Fear versus Faith

November 2, 2015 ~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

Now it happened, on a certain day that he got into a boat with his disciples. And he said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” And they launched out. But as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him and awoke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then he arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. But he said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For he commands even the winds and water, and they obey him!” (Luke 8: 22-25.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

The Sea of Galilee is the lowest (below sea level) freshwater lake in the world. Because it sits beside the Mediterranean Sea, warm and cool air collide, often creating fierce storms that arise almost instantaneously. Jesus and his disciples were crossing this body of water when a violent squall engulfed them; threatening to capsize their vessel. As the Lord slept peacefully in the back of the boat, his disciples began to panic. Fear had caused them to forget who was riding with them. They also failed to recall that moments earlier he had said, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake;” thus ensuring that they would successfully complete their journey. After being awakened from his nap, the Lord calmed the wind and the waves; subsequently asking them, “Where is your faith?” Fear and faith are natural enemies. The presence of one often signals the absence of the other (and vice versa.) Most people become fearful when they lose faith in the God who dwells within them; a benevolent creator who will never leave them, nor forsake them. As David once wrote in Psalm 23, “I shall fear no evil, for you are with me.”

Many years ago, I regularly interacted with a man who frequented the coffee shop where I often studied. He habitually appeared to be under a great deal of stress. He seemed fearful, anxious, unsettled, and distracted. One day, he leaned over and said, “Can you give me a scripture, or something from the bible that will help me to remember that ‘God will never give me more than I can handle?’” So I recited the story of Jesus calming the storm. Although the disciples feared that they were going to capsize and drown, God kept them from perishing. I told the man that the size of the waves and the level of desperation were unimportant; instead, what truly mattered was who was riding in the boat with him. I proclaimed that if Jesus was in his heart, he would always remain afloat.

Today, our lives are like vessels sailing across the surface of the ocean. Sometimes the sea is tranquil, and sometimes it’s stormy. However, those who invite Jesus to accompany them on their journey will receive God’s promise; for the Lord has declared that every true believer will eventually make it to the other side. No one traveling with the Son of God will ever slip beneath the waves. By means of His divine power, He will calm the wind; He will quiet the seas; and you will receive the “peace that surpasses all understanding.” When you feel afraid, simply remember God’s promises and continue moving forward. Cling to the faith and you will live, because the Lord is with you.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we ask that Your Son would accompany us as we journey through this life. Protect us from the storms that might arise along the way. Increase our faith. May we never fear, knowing that You are always with us. Grant us Your mercy, Your wisdom, and Your peace. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you.

Expecting His return

October 26, 2015 ~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes […] But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Luke 12: 35-37, 39-40.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Jewish weddings were very long engagements that often lasted for many days. The guests would recline on pillows feasting both day and night; often falling asleep beside the table. The duration of the celebration was uncertain; the guests could be dismissed at one in the morning, or three in the afternoon. Therefore, when the master of a household attended a wedding, the servants were required to be prepared for his return at any moment. They remained dressed at all hours with their lamps burning throughout the night. Jesus used this parable as an illustration of his second coming. Before ascending in to heaven he promised to eventually return; yet he gave no specific day or hour; he could return later today, in one month, or a hundred years from now. Those who serve him must faithfully await his arrival every minute of every day. Being prepared means maintaining good works, serving others, and obeying the Lord’s teachings and commandments.

Many years ago, prior to my conversion, I practiced a life of sinful disobedience. Incapable of supporting myself, I lived alone in an apartment paid for by my Dad. He would occasionally stop by to make sure the apartment was clean and in proper condition. One evening, I hosted a drunken party and things got out of hand. We smashed beer bottles in my living room with a golf club. I shattered one of my apartment windows; someone even broke my car window with an empty beer bottle. The toilet clogged and overflowed, and a friend used shaving cream to scribble an obscenity across my wall. Thinking I could clean up in the morning before anyone came over, I eventually passed out. However, early the next day I was awakened by the screams of an angry man. “Get up,” my dad shouted in my ear! In a state of shock I sprang up from the mattress. I was embarrassed, ashamed, and filled with fear. I didn’t expect him to make an unscheduled visit. I never once thought that he would witness the carnage of my drunken debauchery. He stood beside me watching as I cleaned the entire apartment; picking up every single shard of broken glass.

Like my dad, the Lord is coming at an hour when we least expect him. We must therefore eagerly await his return and always be ready. Those who obey the teachings of Jesus Christ are prepared to meet him. We must love both God and our neighbors; and faithfully serve our fellows every moment of every day. May we always be prepared and never waver in our commitment to our creator. In so doing, when our savior returns he will say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant […] enter in to the joy of the Lord.”

“Heavenly Father, may our eyes be wide and may we never stop expecting your return. Reveal to us any area of our lives where we are serving ourselves rather than others; may we be convicted and may we repent; may we always be selfless, kind, and obedient. May we also receive more of Your Holy Spirit; that we may better serve our fellows. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.” God bless all of you.

Faithful Prayers

October 19, 2015October 19, 2015 ~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

“Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe you receive them, and you will have them” (Mark 11: 22 – 24.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Faith is defined as a strong belief or trust in God’s abilities. He alone is able to move mountains, heal the sick, and raise the dead. Jesus therefore urges every follower to pray with a measure of expectancy. We must truly believe that God is capable of providing for each and every one of needs. When we ask in faith, and do not doubt, we can fully expect to receive the desires of our heart.

Hudson Taylor was a prominent missionary who lived in the 1800’s. He established the China Inland Mission, an organization that still exists to this day (also known as the OMF.) During his first journey to China, his ship hit a patch of windless ocean and began drifting uncontrollably toward an island known to be inhabited by vicious cannibals. The frantic captain approached Mr. Taylor and asked him to pray for God’s help. “I will” said Taylor, “Provided you set your sails to catch the breeze.” The captain refused; not wanting to appear silly for unfurling in a dead calm. Taylor responded by saying, “I will not undertake to pray for this vessel unless you will prepare the sails.” The captain reluctantly obliged. Soon there was a knock at Hudson’s door; “Who’s there?” “Are you still praying for wind,” inquired the captain? “Yes” responded Taylor. “Well” added the skipper, “you’d better stop praying, we have more wind than we can manage.”

As a genuine believer, Hudson Taylor understood the principle of praying with expectancy. He prayed knowing full well that God would answer his prayers. If we pray with that same measure of confidence and faith, we too will receive the blessings of the Lord. May our hearts be free from doubt; may our requests be brave and bold; and may we fully expect our prayers to be answered according to the measure of our faith.

“Lord Heavenly Father, You are an amazing and mighty God. Create in us faithful hearts; hearts that are devoid of doubt; hearts that completely trust in Your abilities to provide for our needs. May we always pray with confidence, unwavering faith, and genuine expectancy. We love You Father, we praise You, and thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.” God bless all of you.