Jesus said, "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you -- and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him" (Mark 4:25). What is Jesus saying? Is He talking about what we do? If we measure out generous forgiveness, or benevolent aid, or share the gospel . . . if we do these things, will we get back in some way? I'd say, "Yes -- sort of." But isn't Jesus really after the heart of what we measure out? Isn't this about whether we are "all in" or only halfway in? Are we in the boat with Jesus or standing on the shore?

Which are you? It matters. Because Jesus measures us by our measure.

Jerry Sheveland's message yesterday was powerful! The high point was when he pointed out that when Jesus said, "Peace. Be still!" to the wind and the waves, He actually said "Shalom!" And Jesus is so powerful that He can not only still the wind and the waves but He can speak God's peace into our lives, too. Let's "pray big" that the Lord Jesus will speak His peace into the lives of the people all around us! 

What do you think of when you ask for God to give you peace? Remember not to ask Jesus to simply "patch you up" but to do His deeper transformational work. How do the people around you need Jesus to speak Shalom into their lives?

The parables in Mark 4 are amazing. They are Jesus' way of teaching us how the Kingdom of God grows in this world. The seed (God's Word) falls on many soil types but it's the good soil that bears much fruit (to which we should all ask, "Am I good soil?" 4:1-20). The lamp is set up on a stand so that it's light becomes useful -- the concealed becomes revealed and people perceive the need for Jesus as Savior (4:21-23). True receptivity (hearing the Word) results in generously measuring out the Word to the world around (4:24-25) and the receptive receive more. We must scatter the "seed" and know that God will bring the growth, most of which happens without seeing it (4:26-29). The Kingdom of God is like a small mustard seed that grows up to be a huge bush -- it's always growing (see picture below)!  All these parables are Jesus' way of helping us to understand what it means to follow Him and be a part of His growing Kingdom. Which parable is helpful to you?

Enjoy "Come and Follow" by Don Francisco.

I'm excited for tomorrow as we complete the first week of Come & Follow! Our Growth Groups will get into the material for the first time. I am praying that God grows us in new ways!

The point of this study is to get to know Jesus through the experiences of the people we read of in the gospel of Mark. Jesus has introduced Himself as the Son of God who has authority to forgive sins and cast out demons; who teaches with great authority; and who is the One who brings God's Kingdom to earth! One story that caught my attention was Mark 1:40-45 in which Jesus reaches out and touches a leper and heals him. This was absolutely amazing to the people of that day because anyone who touches a leper becomes unclean, according to the Law in Leviticus. This was the first time in human history that someone touched a leper and the leper was healed or "made clean." So Jesus is so powerful that He can make an unclean leper healed and clean!

That gives us all hope that Jesus has the authority to transform our circumstances!

I'm excited for tomorrow as we complete the first week of Come & Follow! Our Growth Groups will get into the material for the first time. I am praying that God grows us in new ways!