RTW October 6
Benefits Of The Storm
So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed).
Mark 4:36
My Takeaways
Something Old
Sometimes our obedience can take us directly into the path of a storm.
The disciples obeyed God when He told them sail to the other side.
Something New
The storm gives us the opportunity to
- Experience Jesus’ compassion (He shouted at the storm, not at the disciples.)
- Trust Jesus’ abilities (They were experts in fishing, yet they went to Jesus.)
- Witness Jesus’ power
Something to Do
Obey God even in the midst of the storm, for I will see Jesus.
I had the privilege to go to Israel back in 1998. Saw first hand the kind of boat they used back in Jesus’s time and the ones they now use.. They were not cruise ships. No bottom or top deck. No pools, spas, or hot tubs. It was a plain boat with a covering over it that would protect from the wind, sun, and the rain. It held about 60 person approximately. Our group was a large group so we were divided into several boats. We came to the middle of the Sea of Galilee, dropped anchor, and as a group we listen to the pastor read these words. Never saw the obedience in it then. But now I see. This is a new revelation to me! Thank you Wendy!!
I’m certain Jesus has asked thought the same for me and my faith. I can sense his voice saying daughter do you still not believe? After all….
My storms have been tumultuous yet I know they drew me closer to my Savior in a way that only could have happened because of my storms.
Please pray for a friend of mind who is in a storm. He is really discouraged and failing. May Jesus lift him out of this for His Glory.
I’ve been really challenged through the sower parable to go deep in my roots of Gids Word and my relationship with Him. I want to have such deep roots that no matter the trial or struggle I cling to Him and continue to produce fruit. I came across Jeremiah 17:5-8 in another study I was doing and it speaks to this same idea. So grateful for how God speaks so clearly when He wants me to work on an area of my walk with Him. I was also challenged by Matt 13:10-12 where it talked about the more we listen to Jesus’ teaching with the desire to understand that He will give us more knowledge. I want to approach god’s word with a heart to listen and understand and grow close to Him. I won’t gain this knowledge if I’m just doing it to check off a box.
My Takeaways: The Kingdom of God
Something Old: I read more parables today. These seemed to center around the Kingdom of Heaven and gave me more insight into its scope, its enemy, and the reality of the coming judgment. The Kingdom of heaven is the most valuable asset that I can have and I must be willing to sacrifice anything here on earth to receive this awesome gift. The kingdom is now my judgement lies in the future. The decisions I make today will have a great impact on where I’ll land in the future.
Something New: Matthew 13:12 “To those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But to those who are not listening, even what they have will be taken away from them.” How blessed I am to be involved in RTW each and every day. God allows me grace as I read through His words, but also gives me the wisdom to gain more understanding and knowledge in who God is and what Jesus did for me and how the Holy Spirit guides my days.The more I read the more I understand that I am on the right road. I love the knowlege I am gaining from being in the word but the most important aspect is in the fact that I am growing deeper into a relationship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. As I continue to grow God’s word will continue to take root in my life allowing me to do far more for His kingdom then I ever imagined, now that’s some good news!
Something To Do: Stay in the word, listen to what He says so I can gain spiritual understanding. Let me hear his words so my heart is changed with all intentions of obeying.