Mark 4:1–41 (Continued)

July 20, 2012

"Those who have understanding will be given more. But those who do not have understanding, even what they have will be taken away from them." (Mark 4:25)

The miracle of a seed. A tiny speck planted in the ground and miraculously life breaks out of it and pushes itself out of the ground. God's grace, the gift of salvation is free. Free!! We can't create it; we can't manufacture it; we can't earn it; we can't work for it; we can't buy it; only God can give it. Only God can take something that was dead and make it spring into life. Our responsibility is to first accept the gift, and then to nurture the gift.

Jesus uses the tiny mustard seed as an example of faith. God takes the tiniest of seeds to produce the largest of garden plants and tells us that if we have faith as small as a mustard seed, nothing is impossible for us to do. The key is who you have faith in! When our faith is in GOD we can do all things because HE gives us the strength. Faith in ourselves is worth nothing. Faith in God is worth everything. No matter what storms we face—Jesus IS in control. The winds may come up. The waves may crash over the sides of the boat. It may be frightening to us but it is not frightening to Him. Mark 4:40 - "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

When it is time for the winds to calm, HE will calm them. Until then, we will believe and we will continue to have faith in the Creator of ALL things, the Giver of life, and the Savior of our souls. No matter what. No matter when. WE BELIEVE!!

*****

It's been five years since we received word that my sister and brother-in-law were suing us and "the storm" began. We stand absolutely amazed and in awe of the God we serve. Human words could never express our gratitude and the thankfulness we feel because of what we have been able to experience these last five and one half years. We have seen the hand of God working in our lives. We have no regrets. We KNOW we are right where God wants us, and there is no better place to be. We have learned and continue to learn what it means to wait on the LORD. We are at peace. We are happy. We are content. We do not know what the future will bring, but we do know WHO is in control of our future, and that is more than enough.

God had us pause and reflect on the many, many things HE has done in our lives. And, HE has shown us that HE is beginning to prepare us for a NEW BEGINNING! 

LORD, we surrender ALL. Use us. Guide us. Teach us. Fill us. Mold our lives so that ALL we do brings HONOR and GLORY and PRAISE and POWER to YOUR HOLY Name.  Blessed be the Name of the LORD. 

Thank you, Jesus.

Addendum:  1/7/16 ~ Three and a half more years have passed since I first wrote this entry. The Settlement Conference failed. We don't know what the future will bring, but we STILL believe that HE is in control and we are content to wait on Him. I have written many times that we do not want the lawsuit to go to a trial. Not because we are fearful of the result but because of the ugly process. We are not willing participants in this battle between family members. It just feels so wrong (on so many levels) for two sisters to be sitting across from each other in a court of law. While we do not want this to go to a trial—we are willing.

One thing we KNOW. This lawsuit will not accidentally go to trial. IF it goes to trial then it means GOD is allowing it to do so; it is HIS path for us; and we will follow. Our faith remains in HIM. We will trust HIM. We will follow HIS footpath.  


Next Entry: It Wasn't Random—It Was God's Plan