 Scripture Reading: Mark 6:53-56 NASB95
When they had crossed over they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. [54] When they got out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, [55] and ran about that whole country and began to carry here and there on their pallets those who were sick, to the place they heard He was. [56] Wherever He entered villages, or cities, or countryside, they were laying the sick in the marketplaces, and imploring Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were being cured. In the early days of Jesus' ministry, He spent most of His time in the region of Galilee. Jesus fed 5,000 people near the Sea of Galilee. Jesus preached His most famous sermon on a mountain over-looking the Sea of Galilee. He called His "fishermen" disciples while they were fishing on the Sea of Galilee. By the time Jesus landed with His disciples in the land of Gennesaret, He was well-known in the villages and cities around the Sea of Galilee. When Jesus landed in Gennesaret He was immediately recognized. Word of mouth was spreading His fame in that region. Jesus was doing "things" that no-one had seen since the time of Elijah. Jesus was doing miracles. He was healing the sick. He raised a young girl from the dead. It also seemed as if He taught with a spiritual insight and authority that was missing in the teaching of the Pharisees. As Jesus traveled the dusty trails of Judea, and sailed across the Sea of Galilee, He was always advancing the Kingdom of God. In fact, part of His message was, "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand." Jesus was a light in the darkness; He was the Kingdom of God at hand. Jesus was establishing His Kingdom in every heart that believed in Him. Finally, Jesus was setting an example for His followers (the Church) to follow. Jesus was and is the light of the world. That is also the role of the Church in the world today. We (the Church) are the light of the world. Jesus has given us the mandate and the power to extend the Kingdom of God. We extend the Kingdom of God with every new convert who makes the decision to follow Jesus. Questions to Consider:
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 Mark 6:35-38 NASB95
When it was already quite late, His disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and it is already quite late; [36] send them away so that they may go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” [37] But He answered them, “You give them something to eat!” And they said to Him, “Shall we go and spend two hundred denarii on bread and give them something to eat?” [38] And He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go look!” The disciples let Jesus know that they had a problem. There was a crowd of hungry people and no food in sight. That is a problem. Let me start with the bad news: "As long as we are living on planet earth, we will have problems." Jesus said it this way: "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33b) B-T-W, Jesus overcoming the world is the "Good News!" In this short phrase, Jesus communicates two truths: 1) Everyone is going to face difficult challenges. 2) Jesus is the solution; both in the short-term and long-term. There is a spiritual song that originated among the Africans that were sold into slavery and shipped to the shores of America. It was called, "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen." (The Louis Armstrong version of this song is a classic) Lyrics: Nobody knows the trouble I've seen, nobody knows my sorrow. Nobody knows the trouble I've seen, glory, halleluiah. Sometimes I'm up, sometimes I'm down, Oh, yes, Lord. Sometimes I'm almost to the ground, I have my trials here below, Oh, yes, Lord. If you get there before I do tell all-a my friends I'm coming to Heaven! Oh, yes, Lord! Nobody knows the trouble I've seen, nobody knows but Jesus. Nobody knows the trouble I've seen, glory, halleluiah. It is hard for me to imagine a worse trouble to endure than slavery. In spite of the circumstances, this spiritual song reflects a people who trusted Jesus for a long-term solution. Whether in chains. Whether you are part of a large hungry crowd. Whether you are struggling to pay your bills. Whatever the circumstances, whatever the storm, whatever the trial, whatever the opposition, whatever the problem...the solution remains steadfast. In all of life's twists and turns the Believer turns to Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith. Questions to Consider:
 Scripture Reading: Matthew 11:25-30 NASB95
At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. [26] Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. [27] All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. [28] “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. [30] For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” I was hoping for green pastures and still waters, instead, I find myself in a valley of shadows, doubts and despair. I was promised a burden that would be light and a yoke that would be easy; but, in this moment, my burden is crushing, and my yoke is overwhelming. The loses are adding up. Loss of influence, loss of vision, loss of hope, reversals in places where I had illusions for a better outcome. In the midst of my personal darkness is a point of light. A welcoming voice and a beckoning Spirit. There is a certainty in my heart that if I reach out for the light, I will find a place of peace. Indeed, a place where the burden is light and where the yoke is easy. As I step into the light it dawns on me; I have been overwhelmed by carrying a burden of success orientation; of wanting to please others; of making a name for myself; of building my own kingdom. The cost of being on the throne of one’s own life is staggering. I was never destined to be a king; rather, I was redeemed to be a servant of the King. Once again, I throw off the self-inflicted burden of self-importance, and exchange it for the relief found in serving King Jesus. It is paramount that I keep my eyes on Jesus and that I serve His purposes rather than chase after my own fleeting aspirations. I give my personal burdens to the author and finisher of my faith and...there it is...a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light. Questions to Consider:
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