"That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 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?" He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!" (Mark 4:35-41, NIV)

Observations:
I asked myself what does Jesus do after evening came?

"That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." (Mark 4:35, NIV)

 I asked myself what do the disciples do?
^"Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat." (Mark 4:36, NIV)

Observation/Interpretations:
I asked myself  what sticks out to me regarding Jesus and the disciples and wby?

I found it very interesting that the disciples “took him along, just as he was, in the boat.”

 Anything that is mentioned in the Bible has significance and I wondered to myself the significance of, “they took him along, just as he was, in the boat.”

Then it occurred to me that Jesus must have been really, really tired. Teaching can take a lot out of a person. Jesus was teaching the crowds and explaining the parables to His disciples and those around him not to mention all the healing Jesus was involved in. In His humanity, Jesus faced the things we have and yet was without sin. His body needed rest and that is evidenced by the verse, “Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion.” (Mark 4:38, NIV)

I asked myself what was happening as Jesus was asleep on the cushion and the significance of that?
I found it so interesting while Jesus was asleep on the cushion, three things were happening:

 None of these events woke Jesus up but one event did wake Jesus up. It had nothing to do with nature but with voices.

I asked myself what the disciples did?
The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" (Mark 4:38, NIV)

I asked myself, why it is significant that the disciples had to wake Jesus up?

Point 1:
It is very significant because not even the storm, winds beating into the boat, nor water filling up the boat could wake Jesus up.  The only thing I can think of is that Jesus was in a deep sleep. I believe Jesus too was very tired after all the work He was doing. We have to realize that when Jesus was here on earth, Jesus experienced the same things we do except He was with no sin.  

Point 2:
It is also very significant because we come to learn the faith of the disciples. The disciples had already been with Jesus, they had heard his teachings and seen His miracles. Yet, they were really scared what was going to happen to them because of the circumstances they were faced with. They even questioned Jesus if he cared for them. They still did not have the faith, Jesus wanted them to have.

I asked myself what Jesus did?
Jesus did five things, three of which were done immediately!  I found it interesting how Jesus responds to their frantic voices waking Him up. He addresses their problem and fear first.

The first three things were:

1. Jesus got up.

2. Jesus rebuked the wind.

3. Jesus said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!”

I asked myself what the cause-effect relationship was?
Because Jesus said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’, the wind died down and it was completely calm.

I asked myself what Jesus does now?
Now Jesus addresses the disciples with two questions:

1. Why are you so afraid?

2. Do you still have no faith?

What is significant about the five things Jesus did?
Jesus woke up at the prompting of His disciples. He did not stay in bed, though he may have been tired, when He realized others needed His help. He took authority of nature and there was calmness once again. Jesus shows us His CAPABILITY.

I asked myself what can I learn from Jesus’ actions and the disciples’ actions?

Point 1: Jesus’ actions
We come to realize the humanity of Jesus in this passage including His Divinity. If Jesus needed to sleep after all the work He had been doing, how much more we need to sleep. Rest is a very important component that we all need. If we exhaust ourselves, we may come to the point where we can sleep through exams, work, etc. I know that I need to conform to this principle.

It does not do any good to work, work, work without getting adequate rest. You may think to yourselves that you have so much work to do that you do not have time for rest. But, God wants His children to get adequate rest.

"It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for He gives His beloved sleep." (Psalm 127:2)

Point 2: Disciples actions
We see the disciples doubting Jesus' care for them during the circumstances they were facing. They insinuated that Jesus may not care even if they perished. Jesus did care though and took care of the disciples. In the Psalms we learn, it is better to trust in God than put confidence in men.

"It is better to trust the Lord than to put confidence in men." (Psalm 118:8)

This principle was not adhered to here with the  disciples. They were relying on their own understanding when turmoil broke rather than put their confidence in Jesus. Jesus had every right to ask the question he asked of the disciples concerning  faith.

Point 3: Jesus’ actions  
Jesus very well could have been hurt because of the disciples lack of faith. The question He poses is meant for the disciples to think back to the times of Jesus' miracles. Still, Jesus in His love did not ignore the disciples in their time of need. The two questions posed by Jesus were done after alleviating the disciples’ fears. While they were fearful Jesus wanted to handle the fear first. That is so cool and awesome of Jesus to meet them where they were and then to address their weaknesses. Jesus was with them through the storm even though they felt that Jesus did not care for them.

It is shocking even after this the disciples response is:
"They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!" (Mark 4:41, NIV)

Here we see a CLAIM being made about Jesus!

Implications:
I saw important implications for my own life I want to share with you. When Jesus wanted them to go to the other side, the disciples obeyed Jesus and took Jesus along with them, just as He was, in the boat. During their obedience, they also faced trials and tribulations that were getting them frightened and down, making them doubt the Lord’s care for them. But the Lord never abandoned them in their storms. He won't abandon me too. In my obedience to the Lord, it is possible that I could face trials and tribulations but I need to hold on to the faith Jesus has given me. Jesus will work with the faith I have.

When Jesus asks me to do something, He is aware of the situations at hand. In my limited mind set I am not aware of everything that could come out of my obedience which includes possible trials and tribulations but whatever comes, obedience to the Lord should be a priority and He will take care of the rest. Sometimes the storms of life just come and it can be very painful.

How I handle storms shows the faith I have in Jesus whether it is faith that is solid as a rock or faith that is drowning like quick sand. Help me Jesus! I know it is so easy to ask the question, 'Where are you Lord? Don't you care if I drown in this storm?' In our weakness, we look to the circumstances at hand instead of to the One who can help us overcome the circumstances. 

Some storms can be very painful and make us wonder when will this darkness be over and the light shine. It is important for me to remember no matter the furious squall, no matter the winds rising to break us, or the storms that want to swamp us, Jesus is there to carry us. Yes, He is! Thank you Jesus!

Recently, my precious Chandraleela and I were very concerned about our finances because it felt like a storm was brewing to wash us away but we held on to the hope that if the Lord has called us to do something, He will be our provision. So, in faith we continue to do what we feel the Lord has called us to do depending on the Lord to provide for us. Jesus has not disappointed us and reminded us of the passage dealing with food, shelter, and clothing. When I doubt, the Lord reminds me, 'Have I not provided for you and your family until now, why do you doubt?'. It is amazing how the Lord continues to provide for us through different means!

You would think I would remember all the things Jesus has done for me and how He has brought me through including our family but just like the disciples when I have faced circumstances, I have let circumstances rule me than the Lord who can help me through the circumstances.

Jesus wants me to work through the storms of life and pain letting me know His Promises from the Word of God will get me through as I rest in His saving power as my Lord and Personal Savior being guided by the Holy Spirit sent from God above. I was so blessed to read and meditate on Psalm 18 this morning about God's protection and provision. Thank you Jesus!

Our Lord can bring good even out of storms. I know I have been there.

I ask you now dear friends, how do you handle the S.T.O.R.M.S in your life?
Dear friend, there will be times in your life when you feel everything is going wrong for you or has gone wrong for you. You may have lost some one you love, you may have lost the desire to do what you loved to do, you may have lost your job, you may be dealing with someone who has been sick, you may be failing classes/finals, having economic hardship, not doing well academically as you want to, etc which become storms in your life that need calming.

You could very well know Jesus as your Lord and Personal Savior and feel like where is Jesus in all this and why is it happening to you. So,  when you look at the circumstances in your life, you may want to question Jesus' love and care for you. Please don't! Jesus does love you so much and cares for you. If He cared for the disciples in their sinfulness, I know He will care for you and me and carry us in our pain. Even when we doubt, Jesus will handle our fears first before addressing our doubt. Thank you Jesus!

When circumstances do not go our way, it does not mean the Lord does not love us anymore. It is easy for us to lean on our own understanding but the Lord wants us to lean on Him.

"Trust in the Lord completely and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths and crown your efforts with success." (Prov 3:5-6)

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)

It is wrong for us to think, just because we are Christians and the Lord is in our life, God should make things happen our way. I have had that mentality and still struggle with that. The Gospel of our Lord Jesus teaches us that there will be trials and tribulations but we also learn that we can receive strength and power from the Savior for He will never leave us nor forsake us. It is such a blessing to be going through the Book of James in our Community Bible Time led by Pastor Jesse, Pastor Ridge, Elder Calvin, and Samuel. Here we see how faith put to action works even through trials and tribulations.

Friend, even when we believe we are obedient to the Lord and follow His calling just as the disciples followed His calling to get to the other side, storms of life are not exempt. While they were going in the boat is when the storms came. After how the Lord already worked in their lives and those around them, they could have strongly believed in the Lord’s intervention and help but they were fearful and filled with doubt.

As storms happened to me, it may have happened to each of you too. I do not know but this I do know when the Lord calls us to something, it will not always be peachy but what we can be assured friend is that His love is reaching and He will be looking after us.

Whatever storms you are facing right now, you do not have to face the storms on your own. You do not have to let it sink you and be hit by the waves of life in a negative way. There is no problem too deep that the Lord cannot solve it.

You can receive the help from the Lord. He does calm our fears and brings us peace. Every situation we are in may not be solved to our liking.  But the Lord in His mercy will give us the strength and endurance to bear and give us areas we can rejoice in Him! Praise the Lord! Amen!

So no matter what storms you are facing, whether they are academic, relational, spiritual in nature, etc know that Jesus loves you so much. He knows your pain and your doubts. He will not abandon you as an orphan in the storm but will come to you as His Word promises in John 14. This is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. The chapter starts out with, Jesus saying, “Let not your hearts be troubled, you are trusting God, now trust in me.”

We should not focus on the problem alone but  it is trust we need especially in the storms of life for He is able to keep us from falling and He who began a good work in us will finish it to completion. Never give up but turn to the Lord in your storms and know that He will answer you. There are times the storm will totally disappear and other times through the storm, He will keep you strengthened and help you to move on!

Friend, the greatest storm of life is not the storms we face in the physical world and realm but the greatest storm of life starts in the spiritual realm when we have to engage in spiritual warfare. All humanity is engaged in it whether they like it or not. It started the day Lucifer rebelled against God and took 1/3 of angels with him to the pit below. Now, Lucifer (Satan's) primary purpose is to use the storms of life to take people away from Jesus especially using SIN.

If we don't seek the help of Jesus in this spiritual warfare, we will crumble and fall down to Satan's ways and desires. Satan will hold us in bondage to sin and death but when we turn to Jesus our hope, help, and healing, He will rescue us from this deadly virus known as sin and give us a new beginning.

It starts out with acknowledging that we are a sinner and are in need of a Savior who can save us from our sin and set us free from its bondage. The storm of sin can be overwhelming and come like a flood but the cleansing blood of Jesus can absorb it and rescue you. So come to Jesus who died for you and came back to life to save you. Come as you are and lay your sins before the Lord. Ask Him to forgive you of your sin as you confess them to Jesus repenting of your sins. Now ask Him to be the Lord of your life to guide you and lead you delivering you from Satan's ways. Jesus will be your Lord and Savior whom you can serve excitedly. He will get you through the storms of life. Yes, He will friend. Turn to the Lord and believe what Jesus did for you.

May you rest in the Lord through the storms of your own life!  Savior today offers rest mightily saving, by giving you the strength and peace through the storms of life. Amen! I do believe we all receive the help we need according to His glorious will! Amen!    May you all rest in Him!

There is a wonderful song by Scott Wesley Brown called, “He will carry you” and another song called “Praise the Lord” by the Imperials which addresses storms of life too.

May we not be so overcome by negative circumstances that we lose faith but may we trust in the Lord through those circumstances. It is my prayer that we all can do that!

“Savior Today Offers Rest Mightily, Saving!”(S.T.O.R.M.S)/"How do you handle the S.T.O.R.M.S in your life?"

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you so much for all that you teach me from your Word. Just as the disciples feared and doubted during the storm, we have our own doubts and fears during the storms of our life. We are sorry Lord that after all that you have done for us, when things don’t go well for us, we sometimes doubt your care for us. I know Lord that I have been so guilty of that. Even in my doubts thank you for showing me your abundant love and grace. I know Lord circumstances in my life made the storms hit me harder but I also know you love me and are watching over me no matter what happens. Help me not to base the extent of your love for me based on the good things that happen to me. If nothing else happens, let us know you love us remembering what you did for us at Calvary. You took the nails that pierced your hands and feet for me. This I have come to see. You also took the thorns and lashes to pay for my sins’ strife so that through the washing of your Blood, I can be cleansed of my sin in life. Thank you Jesus! Please give us the strength to bear through the pain and always know your love for us. Thank you Jesus for being our Lord and Personal Savior! Thank you Jesus for coming back to life to save us! We turn our lives over to thee and to the usage of your plan. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!