Mark 5:19-20
“Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.”
 
He had just experienced a miracle in his life. 
Jesus had intervened when no one else could. 
 
The Manic of Gadara was once filled with a legion of demons, but when he met Jesus they were cast into a great herd of swine.
 
This man who was once bound with fetters and chains, cutting himself with stones was now sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind. 
 
Only Jesus could have made such a change.
 
The man wanted to go with Jesus, but He directed him otherwise. 
 
“…Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.”
 
He had to make the decision whether to obey the command of Jesus, or remain silent of the great things that had taken place in his life. 
 
Do we not have the same decision to make?
 
No, we likely have not had a legion of demons cast out, but the day we repented of our sin and turned to Jesus a miracle took place just the same.
 
Do we remain silent after all Jesus has done for us?
 
After we receive His free Gift of salvation, the great things do not stop there.

Day after day, the Lord continues to do great things within our lives. 
Every day He continually shows us compassion.
 
We too have the choice to remain silent or “…Go home to thy friends, and tell them…“
 
 
Bible Reading:
Nehemiah 3-4   |    Hebrews 9

Mark 4:9
“And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
 
This same phrase is mentioned a total of seven times throughout the pages of the New Testament. 
 
Each one is written in red. 
 
Matthew 11:15
“He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
 
Mark 4:23-24
“If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.”
 
Revelation 2:7
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”
 
Revelation 2:11
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”
 
Revelation 2:17
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.”
 
Revelation 2:29
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
 
The Creator gave His creation spiritual ears, but He also gives us the choice to hear.
 
Sometimes the Word falls on deaf ears because someone chooses not to hear Him.
If someone does not hear, it is of their own choosing. 
 
We must choose to have faith in Him.
 
Romans 10:17
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
 
Christ said “let him hear” seven times within the pages of Scripture, but each and every moment He continues to say the same thing.
 
He is not willing that any should perish.
2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
 
He is willing for all to hear, but it’s up to us to tell them.
Romans 10:14
“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?”
 
Let them hear of Him today. 
 
 
Bible Reading:
Nehemiah 1-2   |    Hebrews 8

Acts 4:12
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
 
Most people desire to have a good name among those who know them. While it is important to maintain a good testimony, whatever reputation we have on our own has only temporary value.
 
Proverbs 22:1
“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.”
 
We can have a good name by choosing a Good Name much better than our own, the Name above every name, the Name Of Jesus.
 
His Name has purpose.
Matthew 1:21
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
 
His Name brings life to all who believe on Him.
John 20:31
“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
 
His Name brings healing.
Acts 3:6
“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”
 
His Name will cause every knee to bow before Him.
Philippians 2:9-11
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
 
The Name of Jesus Christ makes a difference.
There is power in His Name.
There is provision in His Name.
There is protection in His Name.
We are saved by His Name.
We are secured by His Name.
We are supplied by His Name.
 
Acts 4:12
“…for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
 
When we believe on His Name, we choose Him.
By choosing Him, we obtain an inheritance that money cannot buy. 
 
 
Bible Reading:
Ezra 9-10   |    Hebrews 7

Psalm 33:10
“The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.”
 
We tend to think that we know what is best for us; and if not, our flesh tends to believe that those closest to us have the answers. What we forget is that, even in the best intentions, the hearts of the people we love and trust are just as deceitful as our own.
 
Proverbs 19:21
“There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.”
 
God knows our hearts as well as those we seek counsel from and rather than leave us on our own, He provides the Solution.
 
Psalm 33:11
“The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.”
 
His Word has been proven to be true because He is the Truth.
His Word has been preserved because He was and is and always will be.
His Word has been purified because He is Holy.
 
Isaiah 40:8
“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”
 
No other book can even begin to compare to the Truth that the Word of God contains because the Scriptures contain Him. 
 
It is within His Words that we learn Who He is. We discover what He has done, what He is doing right now, and what He will do. His promises are true because His grace and mercy confirms those that have already come to pass. 
 
Psalm 119:89
“For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.”
 
Rather than seeking the answers in all the wrong places, we can choose to find the Answer to every problem we will ever face within the glorious pages of the Word of God.
 
The Word is the Solution to any question you have today.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Ezra 7-8   |    Hebrews 6

Deuteronomy 4:2
“Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.”
 
Things that are pure have no need for something to be added or taken away from them.
 
Proverbs 30:5-6
“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”
 
God has preserved His pure Words for us.
Yet today, there are many people who choose to add, subtract and change the Word of God to suit their own agenda.
 
There are consequences for those who dare try to change the Word of God.
Revelation 22:18-19
“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
 
There is no need to add or change His Word, because He does not change.
Malachi 3:6
“For I am the LORD, I change not…”
 
Hebrews 13:8
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”
 
Acknowledging that He is immutable allows us to rest in Him.
There is comfort in knowing that we can rely on Him through His Word.
 
2 Corinthians 12:9
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
 
His grace is sufficient because His Word is Sufficient.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Ezra 5-6   |    Hebrews 5

Proverbs 30:5
“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”
 
There is comfort in knowing that not just some of the Words, but every single Word make a difference.
 
“Every word of God…”
When we open our Bibles, we must first consider Who is speaking. 
Our words are not always true, nor those of our trusted friends and family; but when God speaks, we must remember that He is the Truth.
 
“Every word of God is pure…”
The Words that we read within the Word of God are pure.
His Words are proven to be without any blemishes, deceit or falsehood.
 
Psalm 12:6-7
“The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.”
 
The pureness of His Words enables us to place our trust in Him.
 
He is our Shield.
Proverbs 30:5
“…he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”
 
He is our Buckler.
Psalm 18:30
“As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.”
 
He is our Refuge.
Psalm 91:2
“I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.”
 
There is protection, comfort, direction, and provision through Him.
 
Trust His Every Word.
Whatever you are going through today, you can trust every Word of His Word.
 
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Bible Reading:
Ezra 3-4   |    Hebrews 4

Acts 5:29
“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
 
The three Hebrew boys of the Book of Daniel faced a horrible snare because of their disobedience to King Nebuchadnezzar’s demands. Instead, the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shined brightly through the flames of the fiery furnace because they chose to fear the Lord instead of man. 
 
Daniel 3:16-18
“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”
 
Obedience to God instead of men will always result in a higher reward. 
If the Hebrew boys would have chose to bow, they still would not have burned; however, they would not have seen the glory of the Lord through the flames or been such a pivotal example for us today of what is possible if we would simply obey what God says. 
 
Who do you fear?
Fear of man brings a snare upon us, which is used here to describe a cause of injury.
 
Proverbs 29:25
“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.”
 
But when we fear God instead of man, we can be boldly confident that He will help us. 
 
Hebrews 13:5-6
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
 
There is no need to fear anyone else, if we have a godly fear of Him.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Ezra 1-2   |    Hebrews 3

Proverbs 15:32
“He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.”
 
Sin not only hinders our fellowship with God, but it also takes a toll on our perception of our own soul, must less the souls of others.
 
Matthew 16:26
“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
 
The more sin we partake of, the more tolerant of it we become.
Eventually, sin becomes so normal that there is no awareness of it whatsoever.
 
We must be conscious of sin in order to be conscious of the souls of others.
 
The eternity of those around us may very well depend on whether or not we give them the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
 
The drive thru employee’s eternity is worth getting over our fear of them rejecting the tract we hand them.
 
Someone’s soul is worth our inconvenience.
 
Luke 9:26
“For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.”
 
What are you doing for the souls of others?
 
Mark 8:35
“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.”
 
How much is a soul worth to you?
 
 
Bible Reading:
2 Chronicles 35-36   |    Hebrews 2

James 1:22-24
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.”
 
If we choose to only hear the Word, we live under our own wisdom rather than the Wisdom of the Word of God. 
 
We deceive ourselves when we hear but neglect to apply the Truth.
 
Proverbs 29:19-20
“A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer. Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.”
 
These are those who refuse to be corrected by the Word of God. 
 
Proverbs 26:2
“Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.”
 
Applying the Truth of the Scriptures brings blessings upon our lives. 
James 1:25
“But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”
 
Within the pages of the Word of God there is direction and satisfaction that can only be found there. 
 
Why would we choose to look anywhere else?
Hear the Word, and then apply the Word.
 
 
Bible Reading:
2 Chronicles 33-34   |    Hebrews 1

Proverbs 29:18
“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”
 
Helen Keller, who was blind and deaf, is known for having said, 
“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.”
 
If we have but little knowledge of the Word of God, we lack both vision and wisdom. 
 
Hosea 4:6
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”
 
Our lack of Biblical knowledge is disastrous to our testimony for the Lord. 
We cannot apply what we do not know or understand. 
 
Today, most of the world has the Scriptures available to them, but there will come a day when there will be a famine of the Word of God.
 
Amos 8:11-12
“Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.”
 
We must seek the Lord through the Word of God while there is still time for us to do so. 
 
Psalm 119:2
“Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.”
 
Only when we make the Word a priority in our lives will we truly be happy. 
For it is then, and only then, that we will have vision for the days ahead.

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Bible Reading:
2 Chronicles 31-32   |    Philemon