What Jesus Did! 'More Understanding for the Listener' — Mark 4:23-24

Thursday, March 7, 2024

[Jesus continued,] "Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand."

Then he added, "Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given — and you will receive even more."

— Mark 4:23-24 NLT

Key Thought

If yesterday's message that one day we will be able to understand all the truth about the Kingdom was intended to comfort us, today's message is meant to motivate us. We must earnestly, attentively, pursue the truth of Jesus. The only way to do so is by paying close attention to what he says! That means reacquainting ourselves with the Gospels and focusing on Jesus' words. Only as we apply ourselves to listening to our Master will we be able to grow in our ability to perceive, to understand, and to know the full will of our Savior. The old RCA Victor logo had a picture of a dog listening attentively at the "speaker" of a gramophone with the title "His Master's Voice." Jesus is saying to us that we must have our ears attuned to Scripture and listen attentively for our Master's voice!

Today's Prayer

Father in heaven, help me as I try to be more disciplined and attentive to the words of your Son and my Savior. I want to know Jesus' truth by studying his life and words, understanding them, and putting them into practice. Mold me and make me into a person more like my Lord as I listen for his voice. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • John 7:16-17
  • Matthew 7:21
  • John 8:31-32

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, March 7, 2024

A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of..."
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
"Dear Father, my strength, I bless you for the multitudes of believing people who have gone before me, for those named in the Bible whose examples of...."
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
"I will tell of the Lord's unfailing love. I will praise the Lord for all he has done. I will rejoice in his great goodness to Israel, which he has..."
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
"The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses' face. For his....."

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 4:23-24 NLT — "Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand."   ——   "Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given — and you will receive even more."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.