Mark 4:26-27

Jesus said, “This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how.”

God is in a constant state of loving us. That is what unconditional Love is. Jesus is asking us to be a partner in building God’s kingdom here on Earth…in the community where we live and beyond…by spreading seeds of that same Unconditional Love. Amazing things would happen!

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Mark 4:21-22

He said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light.”

Jesus certainly wants us to channel the light of God’s Love to the world and not keep it hidden. How is God calling you to shine that Light? But beyond that…could Jesus also be saying that we should not be afraid of the darkness inside of us…the things we struggle with and aren’t proud of? What if we didn’t try to hide those things…but instead allowed God’s Light to shine into those areas? Jesus never condemned or accused those who brought their shortcomings to Him…but instead reached out in love to them. God wishes to embrace you…in the same way!

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Mark 4:18-19

“Those (seeds) sown among thorns are another sort. They are the people who hear the word, but worldly anxiety, the lure of riches, and the craving for other things intrude and choke the word, and it bears no fruit.”

Often have we heard the words of Jesus either read to us at church or in our own reading of scripture. But the question is…have His words sunk in? How fertile is our soil? Do we spend time tending the soil in silent prayer, contemplating bible verses and spiritual reading? Perhaps if we spent more time cultivating our soil…the thorns (all the distractions of the world) would dissipate…and our lives might blossom in ways we would never have believed!

Songs now available on itunes

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2 Timothy 1:7-8

For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.

St. Paul’s encounter with the risen Christ totally transformed him from a persecutor of Christians (which he did because he thought he was doing the will of God!) to totally dedicating himself to spreading Christ’s message of unconditional love. Things were not going well for Paul at this point as he was in prison…persecuted himself for following Christ! But amidst the struggle…Paul has an inner peace and strength. Allow the risen Christ to do the same for you and set you free!

Songs now available on itunes:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/bill-tonnis/id325748505

Songs now available on itunes

http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/bill-tonnis/id325748505

Mark 3:8-10

Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon. He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him.

They came from all over…walking miles and miles…for the chance that Jesus would touch them and heal their diseases. What disease is bothering you? It could be a “dis-ease”…something causing you inner pain or upset. Are you bringing it to the Master Healer? Jesus wants to free you and make you whole.

Songs now available on itunes

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Mark 3:4-5

Then he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?” But they remained silent. Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored.

The Pharisees wanted to see if Jesus would break religious law by curing the man with the withered hand on the sabbath…the day of rest. When in our lives do we rigidly hold to certain rules and guidelines and in the process are cold and heartless? Is it not possible to be both a follower of rules and at the same time be willing to bend them when compassion and mercy are at stake? Being right will never change someone’s heart. Compassion will.

Songs now available on itunes

http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/bill-tonnis/id325748505

Mark 2:4-5

Unable to get near Jesus because of the crowd, they opened up the roof above him. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven.”

Four men lowered a paralyzed man through a hole they had made in the roof so that Jesus might physically heal the man. But Jesus shows us the more important healing…and that is on the spiritual level. Wherever this man had separated himself from God by choosing some other “idol” to satisfy his inner yearning…Jesus healed. The man’s healing wasn’t based on merit…but on God’s unconditional Love. God can and will heal any inner conflict that may be paralyzing you. Do you believe this? All you need is faith like a child and the kingdom of God will become one with the present. As Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Child…your sins are forgiven.”

Songs now available on itunes

http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/bill-tonnis/id325748505