Calming your Storm

Mark 4:35-41

“On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • What do the elements of this account tell you about Jesus? 
  • Is there a storm in your life that you’re tempted to panic about? Spend some time talking to the one who calms the storm.

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

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Just Get Him to Jesus

Mark 3:1-12 

“Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.

Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd followed, from Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from around Tyre and Sidon. When the great crowd heard all that he was doing, they came to him. And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they crush him, for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed around him to touch him. And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” And he strictly ordered them not to make him known.”

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • Why did Jesus seem to disregard the rigidity of the law as held by the religious leaders?
  • Why did so many people come to Jesus for healing?
  • What is broken or shriveled in your life that needs Jesus’ touch?

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

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Christ vs Demons

Mark 1:23-28 

“And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.”

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions:
  • What did the people mean by “a new teaching with authority?” What are the implications for us? 
  • What areas of your life need Jesus’ cleansing power? 

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

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Focus this Week – The Miracles of Jesus

John 2:1-11

“On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.”

Three words describe the supernatural works of Jesus Christ: signs, wonders, and miracles. Signs indicate a purpose or reason, wonders indicate the reaction from those who saw, and miracles indicate what actually happened. Thus, the works of Jesus were so amazing and intentional that people were compelled to believe that He was divine or even the Son of God. 

These miracles were without human explanation, yet made a relational connection between humanity and God. Even today, things happen that can only be explained by God, and can make a major impact on your view of Him.

So, may your faith be strengthened as you go through these passages.

  • Have you experienced a miraculous work of God that impacted your life and your view of Him?

Use the HEAR method as you spend time with today’s scripture.

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by Pastor Stephen Williams

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Sunday Edition

Good morning! We hope you’ll join us for worship today.  

On-Campus – Contemporary worship 9am and 11am, Blended 9:45am. 
Streaming online 9am and 11am at mybelmont.org/sermonsonline or facebook.com/mybelmont/live 

Verses for the week:

  • Monday – John 2:1-11

  • Tuesday – Mark 1:23-28

  • Wednesday – Mark 3:1-12

  • Thursday – Mark 4:35-41

  • Friday – Matthew 14:15-21

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Small Group Discussion

This week we’ve been reading about the topic of temptation. We have all been tempted. In fact, Jesus was tempted. And He was God in the flesh! So we can learn how to handle temptation by reading how Jesus did, and we can draw comfort from the fact that we are in good company. The difference being of course, that Jesus didn’t fall when tempted. But we can draw comfort from the fact that He knows the lure of temptation, having experienced it personally, and understands the struggle. 

As you spend time with your small group look over the various passages and share with each other what God has shown you this week. Some of the issues you can discuss include: 

  • The temptation to put our own desires above God’s
  • The temptation of materialism
  • The temptation of notoriety and pridefulness
  • The temptation to cut corners and the importance of being on the journey 
  • How Jesus understands our struggle with temptation
  • and How God shows His mercy in the midst of our temptations
  • There are also questions at the bottom of most daily readings that you can draw on for your discussion as well. 

Use what you glean from your personal devotion time to share in the discussion with your group. If you aren’t in a group we’d love to help you connect with one. Contact jon@mybelmont.org or go to mybelmont.org/smallgroups

Today’s post is by Jon Price

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