[:en]Our Daily Scripture – 2/25/22[:]

[:en]SCRIPTURE:  MARK 4

Bible Verses:

“Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more.  Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.” (Mark 4:24-25)

“ He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:40)

THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER (VS. 1-20)

SEED WAS SOWN ON FOUR PLACES AND ITS OUTCOME

  1.  Along the path – Birds came and ate it up
  2. On rocky places – It sprang up but the heat of the sun withered them.
  3. Among the thorns – It grew up but were choked by the thorns.
  4. On good soil – It grew and produced a hundred times of crops.

MEANING OF THE PARABLE:

The farmer is the messenger of god.  The seeds are the Word of God.  The Word of God is preached among 4 kinds of people.

  1.  They hear the Word but Satan comes and takes it away.
  2. They hear the Word and received it with joy.  But when troubles or persecution come, they fall away quickjly because the Word is not rooted in their hearts.
  3. They hear the the Word, but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things tempted them and make them unfruitful.
  4. They hear the word, accept it and produce bountiful fruits.

A LAMP ON A STAND (vs. 21-25)

The word “hear” is being mentioned three times.  It means receiving God’s truth into the inner person.  We have to be careful of what we hear and how we hear before sharing it to others.  Just as a lamp provides light, God’s word also guide us in our daily walk.

THE PARABLE OF THE GROWING SEED (vs. 26-29)

This parable involves 4 action words : SOWING (v. 26), SLEEPING (v. 27), PRODUCING (v. 28) and REAPING (v. 29).  As we sow the seed of God’s Word, we cannot make the seed grow.  Only God can make the increase.  But we should be alert when the harvest is ready.

THE PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED (vs. 30-34)

Jesus described the Kingdom of Heaven like a mustard seed which is the smallest seed.  But when planted, it became the largest of all garden plants with big branches that provide shade for the birds of the air.  Similarly, when God’s word is being planted in man’s heart, it produces righteous people that will be beneficial to mankind.

JESUS CALMS THE STORM (vs. 35-41)

The disciples of Jesus took him into a boat.  As they boat sailed, a furious storm came but Jesus was sleeping.  The disciples woke him up and accusing him of not caring if they would drown.  Jesus got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves: “Quiet!  Be Still”.  The wind died down and it was complete calm (v. 39).  Then Jesus told his disciples: “Why are you so afraid?  Do you still have no faith?” (v. 40).

REFLECTION:

1,  When you read the Bible, do you HEAR what God is telling you?

2.  Do you obey His Word and shine like a lamp with your good testimony as a LIGHT to the world?

3.  When you preach God’s Word, are you alert to REAP the harvest when it is ready?

4.  Are you a BENEFACTOR to those in need like the mustard tree that gives shade to the birds of the air?

5.  When tested in the storm of life, are you afraid or do you TRUST God?

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