HSD: Your Activity Must Change

Come here. Come take a walk with me.

I want to remind you of something:

In Mark 4:35- 41, Jesus and His disciples were traveling on a boat when a storm came:

“And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

There are a few elements the Holy Spirit would like us to consider in this scripture.

1. Verse 37 reads A great storm arose, and the waves beat the ship so that it was now full.

As the details show, we know the storm came suddenly. Notice the text says arose. I can’t help but consider how the storms rise in our lives to challenge what God has promised. But remember, 2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us this:

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”

Anything that God has promised you is according to His Knowledge and Wisdom of the plans He has concerning you. Any storm that exalts itself up against what has been promised (See The Formula for more), you have been given the authority to tear it DOWN and submit it before Christ for Him to reprimand.

This same verse also says the waves beat the ship until it became full. Understand this: the storm that has been assigned to your life was designed to beat you down and your ship, meaning anything you are standing on and that your confidence rests in will be challenged by the storm! It was created to wear you down, and like that ship, it was designed to push you to the limit of your tolerance. Overwhelm you to the point of capsizing.

2. Verse 38 tells us that the disciples submitted the concern to Jesus, who was resting.

Once what was attempting to exalt itself up against the Knowledge of God was submitted to Jesus, what happened next? It was forced to be obedient to His command.

It says, Then Jesus AROSE! JESUS, who has no rival and no equal, stood up before what was coming against HIS children and reminded that storm who He is.

But you know what happened next that the Holy Spirit really wants to drive home?

When God spoke, the storm calmed.

The WORD of God is ACTIVE. Living and breathing.

John Chapter 1 reminds us exactly WHO the Word of God IS!

Anything or anyone He speaks to—their activity MUST change.

In a few verses before this one within the same chapter (21-25), it reads,

“And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?

22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.

23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

25 For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.”

This is a call to action.

Here’s what we know:

The Word of God, once spoken, changes activity.

God speaks to those who are willing to hear from Him.

In this scripture, we then must understand that God knows you heard him when your activity changes. The enemy can tell, as well, if you are listening to the voice of God based on your responses and how you approach storms.

(We truly might have to dissect this entire chapter in a Bible Study session because there is so much more to unpack here.)

This means hearing God isn’t necessarily just receiving the Word from a sermon or a preaching and feeling encouraged by what was said, for it is written within this same chapter that so many hear the Word of God and allow Satan’s tactics and storms and the cares of this world to steal that which has been sown or previously received (15-19).

No, to hear the Word of God must mean your activity must change and submit to that command. The Word does not say that five minutes later, the storm came back.

And why not? Because the storm heard the voice of God.

And we know it heard his active voice because its activity had to change and stay compliant.

Let’s dissect the rest of this passage: Jesus reminds us that we are the light of this world and a light burning in Him cannot be hidden. He illuminates us by way of revelation: speaking to us constantly.

We don’t hide these revelations.

Our responses, our activity, must meet that which we’ve heard, and we must share what we’ve learned about His Goodness and His Process. This illumination should not be suppressed. It must be shared as often as you receive instructions to share.

This consistent obedience then leads to more revelations, for it is written, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

Now doing this does NOT mean you will not face challenges. For even Paul was humbled by a thorn/personal affliction because of the abundant revelations he received (2 Corinthians 12:7).

This means your response stays compliant anyway. Be diligent anyway. Spread the revelations anyway. Encourage and edify anyway.

The more you actively hear from God, the more He entrusts to you.

You are a light. If you heard God reveal a Word to you, refrain from hiding His Glory. Move in confidence to share what is shaping your daily activity…the fruit that is physically manifesting.

Because the ending scripture is far too terrifying for me. It says,

25 For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.”

If there is nothing in your activity that proves you’ve heard him. If His fruit isn’t manifesting through you. If God is not seeing a return on His investments concerning you, then the same God who gives also takes away.

He is within His Just Right to turn you over to whatever voice you have been partnering with. To the mindset you’ve been leaning on and into, and then when the storm comes and challenges what you’ve been standing on outside what you’ve been told…

He is still good, and He is still just.

My Sibling-in-Christ, let this Word encourage you to respond by moving forward in the full confidence of what God has promised you.

He has already factored in everything.

Surrender the overwhelm, call out to Him during the beating, and remember that everything must bow before the Command of His Voice.

He loves you, and He will sustain your faith.

Take this Word back to God.

And if so led, receive this.

Apply this, and remember whatever you do…

Be sure to do it all in Love.

Holy Spirit, I thank You for this Word today. Please let it meet the eyes of every person who needs to hear this so they may be encouraged to move forward and lead others to you with Love. We love You, Lord, and we thank You. In Jesus’ Name, to the Glory of the Father, we thank You. Amen.