” The salesmen thought the situation so humorous that he drove to our house and told my mother. The story has been passed down in our family for more than fifty years, because aside from being funny it illustrates an important truth—to hear is not always to listen. Jesus told his followers that they were to be lights in the world. They weren’t to hide their lights under a basket, but to let them shine. He told them that every hidden thing would one day be made known—an idea that frightens every single one of us, for all of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. At the close of His teaching Jesus said, “Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand! And be sure to pay attention to what you hear. The more you do this, the more you will understand – and even more, besides. To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But to those who are not listening, even what they have will be taken away from them.” Hearing isn’t enough. We must listen with open hearts, minds and spirits. If we listen, we’ll be given understanding. If we’re open to Jesus’ teachings even more understanding will be given, but if we don’t listen even what we have will be taken from us.

This is a call to deep attentiveness to hearing, listening, understanding and DOING what Jesus says. That’s what being the light of the world is: hearing and obeying God’s will. Jesus tells us that if we know what he teaches we will be blessed only when we DO what he teaches. As we commit to a life of “light-shining” obedience, we will understand more and more of God’s word and be of more and more use to God and others. This is the season of lights! May our light so shine before others that they’ll see our good deeds and give glory to our Heavenly Father!

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