We finished our series on the book of James this morning in church. I spoke on the ‘Prayer of Faith’.
The prayer of faith I believe changes our position, our posture, our countenance!
A powerful and effective prayer life is available for all of God’s people.
James 5:13-18
Why do we pray?
We pray to know his will for our lives, believing that he will guide us. Jesus taught us to pray, ‘Your Kingdom come, Your will be done...’
We pray to make a difference
We pray to change our attitude
We pray because there is always something to pray about
If we want to see incredible things happening we’ve got to strengthen it…seal it with prayer. All the best organisation skills, talent, gifting…we need all of that…but that on it’s own is not going to see the kind of things we want to see…the things that God wants to do in you and through you.
The Kingdom of God is all about PRAYER! His Kingdom coming when we pray…watch it grow…watch the impact that is has!
The great thing about Elijah for us today was that he was someone just like you and me who prayed to God and God heard and answered him.
When do we pray?
Elijah knew the answer to this…at all times. Whatever situation he was in he would pray.
James 5:13 - Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises
James says when we’re in trouble BUT also when things ‘are going well’…there’s still things to pray about. Sometimes we forget that fact!
How do we pray?
James is encouraging us to not only pray on all occasions…but he also encourages our praying to take on a certain feel/power!
PRAY WITH EARNEST (FERVENTLY)
James 5:16 - The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results
We can’t stay polite in our praying! We get into it…engage our heart/passion…there’s a fervency a determination that something is about to happen!
God is saying…when you pray, give me your heart! (Love the Lord you God with all your mind, soul, strength…and HEART) – it’s impossible to do something with your heart and keep it hidden away! He’s looking for passionate people…who get excited about what they’re doing for God.
PRAY WITH FAITH
James 5:15-16 - And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much
James is saying, “Pray and believe God for an answer…he will answer you!” We all have faith - Some may say “I don’t have a lot of faith”…but you don’t need a lot! Mustard seed size!
Use it! It’s not whether we have faith or not it’s whether we are going to decide to use it!
Elijah knew that God was drawn to those who ASK. Jesus encouraged us to ASK…
Luke 11:9-10 - “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
Elijah prayed with his face between his knees…as if in childbirth. Expectant…he knew the answer from God was coming! He did that for 7 times…he did it once and nothing happened…he did it a second time…nothing! He realises that he’s not just to pray once…but keep it going. Until he sees the breakthrough and the heavens open and the rain comes.
Matthew 21:21-22 - Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.”
Through prayer and persistent determination…we can overcome and conquer any difficulty we face.
PRAY WITH CONFIDENCE
1 John 5:14-15 – And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for
Have confidence that GOD HEARS you! Even if we don’t get the answer we want or the answer is delayed…the promise is “He hears us”.
So we know when we pray, Your Kingdom Come Your Will be Done – we know God hears us and we can expect God to answer! Praying according to his will.
The Kingdom of Heaven advances through prayer. Would you believe that for this to happen the prayers needed are of a “violent nature”.
Matthew 11:12 - From the time of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of God has been forcefully advancing and the violent take hold of it.
Violent prayers are prayers of tenacity and persistence. An unwillingness to put up with situations and attitudes in our own lives and the lives of others will advance the Kingdom of God. Violent prayer means believing God will come through even when the opposite of what you’re believing for is hitting you right between the eyes. Violent prayer is refusing to accept the expected and expecting the unexpected. Violent prayer means OK is not OK. We’re going for great.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
The Book of James – Words Matter
We heard an excellent message in church this morning as Paul Benger continued our series on the book of James. This week it was all about the fact that ‘Words Matter’.
James 3:1-12
‘Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me’. This old saying is simply not true. Our words are very powerful. We’ve all been hurt by words. Words matter.
Our lives can be ‘framed’ by the words spoken to us…words that have been said over and over again to us. ‘You’ll never make it’, ‘Useless’, ‘I’ve always done that’, because they’ve been told ‘they’ll always do that’. We’re framed by words.
God spoke words and the world was framed. We were created in His image because words were spoken. The words we speak therefore matter. James is teaching us this fact.
James 3:1-2 – Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check
We all stumble with our words.
James 4:11 – Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgement on it
People will sometimes judge, condemn, slander, gossip, start rumours about us. The best thing to do is not to retaliate out of anger. I believe we will reap the rewards of refusing that kind of spirit in our lives. Our words should build one another up and ourselves.
James 5:12 – Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned
We need integrity in our speech. ‘I’ll be there’ means ‘I’ll be there’! Let’s fulfil our words; follow through on what we say.
WORDS MATTER – God expects us to keep our words
James 3:1 – Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly
Prohibitions and promises are they fulfilled with our kids? It can sometime be hard to follow through on them.
Matthew 12:36-37 – But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgement for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.
Jesus knew how important our words were. Count the cost of our words…what we say, our promises. Negative words spoken can restrict our lives and hold us back, limiting us. Good positive words can free our lives.
Psalm 76:11 – Make vows to the LORD your God and fulfil them
WORDS MATTER – They set the course for our life
James tells that the tongue is like a rudder that sets the course of lives.
Proverbs 18:21 – The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit
If our words control our direction then we need to control our words. Our words can take us places we don’t want to go. Negative miserable places as opposed to positive joyful places. Where will our words take us?
James 3:4-5 – Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark
The tongue, such a little member and yet so powerful.
Ephesians 4:29 – Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen
What a great way to use our words…to build others and to build you!
The 7-Day Challenge – everyday for the next 7 days give encouragement to 7 different people. By text, email, phone, twitter – send encouraging words.
Words set the course for our lives. Words give life to us.
WORDS MATTER – They flow from our heart
Guard your heart.
Matthew 12:34 – You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks
Luke 6:45 – The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks
Let God change our hearts. The Christian life is all about change and growth…to follow Jesus Christ to be his disciples – his apprentice. We will always be his apprentices – growing and learning new things.
James 3:1-12
‘Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me’. This old saying is simply not true. Our words are very powerful. We’ve all been hurt by words. Words matter.
Our lives can be ‘framed’ by the words spoken to us…words that have been said over and over again to us. ‘You’ll never make it’, ‘Useless’, ‘I’ve always done that’, because they’ve been told ‘they’ll always do that’. We’re framed by words.
God spoke words and the world was framed. We were created in His image because words were spoken. The words we speak therefore matter. James is teaching us this fact.
James 3:1-2 – Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check
We all stumble with our words.
James 4:11 – Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgement on it
People will sometimes judge, condemn, slander, gossip, start rumours about us. The best thing to do is not to retaliate out of anger. I believe we will reap the rewards of refusing that kind of spirit in our lives. Our words should build one another up and ourselves.
James 5:12 – Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned
We need integrity in our speech. ‘I’ll be there’ means ‘I’ll be there’! Let’s fulfil our words; follow through on what we say.
WORDS MATTER – God expects us to keep our words
James 3:1 – Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly
Prohibitions and promises are they fulfilled with our kids? It can sometime be hard to follow through on them.
Matthew 12:36-37 – But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgement for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.
Jesus knew how important our words were. Count the cost of our words…what we say, our promises. Negative words spoken can restrict our lives and hold us back, limiting us. Good positive words can free our lives.
Psalm 76:11 – Make vows to the LORD your God and fulfil them
WORDS MATTER – They set the course for our life
James tells that the tongue is like a rudder that sets the course of lives.
Proverbs 18:21 – The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit
If our words control our direction then we need to control our words. Our words can take us places we don’t want to go. Negative miserable places as opposed to positive joyful places. Where will our words take us?
James 3:4-5 – Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark
The tongue, such a little member and yet so powerful.
Ephesians 4:29 – Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen
What a great way to use our words…to build others and to build you!
The 7-Day Challenge – everyday for the next 7 days give encouragement to 7 different people. By text, email, phone, twitter – send encouraging words.
Words set the course for our lives. Words give life to us.
WORDS MATTER – They flow from our heart
Guard your heart.
Matthew 12:34 – You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks
Luke 6:45 – The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks
Let God change our hearts. The Christian life is all about change and growth…to follow Jesus Christ to be his disciples – his apprentice. We will always be his apprentices – growing and learning new things.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
The Book of James - Faith Works
We continued our current series in church today based on the book of James. Paul Benger brought a great message entitled ‘Faith Works’.
James 2:14-26
You can read the statement ‘faith works’ as it achieves, it accomplishes or it gets the job done. Living a life of faith works, it produces results.
But also we can read it as ‘faith works’ – faith acts, it has accompanying action.
People desire the ‘real thing’ - some will even pay a lot to have it! James here is talking to us about being the ‘real thing’. God wants the real thing and not a poor imitation. ‘When faith is real it acts’.
People like Abraham and Rahab their actions proved that their faith was real. We also need to act on our faith.
The Bible is written to real people in real situations. James was talking to Christians whose faith had wavered encouraging them that faith has corresponding actions.
We can’t say ‘I believe God will do this’ and then stand back and do nothing. We have to get involved, put our faith and our actions into practice. Marry action with faith.
Faith Works – In Actions that Match our Words
Let our actions match our words. James 2:14 – What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Today when we say that God can do, do our actions reflect our belief?
Proverbs 18:21 – The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit
Sometimes we just have to change our speech. Be positive, speak of the good things that God will do. Positive confession is important. Speak faith over our lives – it’s not ‘spin’…but speak of the positive future that God has for us. Prophecy it!
‘Our words need to have corresponding actions’. What are you believing God for? Trust him – it’s not all down to us!
Faith Works – in a Spirit of Generosity
James 2:15-16 – Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
2 Corinthians 8:1-4 – And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints
Generosity is one of the great expressions of our faith. What can you do? Decide what you will give and have that spirit of generosity. Generosity is more than money – it is acts of kindness, it’s praise. Be specific in your praise as well.
Faith Works – Right Here Right Now!
James 2:18 – But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do
Hebrews 11:1-2 – Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for
I’m going to live in today in the light of tomorrow! We are people of the future living in today. Bringing the Kingdom of Heaven into today.
CLC – What does that mean for us? Structure today for the church of tomorrow! Build for tomorrow. Speak the language of largeness not smallness. Remove small from our vocabulary. Believe for leaders today for the church of tomorrow. For our future building, plan for it today!
James 2:14-26
You can read the statement ‘faith works’ as it achieves, it accomplishes or it gets the job done. Living a life of faith works, it produces results.
But also we can read it as ‘faith works’ – faith acts, it has accompanying action.
People desire the ‘real thing’ - some will even pay a lot to have it! James here is talking to us about being the ‘real thing’. God wants the real thing and not a poor imitation. ‘When faith is real it acts’.
People like Abraham and Rahab their actions proved that their faith was real. We also need to act on our faith.
The Bible is written to real people in real situations. James was talking to Christians whose faith had wavered encouraging them that faith has corresponding actions.
We can’t say ‘I believe God will do this’ and then stand back and do nothing. We have to get involved, put our faith and our actions into practice. Marry action with faith.
Faith Works – In Actions that Match our Words
Let our actions match our words. James 2:14 – What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Today when we say that God can do, do our actions reflect our belief?
Proverbs 18:21 – The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit
Sometimes we just have to change our speech. Be positive, speak of the good things that God will do. Positive confession is important. Speak faith over our lives – it’s not ‘spin’…but speak of the positive future that God has for us. Prophecy it!
‘Our words need to have corresponding actions’. What are you believing God for? Trust him – it’s not all down to us!
Faith Works – in a Spirit of Generosity
James 2:15-16 – Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
2 Corinthians 8:1-4 – And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints
Generosity is one of the great expressions of our faith. What can you do? Decide what you will give and have that spirit of generosity. Generosity is more than money – it is acts of kindness, it’s praise. Be specific in your praise as well.
Faith Works – Right Here Right Now!
James 2:18 – But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do
Hebrews 11:1-2 – Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for
I’m going to live in today in the light of tomorrow! We are people of the future living in today. Bringing the Kingdom of Heaven into today.
CLC – What does that mean for us? Structure today for the church of tomorrow! Build for tomorrow. Speak the language of largeness not smallness. Remove small from our vocabulary. Believe for leaders today for the church of tomorrow. For our future building, plan for it today!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
The Book of James – Trials Can Make You Better
We began our brand new series in church today based on the book of James. Paul Benger brought an excellent message entitled ‘Trials Can Make You Better’.
James writes his book to believers encouraging us not to live the double-life. Don’t keep your true identity hidden by living the double-life.
James has been compared to the book of Proverbs – the Proverbs of the New Testament. It’s practical and shows us what the Christian life looks like.
This book was not written to a church but James was writing to individual Christians - he’s writing to you! He’s encouraging us that even in persecution don’t live the double-life.
James 1:1-8
James is telling us to ‘mind the gap’. Watch out for the gaps that can exist between the lives that we should live and the lives that we actually live.
Trials can make you better and make you stronger. ‘Make you circumstances your university’.
James 1:2 – Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds
What a way to start a letter! There is a purpose…God is at work in this trial. He is going to bring goodness. We have evil present in this world and we have choices to make. It’s not a prefect world but we know that God is at work and will use any trial we face for good.
James 1:3-4 – because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything
What a vision God has for us! He wants to equip us for life now and the future. Even when we give up on ourselves…God doesn’t!
Perseverance is waiting patiently knowing that God will keep his word. It’s about us being tenacious, having stickability. ‘Success is doing the right thing long enough’.
When we are lacking God will use anything he can to give us what we need to do the work. Trials can make us better…not bitter.
Keys to trials making us better…
A Good Attitude is Required
James 1:2 – Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds
Keep a right attitude. Don’t let negativity, cynicism, hurt – attitudes that grab hold of us and keep us down.
God will use the situations we face to develop things in our life. God is at work – stay positive.
Romans 8:28 – And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose
Wisdom is Required
James 1:5 – If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him
Ask for God’s wisdom when we face trials. He knows more than us. Don’t choose our wisdom over God’s.
Faith is Required
James 1:6-8 – But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
Believe that God has said and stand your ground. Faith isn’t feelings. Faith is believing that God is faithful…no matter what is happening around me.
Being double-minded is floating between the two thoughts - believing God and doubting God.
James offers us four bits of practical advice in allowing trials to make us better…
1) Don’t get angry
James 1:19-20 – My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires
2) Stay pure
James 1:21 – Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you
3) Be a doer of the word not just a listener
James 1:22-25 – Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
4) Bless others
James 1:27 – Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world
James writes his book to believers encouraging us not to live the double-life. Don’t keep your true identity hidden by living the double-life.
James has been compared to the book of Proverbs – the Proverbs of the New Testament. It’s practical and shows us what the Christian life looks like.
This book was not written to a church but James was writing to individual Christians - he’s writing to you! He’s encouraging us that even in persecution don’t live the double-life.
James 1:1-8
James is telling us to ‘mind the gap’. Watch out for the gaps that can exist between the lives that we should live and the lives that we actually live.
Trials can make you better and make you stronger. ‘Make you circumstances your university’.
James 1:2 – Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds
What a way to start a letter! There is a purpose…God is at work in this trial. He is going to bring goodness. We have evil present in this world and we have choices to make. It’s not a prefect world but we know that God is at work and will use any trial we face for good.
James 1:3-4 – because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything
What a vision God has for us! He wants to equip us for life now and the future. Even when we give up on ourselves…God doesn’t!
Perseverance is waiting patiently knowing that God will keep his word. It’s about us being tenacious, having stickability. ‘Success is doing the right thing long enough’.
When we are lacking God will use anything he can to give us what we need to do the work. Trials can make us better…not bitter.
Keys to trials making us better…
A Good Attitude is Required
James 1:2 – Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds
Keep a right attitude. Don’t let negativity, cynicism, hurt – attitudes that grab hold of us and keep us down.
God will use the situations we face to develop things in our life. God is at work – stay positive.
Romans 8:28 – And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose
Wisdom is Required
James 1:5 – If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him
Ask for God’s wisdom when we face trials. He knows more than us. Don’t choose our wisdom over God’s.
Faith is Required
James 1:6-8 – But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
Believe that God has said and stand your ground. Faith isn’t feelings. Faith is believing that God is faithful…no matter what is happening around me.
Being double-minded is floating between the two thoughts - believing God and doubting God.
James offers us four bits of practical advice in allowing trials to make us better…
1) Don’t get angry
James 1:19-20 – My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires
2) Stay pure
James 1:21 – Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you
3) Be a doer of the word not just a listener
James 1:22-25 – Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
4) Bless others
James 1:27 – Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world
Monday, May 04, 2009
The Wind and the Waves
Church was amazing yesterday. Two great messages both morning and evening. Nathan Benger spoke in the morning about ‘the Wind and the Waves’.
Mark 6:45-50 – (45) Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. (46) After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. (47) When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. (48) He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, (49) but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, (50) because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
All of us have faced storms out of our control. Things out of our control can distract us. Sometimes we try to control them in our own strength, but its too much effort.
Rumours are so easy to start. We can’t control what people say about us. But bad things can be good because they lead us to a place where we should be.
Vs 45 – Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd
When the disciples got in the boat there was no storm. Jesus also made the disciples get in the boat even though he knew there was a storm coming. He knew that he could deliver them.
Some of us were called in the ‘calm’ and now we find ourselves in the ‘chaos’. Our lives and faith are proved through the storms.
Vs 47 – When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land
They find themselves in the middle of the lake and they think of turning back. But its harder to turn back than it is to carry on.
The enemy often whispers to us to ‘turn back – look at the mess’. But don’t get out of the boat.
The wind is like the enemy, we can’t see it but it causes the waves. Waves are like the tangible problems caused by people.
When we get in the boat with faith the enemy gets agitated. But Jesus is always in control. He is our protector. Don’t abandon the ship!
The storms happen to the best of us. The disciples had great destiny and yet they faced a storm. They kept moving forwards and Jesus walked towards them.
Gods timing is perfect.
Mark 6:45-50 – (45) Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. (46) After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. (47) When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. (48) He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, (49) but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, (50) because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
All of us have faced storms out of our control. Things out of our control can distract us. Sometimes we try to control them in our own strength, but its too much effort.
Rumours are so easy to start. We can’t control what people say about us. But bad things can be good because they lead us to a place where we should be.
Vs 45 – Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd
When the disciples got in the boat there was no storm. Jesus also made the disciples get in the boat even though he knew there was a storm coming. He knew that he could deliver them.
Some of us were called in the ‘calm’ and now we find ourselves in the ‘chaos’. Our lives and faith are proved through the storms.
Vs 47 – When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land
They find themselves in the middle of the lake and they think of turning back. But its harder to turn back than it is to carry on.
The enemy often whispers to us to ‘turn back – look at the mess’. But don’t get out of the boat.
The wind is like the enemy, we can’t see it but it causes the waves. Waves are like the tangible problems caused by people.
When we get in the boat with faith the enemy gets agitated. But Jesus is always in control. He is our protector. Don’t abandon the ship!
The storms happen to the best of us. The disciples had great destiny and yet they faced a storm. They kept moving forwards and Jesus walked towards them.
Gods timing is perfect.
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