Mark’s Memos

"Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:” (Heb. 12:14) “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” (Rom. 12:18) We’re to pursue peace with everyone. You can choose to live peaceably with...

”Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.” (Heb. 12:12-13) Notice that we’re to take personal responsibility to strengthen ourselves,...

Hebrews 12:5-11 talks about the chastening of the Lord and refers to parents disciplining their children. How should parents discipline their children in today’s culture? We should still discipline our children according to biblical standards but should do so with...

In the last several weeks we’ve looked at the chastening of the Lord from Hebrews 12:5-11. That passage mentions parents, especially fathers, disciplining their children. This has become a far more complicated issue in today’s culture. Proper discipline today is...

“Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Heb. 12:11) Chastening isn’t pleasant at the time, but, if we respond properly, it leads...

“For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.” (Heb. 12:10) Parents discipline their children as seems best to them. They don’t always get it right. Sometimes parents discipline...

“Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?” (Heb. 12:9) A good father properly disciplines His children. Not being properly disciplined by a...

“If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.” (Heb. 12:7-8) God chastens (corrects,...

“And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives." (Heb. 12:5-6;...

After exhorting us to run with the endurance the race of faith (Heb. 12:1), and to keep our eyes on Jesus (Heb. 12:2), the author of Hebrews writes: “For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in...