Seeing Is Believing

Mark 4:35-41

What could possibly be better than hearing about miracles and other unbelievable moments that took place in the lives of others? Any story you could ever hear, or read about, pales in comparison to actually witnessing a miraculous event with your own eyes. A miracle can be defined as, a wonderous event, that cannot be explained by scientific or natural laws. For this reason, many conclude, miracles are the workings of divine agencies, or higher powers.

In our text, large crowds had begin to follow Jesus, because they had heard of the miracles brought forth by His hands, and were intrigued by His teachings, through the parables. Jesus was wise enough to understand those who gathered around Him, so much that He didn’t speak in ways to confuse them. Instead, His parables were a way to challenge His listeners to seek diligently, the meaning of His words. Not only were the words Jesus spoke undoubtedly profound, but the works He performed were undeniably miraculous.

As the sun began to set, and evening approached, Jesus desired to pass over on the other side of the water, from the ship He taught from. So, the men who were with Jesus, sent the multitudes away, and they set sail toward the other side. While on their way across the sea, the Bible mentions a great storm of wind arose, and the waves beat into the ship, until it was full of water. Picture yourself on a ship, in the middle of a devastating storm, with some of your coworkers, friends, and family members. How would you react in this situation? Now, picture yourself in this same storm, but substitute your family, friends, and coworkers with Jesus, the Son of God. How would you react then? The men on the ship began to lose themselves for, fear that they would die. Fortunately, they were wise enough to acknowledge Jesus on the ship, but only to share their faithless cries. I’m certain these men were eyewitnesses of the miracles Jesus performed earlier in the Gospel of Mark, and had grown in wisdom and understanding from His teachings, so how could they allow fear to so easily beset them, knowing the man they saw perform miracles was on the same ship as they were? In any case, Jesus recognized their lack of faith, rebuked the wind, and spoke peace to the sea. Wow, what a guy!

As if they weren’t already fascinated by the works of Jesus before, this miraculous event caused exceeding fear to come over the men. They then begin to say to one another, “What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” I’ll answer that question for those faithless men. Jesus is a man, come to the earth from the third Heaven, sent by the Father, to save mankind from sin, and themselves.

God knew we would have storms in our lives, even to this day, and we can either cower in fear, as the men in our lesson did, or trust that Jesus cares for you, just as he did for the disciples on the ship, thousands of years ago. The men in our text spent countless moments with Jesus, yet they still underestimated Him. Don’t make the mistake of doubting what the power of God can do in your life. Instead, believe what you witnessed Him perform in your life, when He saved you from a miserable path of sin, cleaned you up, then set you on a path of righteousness, for His name’s sake.

“God still works miracles, but until He does again, keep the faith, and don’t fret when the storms of life beat upon your sailing ship.” – Ell

From Faith To Fear

1 Kings 19

The great and honorable prophet Elijah had proven to be a reliable and effective conduit, by which God could work His glory and power through. Confronting a king of any stature, is never a wise action to take, but God was with Elijah, more notably when he opposed the king’s wicked beliefs, and obeyed as God commanded.

While doing the works of the Lord are indeed righteous, not everyone will hold your actions in a positive light. After hearing how Elijah had slain 450 prophets of Baal (who were in full support of the king and queen’s unrighteous rule), the cruel and brutal Jezebel sent a messenger to God’s prophet, warning him of his certain death. After performing many great wonders in the name of the Lord, one would assume that Elijah would simply laugh at the threat of a deceived and unrighteous woman, but the great and mighty prophet of the most high God, ran for his life! I have full understanding that a threat on your life should never be taken lightly (especially these days), but Elijah was not too far removed from making it rain, and slaying 450 men, by himself! What was it about Jezebel, that caused the once bold prophet to cower in fear? While king Ahab was known to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, Jezebel was responsible for spearheading many of those situations. She promoted and funded Baal worship, eliminated many of God’s representatives in Israel, then set her mind to rid the world of the prophet Elijah.

While it’s true, the mind and body require rest and nourishment, especially after a great spiritual experience, I’m certain God would have protected Elijah, had he stood his ground against the evil queen, but due to his overwhelming fear of Jezebel, the prophet Elijah ran from Jezreel, and eventually settled at Mount Horeb. While there, he talked with God…

Horrible Halloween

2 Timothy 1:7

Halloween comes to promote the spirit of fear. The movies, the celebrations, the costumes, etc. all represent the devil’s spirit of fear. Being fearful opens us up to the enemy’s playground and allows him access to our thoughts and feelings. This is why the Halloween season is so wicked and demonic. It is a time where the things that scare us are celebrated and enjoyed as if they are just entertaining us. But the devil knows that if he can birth fear in us, he can have control over our minds and thoughts so that we are fearful of our own future. We will begin to doubt our own plans for our families, our careers and aspirations, and our abilities. Once we start doubting ourselves, we will begin to be discontent and fearful of other’s perception of us. Doubt causes us to mask our fears and cover up our true selves, which makes it very hard for us to be helped or encouraged! Fear produces all of this!

Many today suffer from anxiety, depression, and hopelessness because of the Spirit of fear. Many turn to sin and substance abuse to mask their feelings of doubt and fear. The devil is able to manipulate us and take us off God’s course through the spirit of fear. So many have fallen away from the faith because fear took their faith away. We must never give place to fear. When we are fearful, we must pray and ask God, by faith, to rebuke this spirit from our lives and keep us believing and receiving from Him. Pray for His power, His love, and a sound mind! When we have these, the spirit of fear has no place in us.

-G. Craig Lewis