23rd January Living Words
Worship: Psalm 26
Old Testament: Joshua 20
Gospel: Mark 10
Epistle: 1 Corinthians 7
Wisdom: Proverbs 23
Psalm 26
I will go about your altar, Yahweh,
that I may make the voice of thanksgiving to be heard
and tell of all your wondrous deeds.
Yahweh, I love the habitation of your house,
the place where your glory dwells.
…In the congregations I will bless Yahweh.
Joshua 20
Establishing Cities of Refuge “Yahweh spoke to Joshua, saying…”
Merciful provision by God for those who have killed unintentionally.
Mark 10
No divorce in the Kingdom
“But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female. [Genesis 1:27] For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will join to his wife, and the two will become one flesh, [Genesis 2:24] so that they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”
προσκολλάω proskollaō, v. [√ 4639 + 3140]. (pass.) to be united to
συζεύγνυμι syzeugnymi, v. to join together
In the house, his disciples asked him again about the same matter. He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife, and marries another, commits adultery against her. If a woman herself divorces her husband, and marries another, she commits adultery.”
True Treasure
Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross.”
“How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!”
The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answered again, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter into God’s Kingdom! It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”
They were exceedingly astonished, saying to him, “Then who can be saved?”
Jesus, looking at them, said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God.”
Jesus summoned them, and said to them, “You know that they who are recognized as rulers over the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant. Whoever of you wants to become first among you, shall be bondservant of all. For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”
1 Corinthians 7
Directions about Marriage
Now concerning the things about which you wrote to me: it is good for a man not to touch a woman. But, because of sexual immoralities, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. Let the husband give his wife the affection owed her, and likewise also the wife her husband. The wife doesn’t have authority over her own body, but the husband. Likewise also the husband doesn’t have authority over his own body, but the wife. Don’t deprive one another, unless it is by consent for a season, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer, and may be together again, that Satan doesn’t tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
Directions about blooming where you are planted
Let each man stay in that calling in which he was called.
Brothers, let each man, in whatever condition he was called, stay in that condition with God.
Proverbs 23
Generosity of Heart
Don’t weary yourself to be rich.
In your wisdom, show restraint.
Why do you set your eyes on that which is not?
For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky.
How to please your Father Who is in Heaven
My son, if your heart is wise,
then my heart will be glad, even mine.
Yes, my heart will rejoice
when your lips speak what is right.
Don’t let your heart envy sinners,
but rather fear Yahweh all day long.
Indeed surely there is a future hope,
and your hope will not be cut off.
Listen, my son, and be wise,
and keep your heart on the right path!
Buy the truth, and don’t sell it.
Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding.