"He said to his disciples, 'Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?'" ~Mark 4:40, NIV
Jesus had perfect control over His fear. That doesn't mean He was never afraid, but He never let fear dictate His actions - whatever He saw the Father doing, He did also. Once He was in the boat while His disciples were going across the sea. He was tired, so He was napping, and a great storm came up.
The disciples feared for their lives, and they woke up Jesus. "Don't you care if we drown?" they screamed in His face. I bet that, rubbing the sleep out of His eyes, He stood and told the wind and waves to shut it.
That probably silenced His disciples too. In the stunned silence He probably looked them over, and asked the above. They were afraid of death, and I suspect they were also afraid of Jesus. He had, after all, just been interrupted of His nap, and was likely irritable.
In all seriousness, the disciples had seen and participated in plenty of miracles at that point. It's totally possible that if they had had faith, they could have calmed the waves. It's also possible that they would have survived the storm.
Jesus isn't napping in our boat, He's always awake, alive and aware inside of us, bidding us to do what we see Him do. When we let fear get the best of us, I bet He's saying the above. "Why are you afraid? Don't you trust me?
Do my people still have no faith?"
Wednesday, November 07, 2012
Tuesday, November 06, 2012
Day 311: Job 11:18
"You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety." ~Job 11:18, NIV
The story of Job is perhaps simplistic - a man who has everything loses it all. God allowed Satan to take everything Job had, and as he sat in the pit of misery his friends try to understand why it happened. Their hypothesis is that Job has a terrible unrepented sin that is festering and causing God to be angry with Job. What Job's friends say is essentially true, but it did not apply to his situation because he had not sinned.
Yes, it's true that when you submit to God, and repent of your shortcomings, you will be secure; you will know hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. But there's this oddball enemy that we have that has some power over life on Earth, and he effects the outcomes of our predictions.
Regardless of how he affects us, that above is true; there is security in Jesus because He gives hope. There are two other things that are true in life: death and taxes. But thanks to Jesus, we have a third truth, which is life after death. This life... it can be abundant. The life after death? Assuming you choose to pursue a relationship with Jesus, it will be even more so.
There is hope. There is security. It's out there. And it's up to you to attain it.
The story of Job is perhaps simplistic - a man who has everything loses it all. God allowed Satan to take everything Job had, and as he sat in the pit of misery his friends try to understand why it happened. Their hypothesis is that Job has a terrible unrepented sin that is festering and causing God to be angry with Job. What Job's friends say is essentially true, but it did not apply to his situation because he had not sinned.
Yes, it's true that when you submit to God, and repent of your shortcomings, you will be secure; you will know hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. But there's this oddball enemy that we have that has some power over life on Earth, and he effects the outcomes of our predictions.
Regardless of how he affects us, that above is true; there is security in Jesus because He gives hope. There are two other things that are true in life: death and taxes. But thanks to Jesus, we have a third truth, which is life after death. This life... it can be abundant. The life after death? Assuming you choose to pursue a relationship with Jesus, it will be even more so.
There is hope. There is security. It's out there. And it's up to you to attain it.
Monday, November 05, 2012
Day 310: 1 Corinthians 10:13
"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." ~1 Corinthians 10:13, NIV
What a great verse, and a fantastic reminder of God's promise! Once we've submitted ourselves to God, He is gracious and as stated above, will not LET you be tempted to do evil beyond what you can restrain yourself from.
If you don't, it's not because the attraction was too strong, it's because you chose poorly, because as this verse says, even when you are tempted, there will always be an out. You won't be, you can't be trapped; Jesus has always left you a delivering path to take.
You can endure it. You can make wise choices. God has given you that capability, but you must choose to use it - He will never force you to do anything.
What a great verse, and a fantastic reminder of God's promise! Once we've submitted ourselves to God, He is gracious and as stated above, will not LET you be tempted to do evil beyond what you can restrain yourself from.
If you don't, it's not because the attraction was too strong, it's because you chose poorly, because as this verse says, even when you are tempted, there will always be an out. You won't be, you can't be trapped; Jesus has always left you a delivering path to take.
You can endure it. You can make wise choices. God has given you that capability, but you must choose to use it - He will never force you to do anything.
Sunday, November 04, 2012
Day 309: Deuteronomy 3:22
"Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you." ~Deuteronomy 3:22, NIV
Remember a couple days ago we talked about the second verse in Deuteronomy chapter 3? Yeah, this is the same gist: Moses is talking to the Israelites, telling them what God's plan for their generation is.
That plan is basically to enter the Promised Land, execute supernatural justice and start living. But if you recall, that was their plan 40 years prior. Way back when they were supposed to enter the Promised Land, they chickened out and wandered the desert for 4 decades.
Moses is prepping them for taking the Promised Land, and reminds them not to make the mistake their forefathers made, which was chickening out.
And again, like in v2, we know God has a perfect plan for us, but that plan can only come to fruition when we live in it - and fear generally stops that from happening. So don't!
Don't be afraid! God is on your side, guiding you through His plan. If you're living in it, there's nothing that can stop you.
Remember a couple days ago we talked about the second verse in Deuteronomy chapter 3? Yeah, this is the same gist: Moses is talking to the Israelites, telling them what God's plan for their generation is.
That plan is basically to enter the Promised Land, execute supernatural justice and start living. But if you recall, that was their plan 40 years prior. Way back when they were supposed to enter the Promised Land, they chickened out and wandered the desert for 4 decades.
Moses is prepping them for taking the Promised Land, and reminds them not to make the mistake their forefathers made, which was chickening out.
And again, like in v2, we know God has a perfect plan for us, but that plan can only come to fruition when we live in it - and fear generally stops that from happening. So don't!
Don't be afraid! God is on your side, guiding you through His plan. If you're living in it, there's nothing that can stop you.
Saturday, November 03, 2012
Day 308: Psalm 7:1
"Lord my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me." ~Psalm 7:1, NIV
David had a lot of enemies throughout his life. But he also had one undefeated source of comfort and hope - his God. David sometimes chose to rely on himself to do what he wanted, but as you read the Psalms, 1 and 2 Samuel, and 1 and 2 Kings, we see that David usually chose to rely on something outside of his control.
God.
Here we see David actively choosing to "take refuge" in God, and ask Him to save him. If David, the man after God's heart did it, can't we? And if God sent His son to save us, won't He help even the least of you?
David had a lot of enemies throughout his life. But he also had one undefeated source of comfort and hope - his God. David sometimes chose to rely on himself to do what he wanted, but as you read the Psalms, 1 and 2 Samuel, and 1 and 2 Kings, we see that David usually chose to rely on something outside of his control.
God.
Here we see David actively choosing to "take refuge" in God, and ask Him to save him. If David, the man after God's heart did it, can't we? And if God sent His son to save us, won't He help even the least of you?
Friday, November 02, 2012
Day 307: Isaiah 51:7
"Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have taken my instruction to heart: Do not fear the reproach of mere mortals or be terrified by their insults." ~Isaiah 51:7, NIV
God's people should know His voice, right? So why is it so hard to listen and obey what is written so clearly in the Bible.
I wish I knew.
What I do know for certain is that here God says to those who want to follow Him not to fear the reproach and/or hate of those around us for following Him, nor are we to be bothered by their insults.
They say that if you have haters, you must be doing something right. In this instance, by God's own word, it's true. So tell me: how many haters do you have?
God's people should know His voice, right? So why is it so hard to listen and obey what is written so clearly in the Bible.
I wish I knew.
What I do know for certain is that here God says to those who want to follow Him not to fear the reproach and/or hate of those around us for following Him, nor are we to be bothered by their insults.
They say that if you have haters, you must be doing something right. In this instance, by God's own word, it's true. So tell me: how many haters do you have?
Thursday, November 01, 2012
Day 306: Luke 8:50
"Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, 'Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.'" ~Luke 8:50, NIV
Jairus had asked Jesus to come to his house and heal his daughter, and Jesus, being who He is, said yes. On the way we know that another healing took place, one that 'cost' time. Messengers told Jairus his daughter was dead, and that he didn't need to bother the teacher.
The situation probably seemed hopeless to Jairus, but Jesus knew better. He said something I love to repeat: Don't be afraid; just believe.
Our situations often seem hopeless, because we have a very limited perspective and struggle learning God's perspective. But He knows what He sees, and He knows what He will do. And from past experiences, usually it is stunning. In your hopeless situation, don't let fear consume you, but believe He is watching and waiting and going to act in you.
Jairus' daughter was raised from the dead. What's He gonna do for you?
Jairus had asked Jesus to come to his house and heal his daughter, and Jesus, being who He is, said yes. On the way we know that another healing took place, one that 'cost' time. Messengers told Jairus his daughter was dead, and that he didn't need to bother the teacher.
The situation probably seemed hopeless to Jairus, but Jesus knew better. He said something I love to repeat: Don't be afraid; just believe.
Our situations often seem hopeless, because we have a very limited perspective and struggle learning God's perspective. But He knows what He sees, and He knows what He will do. And from past experiences, usually it is stunning. In your hopeless situation, don't let fear consume you, but believe He is watching and waiting and going to act in you.
Jairus' daughter was raised from the dead. What's He gonna do for you?
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