Weekly Scripture 1-4-2026

Answer:

This comes from Mark 10.

__:__But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

*In the world that is to come, the values will be opposite of the values in the world in which we live. Today we have people that seek to be in prominent places and high status in places of work and even in churches. This verse explains that it is not those who seek a status in this world that will be first, but those that humble themselves and go and do the work that God put them here to do without calling any attention to themselves. There have been entire books written on the subject of making yourself important in the world around you and how to feel good about what you have done afterward. So, you can clearly understand that Jesus' teaching about service to others is very strange to the world, and does not make sense to the world. Jesus clearly states His mission in verse 45: “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”. He gave His life as a ransom voluntarily so that you and I may have eternal life, if we accept His free gift. If we understand this and believe it, does this not make us willing to realize that whatever God has called us to do He means for us to do it with the motive of serving Him; and if we are serving Him then we will be serving others?

Weekly Scripture 12-28-2025

Answer: Mark 11:13

This comes from Mark, but what chapter and verse?

__:__And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.

*The nation of Israel is represented by the fig tree, but there is a great spiritual lesson here. Israel had the leaves that everyone could see of a God given religion; but the nation had no fruit. I wonder if today we could not say the same about some churches? Remember the church of Laodicea found in the book of Revelation? God's message to that church was that; they did not have anything, they were blind, and needed ointment to open their eyes. It means that the Holy Spirit was not with them. It also reminds me of what Isaiah 29:13 says: “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:”. Everyone should make sure it is not just with your lips that you honor God; but with your heart. Entire congregations need to do this very thing. In order to bear spiritual fruit for God, we must have our heart right with Him first.