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

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3 Related Resources by Heartlight

Be careful little ears...
Illustration of Mark 4:24
Inspirational illustration of Mark 4:24 -- "Consider carefully what you hear," he continued...
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You don't have to listen to the noise around you! Tom Norvell reminds us that we don't have to hear the messages and noise around us, we can follow Jesus' example and withdraw from the situation.
Mark 4:24-25
Devo: Today's Verse
""Consider carefully what you hear," [Jesus] continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you — and even more. Whoever has will be given more;..."

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."

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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.

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