King James Bible Study – “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” – Mark 8:34
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2020
Chapters: Mark 4-5
Message: Peace In The Storm
Hello My Friend,
Peace. It is not something that seems to come easy for us these days. In fact, the entire world has been turned upside down with this pandemic so much so that it looks almost impossible to come by. There is peace in this world, but it will not come from a vaccine, a cure, a countries chosen leader, it will only come through our faith in one man, and that man, is Jesus Christ. The pandemic is a huge storm passing by, and let me tell you, Jesus is right there in it, we just have to have faith that He will see us through it. The greatest example of this is seen when we read about the Jesus in a ship asleep while a storm arises.
[Mark 4:36-40 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?]
[And there were also with him other little ships.] Mark is the only Gospel to record that there were other ships on the water during that time. People walked the earth and actually saw and communed with Jesus every day He was here, how many do you think believed not only that He is the Son of God, but that He is the very Gospel He preached? Not very many, even one of His own disciples did not believe. This is why Jesus says that those who believe in Him without seeing Him will be more blessed than those who walked with Him and believe. Mark also tells of why Jesus spoke in parables, when Mark wrote his Gospel he did not mix words, he flat out told them.
[Mark 4:1-2,10-13 And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. 2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, 10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. 11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: 12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. 13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?]
[and how then will ye know all parables?] Jesus flat out told the disciples if they did not understand the parables He spoke the how are they going to understand Him. Again, Jesus will only reveal Himself to those who believe, and it is God, the Father who actually sends Him to us as He sees our faith in Him. It is interesting how Mark interprets the parable of the sower of the seed, in fact it gives a clearer understanding.
[Mark 4:16-19,24-25,30-32 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. 18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. 24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. 25 For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath. 30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? 31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: 32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.]
[from him shall be taken even that which he hath.] I pointed out the seed on stony ground and among thorns to show you that these are the two kind are the most common. Those on stony ground are those whom have never been saved, but are quite frequent in the church until a storm comes, then they bolt. Those among the thorns, are those whom are saved, then create their own storm through the lusts of their flesh. There is no greater peace than knowing that we are saved, but I guarantee you that many have walked away from Jesus since all this started. For those who know they are saved and find peace through Jesus, know that this pandemic or rather the fear of it, cannot control us or scare us, we belong to Christ, the second we leave this earth we will be present with the LORD, [II Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.]
Let me tell you who is behind this pandemic, Satan himself, rather his demons. Although we are surrounded by the demons of the devil and he can be powerful, we must not underestimate the power of Jesus. He may allow the devil to tempt us and even throw us in the middle of the storm, but when we come to Jesus He will always stop the devil in his tracks. The devil is so evil that he does not have the guts to do things on his own, he will enlist several of his demons to do his dirty work. We find this out with the man who had a legion in him. This man knew right away that Jesus was the only one who could save him, the second Jesus commanded those demons to leave they did. Several people witnessed what happened, instead of receiving Jesus, they rejected Him.
[Mark 5:16-20 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. 17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. 18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. 19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. 20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.]
[And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.] The world fears the power of Jesus for the very reason that the devil is in control of it and wants to keep them living in fear. Jesus wants all to come to Him, especially if the situation looks hopeless, there are many testimonies of people who had near death experiences and lived to tell about it, and I am one of them. So, if you tell me that Jesus cannot, I will be the first to tell you that HE CAN. If there is one thing I have learned, especially this past year, it is that the flesh truly is weak, if it gets a little uncomfortable it wants to throw in the towel. The woman with the blood disease is a perfect example of someone who tried every option available to be cured until she discovered Jesus.
[Mark 5:25-34 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, 26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, 27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. 28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. 29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? 31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. 33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. 34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.]
[When she had heard of Jesus,] Faith always comes first by hearing what Jesus has done for someone else. I can relate to this woman, I have had stomach problems since I was a little girl, I went to doctors, had so many tests done that I cannot stand to go to the doctor still today. My faith in Jesus began to increase when not only my health, but life began falling part tremendously, I was talking to my brother on the phone, then out of the blue he told me that he went to church for the first time since we were younger. A week later I stepped foot into a church and never looked back. Jesus is my peace, without Him in my life I do not even want to know where I would be, [John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, As I are right in the midst of this pandemic and have been dealing with one issue after another, I am well aware that this is the devil attacking. I also know that You are stronger than the devil and as long as I stick close to You I will endure and see victory. You are my peace that passes all understanding and my heart will not be troubled. Lord, watch over us, guide and protect us, lead us not into temptation and deliver us from all evil that the devil. Give us Your power, mercy, and grace, and let us be discerning, showing your truths as we weather this storm with You. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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