Mark 4

"[Jesus told this parable:] "Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed. As he scattered it across his field, some of the seed fell on a footpath,..."

The winds and the waves obey Him! The next time you see a wonder of nature, don't just wonder at nature. Wonder at the One who created it all. The One with the power to stop wind and waves with just a word. For he is the same One with the power to change your life. He is the One wit

"Jesus also said, "The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, while he's asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and..."

"Jesus said, "How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is....."

"[Jesus replied to the disciples,] "You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to..."

Don't focus on the building waves or let the pitching boat convince you otherwise. Melissa Troyer reminds us of Jesus who brings peace in the worst of storms, both the early disciples in a boat and us in our troubled world.

You don’t need to be a fisherman to experience a perfect storm. Max Lucado reminds us about finding ourselves about being in a perfect storm and receiving God's perfect peace.

"Dear Disciple, Pentecost came, and My church was born! The presence, power, and work of the Holy Spirit in every true disciple had finally arrived......"

"As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake." So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the..."

"But soon a fierce storm came up [as Jesus and some disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee]. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began....."

"[Continuing the explanation of his parable, Jesus said,] "The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it...."

"Later, when Jesus was alone with the twelve disciples and with the others who were gathered around, they asked him what the parables meant. He..."

""Consider carefully what you hear," [Jesus] continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you — and even more. Whoever has will be given more;..."

"[Jesus continued,] "Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand." Then he added, "Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you..."

"Once again Jesus began teaching by the lakeshore. A very large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat in the boat while..."

"[Continuing the explanation of his parable, Jesus said,] "The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God's word, but all too..."

"[After Jesus calmed the storm,] he asked [the disciples], "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?" The disciples were absolutely terrified...."

"Then Jesus asked [the apostles], "Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand,..."

We are called to be a group of mustard seed people — folks who know they are GATHERED to be TRANSFORMED and SCATTERED. Phil Ware introduces us to the concept of TRANSENDING.church and calls us to be a people who gather to transform and scatter.

You don't have to listen to the noise around you! Tom Norvell reminds us that we don't have to hear the messages and noise around us, we can follow Jesus' example and withdraw from the situation.

"[Continuing the explanation of his parable, Jesus said,] "The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan..."

"But soon a fierce storm came up [as Jesus and some disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee]. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began....."

"[Explaining his parable, Jesus said,] "The farmer plants seed by taking God's word to others.""

"[Concluding the explanation of his parable, Jesus said,] "And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God's word and..."

"In fact, in [Jesus'] public ministry he never taught without using parables; but afterward, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained..."

"Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand."

"When Jesus woke up [in the storm-tossed boat], he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Silence! Be still!" Suddenly the wind stopped, and there..."

"Jesus was the Lord High Admiral of the sea that night, and his presence preserved the whole convoy. It is well to sail with Jesus, even though it be....."

"[Jesus continued,] "To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little..."

Inspirational illustration of Mark 4:24 -- "Consider carefully what you hear," he continued...

Christian e-card: Peace, Be Still. - Mark 4:39

What is the Phil Ware continues with his series on The Story focusing on the What Is and Who Is and the Why Is of Jesus' coming.

What happens when the strom won't let up? The way we handle life's storms can be a powerful witness to those around us just like Stephen's life was.

Will you bloom where you are planted? God wants us to blossom where we are planted.

Instinctive? Maybe. Pervasive? Absolutely! Primal fears have plagued humanity for as long as we have told stories and laid awake at night... afraid! Phil Ware looks at Jesus and how he brings us victory over our worst fears as adults.

Changing direction in life is not tragic. Losing passion in life is. Max Lucado reminds us that God is not finished with us yet and still speaks to us.

We are here to remind each other that we are not forgotten in our struggles of life, fear, and death. We are here to be the heart, hands, and voice of Jesus to the broken. Phil Ware reminds us that we can all reach the end of our rope and not know what to do and this is when Jesus can step in and change everything.