Fear or Faith? Rely on God’s Power!
Devotions this week based on the Message: “Fear or Faith?”
Have you ever underestimated the power of something?
Taken a car for a test drive and pressed the accelerator and surprised at the power the engine produced?
Stepped into the breaking waves of the ocean only to lose your balance as the water receded?
Fixing an electrical outlet and forgot to turn the breaker off?
Power is impressive.
As destructive as a tornado can be – it’s impressive.
As deadly as a nuclear bomb can be – it’s powerful.
As large as a container ship is – it can move a lot of things.
Power is all around us.
We use it every day. We rely on it. We depend on it.
But perhaps the power we forget about is the power God has and brings to our disposal.
The power of his word that said, “Let there be…” and there was!
What would take years to grow or decades to develop…God spoke into existence.
The power to raise the dead to life.
What would take years of medical study, millions of dollars to develop, and still a patient dies, God has the power to raise to life.
The power to calm the raging waters and the blowing winds.
What we can think we can alter with emissions control and other manmade policies, Jesus controls with three words: “Quiet. Be still” (Mark 4:38)
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
“Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
In that moment, Jesus showed who he was and the power his words have. Even the wind and the waves have to obey his words!
How many times do we try to figure things out with our own minds, our own abilities and our own power? How long does it take to admit defeat and turn to God and say, “I give up? You need to fix this”?
Too long, right?
Why not start with relying on the power of God and the power of his Word!
Perhaps this promise from Ephesians 1:
18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
The power that raised Jesus from the dead, created the world, and is in the Word of God, is at God’s disposal to use for your blessing and benefit. Rely on it!
Apply: What have you been trying to do or figure out on your own? Ask God to use his power to fix the issue, give you the wisdom, or change the situation…see what he does. Whatever it is will be a blessing!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your power that is over the wind and the waves and you use to bless your children. Help me to rely on you more than on me. Amen.
Fear or Faith? Trust God’s Plan!
Devotions this week based on the Message: “Fear or Faith?”
“Man proposes. God disposes.”
Ever heard that phrase before? Ever realized the truth of that phrase before?
Just when you think you have life all planned and set to go a certain direction, the plan fails.
What happens next?
We can blame God for messing up our plans. We can question God and wonder why our great plans are not happening. We can experience fear because the future that we thought was so certain is now up in the air.
The disciples in the boat with Jesus were fearful of drowning.
Mark 4:37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 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?”
The torrent of the waters led the disciples to question Jesus’ heart. In a few moments, Jesus went from an amazing rabbi, a caring healer, a miraculous provider… to a heartless, careless, murderer.
Jesus hadn’t changed the plans. They were still going to the other side of the lake. The difference was, the pathway across changed from what the disciples thought was going to be a smooth sale across the Sea of Galilee.
The disciples despaired that something good was going to come out of the storm. Yet, Jesus’ plan would instill awe and understanding more fully of who he was and the power he had.
Jesus’ plan was better and perfect.
When storms of life disrupt our plan and perception of what life should be like, don’t panic. Don’t think that God who loves you, died for you, and promises you heaven all of a sudden turned on you to be a vindictive, mean, angry God. He hasn’t changed. His plan hasn’t changed. His love for you hasn’t changed. What changed was OUR plan.
The new question to ask when your plans changed is this, “God I trust your plan for me. Help me to see the blessing you are bringing by changing my plans into your plans.”
Fear comes when we doubt God’s plan. Faith leads us to trust God’s plan. Trusting that God’s plan is always better than my plan leads me to live in peace…even when my plans change. I know God is just making the plan better.
Here’s a few great reminders:
James 4:13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Psalm 35:14 But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” 15 My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
God’s plans are always best…trust them!
Apply: What is your plan for today? Commit it to the Lord first. Then go forward, at peace even when the plan changes…because God’s plans are always best.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for loving me and always desiring and planning the best for me. Help me to have my plans always defer to your plans. AMEN.
Fear or Faith? Remember God’s Promises!
Devotions this week based on the Message: “Fear or Faith?”
“I’m sorry. I forgot.”
How many times have you used that phrase? (More than we care to admit, right?)
When we forget something, it often leads to more work.
You forget something on the shopping list…another trip to the store.
You forgot to put a bolt back in when fixing the car…take it apart and redo it.
You forgot part of your homework assignment…do it over again.
You forgot an appointment…you have to wait to reschedule.
You forget God’s promises…you spend a lot of extra time living in fear, worry and anxiety.
We just do.
Jesus had told his disciples when they got into the boat, “Let us go over to the other side.” (Mark 4:35)
When the storm came up, the disciples were convinced they were going to drown. But…Jesus was sleeping. How could Jesus sleep while the disciples panicked for their lives? The disciples forgot what Jesus said or didn’t believe what he said.
It seems like a small detail, but when Jesus speaks, we can trust what he says is going to happen.
Jesus doesn’t want us going through life in fear, but rather able to have peace of mind and heart. He told his disciples and reminds us too:
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
What let’s us “sleep in the stern of the boat” when the storms of life rage around us?
Remembering God’s promises.
Here’s a great example from Easter morning. The women were panicked that the body was missing from the tomb. Here’s what the angel said:
Luke 24:6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words.
With a reminder of Jesus’ words, the hearts of the women turned from fear to peace.
What promises of Jesus would help you today? What promises have you forgotten that would restore peace in your heart and let you sleep through the storm (perhaps even physically getting more sleep!)
Here’s three that might help:
Feeling alone through a challenge? Remember what Jesus said, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
Facing a challenge bigger than you can handle? Remember God’s Words to Joshua, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”(Deuteronomy 31:6)
Anxious about the kids? Finances? Your job? Remember what Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? (Matthew 6:25-26)
Apply: Identify what is creating fear in your heart today. What promise of God will help? Here’s a website with many promises listed: https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/gods-promises-verses-in-the-bible/
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your promises and people in my life to remind me of them! Amen.
Fear or Faith? What causes fear?
Devotions this week based on the Message: “Fear or Faith?”
Fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.
Let’s go back the account of Jesus and the disciples crossing the sea in Mark 4:35-41. As you read it, what do you think caused the disciples to be afraid?
Mark 4:35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 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?”
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
I see three things – what did you see?
First, they forgot Jesus’ words. Jesus had just spent the day teaching parables about the power of the Word to work it’s affect. Now it was time for the disciples to put that teaching into practice. This was the “practicum” of the day’s parables!
It seems like an insignificant part of the story, but JESUS said, “Let us go over to the other side.” Nowhere else in the Gospels can I recall when Jesus said something and it didn’t happen as he said it. If they were going to drown in the middle of the lake, Jesus would have said, ‘Let’s go out into the lake and drown in a storm.” He didn’t say that. He said, “Let us go over to the other side.” If he said it, it was going to happen.
God’s Word and promises are always true. But they are easy to forget when the furious squalls of life come up and lead us to think that we are going to perish. But the reason Jesus was sleeping, I believe, was because he knew they were safe and going to get to the other side. The way was rough, but the destination was certain.
Are some of your fears caused because you forget Jesus’ words of promise?
Second, they questioned God’s plan.
“Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” The assumption was that Jesus intentionally brought them out into the middle of the lake, perhaps had some way to do something about it, but assumed Jesus wanted the worst outcome for them, drowning. It’s easy in the middle of the storms of life to blame God for our circumstances. “God, you don’t care!” “God, you don’t love me anymore.” “God, you don’t…” fill in your blank.
God’s plan is always for our best, but yet we can easily blame God for our situation and question whether what we are going through is really what is best for us.
Are there some fears that you have because you question God’s plan for your life?
Third, fear doubts God’s power.
He rebuked the wind and the waves and they were quiet. WHAT? Someone has power over even the wind and the waves? In that moment the disciples saw a) the power of Jesus’ words (what he had been teaching all day) and b) the power of Jesus as the Son of God behind those words. In that moment they realized more fully they were in the presence of the all-powerful. This caused them fear.
Fear can come when we as imperfect human beings stand before the powerful, perfect God. This awe leads us to tremble. Yet, Jesus in his love and grace chooses to not condemn the disciples, but find a unique way to teach them the one who called them to follow is the one in whom you can trust, all the time.
Apply: What fears in your life are you experiencing that Jesus wants to calm with his promises? Certainty of his plan? Or confidence in his power?
Prayer: Jesus thank you for the storms of life for they lead us to repent of forgetting your promises, questioning your plan and doubting your power. Lead us in the current or next storm to do just the opposite. Amen.
Fear or Faith? Which do you want more of?
Devotions this week based on the Message: “Fear or Faith?”
How would you react?
What started as a calm ride across the Sea of Galilee after a long day of teaching turned into a panic and fear of drowning.
Storms were always a threat on the Sea of Galilee. Experienced fisherman would know what to look for and what to do should the weather turn ugly.
But this time was different. Waves were crashing over the boat to the point those in the boat thought they were going to perish.
I would have to. I remember when a member in North Carolina took us sailing on his 30’ sailboat. Even though the waters were relatively calm, I felt like we were just a gust of wind away from tipping over and ending up capsized.
Yet in the midst of the storm on Galilee, Jesus is sleeping.
Mark 4:35-41 records it his way:
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 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?”
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
The contrast is stark – the fear and panic of the disciples and the peace and rest of Jesus.
I don’t know about you, but I’d like more of the peace and rest like Jesus and less of the fear and panic like the disciples.
Jesus promised in John 14:27:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
So, Jesus’ heart is clear. He wants us to enjoy peace and rest and he provides what we need to have just that. Listen to yesterday’s message if you haven’t and journey through the devotions this week to learn from Jesus and the disciples in the boat how Jesus replaces fear with faith.
Apply: What are the storms of life that are brewing or raging in your life right now. What are your fears regarding them?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for giving us peace in the midst of fear. Spirit of God, work in me to more and more replace my fears with confident faith. Amen.