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.
Church Launch: Our Part…Plant the Word!
Devotions this week based on the Message: “God’s Part…Our Part?”
“It doesn’t do any good if you don’t plant it!”
The packets of seeds in my garage are just that…packets of seeds.
The seeds have power to grow and produce food to eat, but the power remains bound up if they are never planted.
The last few devotions have highlighted the power of the Word of God – power to a) ground us in faith, b) guide us through life, and c) guarantee eternal life. This is what God has packed into his Word.
But it must be planted in the hearts of people.
Otherwise, it’s just a book on the shelf.
Remember Jesus’ parable:
Mark 4:26 He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”
A man scatters the seed. This is our part.
God has given us the “seed packets” in order to scatter the Word on the ground of people’s hearts. Once it lands on the soil of a person’s hearts, that’s where God’s Spirit and the inherent power of the Word goes to work.
The farmer then brings in the harvest when it is ready.
The Word works when it is planted. The Word blesses when it is harvested.
Consider some of the fruit the Word produces…
Colossians 1:6 All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.
Matthew 7:24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
It’s like picking beans, harvesting some melons, or pulling some carrots. The seeds work and grow. The harvest comes and we enjoy the fruit.
It’s a wonderful partnership that God has established. He’s given us the power of his Word to plant in the hearts of people. It grows. It develops. It produces fruit.
So don’t let the Word sit on your shelf. Plant it in your heart and scatter it to others.
Watch the power of the Word work and enjoy the fruit it produces.
Apply: Set aside each day time to plant a “seed” of the Word in your heart. Look for an opportunity to plant a “seed” with someone else.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the power of your Word to ground us in faith, guide us in in life and guarantee eternal life. Lead us to not leave the power on the shelf but plant it often and widely. Amen.
Church Launch: God’s Part: Words that Give a Eternal Lifetime Guarantee!
Devotions this week based on the Message: “God’s Part…Our Part?”
“Lifetime guarantee!”
Marketers put these two words on their product. It catches your attention. You choose the product with the guarantee (vs. another one without a guarantee) and think, “Great, I’ll buy it once and I’ll never have to but it again.”
Until you read the fine print.
“Guarantee only applies to original owner. Does not transfer.” (So it only covers the “life time” of you or the time you own it.)
“Guarantee does not apply if product damaged or broken by usage outside the normal use intended.”
“Guarantee does not apply if casing is opened up.”
“Guarantee does not cover shipping and labor needed to repair the product.”
So is it really a “Lifetime Guarantee”? Sometimes I wonder.
With the guarantees God makes, there are no caveats. He promises. He’s always faithful to his promise.
The Word is so trustworthy and powerful and timeless that there is no need for anything else.
The Word has the power to guarantee eternal life.
Nothing else can. Our effort? Never enough. Another religion? Leaves questions and uncertainty.
Only the message of grace through faith in Jesus communicated through the Word can guarantee eternal life for us and all in whom God works faith to believe.
On one occasion, Jesus’ teaching rubbed people the wrong way and many left him. He asked his disciples if they wanted to leave too. Peter responded: (John 6:68)
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”
The Apostle Paul affirmed his friend Timothy: (2 Timothy 3:14-15)
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Why look any farther? The Word of God has power to guarantee eternal life. Why?
- God “owns” heaven. So he is the one that can promise it and is the one who guarantees it.
- It’s backed by the perfect life, innocent death, and glorious resurrection of Jesus.
A manufacturer will modify a guarantee so it sounds good, but might be very hollow. God would never do that. When he guarantees something, when he promises something, it WILL take place.
I guarantee it.
Apply: Look at the next product you see that has a “Lifetime Guarantee.” Then read the fine print…what are the caveats that would limit or negate that guarantee? How is God’s guarantee to you much more certain?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your truth and faithfulness. When you promise, I fully believe you will follow through. Thank you for the “eternal life guarantee” you have given to me in your Word! AMEN.