Arise and Abide

Reading from The Gospel According Mark 6:1-6 (NLT) ~Jesus Rejected at Nazareth~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The drastic difference between the town He left and His experience in His hometown. God uses people we may not expect to build relationships with and hear from God. When we pre-judge, and box people into our little perspective we box in our ability to receive what everything God has for us.

Reading from The Gospel According Mark 5:21-43 (NLT) ~Jesus Heals in Response to Faith~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The Story going from Jairus to the woman, back to the Jairus. The barrier between us and the power of God is us. The woman was receptive to healing. When we seek healing from sources other than God we set ourselves up for failure. Jesus was not interrupted on the way, the woman’s faith was an example and an encouragement to Jairus.

Reading from The Gospel According Mark 5:1-20 (NLT) ~Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Man~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The value of the man Jesus heals. It’s not in our own strength or ability that the power demons has over people is broken. The Demons recognizing Jesus and going to Him. The man going on and spreading the good news. God answering prayers.

Reading from Psalms 4 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The felt angst in David’s writing along with humility and faith in God will hear his call and answer. David reminding himself and anyone who reads, not to let your anger control you. When your emotions are out of control you cannot surrender to God as you are focused on your own inner rejection of circumstance. We don’t offer ‘sacrifices’ but we die to ourselves and trust the LORD.

Reading from The Gospel According Mark 4:35-41 (NLT) ~Jesus Calms the Storm~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. People wanting you to get upset about something alongside them. The growth journey of the disciple’s faith and understanding. God, my boat is filling with water, don’t you care? Getting worried, excited, or worked up does not help the situation. You cannot be still and know God when you are in fight or flight.

Reading from The Gospel According Mark 4:30-34 (NLT) ~Parable of the Mustard Seed~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The Kingdom of God starts small with a piece of Good news. People have moments of awareness of how small they are in nature. The Kingdom being described not as a strong fortress but as something that grows from the humble and insignificant. Teaching in parables and repeating to lesson.

Reading from The Gospel According Mark 4:26-29 (NLT) ~Parable of the Growing Seed~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. We do not always know how God operates, how things happen, it’s not something we manipulate. One plants, the other waters, its all with the Good News of Christ. The growth period/process of our life in the parable. God enables us to grow and produce fruit, there is nothing produced in our own effort. We are called to be obedient, to be there and to love. God does the rest.

Reading from The Gospel According Mark 4:11-25 (NLT) ~Parable of the Lamp~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Connecting the parable of the farmer to the parable of the lamp. Jesus is the light revealing truth and every hidden thing. Jesus giving understanding and wisdom as we continue returning to the Word. If you do not use it, you lose it. The more time you spend in the Word, the more you see the truth of God displayed in your life.

Reading from The Gospel According Mark 4:1-20 (NLT) ~Parable of the Farmer Scattering Seed~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. All the outcomes of the seed are experienced in life. The Farmer keeps scattering. When you get the seed you will go through the challenges to keep the seed and growing and flourishing. When we share the Good News, the enemy whispers “did God really say…” questions to snatch the seed away. The Holy Spirit guides and protects, God does all the work.

Reading from The Gospel According Mark 3:31-35 (NLT) ~The True Family of Jesus~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Jesus family still on their mission to confront Him on their opinion about what He is doing. Jesus expands the definition of family. Our identity is found in following Jesus. The heart behind the story is Jesus’ love and devotion for the ones who do God’s will for us, to love God and love people.