The Boat

The Storm on Galilee. In Mark 4:35-41 tells us how Christ stilled the Storm.

Jesus had taught the people in parables. On that day, when evening came, He said to His disciples, “Let’s cross over to the other side.’ So they left the crowds and took Jesus away in the boat just as He was. Other boats were also with Him.

A stormy wind arose, and waves drove into the boat. It was filling up. Jesus was in the stern where He had gone to sleep on a pillow. The disciples woke Him and cried, “Teacher! We are perishing! Don’t you care?” (Mark 4:35-38)

Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace, be still.” The wind stopped. There was a complete calm. Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Why do you have no faith?” But they were extremely scared. They said to one another, “Who can Hebe that even the wind and waves obey Him?” (Mark 4:39-41)

Jesus was crossing the island Sea of Galilee by boat. His disciples were with Him. Jesus had gone to sleep. There arose a fierce storm that threatened to sink the boat. The disciples woke Him up crying, “Lord, save us, we are perishing!”

Jesus immediately calmed the Storm and the waves of Galilee with three words: “Peace Be still!”

This miracle of the stilled storm at Galilee illustrates the power of Christ. However we can also see some important truths about ourselves illustrated by the disciples who were in the Storm-tossed boat with Jesus.

We Have Little Security

When Galilee was calm, the disciples felt safe enough in the boat. Yes when the storm arose the boat offered them little security. We all have “boats“ – material things we rely on.

These things may include health, home, jobs, etc. Life is, as it were, a crossing of the Sea of Galilee “to the other side.” Our “boats” won’t help us much in the storms of life.

The truth is, “A person’s life does not consist in His possessions.” ( Luke 12:15)

Even the king of Babylon in all his splendor was to heat the taunt, “Hoe you have fallen I star of the morning! You have been cut to the ground!” (Isaiah 14:4,12).

So do not trust in material things. There are not as secure as they might seem. The person who trusts in earthly things has little security. ((Matthew 6:19-22)

We Have Little Faith

When the disciples woke Jesus, He said, “Why are you so afraid? Why so little faith?” At first, that sounds silly. It was obvious why they were afraid.

The waters of Galilee we’re raging all around. Yet since they were looking to Jesus to save them, they were showing some faith and hope in Him. Why then were they in so much fear for their lived?

It was because of the littleness of their faith. On another occasion, the disciples said “Lord increase our faith.” (Luke 17:5)

A man once asked Jesus to heal his son. “If you can heal Him, take pity” Jesus replied, “What do you mean, ‘If’ I can?” The man said, Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:14-27):

We can all identify with the problem of having a little faith but needing much more faith than we have. So be aware of the little less of our faith, and seek an increase of faith from Jesus Christ. For “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:17)

We Have Little Peace

Not only was the sea in a frenzy, but the disciples were not remaining calm. Jesus was calm as He could be – He was sleep! Jesus can offer us peace, Just as He gave His disciples peace at Galilee.

We can receive from our Lord “thr peace of God which passes understanding.” (Philippians 4:7) Di do not be afraid of the storms of life, but be in awe of the power of Christ. Let Him still our storms and fears. (Psalms 23: 1,4, Heb13:6).

The Right Hand Of God

The “right hand” is seen as a place of honor and status throughout the biblical text. When the Bible makes statements that Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father, it is affirming that He has equal status to the Father within the Godhead. (Hebrews 1:3, 12:2; 1 Peter3:22; Acts 7 55-56.

So what moves the right hand of God?

Prayer is not to instruct God, or inform God, or impress God. Prayer moves God – it is faith that moves God’s hand. But then you ask, “Doesn’t God already know my needs?” The answer is Yes He does. In Matthew 6, Jesus said “your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”

Walking with the Lord, step-by-step, the question comes to mind: What moves God to action? Contrary to what most people think, it isn’t prayer. Prayer moves you and me.

The value of Prayer is two-fold. First prayer activates your faith. Prayer isn’t based on how long or short you pray. But that your prayer is faith-based. Faith says, “I believe!” and “I receive!”

I have a small block of wood on my desk that reads: “Faith is not believing that God can… it’s knowing that He will!” it’s a reminder that when I pray I must activate my faith believing God can, knowing He will hear my prayer and answer.

Second, prayer aims your faith. Apostle Paul taught the Philippian Church,, “Di not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6) Noe you ask, “Doesn’t God already know what need?” yes He does, then why do I have to make my requests known to Him. The simple answer is so that you will aim your faith specifically at your need. Remember this: Need does not move the hand of God… Faith moves the hand of God.

Recently I have been praying (or Complaining) to God about the horrible migraines I keep giving asking God to tell me they reason why. Then I realized that God is not listening to my complaints to Him. That He wants my prayers to be faith-filled.

Jesus asked the blind man a specific question: “What do you want me to do for you?” Now, Jesus could see that this man named Bartimaeus was blind. It was obvious to everybody that the man was blind. Yes, Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” Why did He ask that question? The Lord asked so Bartimaeus would aim his faith specifically and precisely on what he wanted from Him. He said, “Rabbi, I want to see” (Mark 10:51).

Now Bartimaeus didn’t say, “Just bless me’ or if it be your will, I want to be touched by You, Lord.” No, Bartimaeus was specific, he aimed his faith: “Rabbi, I want to see.

As with my migraines, my prayer was complaining that I want God to take my migraines away. There was no faith involved I was hurting and asked God to heal me now, right now.

What lies ahead? We can’t see all the blessings and we can’t see all the bumps in the road, but we can see, with clarity, we can pray with active faith and aimed faith that will move God’s hand on our behalf.

After I realized that their was no faith in my prayers, I started praying with faith. After having a migraine for 8 days, and taking everything I could with Dr orders. I finally prayed with the faith I needed to. And my migraine started easing off.

We all have a tendency to complain when we pray or don’t understand why our prayers don’t get answered. The simple answer is Pray with Faith.

Setting Yourself Apart From The Crowd

Some Bible verses tell us how to set ourselves apart from the crowd. We all know that we’re alten required to do things differently to everyone else. If fact, we’re specifically instructed not to conform to the ways of the world (Romans 12:2) but the pull of the crowd can be hard to resist.

From what we wear and what we watch it where we hang out and who we hang out with, we’re under a lot of pressure to follow the crowd. A lot of the time, what was us closer to the crowd only places distance between us and God. That’s why we’re called to walk a different path. None of us want to feel as though we’re missing out, sitting on the sidelines while everyone else is having fun. But going Christ’s way instead of the crowds doesn’t mean that we lose out. What He offers us in infinity more than we could hope for by following anyone else. Living a life that doesn’t always adhere to the principles favored by the masses becomes a lot more manageable once we accept this.

If we need inspiration from those who’ve set themselves apart from the crowd to follow Jesus, we can always look to the disciples. The pressures they faced to conform we’re greater than those that many of us have confronted today. Because they wholly trusted in Jesus and understood why it was necessary to commit to loving Him more than the world, they were able to give up worldly gains in place of something much greater – salvation, a renewed relationship with God, eternal life.

I have friend’s everyday that tell me to come to do things that the Bible (God) wouldn’t approve of, like gambling, going for drinks at the local bar. When I sometimes want to accept these temptations, I know that’s not what I should do,

If you’re feeling tempted to confirm and pursue a path that isn’t compatible with the one that God wants you to take. Here are some Bible verses that can help bring you back on track.

Proverbs 14:12

There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

2 John 1:9

Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

Like 6:26

Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.

James 4 4

You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

John 15:18-19

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as it’s own. As it is, you do not be.ong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

1 Corinthians 15:33

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupt good character.”

Proverbs 5:20-21

Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.

Psalm 118:8-9

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.

Matthew 7:13-14

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many who enter through it. But small, is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it,

Matthew 4:19-20

Come, follow me. Jesus said, and I will send you out to fish for people. At once they left their nets and followed Him.

The Most Fought Over Land On Earth

On May 14, 1948, Israel was born from the dead as a nation. Israel as many of you know is the size of Bew Jersey. And yet, did you know that Israel is the most fought over land in history? Now you would think, with all this fighting Israel must be filled with natural resources. It’s not. It had almost nothing, but the one thing Israel has is God. Israel belongs to God. And so, if you’re saved, you’re of Israel and it’s the same for you. You might often feel like your in a fight, and every day’s a battle. There a reason for it. You’re Gods Israel. You belong to God. So your life is precious. There’s a calling on it, a high calling, and a good promise of great things to come. So it’s worth the fight. The enemy knows it. And His job is to discourage you from persevering and inheriting the blessing. You knew you had a fight. But now you know you’ve got something worth fighting for.

Think of all the conflicts, problems, attacks, obstacles, resistance and warfare in your life, but thank God that the enemy is against you. Stand even stronger. If the enemy is attacking you, You know your doing something right.

1 Timothy 6:12

What Can I Do To Stop Horrible Anxiety?

Many people are worried or unhappy about something. Whether we have a great family or everything is going great in our life. We have these worries that over come us. Praying about it constantly and following God’s word, but nothing seems to work. We always feel insecure. We feel that something will always go wrong.

There are a number of reasons we can be unhappy. Some are okay and understandable such as mourning over a death of a loved one. Remember even Jesus wept because Lazarus died (John 11:35). It is good to be unhappy because we sinned 2: Corinthians 7:9-11. It is acceptable to be unhappy because others are not Christians (Romans 9:1-4) and because of another’s sin (2 Corinthians 2:1-4), but these do not seem fit your situation, since we are constantly worried. Constantly worried and unhappy about something yet not knowing why. Are you worried about your partner is going to leave you, or fearing something will happen when there isn’t any proof causes you to have horrible anxiety.

Anxiety

Do not fear, for I an with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am with your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

And we can be anxious when we are not sure of what to do in a difficult situation (1 Samual 10:2; Matthew 10:19). Scripture says that anxiety is a form of fear and that it is the opposite of courage.

Say to those with anxious heart, “Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come… He will save you.

Isaiah 35:4

Anxiety is a common problem because we are not in control of our life. Then when we add fear that it will not turn out like we want, we will become anxious.

I Effect of Anxiety

Anxiety is like a tree. It’s roots are buried in our desire to control and our fear that we cannot control that situation. Without being able to talk with you. We are left with the impression this is your situation – an anxiety that is rooted in fear. This is sin,

I am full of anxiety because of my sin.

Psalm 38:18

And that tree of anxiety has grown into something horrible.

Anxiety in the heart of man weighs it down…

Proverbs 12:25

Sad Heart

God tells us that a broken spirit is the result of a sad heart in Proverbs.

A joyful heart make a cheerful face, But when the heart is sad, the spirit it broken.

Proverbs 15:13

Crushed Spit it

The Hebrew word for “sad” has a sense of “hurt, grief, offended, outraged and distressed. The Holy Spirit describes a hurt heart. This is a heart that is in pain and grieving over something. The Hebrew word for “broken” has the idea of “whipped out,” “flogged,” and beaten.” What does a,k of this mean? God is saying that a heart that is continuing to be burdened with something like grief or anxiety results in a spirit that feels crushed or flogged.

A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 17:22

In Proverbs 17:33 we discover that a crushed or flogged spirit “dries up the bones.’ This Hebrew expression implies “crushed and flogged” spirit eventually starts destroying the body, “ Dry bones” a picture of death (Ezekiel 37:1-10). The process is easy to understand. Ahead that is continuing to be hurt and continues to grieve results in a crushed and flogged spirit with eventually leads to sickness.

God’s Solution

Since I am not sure exactly what sin is at the root of your anxiety. I will tell of some areas to explore.

The first question to ask is “Am I willing to allow God to control my life?” Key me illustrated with your partner. Are you willing to allow God to away your partner? He knows what’s best for you (Romans 8:28). If this is a area of struggle. There are times in my life when I desperately want a situation to occur in a particular way – my way! I find that I pray and pray and I’m still filled with anxiety, fear and unhappiness, I have found that I have never found peace in my heart until I was really willing to submit to whatever God would give me.

You need to ask yourself some serious questions, like are your partner living together, if so according to God it is a sin. God will never give you peace if your living in sin. Maybe this will help:

For my iniquities are gone over my head; As a heavy burden they weigh too much for me. My wounds grow foul and fester… I go mourning all day long. For my loins are filled with burning… I am benumbed and badly crushed; I groan beiof the agitation of my heart. Lord all my desire is before you; and my sighing is not hidden from you.

Psalm 38;4-10

Does this sound like your situation? Don’t live together until marriage. Ask God for a Bible-believing partner.

What ever you worry or have anxiety about there is a reason, whether you need to change your situation or change the way your living.

Whatever happens you have three choices. You can either let it define you. let it destroy you, or let it strengthen you. If you can’t do anything thing about it, let it go. Don’t be a prisoner to the things you can’t change.

God has a solution to your situation

Cast all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7

Yield to Him! He knows what is best for you. If necessary, let Him take your worry and anxiety away. Let God heal you.

Comfort During Physical Pain

During physical struggles, we should know that God’s abiding presence is always with us. Whether it’s a flare up of a chronic condition or a common cold, caring support makes a world of difference. We are never alone, He is always there. Even when we think no one in the natural care. Have peace that He’s always there.

His words contain many reminders of His love for us. Take a moment to write down these Scriptures for easy access to read and reread God’s Scriptures on Comfort.

Isaiah 41:10 – God strengthens you

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

God has promised is His strength. He will never give you a trail He is not willing to help you through. As children of God, we can call upon His power at anytime.

At times this Scripture can be hard to grasp. I know for me I struggle through severe migraines, some lasting more than seven days. While the Doctors do not know what the cause of them are. I need to remember that God is always with me through it all, my crying, my frustration, And becoming angry when I don’t understand why it’s happening to me. “Why God Why” what is the purpose of all this pain?

Jeremiah 33:6 – God brings healing

Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.

Although we are aware that complete physical healing may occur in this lifetime, we also know that God has a plan and a purpose for our lives,

We need spiritual care such a prayer and devotions, whether it’s a few friends to pray over you, or even your pastor.

John 14:27 – God provides peace

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you, I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

A few weeks ago I was taking an older man gifts and food for the Christmas season. I was met by his pitbull before I entered his yard. He attacked me, at first I was sure I’d lose my hand. I pulled with such force to get my hand out of this dogs mouth I strained by wrist, that when my hand was freed. I had four puncher wounds and drag marks across my hand. But the thing is, I was perfectly calm. I had a peace that I had nothing to fear. I seemed out medical care, and filed a police report.

Sometimes an unexpected pain or illness may frighten you. Accept God’s gift of peace, and let it create a calm spirit amen within you.

I was fortunate to have another person with me when I delivering that day. The knowledge that someone is near reduces worries and improves your peace of mind.

Matthew 11:28-30 – God lightens your burdens

Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my home upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Many times we feel overwhelmed in our lives. God has promised us that we can find strength in Him, and He will provide rest for us.

After Death, Will Christians See Those Who Are Not Saved?

Will those who are saved ever see those who are not saved after we die?

I think about this every Christmas, my Father was my only true support in my life. I have wondered if I’ve ever see him in heaven. So I did a little research in the Bible this is what I found out. Before my father got sick. He would tell me “I know I’m not going hell, but maybe I’ll make it to purgatory.” In Catholic religion means the process, or temporary punishment in which, according to Catholic belief, the souls of those who die in a state of grace are made ready for heaven.

I think we need to understand what hell is. Some people do not understand heck. It’s common to hear some people say they are not going to heaven, but they are looking forward to seeing all their friends in hell.

Judgement In The After Life

Jesus and the apostles paint hell as a place of misery and darkness. It will not be a social time. It is not a place to play, party, and watch movies with your friends. Here is the Bible’s picture of hell.

Picture of Hell – Eternal suffering with fire

Eternal Suffering with Fire

Verses:

  • Matthew 5:22; 13;42
  • Mark 9:43;
  • James 3:6;
  • Revelation 20:15

Picture of Hell

Crying or weeping

Verses:

  • Matthew 8:12; 13:42; 22:13
  • Luke 13; 28

Picture of Hell

Misery to the point of grinding one’s teeth

Verses:

  • Matthew 8:12: 13:43; 22:13
  • Luke 13:28

Picture of Hell

Darkness

Verses:

  • Matthew 8:23; 13:43; 22:13
  • Luke: 13:28

Hell will not be a place where it’s residents will know each other and visit one another. It will be a dark place burning with the heat of fire. So it’s not surprising there will be pain.

See Our Friends?

Scripture teaches that not only will Christians see others in heaven but others will know who they are. Scripture seems to imply that we will not know those who are in hell or in the lake of fire, because there will be no suffering in heaven, Heaven will be a wonderful place.

He shall wipe away every tear from our eyes; and there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.’ And He said; “ write, for these words are faithful and true,” And He said to me, “It is done, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.

Revelation 21:4-6

Since there is no suffering in heaven, Christians will not see non- Christians who are suffering in the eternal Lake of Fire. Christians will see other Christians. It will be wonderful. But the best part will be to spend eternity with God. Christians are going to have a party with God.