* Literally Speaking

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 crowds behind (although other boats followed). 
Mark 4:35-36 NLT

Few people speak literally. Have you ever noticed that? It can quickly become confusing when trying to make a decision to act, based on what someone has said. Did they mean it literally? Was there a veiled message in it? Did you notice any innuendos? Double entendres? 

Jesus spoke literally. (Yes, He told parables and other stories, but when He did, He always let you know that's what it was.) We're never left guessing when it comes to the spoken Word. And Jesus said He speaks only what the Father tells Him.  You remember Genesis when God the Father spoke the world into existence, "Let there be light." And there was light! 

Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 

Jesus did not say, "Let's go drown in the middle of the lake because of the storm that's coming." He said, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake." They heard Him, they got in the boat and started out - heading to the other side. Then it got rough and they lost all hope of living to see the other side! And what was Jesus doing? Jesus was sleeping on a pillow...not moved by tossing waves, stormy seas. He'd already spoken it.

Can we believe the literal Word of God? I know we can, but DO we?

Prayer:

Father,
         Forgive us for allowing the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, to crowd out the words You have spoken to us. Let Your Word and Your Word alone be the bread of life to us.  In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

25% or 75% Off? *

And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God's word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!

Mark 4:20

Shopping is NOT my favorite leisure sport. I have friends who think it is an Olympic event - summer and winter - but I'm not vying for position on Team Shop-till-you-drop. However - show me a REAL sale or a great coupon and I can quickly become the first round draft pick! I like it any place and any time I think I'm getting way more value added for the money spent. It just makes sense, right? Who wouldn’t choose a 75% off sale over a 25%?

I like to get a deal. My friends tease me about being part Jewish when it comes to getting a deal. I like big returns for my money and the larger the percentage off, the better I like it. But buyer, beware! You have to know the value and what something really costs in order to be able to determine if it's truly a sale or worth the percentage off.  I've learned over the years to not invest in something unless it's a sure thing. Wall Street is not a sure thing. The Word of God is. And our text reads that if we hear and accept God's Word, we're going to get a great return.

In his book, Unlocking the Prophecy Code, Dr. Bryan Cutshall walks his readers through the Parable of the Sower. I highly recommend his book as an aid in understanding parables. You might ask how important is it to be able to understand or interpret the parables? Well, since Christ taught in parables, I'd say it's very important. In verse 13, it reads, Then Jesus said to them, If you can't understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables? 

Mark 4 is a chapter full of a phenomenal wealth of knowledge from Jesus. There are 4 different examples in this chapter regarding those who hear the Word of God and what they do with it. They ALL heard but they didn't accept. They ALL had the opportunity to reap the reward of the spiritual riches, but only some took it to heart. If you were to assume percentages of 100%, they all heard - 100%, but only 25% accepted. That leaves 75% off the mark. That's not a bargain. In this case, I'd stay with the 25%.

Prayer:

Father,

        Forgive us for following after the world. Help us to hear and accept Your Word and all its worth. Let us never try to cut a deal or trade or shortchange our relationship with You. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen