PEACE BE STILL
Today’s Reading: Mark 4
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
Early morning calm over the Sea of Galilee. This is the view from the modern city of Tiberius looking northeast.
GOOGLE MAPS – See where Reynold took the photo Click HERE.
Key Verse: Mark 4:39
Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
Peter was there and tells Mark the story, and Mark passes it on to us. Peter was practically raised on the sea, but now he and the others are dumfounded. Jesus is sleeping on the balast pillow below deck. He demonstrates PEACE within Himself in the midst of the storm, then He demonstrates that He is at PEACE with all circumstances. No wonder they ask, “Who can this be that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” (verse 41). This is “100 fold” living. The miracles of Jesus put 100 exclamation points behind His teaching. They say, “Pay close attention.” This encourages us to not only read His Word, but to learn, meditate, write in the margins of our Bibles, and hide His Word, not just in our minds and memories, but in our hearts. “So then FAITH comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17). We decide. Will we be of “no faith” (verse 40) or a growing faith which always produces PEACE in life’s storms?
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, grant that I may have Your PEACE. You rested without worry in the storm. But if I should panic, You are there to speak PEACE. Thank You, Jesus! Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
You can click on the link just below the picture of the Sea of Galilee above and see the location of the photo on a Google Map. This body of water is approximately 700 feet below the level of the Mediterrenean Sea, which is only about 30 miles away. The wind currents come barrelling down between the mountains, and depending on wind speed and direction, a storm on the water can whip up in no time. On our Holy Land Tours (God willing again this November), we always have a time in the Word aboard a ship on the Sea. These stories of Jesus come fully alive to all of us. One of my favourite Galilee memories is of our sons, who help me in this blog, Reynold and Ron, who water skied on that Sea. When our second daughter was married in Cana to Nizar, seven bus loads of Canadians came with us to celebrate. One of the Israeli guides had a power boat and offered the experience of water skiing. It was the closest thing to walking on the water. Great fun! By the way, there was no storm that day.
Yours to experience the PEACE that Jesus gives and to have fun along the way,
David
P.S. My son Ron informed me that you can access some Google photos of the Galilee area while you are on the Google Map linked above. Here’s what he suggests (I just tried it and it works great!)…
“Within the large Google Map, there is an “explore” option at the bottom. You can scroll through various photos of the area and click on the photos to enlarge them. You can also zoom the map out using the zoom slide, which will reveal even more photos from around the Sea of Galilee. The same steps can be taken for all of the map links which are provided in this daily blog.”
Hi David,
Just finished an English speaking service in the evening here at the International Church in Shanghai, China. As I hopped in the taxi, I received today’s 100 words devotional and Fay and I remember with great fondness the boat ride on the same waters where Peter learned the lesson of full and total trust in Jesus. Interestingly, the message over here was on Psalm 27, where David expresses his trust and dependency on Almighty God. It’s very cool when God’s Spirit speaks so clearly, and simultaneously, right around the world. Blessings to you and the Crossroads family from Asia!
Don Simmonds
Chairman of Crossroads
Sir David,
May God continue to bless you in abundance for your dedication, obedience and all that you do for the furtherance of His Kingdom.
My aunt introduced your Blog to me some months ago and it has been one of the best things she’s done!
I’m more into God’s Word, grasping and understanding more. I also find that I read ahead more frequently. It is truly a blessing to start my day with your daily devotion.
Thank you so much and please remember how much of a blessing you and your family are!
Have a truly outstanding day.
WOW!
A beautiful photo which brings back many wonderful memories of our time with you on the Sea of Galilee. The meaningful service and your singing with Norma-Jean brought much PEACE.
I highly recommend this tour which transformed my life.
Shalom,
Graham.
2012 Holy Land Yellow Bus.
Beautiflul !.Thanks for your pictures it brings to life the scriptures. I feel like we saved and not of ourselves. It is finished we must apply the finished work. Bask in Gods peace .Fortune Greater Grace Church Montreal.
Beautiful pic of the sky over the sea of Galilee, I believe is the coast of Israel?
Easy-to-understand parables of Jesus. We must let our light shine and not hide it under a bowl or bed. You are a prime example Rev. DM et al.
I have so many questions. Is there a scripture in our bible that tells us what heaven is like? Does it say anywhere in our bible that our spirits go to heaven as soon as our bodies die? Can anyone recommend a C.S. Lewis book that they’ve read?
Great Prayer for Today asking for peace within ourselves. Amen.
Blessings and peace for all this beautiful summer Sabbath.
Too beautiful for words. Enjoy!
http://youtu.be/EtgR1uvgGMc
Even more beautiful!
Canadian Tenors – Hallelujah: http://youtu.be/LTx8IGPwrIk
I recommend “Mere Christianity” by C. S. Lewis to start your faith journey with this great writer.
Shalom,
Graham.
PS I still get mixed up with “The Screwtape Letters”!
Thank you Graham. I’m going to try that one.
Dear Rev David M,
One more fantastic picture of Reynold! His pictures have a way to let us participate in the annual pilgrimage journey, even from afar! And most of all, bring God’s Word alive.
Thank you sister Lynda for your two powerful songs of Alleluiah.
Have a blessed day on this Sabbath day. To Him all the glory! Precious Jesus, we love You.
xx Carole
My pleasure Carole. So glad u enjoyed them.
Amen
Dear Lynda, Thankyou for that awesome mens choir so up lifting!!!..R…
A new-found friend directed me toward them. Aren’t they fabulous!!
From the Hallelujah I went into “He Raised me Up” by Susan Boyle…also
“The Prayer” with Celine Deon and Josh ? Thank you Lynda for sharing
Most enjoyable!!!
Most welcome. Isn’t Susan Boyle awesome!
David Mainse mentions “write in the margins of our Bibles” I wrote something years ago.. offended is satan’s territory….