Author: Bill Hall

Mark 4:28
   There is a process to the growth. This is true of the gospel age. There is a process and progression. We understand some of it, but do not know about all of it. For example, though we know that the rapture will take place, we don’t know when or exactly what will cause the Lord to decide it is the time for it.

Exodus 17:1-20:26

1 John 2:25 “And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.”

Pray for a woman with a broken bone.

Heavenly Father, thank you for telling us just what we need to know. Though we often think it would be better if we knew everything, we know it is not. We can trust you to do the best thing. We can trust you for our future, because you tell us the truth. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, amen.

Journal #15121

Mark 4:27
   It is still somewhat of a mystery how seeds grow. Though, through modern science, we can explain the process quite well, we cannot replicate it. Biotechnology works with what is already there rather than producing something new.
   So, the sower knows that after some time seeds will begin to grow, but he does not know exactly how this takes place. Though we know the conditions under which the truth of God’s Word takes root in a heart, we cannot make it happen. Like the seed, though describable, the process cannot be replicated.

Exodus 14:1-16:36

1 John 2:24 “Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.”

Heavenly Father, thank you for your wisdom, you know how the seeds work, and you can make them. You have the power to create new things. Thank you for being so holy and wise. You don’t just destroy people out of hand. You deal with us individually and love us each one. Your mercy is available and free to us. We will give you the glory because you really are the best. Jesus is the foundation of all that we know and need. He is the Christ, the one who has made our existence an amazing thing. By him we may rule in our places once again. By him we may be your ambassadors. Thank you for your word, dear Father! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, amen.

Pray for those who faithfully serve the Lord week after week. Pray for the lost. Pray for a woman with cancer. Pray for a man who has a bad cold and has to work.

Journal #15120

Mark 4:26
   We will easily miss the method of planting employed here. This man does not plant a certain number of seeds in certain spots. Instead, he throws the seed into an area of ground. This is much like what we do when we plant grass.
   This helps us with the illustration. The gospel is spread generally, and then more is done for the growing seed as it appears. If you plant grass, some of the seeds will not produce. Those that do you will revisit and water, and tend, to get it to grow.

Exodus 11:1-13:22

1John 2:23 “Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.”

Heavenly Father, thank you for this week with my family. You are so nice to us to give us the joy of enjoying one another. You provide all the good blessings in this life. Thank you for all that we may have and be in Christ. May our lives be an endless testimony of service to him! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, amen.

Pray for a man having brain surgery to remove a tumor. Pray for a woman recovering from surgery.

Journal #15119

Mark 4:25
   Please, may I beg of you, never take for granted the wonderful blessings God has given you! Praise Him daily for the fact that he has made his awesome truth available to you. You can go to his word and see the truth for yourself in its pages.
   Jesus here once again lets us know that the measure for judgment will be based upon the revelation that is available to us. So many will go to a devil’s hell, not because they’re bad people, for we all are; but because they failed to take the gift of righteousness by Christ that is offered by Almighty God. The saddest part of the story of this world will not be the great evil and cruelty of man, but the failure of so many men to see the great righteousness and holiness and love of Jesus Christ.

Exodus 8:1-10:29

1 John 2:22 “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.”

Payer Requests: Pray for a woman and her newborn. Pray for a woman with stage 4 cancer. Pray for a missionary couple as they readjust to field life.

   Heavenly Father, help us to be faithful servants to you. Help us to use what you have given us, rather than setting it aside. Help us not to miss what you have revealed to us, and that you have enabled us to serve you in your ministry. You have given us the opportunity to be involved in the spread of the gospel. You have given us the opportunity to share the love of Christ of abroad! I praise you for your wondrous grace and mercy! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, amen.

Journal #15118

Mark 4:24
   The Lord knows how much we have heard, and what we have done with it. It is all recorded, he has forgotten nothing.

Bible Reading: Genesis 46:1-48:22

Scripture Memory: 1 John 2:21 “I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for this wonderful day, and for the blessings that you have given us! You are faithful! We love you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for us this weekend as we have our third child. – I will resume posting after we get back from the hospital.

Journal Entry #15117

Mark 4:23
   Jesus said this same thing many times. Indeed, it may have been something people would quote him as saying. It can be very good to be quoted, and saying the same thing over and over helps the quote come out right.

Bible Reading: Genesis 43:1-45:28

Scripture Memory: 1 John 2:20 “But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your amazing blessings! You have given us so much. May we always live to serve you. Your praise must be always in our mouth, for you are worthy. Thank you for Jesus, your dear Son! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a family that just lost a loved one recently.

Journal Entry #15116

I have a cold today.

Mark 4:22
   We might see this as simply a general statement of fact. But it is far more. It is a promise from God. Jesus was making a statement in regards to secrets of God. All of the mysteries will be revealed one day. But, it is God’s prerogative to conceal things in his time. There is much that we know even at this time, and yet there is much we don’t know.

Bible Reading: Genesis 38:1-40:23

Scripture Memory: 1 John 2:19 “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your wisdom. Though your ways don;t always seem clear to us, we know that you are infinitely capable of running this creation of yours adequately. You have it all figured out, and the mysteries are simply your glory since only you may unravel them. Thank you for involving us in your works! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for our national leaders.

Journal Entry #15114

Mark 4:21
   We might think that a reminder such as this is unnecessary. However, Jesus understands human nature very well. He is helping us understand that we do have a tendency to set out to do something, and then do quite the opposite in the practice of it.
   But also, Jesus is speaking of the fact that the good news of the gospel had now come. And, it was time for it to be revealed to all the world. As such, it must be set forth for all to see.

Bible Reading: Genesis 36:1-37:36

Scripture Memory: 1 John 2:18 “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us the opportunity to be reflectors of your glory. When we live lives of humility and service to you, we can be glorious ourselves and yet not know it. When we depend upon you for everything, we can live with such joy and peace that all around us will know and understand that we know you. It is not our goal to be something great, but to be yours. For, to be ambassadors for Almighty God is a position of great privilege, though it is one of humble service. Thank you for letting us serve you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a man who has not been to church in a while. Pray for our missionaries.

Journal Entry #15113

Mark 4:20
   The Word of God is not ineffective. If it takes root in a person’s life, there will be fruit. Circumstances and opportunity will determine the volume of fruit, but there will be fruit. Indeed, the illustration from farming is quite appropriate in that one seed might produce so much fruit.

Bible Reading: Genesis 33:1-35:29

Scripture Memory: 1 John 2:17 ” And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for using us. You make our lives worth so much. You take us from where we were lost in sin, and you make us whole and give us purpose. You guide our lives and show us the way to what is best for us. Thank you for your leading! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.

Prayer Requests: Pray for a man in the hospital.

Journal Entry #15112