SCRIPTURE:
"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 Jesus does after telling the parables?
We are not really
told except what happens 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 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?
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 about,
“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?While Jesus was
asleep on the cushion, three things were happening:
-
A
furious squall came up.
-
The
waves broke over the boat.
-
The
boat was nearly swamped.
Mind you, while all
this was happening Jesus was still asleep on the cushion. None of these
events woke Jesus up but one event did wake Jesus up. It had nothing to
do with nature but with voices. Jesus is in control of nature and He did
not allow what was happening to hinder Him from His sleep except the
frantic voices He heard.
His disciples were
obedient in crossing to the other side as Jesus wanted them to but in
their obedience they also faced trials and tribulations that were
getting them frightened and down, making them doubt the Lord’s care for
them.
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:
-
Jesus got up.
-
Jesus rebuked the wind.
-
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:
-
Why are you so afraid?
-
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.
What can we 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.
Amazing 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)
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. 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. Sometimes the storms
of life just come and it can be very painful.
The most recent trial and tribulation for our family has been
the death of my dad and all the days he was in the hospital.
It will be a year on Dec 17, 2008 since my dad went into cardiac arrest but
at times it feels like yesterday. It was really hard on all of us. It still
is as I think back to that day on October 8th, 2007 when my dad
went into cardiac arrest and the December 17th day when my dad went to be with the
Lord. But through this major storm of life that lasted for
months, Jesus has never
abandoned us but has been by our side to comfort and take care
of us. I thank the Lord Jesus for that. We could not go through
this without Jesus in our lives. The storms of life are not
always calmed to our liking or when we want them calmed but
Jesus does it His way and strengthens us.
It would be nice to still have our daddy here but Jesus knows
best and we need to believe in the Lord's ways. It is so
important to seek the Lord during the storms of life too and not
when things are going our way.
I saw
myself in fear and doubt as the disciples did and the Lord yet
intervened. Jesus could have been like, ‘I am not going to deal with him
anymore after everything I have already done in his life.’ On the
contrary, Jesus reached out to me, our family, and still reaches out in some powerful
ways to this day!
To this day, my dad's memory is alive not only in our hearts but also
in a memoriam on Pittsburgh Standard for his memory to be honored! The
Pittsburgh Standard which the Lord Jesus gave to me to be used for His
honor and glory on campus is changing lives as an online newspaper.
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.
These past few weeks has been really hard on me and I have not felt
like studying God's Word and sharing what He taught me. I kept resisting
telling myself that am not ready yet but then Jesus reminded me 'If I
wait for everything to line up the way I want it too then, I will never
get anything done.'
Jesus wants me to work through the storms of life and pain letting me
know His Word of promises 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.
Our Lord can bring
good even out of storms. I know I have been there. Not only is Jesus
using Pittsburgh Standard to change lives but it has been such a
blessing to know when “Pittsburgh Standard” is typed in GOOGLE, it comes
first for people to find it easily. I do not know how long the Lord
wants me to continue with Pittsburgh Standard but I give myself up to
the Lord to be used as His servant.
“He who dwells in
the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the
Almighty. ”(Psalm 91:1. NIV)
I ask you now dear friends, what are the storms 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
joy, 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.
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.
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. If that were the
case, I would still be shepherding leaders in ministry 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.”
I have found that the 'storms of memories' that I would like to
forget that keeps taking me into the past has been the hardest to deal
with it. At times, I just wanted the Lord to remove that area of memory
so I don't remember. I have also been tempted to ask the Lord for
temporary amnesia in that area.
But the problem is that I still have been focusing on my own problems
which starts in the memory. I need to rest in the Lord through the
memories and pain of the past so He can bring healing and restoration. I
know He can because He created each one of us.
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 as He is helping our family through the death of my dad and other
things that have happened since.
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.
ANALOGY OF INVITING PEOPLE TO THE GREAT PHYSICIAN:
We are like an ambulance taking
sick people to the
hospital. People are dying and there is an emergency because of an
epidemic virus. The ambulance takes the initiative to go to the place
people are dying and bring them to the hospital. They are not dead yet
but there is no time to wait. The ambulance needs to get to the hospital
for that virus to be treated. The virus has infected the mind, body, and
soul spreading rapidly. You and I cannot do anything to heal our friends
of this virus except be the AMBULANCE taking them to the HOSPITAL where
the GREAT PHYSICIAN waits.
Once at the hospital, there is a GREAT PHYSICIAN that waits. The sick
are gathered from all corners of the earth and come to this hospital.
This hospital is called CALVARY OF SALVATION and the EMERGENCY WARD is
called GOLGOTHA.
The GREAT PHYSICIAN is not like other doctors who can only treat
patients with physical ailments but this GREAT PHYSICIAN is much
more and knows He has to stay 72 HOURS for every dying person there to
be healed.
He knows what He has to do! This GREAT PHYSICIAN knew that only His
BLOOD can wipe away this epidemic VIRUS, so for you and me He went to
the blood transfusion room where people were about to die. There He lay
down on the bed made of wood.
The surgeons walk into the room. They turn this GREAT PHYSICIAN on
His back. Instead of using an IV, a WHIP with sharp glass, etc is
used to draw out the BLOOD from the GREAT PHYSICIAN'S back! It does not
stop there but to elevate the head on the bed of wood, a CROWN OF THORNS
is used which draws more BLOOD.
As the head is elevated, the GREAT PHYSICIAN's hands are stretched
wide on the wooden bed. Then the feet are bound together. This is done
for the BLOOD transfusion to begin. Instead of using an IV, NAILS and a
HAMMER is used. The NAILS are pounded through the hands into the wooden
bed with a HAMMER so the BLOOD flows and that BLOOD is saved. The NAILS
are pounded through the feet into the wooden bed with a HAMMER so more
BLOOD flows and that BLOOD is saved. As the BLOOD continues to flow from
the GREAT PHYSICIAN's body, the GREAT PHYSICIAN flat lines. Then the
surgeons insert a SPEAR into the heart to make sure all the BLOOD is
out. All the BLOOD is out!
Now, the GREAT PHYSICIAN is moved into the JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA MORGUE
being guarded by security.
Now the CALVARY OF SALVATION hospital has a BLOOD DONOR whose BLOOD
can be used to save everyone there from this EPIDEMIC VIRUS.
Those dying need to be taken there to receive the BLOOD transfusion
that is available. However, the BLOOD will not be forced upon those
dying! THE PUREST RED ANTIDOTE is only given to those that are willing
to receive the BLOOD TRANSFUSION so they could LIVE.
All that accept the BLOOD are being CLEANSED of this EPIDEMIC VIRUS
in their system that is infecting the mind, body, and soul. This
BLOOD goes into the dying person's mind, body, and soul and eats away at
the virus cleaning them and making them pure. This VIRUS is known as
SIN. The BLOOD is the PRECIOUS CLEANSING BLOOD OF THE GREAT PHYSICIAN,
JESUS CHRIST.
The WOODEN BED is the CROSS OF CHRIST where the dying need to be led
too.
72 HOURS LATER, there is a commotion at the JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA
MORGUE. THE GREAT PHYSICIAN is not there anymore and the ANGELS that
visit tell loved ones who came there, that THE GREAT PHYSICIAN IS ALIVE
and will save all that come to Him.
It is true even to this day, for all that come to the HOSPITAL OF CALVARY come to realize that His CLEANSING
BLOOD shed on the WOODEN BED (CROSS) will never run out. Anyone infected
who wants to be healed of their sickness can accept what Jesus did for
them and be covered in His precious CLEANSING
BLOOD.
I have done that friend and know that at the foot of the cross where
Jesus died shedding His precious cleansing blood for my sin and the sins
of the world, I can find forgiveness and grace.
Thanks be to God that Christ's death on the cross was temporary to
remove all His precious cleansing blood for our sake but after He was
buried, Jesus came back to life to save.
To this day, all who call on the Name of the Lord will be saved when
they acknowledge what Jesus Christ has done for them and what He can do
for them.
Friend, Jesus loves you so much and if you were the only one living
on earth, Jesus would have done the same for you. What I shared with you
was an analogy but in real life it has happened. Jesus went to the cross
for you and me and His precious cleansing blood was shed so you and I
could have life. Jesus came back to life 72 hours later and is alive but
His blood continues to heal people on every corner of the earth to those
that accept Him.
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” that
will be playing in the background as you read this. You should look for
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)/"What are the storms
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 pains 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!
Now won’t you accept what He did for you and come
into His presence and give your life to Him so He can cover the virus of
sin with His blood cleansing us and making us clean?
If you would like to invite Jesus
Christ into your heart and make Him a daily part of your life, you can
this very moment. You will never be alone. You can claim God's promises
for you in the Bible and see them come true, before your eyes, in His
wonderful timing. You don't have to wait for a special time to come to
the Lord. You can come right now as you pray this prayer, meaning it in
your heart. You can invite the GREAT PHYSICIAN right now as you make this your prayer.
PRAYER:
Dear Jesus, I love you. Thank you for
loving me so much and thank you for choosing the cross to die for me.
You became the Son of Man and lived here on earth. Then you humbled
yourself and became obedient to death-even death on the cross. Thank you
for dying on the cross for my sin. You died on the cross so that I can
be covered in your blood and cleansed by your blood as I acknowledge
that I need you and cannot enter Heaven without you being my pathway.
So, Jesus I confess all my sins to you and all the ways I have tried to
get into Heaven when you already provided the means and the Way. Thank
you for all that you have done for me. The cross is the place, a
wonderful place where accused and condemned find mercy and grace. Thank
you Jesus, it is at the cross where the wrongs we have done and the
wrongs done to us were nailed at the cross. Thank you Jesus, at the
cross you died for our sins and at the cross you gave your life for us.
I thank you for that and thank you for coming back to life to save us.
Thank you Jesus for being there for me! Thank you for loving me. I love
you Jesus! Please take me as I am and make my life into something that
you will be proud of. I surrender my life to you and need your help to
live for you. I am forever grateful for what you have done for me and I
can never repay you. I want to live for you and need your help. Help me
Jesus please. I thank you Jesus for saving me! Thank you for hearing my
prayer and answering me. Whatever your will give me the willingness and
strength to bear it. Thank you Jesus! I acknowledge you as my Lord and
Personal Savior! In Your Name I Pray precious Jesus! Amen! Thank you
that your Word says whatever we ask in Your Name shall be done by your
Father in Heaven! Amen!
May my spoken words and
unspoken thoughts be pleasing even to you, O Lord my Rock and my
Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)
