Friday, August 15, 2025

New Testament Reading Plan: Mark 10

If you've been following along this week, we've been unpacking how the temporary things of this world can distract us from the unshakeable joy that God offers. Whether these distractions are material, emotional, or circumstantial, they may seem harmless at first, but over time, they quietly pull our focus from what's eternal to what's fleeting.

When I sat down to prepare for this week's focus, I opened my Bible and typed a simple phrase into one of my favorite new Bible study tools, Logos.com: "What verses talk about how temporary things in this world dissolve?"

The results? They stretched from Job to Revelation.

I shouldn't have been surprised. Through psalms, proverbs, prophets, gospel teachings, and letters from the early church, the Bible is filled with reminders that everything in this world will fade. And not only fade, but while we are still here on earth, they will ultimately fail to satisfy.

It's a big deal.

If you haven't had a chance to follow along with the earlier posts this week, I encourage you to go back and spend a few minutes reflecting on what we've learned. The truth is simple, but we are faced with pulls to our focus every day, which makes it easy to forget. So, I'll write it down for us again: temporary things will always disappoint us. They can never provide what only God can give.

Think about it, the world and its offerings can never love you back. And nothing from this world can hold you like God's love can.

Paul reminds us in 1 Timothy 6:7:

After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can't take anything with us when we leave it.

And Isaiah says it powerfully in Isaiah 51:6:

Look up to the skies above and gaze down on the earth below. For the skies will disappear like smoke, and the earth will wear out like a piece of clothing. The people of the earth will die like flies, but my salvation lasts forever. My righteous rule will never end!

Okay, "die like flies" might feel dramatic. But honestly, I think sometimes we need that kind of reminder.

As a final encouragement for all of us: Let go of what won't last and cling to the God who always will.

Questions:
Where is God inviting you to be honest?

Where is God inviting you to be generous?

Where do you feel you should be more thankful?

Next Steps:
Practice being thankful for something specific God has done in the last 24-48 hours. Write down a personal prayer of gratitude to God for the gifts he's given to you in your life.

Prayer: 21 Days of Prayer - Day 12
Heavenly Father, thank you for each business that makes up the economy of our community and region. You know the details of each one, and we pray they are firmly established in you. May their work reflect your generous heart. We ask you to show them great favor. Give each business leader your wisdom through the challenges and opportunities placed before them and may whatever they put their hand to have a legacy of eternal impact for your glory and the good of our community. Amen.

Series Theme Verse:

Psalm 16:11
You will show me the way of life,

    granting me the joy of your presence

    and the pleasures of living with you forever.

This post was written by Lori Tuckerman, Director of Content for the Daily LivingItOut.