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I had quite the spiritual valley this weekend. Being a Christian is not easy though it is good and right. The crazy thing is that in the midst of my disobedience and doubt, God put me in a situation where I ended up leading a young man in the hospital to faith in Christ. I feel better now. I just hope I'm growing. I love you all and will try to be more faithful in writing.
- dr joe
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Mark 4:36-41 NIV
Mark 4:36-41 NIV Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. (37) A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. (38) Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" (39) He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. (40) He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" (41) They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"
At first glance it seems like the disciples are showing a lot of faith. They are about to drown and Jesus is sleeping in the boat. Finally, when "they were nearly swamped" they simply asked if it was ok with Jesus that they were about to drown. His response is startling. "Do you still have NO faith." I thought they were doing alright, waiting until the very last minute. Jesus expects us to have faith that He is in complete control and if you're about to drown, just relax, cause he'll either keep you from drowning or let you drown and raise you back to life, or let you drown and take you to heaven. Faith means that His plan is alright with us even if it hurts. Even (maybe especially) if it doesn't meet our expectations. He never says faith is easy or this life is easy.
Here is a bonus devotional from Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening (Available free on e-sword):
Morning
"There were also with him other little ships."
- Mar_4:36
Jesus was the Lord High Admiral of the sea that night, and his presence preserved the whole convoy. It is well to sail with Jesus, even though it be in a little ship. When we sail in Christ's company, we may not make sure of fair weather, for great storms may toss the vessel which carries the Lord himself, and we must not expect to find the sea less boisterous around our little boat. If we go with Jesus we must be content to fare as he fares; and when the waves are rough to him, they will be rough to us. It is by tempest and tossing that we shall come to land, as he did before us.
When the storm swept over Galilee's dark lake all faces gathered blackness, and all hearts dreaded shipwreck. When all creature help was useless, the slumbering Saviour arose, and with a word, transformed the riot of the tempest into the deep quiet of a calm; then were the little vessels at rest as well as that which carried the Lord. Jesus is the star of the sea; and though there be sorrow upon the sea, when Jesus is on it there is joy too. May our hearts make Jesus their anchor, their rudder, their lighthouse, their life-boat, and their harbour. His Church is the Admiral's flagship, let us attend her movements, and cheer her officers with our presence. He himself is the great attraction; let us follow ever in his wake, mark his signals, steer by his chart, and never fear while he is within hail. Not one ship in the convoy shall suffer wreck; the great Commodore will steer every barque in safety to the desired haven. By faith we will slip our cable for another day's cruise, and sail forth with Jesus into a sea of tribulation. Winds and waves will not spare us, but they all obey him; and, therefore, whatever squalls may occur without, faith shall feel a blessed calm within. He is ever in the centre of the weather-beaten company: let us rejoice in him. His vessel has reached the haven, and so shall ours.
Then Jesus asked them, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?" "Nothing," they answered. (36) He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. (37) It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors'; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment." (38) The disciples said, "See, Lord, here are two swords." "That is enough," he replied.
We long for rules to live by. Rules make things simple. We don't like open endedness like "Love your neighbor." In verses 35-36 Jesus changes His instructions to the disciples. Jesus wants us to follow Him. It's open ended in the sense that while His overarching theme is Love, how that is expressed depends on the circumstances. How do we know what He wants? Listen to Him in quiet prayer time, read His Word, ask others who have loved Jesus longer and more.
Verse 37 is evidence that Jesus Himself called for a re-interpretation of Jewish scripture. He is the Messiah, and prophecy in the scripture all points to His life, death, and resurrection. His story is predicted hundreds of years before He came to earth. In Verse 38 Jesus is probably saying "Enough, I'm trying to help you understand what's going to happen, and you're taking me literally and counting out swords." Most travellers in that time carried swords to protect them from muggers and wild animals. When Jesus says to sell your cloak and buy a sword, commentaries suggest He was warning them of the persecution and danger they would face after His death.
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Questions?
Please e-mail me with any questions about today's scripture message or anything related to the Bible or Christianity.
I might not know the answer but I'll try real hard to find it. | |
 Announcements
Lighthouse Wesleyan Church will have
Sunday service at the Property on Main street under the Tent at 10AM. If weather is bad check your e-mail for updates.
I'd love to see you there!
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