Author: Bill Hall

Mark 4:38
   The irony here only serves to illustrate our common state of mind. The disciples fully realized that Jesus was and is the Lord. They knew that it would be inconsistent with his power and person to simply allow himself and all those on the boat with him to sink to the bottom. Yet they word their question in such a way as we see here.
   We have this tendency to dishonor God by our questions when we do not understand his plan. His ways, being inscrutable to us, often seem more than strange to us. As a result, we will say things that are ill advised. And the Lord, in his patience, corrects us.

Bible Reading: Leviticus 5:1-7:38

Scripture Memory: 1 John 3:6 “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the way that you handle our shortcomings. Though the time of your wrath will surely come for those who are willfully disobedient, your merciful way of handling us is so kind. You give us a chance to get ourselves right with you. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for an elderly woman who needs to get up and around.

Journal Entry #15131

Mark 4:37
   The ship had taken on as much water as the experienced fishermen piloting it knew it could handle. Though Jesus still lay down in it, it was full of all the water needed to sink shortly.

Bible Reading: Leviticus 1:1-4:35

Scripture Memory: 1 John 3:5 “And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your provision. You always provide for what we need. May we live to serve you every moment. We cannot ever miss out by depending upon you. You have made life available and abundant by Christ. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a boy with an arm injury.

Journal Entry #15130

Mark 4:36
   Do not be puzzled by this phrase ‘even as he was’ in this verse. Remember that Jesus was already in the boat, thus this is why this strange explanation is made here.

Bible Reading: Exodus 39:1-40:38

Scripture Memory: 1 John 3:4 “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, your great power and might is made known to us through your Word. Though many people try to deny it, you are unlimited, and we know it. Thank you for your great love for us. Although your power is so great, you will not be made a fool of. You have set your care upon us, and you have made good on your promises. You are truly wondrous! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a woman having surgery Monday.

Journal Entry #15129

Mark 4:35
   When Jesus was here on earth he was a leader. He called the shots. He decided what would happen. But, with him in heaven, we act as if he is an disembodied spirit that simply moved us to things, but doesn’t actually have a real human will or way of thinking and feeling.
   This is due to a misunderstanding of the creation of mankind. God made man to be a reflection of him. If anything, Jesus, as a perfect man, is more human than we are. We have been damaged by sin. We are not what we could be. So, we think of him as more of a force than a person. But, truly he is a person just as much, more really, than we are. He is the key to our humanity. He is the only way for us to be what we are intended to be.

Bible Reading: Exodus 36:1-38:31

Scripture Memory: 1 John 3:3 “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your great love for us in sending the Lord Jesus Christ to make us what we could never be without him. He is the One we all need to be the beings that you intended for us to be. Thank you for your mercy by him. Thank you for salvation by his blood. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for two women with advanced cancer.

Journal Entry #15128

Mark 4:34
   Those closest to the truth will receive more truth, and those far away will receive less. This is a principle we see throughout Christ’s ministry here on earth.

Exodus 34:1-35:35

1 John 3:2 “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”

Heavenly Father, thank you for your incredible live for us. You have given us so much, the least we can do is serve you. All earthly treasures are but fading fancies in contrast with abiding praise for you, Almighty God. All that we do should be for the purpose of honoring you. You are great and mighty indeed, and your works declare your awesome wisdom. Thank you for saving me! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Pray for several young people as they grow spiritually.

Journal #15127

Mark 4:33
   They were able to hear only that which was made simple. We often will go through quite complex processes in order to justify ourselves. We spend much time and effort aggrandizing our own intellect. But when truth comes to face us, we want it as simplified as we can get it.

Exodus 31:1-33:23

1 John 3:1 “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.”

Heavenly Father, thank you for communicating your truth to us in spite of our poor hearing. You have showed us the path for our feet, and we cannot complain. We can depend upon you fully for all the truth we need. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Pray for a man with neck pain. Pray for a family that lost a father earlier this year.

Journal #15126

Mark 4:32
   Jesus is signifying here that the kingdom grows to a worldwide extent. Though it starts small, the kingdom is in God’s hand. It is sure to fill the world because it is in his program for this present age. It cannot be stopped.

Exodus 29:1-30:38

1 John 2:29 “If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.”

Heavenly Father, you are present everywhere always. You are able completely anytime. You are informed infinitely every time. We cannot fool you. We cannot escape you. We cannot be greater than you. We bow to your awesome holiness and righteousness. Your truth is such a blessing to us! It makes our lives what they are. As the Creator, you can lead us every moment. We can trust your sovereign care. Thank you for your goodness! In the name if the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Pray for a lady with several physical needs. Pray for a man in the hospital. Pray for two lost individuals.

Journal #15125

Mark 4:31
   Seeds start out small, seemingly insignificant. Yet, they contain great potential in just that small package. The mustard seed was common to that area, and would have been familiar to Jesus’ listeners.

Bible Reading: Exodus 27:1-28:43

Scripture Memory: 1 John 2:28 “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, never will we know just how much you have done for us. If we were to collect a mustard seed for every blessing that you bestow upon us, the world would run out of seed. Your greatness is impossible to describe in its entirety. But, we will continue to praise you our whole lives through and then sing your praises in heaven above. You are worthy! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a man recovering from gallbladder problems. Pray for a woman recovering from a fall.

Journal Entry #15124

Mark 4:30
   This type of introduction was a good way to introduce a parable. It gave people a heads up on what was coming next.

Bible Reading: Exodus 24:1-26:37

Scripture Memory: 1 John 2:27 “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your love and mercy! You have given us so much. May we live to give to you. You are worthy of our praises and adoration. You alone reign over all. You alone know the end from the beginning. You alone understand this universe you have made in its entirety. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a man who is lost. Pray for a man who has cancer.

Journal Entry #15123

Mark 4:29
   The great harvest of souls in the church age is still coming forth. Many are being saved every day. The Great Comission has not stopped its advance over the globe. There are still places that do not have the Word.

Bible Reading: Exodus 21:1-23:33

Scripture Memory: 1 John 2:26 “These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word! In it we find hope for life. In it we find wisdom for our choices. In it we find truth for our future. In it we are introduced to a relationship with you. Oh thank you for what we can find in it! Thank you for the truth in Christ! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a man with lung problems.

Journal Entry #15122