WHO CAN THIS BE?

DOES HE CARE?

Read: Mark 4:35–41

     And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"    Mark 4:37–38 NKJV

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     The question Jesus' disciples asked is an important one: Does the Son of God care? The Psalmist David said, "O LORD, what is man that you care for him, the son of man that you think of him?" (Psalm 144:3)

     It is hard to imagine that the God of the universe would really care about us individually. But the fact that He sent His only Son to lay down His life for us proves that He does care. In a very short moment in time Jesus dismissed their doubts. He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.  Mark 4:39 NKJV

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     Dear Jesus, I do believe that You care about us, but sometimes I still worry and I pray that You will increase my faith.

     You told Your disciples that they were to go to the other side of the lake and they should have believed they were safe with You in the boat.

     But they were human, and so am I. That kind of faith is a gift, and I am asking for the filling of Your Holy Spirit.  Help me to trust You throughout the day and for the days ahead.

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     And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!"    Mark 4:41 NKJV

THE GOOD SOIL

WHO IS MY BROTHER AND SISTER?

Read Matthew 12:46–50; Mark 3:31–35; Luke 8:4–21

     While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him   Matthew 12:46 NKJV

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     Jesus was teaching his disciples in an extremely crowded home, while outside the home were those who adamantly opposed Him. He told them the story of a farmer who sowed seed on thorny, rocky and good ground. He explained that the seed was the Word of God and the rocky or thorny ground represented those who allow the cares of life to choke out the Word. But the seed on good soil, He said, "stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop." (Luke 8:15 NIV)
     Then someone came in and said that Jesus’ mother and brothers were looking for him. “He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, "Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother." (Mark 3:34–35 NKJV) In spite of the interruption, this room was filled with “noble and good hearts”–and Jesus continued sowing the seed.

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     Lord, I pray that I will not be one who allows the worries and cares of this life to choke out Your Word. Help me to retain the Word, persevere and produce fruit in my life that I too may be your "sister and mother."

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      ...and they said to Him, "Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You." Mark 3:32 NKJV  "...whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother."  Mat 12:50

YOU CLAIM TO BE GOD

MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE

Read  John 10:1–33

     The Jews gathered around him, saying, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." John 10:24 NIV

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     There was much disputing among the Jews about who Jesus was. They were ready, perhaps, to look for an earthly king to deliver them from Roman rule, but they were not ready for a Savior. Jesus knew those who were His because the Father had already given them to Him.

     To this question Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. (10:25-26) When they threatened to stone Him, He asked them which miracle deserved death. They replied, "We are not stoning you for any of these, but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God." (10:33)

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     Lord, when false teachers come to my door to dispute the Trinity, I need to remember that Jesus was crucified because He claimed to be God. He was God the Son, One with the Father. Soon those who were His sheep would know the indwelling power of His Spirit and go forth to proclaim the gospel of Christ.

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     "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand."    John 10:27–28 NIV