Weekend Sermon -- "Mark 4:35-41"

     Today is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Thank you for reading the message. I thank the Lord for the opportunity to post it. 

     We are back in the Gospel of Mark this week. We are going chapter by chapter and verse by verse through this book to see what the Lord would have us to learn. 

     For our message today, we are going to focus on the account of Jesus calming the storm. After the Lord had had an extended period of ministry, He told His disciples that He wanted to go over to the other side of the lake. This was the sea of Galilee, so it would have been about a seven mile trip give or take. 

     Jesus was in one boat, and there were other boats going over to the other side as well. Jesus went over and went to sleep. He was exhausted from ministering to all the people, and He was sleeping very soundly. 

    As they were making there way over to the other side, a huge storm came up. The waves were large and water was coming into the boats so much so that they feared they might drown. All the while, Jesus was still asleep. 

     Deeply troubled, the disciples woke Jesus up and asked if He even cared about the fact that they were drowning. Jesus got up and said, "Peace! Be still!". The winds and the waves quieted down right away. Jesus asked them why they didn't have any faith. 

    This astonished the disciples who wondered who Jesus was. Even the wind and the waves obeyed His commands. 

    So, what does this all mean for us living today? The first thing I want to focus on is the disciples wondering if Jesus even cared during the midst of the storm. Many of us wonder about this when we are facing the trials and difficulties that we encounter in our lives. We are really hurting, and we wonder if Jesus even cares what happens to us. 

    Jesus does care. In this account, Jesus wondered where was the disciples' faith. He was not going to let something happen to them. They needed to trust in Him that with Him in their midst, all was going to go just as it should go. He had it all under control. 

    When we are facing hard times and difficulties, we need to rest in the knowledge that Jesus does know and care. The Bible tells us that we can cast all our cares on Him because He cares for us. We have not been left alone. Jesus said that He would never leave us, and He will not forsake us. When we are anxious, we can turn to Him and ask Him to help us make it through and to make a way where there is no way. 

     Jesus is the one who has the power to stop the storms in our lives. He told the waves to be at peace and be still. When we are facing hard times, Jesus is the one who speaks peace into our hearts. He gives us the awareness of His presence. We can rest in His promises. No matter what befalls, He is watching over us and doing all things in accordance with His will. We don't have to have anxiety with the peace of the Lord that passes all understanding within our hearts. 

    When facing hardships, Jesus is the one who can provide the fix and the answer. He is the one who has all power in Heaven and on earth. We don't need to go to others to get the answer to the problem, Jesus is the answer. He has the power. Look to Him and Him only. 

     The disciples wondered who this man was. Jesus was and is the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. The Eternal Son of the Father. The God man. All things were created by Him, through Him and for Him. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is on our side. He is our peace. He is our Rock. Amen. 

Prayer Requests

     I am getting ready to sell my house. I need wisdom from the Lord on this. Please pray for me. 

    Pray for an end to the Ebola outbreak in Africa. Pray that those who are sick will make a full recovery. 

     Keep praying for peace. Pray for peace between US and Iran. Pray for peace in Lebanon and Gaza. Pray for peace in Sudan and Ukraine. Wherever there is war, let there be peace. 

     For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in the nations of Burkina Faso and Brunei. Pray that many will come to know Jesus. 

    Next week, we will continue in Mark. I will post the verses on Tuesday. May God bless you all. 

Verses For The Week

 Isaiah 46:9 -- "Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other, I am God, and there is none like me."

Psalm 143:5 -- "I remember the days of old, I meditate on all that you have done, I ponder the works of your hand."

The Weekend Sermon -- Mark 4:26-34

      Thank you for taking the time to read the message this week. This has been a very busy week for me. I have a lot going on, and I will ask for your prayers on some matters latter. I do hope and pray that all of you are doing well. 

     We are back in Mark this week studying what the Lord has to teach us through this Gospel. In our passage for today, we have Jesus comparing the Kingdom of God to sowers and seeds and to mustard seeds. 

     In the first illustration, Jesus says that the Kingdom is like a man sowing seeds. He does not know how the seed grows, but it does and produces fruit. In the second illustration, Jesus says that the Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. It is a tiny seed, but from that tiny seed a large plant grows. 

     What does this have as far as a meaning for us today? Let's look at the first illustration. I believe that Jesus is saying that the Kingdom of God is built on this earth by those of us who follow the Lord. What do I mean? We are the ones who have to be out planting the seeds. What are the seeds? First and foremost I believe that the seed being planted is the word of the Lord being sown into peoples' hearts. The seed is sown and planted when we tell others about the fact that they can have a life-changing relationship with the Lord Jesus. 

    Seed is also sown when we do good in this world. When we feed the hungry and clothe the naked and help those who are in distress we are sowing seeds that help to build the Kingdom of God. 

     Now, we have to be careful. We are the ones who are sowing the seed. It is the power of the Holy Spirit that gives the increase. He is the one who changes people's hearts and lives. Not by might. Not by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord. We can do nothing in our own strength nor through our own effort. It is the Spirit working in and through us. 

     The second illustration I think is a little different. I believe what Jesus is saying here is that the Kingdom of God begins like a tiny seed such as a mustard seed. That tiny seed is planted and then sprouts and becomes a huge bush. Who would have believed it!

     That is what the Kingdom of God is like. It has a small beginning. First of all it had the small beginning in the Upper Room, and now the Gospel has gone around the world. Also, when we spread the message and sow the seeds, it may seem like a small thing. But God, in His power uses that small thing and makes something great. 

    So, what is the take away from all this? We have to be out sowing the seed and doing the work of the Kingdom all the time. What we are doing may not seem like a lot in the scheme of things. However, the Holy Spirit by His power takes what we do and does great and mighty things by His power. It is our job to do what we can, and we rely on the Spirit's power the whole way. Amen.

Prayer Requests

     I am probably going to sign a contract to sell my house next week. Please pray for me in this matter. I have a lot on my plate right now, and I need your prayers. I need to find out just what I am supposed to do in the next portion of my life. Pray that I will know the Lord's will in all things. 

     Please pray for an end to the Ebola outbreak. Pray that the sick will recover. 

     Keep praying for those affected by natural disasters. Pray that they will get the aid and the help that they need. 

     Pray for peace. Ukraine, Sudan, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Gaza all need to be at peace.

     For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in the nations of Bahrain and Bangladesh. Pray that many will come to know the love of the Lord Jesus. 

     Next week, we will continue in Mark. I will post the verses on Tuesday. May God bless you all. 

Remembering -- To You Old Friend

      This week marks for me a terrible anniversary. This week it will be thirty years since my best friend Toby passed away. I can hardly believe it, and I can hardly stand it. I am having a really hard time with the whole thing I have to admit. I miss him more each day. 

     On this anniversary I want to say a couple of things. First of all, Thank you Lord for bringing the two of us together. Neither one of us would have made it if you hadn't made it all happen. 

     Toby. Thank you for all the years of joy and fun. I love you and miss you. 

     I know that he is in heaven with my mom and dad. I don't have any doubt about that. I know we will be together again someday. It is just hard right now. If was still alive, my life would be so different and so much better now. 

     Jesus and a corgi dog named Toby made my life all that it is today. Without the Lord I am nothing. Without Toby I would not be here today. I hope we can be together soon. 

Verses For The Week

 I Peter 4:8 -- "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."

I Corinthians 16:14 -- "Let all that you do be done in love."

The Weekend Sermon -- Mark 4:24-25

      Thank you for taking the time to read the message this week. I am trying to get back on track. There have been so many storms and other difficulties. A lot has been going on. Hopefully, we can stay on track with our study of Mark. I hope and pray that you are all doing well. 

     Our verses for today present us with more difficulty than one might think. Depending on which version of the New Testament you are reading, you get a different reading in many of them. After reading many different ones in preparation for this message, I think the text of the New Living Translation gets at what Jesus is saying. It reads, "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. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them."

     What Jesus is saying hear the way I understand it is that our growth spiritually is dependent on hearing and doing what He has said. When we do listen to Him and follow Him, we will grow and learn and we will receive more understanding and grow in the Lord. On the other hand, if we do not listen and practice the teachings and the commandments of Jesus, we will not grow spiritually. In fact, those who do not listen to the Lord will face condemnation. 

     We can see this in a way with a none spiritual example or two. When I was in college, we were presented with the facts of a course. What you got out of the course would pretty much be in line with the effort you put in. If you used the course information as a springboard to learn more about the subject, you would get more out of the experience than those who just wanted to get through it and get the grade. After the course was over, they more or less forgot about it. 

     Human relationships are like this. If we put in the effort of knowing and understanding another person, we will have a better and a deeper relationship. If we don't, at best we will just have a very superficial friendship. 

     So, what does this all mean? The way I see it is that we need to be those who are committed to hearing and implementing the teachings of Jesus. When we hear His words and do what they tell us to do, we grow closer to the Lord Jesus. We then learn more about Him and we keep becoming more and more like Him for His honor and glory. 

     James tells us about this. He admonishes his readers to be doers of the word and not forgetful hearers only. 

     We have to be committed to reading and studying the Word of the Lord. We need to be passionate about obeying the Lord and following His teachings and commandments. Amen. 

Prayer Requests

     I need your prayers on two important things. I am seriously considering selling my house. Pray that things will go well in this manner. Also, pray about my job. It isn't great there right now. 

     Please pray for an end to the Ebola outbreak in Africa. 

     Keep praying for peace. Ukraine, Sudan and the entire Middle East area need our prayers. I am so tired of all the war and fighting. 

     For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in the nations of Kyrgyzstan and Somalia. Pray that many will come to know Jesus. 

     Next week, I we will continue in Mark. I will post the verses on Tuesday. May God bless you all. 

Verses For The Week

 Psalm 105:2 -- "Sing to Him, sing praise to Him, tell of all His wonderful acts."

Psalm 101:1 -- "I will sing of Your love and justice, Lord I will sing praise."