Governors and Kings (Deuteronomy 16-17 / Mark 13)

A reoccuring thought in Deuteronomy 16 is to go to the place the Lord will "choose" (v. 2, 5, 11, 15, 16). God has certain places He wants us to be at specific times. We most likely think of things such as mission trips, etc., but God often calls us to go to places that He will "choose" while we go about our normal day to day activities. We have to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leadership in our lives.
Both judges and political leaders have a tremendous responsibility before God (Dt. 17:8-20). It is very important that we keep the local and national authority figures in our prayers and that we "remain subject to them" (Romans 13:1).
God gives us a test to determine whether those we know are speaking in or out of God's Word (truth) in Dt. 18:21-22.

In Mark 13, the gospel takes center stage. Verse 10 says that the gospel must be preached to all nations. Those who hate Jesus and His followers (v. 13) really hate the gospel, but those who stand firm are sure to be standing on secure ground (faith in the gospel). In today's OT passage, we talked about judges (governors) and kings. It is ironic that in this NT passages, we find believers standing in front of "governors and kings" as witnesses to Christ and His gospel message.

Widows and Giving (Deuteronomy 13-15 / Mark 12)

God wants above everything for us to put Him first in our lives. Deuteronomy 13 proves to us this fact. Dt. 14:1-21 reminds me of taking a trip to the zoo. Some of the unclean animals listed become clean animals in the New Testament (Acts 10:13-15). We know God watches over the sparrow according to the famous song and Matthew 6:26, but God is much more concerned with the widow and the fatherless (Dt. 14:29). That is true religion, according to God's Word (James 1:27). I wish all of our debts could be cancelled every 7 years (Dt. 15:1)! Do we give with the right attitude (Dt. 15:10)? That is the heart of the matter because giving will be a necessity until the world comes to an end (Dt. 15:11). Again, we see that God deserves first place in our lives, especially in our giving (Dt. 15:19-23).

In the New Testament, we see Jesus telling us about the Pharisaical nature to take advantage of the widow (Mark 12:40). In contrast, Jesus then shares a story about a giving widow, showing how important widows can be to God's kingdom (Mark 12:41-44).

Indiana Jones (Deuteronomy 10-12 / Mark 12)

Deuteronomy 10-12 is "very rich" in material and I do not have the time to explain it the way I would like. However, the highlights include God's requirement of us (10:12), the importance of training children in God's ways (11:21), the blessing we receive for obeying God's Word (11:27), and the reason why we should worship God in His prescribed way (12:31). I also cannot help but think of Indiana Jones when I read of Moses coming off the mountain and placing the stone tablets in the ark of the covenant (10:5). To this day, no one has located the whereabouts of the ark of the covenant.

Jesus was a Master-teacher. He would often be faced with trick questions from the Pharisees, yet He could manage his way out of them because He knew the Scripture very well (Mark 12:24). In fact, the Pharisees would most often leave the scene feeling embarassed for having asked the question. God used his capstone (Jesus - v. 10) to speak directly to the Pharisees and most of the time, the Pharisees walked away upset (v. 12).

Wishing Wells (Deuteronomy 7-9 / Mark 11)

Deuteronomy 7 is used by many to negate interracial marriage. However, Dt. 7 has nothing to do with interracial marriage (v. 3). God was prohibiting marriage to these other people groups for spiritual purposes (v. 4). God is a "jealous" God (see yesterday's passage) and does not want to share his glory with false gods. In Dt. 8, we should be reminded that we have only made it this far due to God's love and provision over us or else we will fall into the sin of pride (v. 14). At the end of the day, we stand in the same place that the Israelites stood in Dt. 9. It is not because of our righteousness that God sent his Son to die for our sins. On the contrary, we are saved because we need a Savior and there was no good to be found within us.

In Mark 11, God does not want us walking away thinking that our prayers are like wishing wells. Certainly, if we pray that God will move a mountain into the sea, I can guarantee you almost 100% that it is not going to happen right after you pray. What God wants is for us to pray in His will and then have faith and believe that His answer will come to pass.

Here today, Gone tomorrow (Deuteronomy 4-6 / Mark 11)

People from other nations used to recognize the United States as a Christian nation. It would be very hard for the USA to claim Deuteronomy 4:7 anymore. Deuteronomy 4:9 is one of the great verses of the Bible and still rings true today. There is a blessing in following God's commands (Dt. 4:9; 5:33; 6:3). Dt. 6:4-9 is the perfect "parent" passage found in Scripture. Dt. 6 not only tells Israelite parents what to do (v. 4-9), but it tells them why they are to do it (v. 20-25). The implication for Christ-following parents today is to share God's commands with their children and to share with them that the motivation for obedience to these commands is the freedom that Christ gives believers from his death on the cross (at one time, we were all slaves to sin).

Popularity is waning. This is why the artists on the top of the musical charts a few years ago can be scarcely heard today. Jesus experienced immense popularity, peaking with the triumphal entry into Jerusalem (v. 8-10). However, it is just a short time before his popularity wanes and the world is calling for his crucifixion. The chief priests were already ready to take his life (v. 18).

Chop Off My Hand? (Numbers 32-34 / Mark 9)

Verse 23 in Numbers 32 appears to be the key verse. We cannot hide our sins from God because as the verse says, "your sin will find you out." We must constantly examine ourselves (2 Corintians 13:5) and confess all known sin (I John 1:9).
Just like the Israelites went through stages on their journey (Num. 33), so do we. We all go through physical stages in life, but as Christ-followers, we also go through spiritual stages. There are milestones in our spiritual journey that we need to celebrate and remember (Exodus 39:7; Joshua 4:7).
Most of us would rather not take the time to create an organizational infrastructure out of our work sites (example - our desk), but we see the importance of organizational principles being put into place by God in Numbers 34 so that things will run smooth. In this case, land was the issue and leaders were placed in charge to assign the land (v. 18).

Anyone can give someone a cup of water (v. 41), but very few people seem to give becuase Christ is motivating them to do so. In verse 42, we see the importance of leading children down the right path in our speech and conduct. God is not telling us to literally go and chop off our hand everytime we sin. This is an example of exaggeration or overstatement (v. 43). Even if we did, our action would not achieve the desired result. When we allow God to change our hearts, appropriate actions will soon follow.

Can I Take Your Order? (Numbers 29-31 / Mark 9)

Numbers 29 reads like a recipe (v. 3 - "three-tenths of flour mixed with oil") or a take out order given to a fast food joint (v. 26 - "I'd like to order 11 bulls, 2 rams, and 14 male lambs"). However, there is a method to the madness. It was very important to the Lord that the Israelites get it just right. Have you ever made cookies and left out the butter?
Numbers 30 deals with making "a vow." In God's economy, it is imperative to keep a vow if one makes it (Deuteronomy 23:21-23). Have you ever told someone you would pray for them and then you never followed through? Vows are seen much more often in the Old Testament when compared to the New.
The main emphasis in Numbers 31 is that God deserves his share or portion. If it is God who fights our battles (Joshua 23:10) for us, then it is only right for Him to receive a portion of our plunder. Think about it....It is God who keeps us alive and brings us jobs, etc. He deserves a portion of what we make.

The reference to Elijah in Mark 9:13 is referring to John the Baptist (Matthew 11:14), who prepared the way for Jesus's ministry on earth. The transifugration would have to have been a breathtaking moment and a magnificient sight!