Pastor Rex: We seek to be a Christian Resource Center. We do a lot of different things over time, activities that fill a need or a calling. Many ministries arise out of compassion or crisis and a need for our community. The world has such a need for peace in our turbulent times. Having peace in the storms is vital. Storms in life can turn us sideways and erode or banish our peace.
Mark 4:35-41: 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!"
Pastor Rex: Reliance on our faith in Jesus will override those fears…leading us in the peace we can only grasp in Him.
Psalm 4:8: In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Pastor Rex: Stop second guessing and fight the double mindedness that plagues us. Doubts are corrosive—they happen, though, so we are to recognize that doubts flee when we cast our eyes and hearts where they belong. The apostles thought they trusted Him but they forgot (in their fear) just who was in the boat with them. Forgot the miracles that they had witnessed over and over and over…
Do we go to faith or doubt?
Isaiah 26:3: You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Pastor Rex: He had told them, “Let’s go to the other side”. That was a statement of authority. They saw the storm and forgot His presence. That presence shatters fear and doubts. They could have simply claimed that statement and stood. He then rebuked them for their lack of faith. We can see his authority and movement today. If we are watchful. What kills our faith in these storms of life? Fear! It erodes our trust and caused those doubts and doublemindedness to rise. That rise denies us our place of rest.
Run from that platform of doubt! Work on recognizing those hurts and hang-ups for what they are. Uncontrollable storms will come on us. We can’t always avoid or steer clear of them. But it is our response to reach out to Him that is the first step-not a last resort-to our firm hold our faith…and on Him. The greatest advances on our walk will occur during the hardest times. Our faith calms us and regardless of circumstances, it will carry us through whatever happens. The apostles had a good reason to fear. But He is stronger than any fear or doubt. He is the antidote.
2nd Thessalonians 3:16: Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
Pastor Rex: Finally, the apostles marveled at Him. “Who is this, that even the wind and the waves obey Him?” And believed again.
Exodus 33:14: The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
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