Day 14 - Mark 4:30-41

30 And he told them this parable: “How can I describe God’s kingdom realm? Let me illustrate it with this parable. 31 It is like the mustard seed, the tiniest of all the seeds, 32 yet when it springs up and grows, it becomes the largest plant in the garden. And with so many enormous spreading branches, even birds can nest in its shade.”

33 Jesus used many parables such as these as he taught the people, and they learned according to their ability to understand. 34 He never spoke to them without using parables, but would wait until they were alone before he explained their meanings to his disciples.

35 Later that day, after it grew dark, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.” 36 After they had sent the crowd away, they shoved off from shore with him, as he had been teaching from the boat, and there were other boats that sailed with them. 37 Suddenly, as they were crossing the lake, a ferocious tempest arose, with violent winds and waves that were crashing into the boat until it was all but swamped. 38 But Jesus was calmly sleeping in the stern, resting on a cushion. 39 So they shook him awake, saying, “Teacher, don’t you even care that we are all about to die!” Fully awake, he rebuked the storm and shouted to the sea, “Hush! Calm down!” All at once the wind stopped howling and the water became perfectly calm.

40 Then he turned to his disciples and said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Haven’t you learned to trust yet?” 41 But they were overwhelmed with fear and awe and said to one another, “Who is this man who has such authority that even the wind and waves obey him?”


Terrie's Comments:
Jesus knew who he was and he knew that everything that is on the earth, including the wind and the waves were part of his creation.  What we see here on earth is only a small portion of what is really real.  When we are born again we are born into another kingdom.  Our home is no longer here but in heaven.  We have become ambassadors here on earth to promote our heavenly home to those around us.  Jesus knew he had access to the authority to tell his creation to be still.  We have the Holy Spirit in us and we have that same supernatural protection that the disciples had on the boat with them.  Are we afraid of the storms around us?  Have we learned to trust yet?


Tori's Comments:
I love this passage! It was a relief to me to know that God can use any amount of faith, and even in that, we can pray for God's help.

I wonder why he explained his parables to the disciples but not everybody else. If some in the crowd understood, why wouldn't the disciples?

Aren't we safe with a God who speaks to the winds and waves? Who cares about the storms around us? God can take care of us best!


Day 19
- Read Luke 2:36-40
- Replace one or more Christmas gifts with gifts from the World Vision or Samaritan's Purse catalogs
- Collect soda tabs for Ronald McDonald
- Read your favorite Christmas Book
- Go caroling at a nursing home or people you know who may need a lift



We have a praise music list that we add to on a regular basis. You can find the link to it in the right hand column of this blog or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. We also have a Christmas list which you will find in the right hand column as well :-) Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!