“Jesus said ” How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story can I use to illustrate it? It is like a tiny mustard seed. Though this is one of the smallest seeds, it grows to become one of the largest of plants, where birds can come and find shelter.” Mark 4.30 [nkjv]

From Little Things, Big Things Grow

Submitted by Ps Linda Drowley

This is a fascinating parable where Jesus explains the power of the Kingdom of God. The mustard seed is tiny (check out Wholegrain Mustard spread). The seeds are like a pin head, however each seed can grow a good size tree. Now compared to the great trees of the world each tree is not that large. The message here is more about the seeds. Mustard seeds once they take hold are impossible to eradicate. They become like a noctious weed in terms of spreading and germinating. They just keep germinating and the seeds are small but in huge abundance.

I believe Jesus was explaining about how the Kingdom of God permeates everything and is unstoppable. When Jesus said the mustard tree is large, He was referring to the largeness of the spreading of the seed, the unstoppable nature of the seed. The spreading of the Kingdom of God will never stop on this earth and it will permeate everywhere.

Lord, may we continue to sow the seed of the gospel everywhere knowing that the farmer who sowed bountifully also reaped bountifully, and as we sow, you will bless and cause the seeds to keep germinating and grow into large trees that build and germinate more and more.

“And a furious storm of wind of hurricane proportions arose, and the waves kept beating into the boat, so that it was already becoming filled. But He [Jesus] was in the stern of the boat, asleep on the leather cushion; and they awoke Him and said to Him, Master, do You not care that we are perishing?” Mark 4.37-38 [amp]

Sometimes Jesus Does Nothing!

Submitted by Ps Joseph Swan

Without warning, the peaceful calm of the Sea of Galilee can be transformed into a violent raging storm which can quickly turn deadly. A storm in March 1992 sent 10ft high waves crashing into downtown Tiberias, causing massive damage. I read a story yesterday about a tour group crossing the Sea of Galilee, when suddenly the wind, rain and waves began to kick up. A young man on the boat thought “What would Jesus do?” and stood up to rebuke the storm. When he spoke out, “Peace, be still” the rain and wind kept coming but the engine of the boat immediately cut out.

Sometimes when we pray things get worse. And sometimes God seems silent. Almost like He’s asleep at the helm.

I’ve been through my fair share of storms. One in particular, really stands out to me. I was doing all the right things for all the right reasons, when all of a sudden I found myself in the middle of chaos. People I had trusted turned on me, our finances dried up and doors of opportunity, which were once wide open, now seemed nailed shut. And through it all, God seemed strangely quiet.

I did what the disciples did. I worked harder, using every ounce of strength and skill I had just to stay afloat but nothing helped. I prayed. I fasted. I looked for answers in Scripture but found nothing. I could feel my frustration and anger giving way to bitterness. “God don’t you even care?”

The disciples got into the boat that day only because Jesus told them to. Jesus was the one responsible for leading them into a storm and then when they needed Him the most, He was fast asleep!

I wonder how long it took the disciples before they decided to wake Jesus up? How exhausted were they before they came to the realisation that this was a battle they could not win?

Not every storm we face is a devilish scheme aimed at our destruction. But sometimes God invites chaos around our life simply to remind us that no matter the size of the storm, we are never alone. Jesus is in the boat with us.

Instead of coming immediately to our rescue, He lovingly waits. He waits for us to stop striving and doing things in our own strength. He waits for us to come to Him and tell Him how much we need Him. Because He knows we will come out of it stronger than we were before.

“To those who listen to my teaching more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening , even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.” Mark 4.25 [nlt]

More Understanding

Submitted by Ps Helen Kobakian

Understanding is a powerful step to achieving wisdom. Wisdom is what then allows us to know what to do when and how.

We are currently trying to build a house, a very big journey of learning. Like many new areas of learning, you think you know a lot until you learn a bit more and realize you know little! As we journey we are glad that we continue to discover new information- we have to keep listening though. It is very easy to assume the knowledge you have is all you need and when new knowledge is offered, we can very easily miss it because we thought we knew all we needed.

Jesus is warning us to always be listening to His word and His Spirit because He wants to continue to teach us. When we don’t listen to Him, we miss vital parts that we need, so we can grow and mature in Christ.

Knowledge produces understanding, from which comes wisdom. Knowledge is the facts, the information. Understanding is the “ahh” moment when we get how that information impacts our lives or produces a result. Wisdom is then our ability to apply that to our and others daily lives.

For example, knowledge tells me gas and a lit match produces a sustainable flame, a heat source. Understanding, the “ahh”, tells you that flame can be used to cook food. But you and your family could starve while having this understanding. It is the application of this to your life that is the evidence of wisdom. When you use this understanding and put a pot on the stove and cook food, this is wisdom.

We must always be seeking God for more so we can be the flourishing person God designed us to be.

“Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save a life or to kill?” But they remained silent.” Mark 3.4 [nkjv]

Inconvenient Christianity!

Submitted by Ps Russell Drowley

Observation:  The religious people in Jesus’ time followed the rules. Jesus acted out of love and compassion and went out of his way to bless people. The religious people were more concerned with the rules surrounding the sabbath and would rather see someone in pain and suffering than well again.

Application:  Some of us might think that we don’t live today by rules and that we are not religious. Maybe our rules and religion are schedules and appointments. Maybe it’s the way we have done something for ever and ever. I call it “the inconvenience”, doing something out of the ordinary that does not fit our schedule, our way of doing something or what we think.

Prayer:  Lord help us to see the needs around us and be a little less concerned with our schedules and rules. Help us to see the need and be willing for the inconvenience of doing something that we might not normally do or what might not fit our schedule and plans. Amen.

“These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whoom he gave the name Peter); James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder)” Mark 3.16-17 [niv]

Nicknames

Submitted by Ps Linda Bailey

Observation: Linda is not really a name you can abbreviate or easily change into a nickname. As I child I so desperately wanted a cool nickname to symbolise acceptance and friendship. The only ones I got was ‘Big Bully’ and ‘Billy’. The former was created by old family friends who must have witnessed my selfishness over toys. The latter was used by my cousins due to the fact that they thought I was more boy than girl!!  Not really the friendly, accepting names I was hoping for.  As an adult I can’t say that my nicknames have got any better. One of my friends and her family will only address me as ‘Poo’.  This started as a joke when we were running a children’s holiday program,  but it has now turned into an affectionate term. I like to think that it is more along the lines of ‘Pooh’, like in Pooh Bear, because when my friends say it they are giving me a title that is special just in our friendship group. While this name may not mean anything to a random on-looker, it is now a part of our friendship and said with much love and acceptance.

Application: Jesus gave some of his disciples different names. They were similar to nicknames in that they represented Jesus’ acceptance of them and meant that He knew something deeper about them.  However these names were more powerful and meaningful than nicknames because they were filled with purpose and destiny. I wonder what nickname Jesus would give us today. He would call each of us ‘my child’ but I’m sure he could come up with other names as well. While I often think that ‘Big Bully’ and ‘Poo’ are the only names I would be worthy of I’m reminded of the story of Gideon. Gideon was petrified for his life and hiding away from his enemies but God had a new nickname for him. It wasn’t ‘scaredy cat’ or ‘namby pamby’. It was ‘mighty warrior’.  God sees the best in us and gives us names that show our purpose and destiny.

Prayer:  Lord, we often see the worst in ourselves. Help us to see each other the way that you do, with purpose and destiny. Amen.

What nickname would God give to you?  What is your God-given purpose and destiny?

Ps Linda writes a Daily Devotional everyday. Check it out!

“He looked at them..and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts.” Mark 3.5 [nlt]

The Heart Surgeon

Submitted by Ps Helen Kobakian

Jesus’ first and foremost concern is our heart. He is not interested in how religious and devout we are, our external expressions of love for Him, unless they reflect what is in our heart.

I have heard that bitterness, unforgiveness and other nasty emotions actually cause sickness. Our hearts and their condition impacts our health and well being. Jesus being the author and creator of our hearts would obviously know this. He knows that our heart is what allows life or death to flow from us.

Proverbs 4:23 “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Some versions say, “for from it flows the springs of life”.

We must look out for our heart, protect and guard it, be careful what we let in it. But we can think that putting up barriers, having a hard shell around our heart is what protects it. But not in Jesus terms, He tells us in Psalm 34:18, He gets close to the brokenhearted and rescues the broken spirited. He loves soft, open, pliable and humble hearts. He can work with you and build a heart that flows with life when you keep it humble and soft.

Keep your heart soft towards Jesus and the things of God. Let’s not be the people that Jesus could make that statement about!