Hope For The Heart

As you look at this wonderful Psalm I think it would be obvious to even the causal reader that we ,in fact do need God's Word. In fact, verse 7 tells us that the Law of the Lord is perfect and it restores the soul. Even without a broader definition of the word perfect or restore we can see that The Lord wants us to know that His word has tremendous benefits from those who read it. So, dive into this message and see some of the wonderful benefits that are contained in your copy of the Bible.

You should read your Bible each and every day if possible. I don't know why it is so difficult for so many people to simply read the Bible. But I do know that the scriptures are the Word of God and when we do spend time in the Bible we are reading the absolute truth and no other book can make that claim. Walk with me through this study as we search all 66 books to see what the Bible says about itself and how we can mature in the Lord.Remember when the Bible speaks -God speaks.

I believe that Mark chapter 4 is a very critical chapter in the Bible for us to understand. It explains very clearly the difference between God's role and the believers role in sharing the gospel. If you take the general teachings of most churches in America you will probably find that the church does not understand the truth that we discover in Mark chapter 4. The average church teaches that the church is not relevant for today's culture and must be more practical and the people need to feel more comfortable when coming to church. So what most do is to adjust the service to included elements to make sure the crowds are comfortable and they water down the Word of God. The whole point of the church today is to make the service more practical for the crowds, not understanding the word of of God will never be understood until God changes the hearts of people so they can hear and respond to God's word and extrude worship.

I believe that this passage teaches us to simply listen to the divine revelation that we have now received from regeneration that has changed us. We have basically received the light of the Lord we are now to let that light shine through us to others. Listening to the Lord , through His word , should be a very natural thing seeing that we now have ears to hear the spiritual truth available to us because of the light that God has given to is.

This is perhaps one of the greatest stories in the Bible that shows us the amazing power of God in regeneration. Remember, the 4 kinds of soil here, represents 4 hearts and how they respond to the Gospel of Christ. The first 3 souls are unconverted and not regenerated, however, the 4th soul is considered good soil and the seed is received and germinates in the heart of this person -this is regeneration and is a believer now in the Lord Jesus Christ. This good soil(heart) was prepared by God for Salvation. Only God can change the nature of man from a God hater to a heart that has the Love of God. From an unbeliever to a believer or from a sinner to a saint. To God be the Glory!

Without a doubt-this parable should be the most applied scripture into the heart of every pastor who stands in pulpits across America today bringing God Word to thousands weekly. Perhaps we would see less false conversions and no manipulation used to get the numbers up in their news announcements. Because this passage explains to believers the true response of hearts to the Gospel of Jesus Christ . Perhaps we as believers need to understand that only God can plow a heart , it is not a natural thing to love God and that is exactly what God does to a heart, changing a heart of hate to a heart that loves God and truly want to worship Him.

Have you ever wondered why you believe the Lord Jesus Christ and other people that were in your circle of friends do not believe in Jesus? Or perhaps why some people used to believe and now they don't . In fact , I know people who were saved around the same time that I was , and they were very excited about believing in Jesus and the new fellowship of friends and even going to church but now they don't believe. What happened? Well this passage of scripture found in the gospel of Mark describes different responses people have to the word of God . So , stick with me and let's discover why people respond the way they do and will their response last or even get them into heaven. So-Why did you believe in Christ?

This passage teaches us that God controls the reception of truth for salvation in some hearts and not all hearts.In fact, have you ever wondered why you trust Christ for salvation and many of your family and, or friends do not believe? Did you just get a dose of smarts one day and suddenly realize that it was the smart thing to do? According to this passage, your heart is like good soil that can grow crops , but how did it get that way ? This is what this parable is talking about in Mark chapter 4.

This passage teaches us the same as 1 Peter 5:7-"Cast your care on Him, because He cares for you." So Jesus is teaching at least 2 things to His disciples that night on the Sea of Galilee-1. He is demonstrating who He is by showing His power over the wind and water. 2. He is teaching The disciples that is does have sympathy and compassion because He does care for them. They were afraid during the storm, now they are very much afraid after the storm. Well what's worse than having a storm outside your boat, is having God on your boat. A real cause for panic.

Title: "What if Jesus was God?" Mark 4:35-41 This passage is probably one of the most exciting sections of the entire New Testament. It basic covers chapters 4&5 of the gospel of Mark. And in this section we see Jesus proving that He has Power over Nature, power over demons , power over physical health(sickness), and power over death itself and they are arranged climactically to prover that He is sovereign over all things because Jesus is God.