Previous Messages

God's Selective Quake - Why?

Acts 4:31

When God sent the earthquakes after Jesus' crucifixion, the earthquakes impacted the temple. Why did it not totally destroy Jerusalem? It showed the Jews/Gentiles that God was still there. The disciples knew He was still there.

We need God's earthquakes everyday to give us encouragement to do His work.

The day of the earthquake, the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and awakened to do His work. Sometimes life's circumstances shake us up.

Remember the Lord can send earthquakes in your life. He can also send them to keep you from being someone He doesn't want you to be. The earthquake can be special for you, in order for you to act without fear.

You Can’t Count Me Out/The Christian Is A Champion Wrestler P.I

Job 1:21, Ephesians 6, Genesis 24

Sometimes things get on our nerves. Everyday we are being bombarded with something and are having a hard time dealing with it. It can be our finances, relationships, work, etc.

It’s a sad thing to see Christians slumping around. Today, we are too quiet. We are supposed to do everything in our calling God expects us to do and be. Satan can try to destroy the body, but not the soul.

Some of us don’t like change and wait to maintain the status quo. God sent Jesus to change this world (Jesus came to change things). In Genesis 32:24 ff, Jacob didn’t want the Angel to leave. He wouldn’t let it go.

We wrestle not with God, but the principalities of evil. The pull of the world can be very far-reaching, but Christ helps us through all of our challenges as His children.

In a boxing match in the 1980s…

The whole state had come to watch the match. One boxer says to the other boxer “you’re going to fight me?!”

2^nd round the second boxer Joe gets hit again and again and his eye swells up. He says ‘no, one more round’.

He hit Joe again and again, but Joe got up again and again.

4^th round, his eyes are covered; yet, Joe says ‘no, one more round’.

Round 26, the other boxer got knocked out. How can this be?

Jesus Christ lives in you, so when things happen to you, you aren’t defeated You have to go “one more round”. How do you do it?

Put on the helmet of salvation
Put on the belt of truth. Jesus is truth.
Put on the breastplate of righteousness.
Get the shield of faith
Fit your feet with the gospel of Peace.

You can go 1 more round, because you’re shielded by God. We have God with us and in us!

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The Good Shepherd

Ephesians 4:21-34, Psalm 23, Psalm 91, Philippians 4:8, 11-13

What do you plan your day around?

Weaknesses/strengths
Weather
Work
Problems

At the end of the day, do you feel productive?

In Christ's pasture, His sheep follow a different plan. It's much simpler. Christ is their refuge and strength. He protects us from danger. Just because we are Christians, it doesn't mean we aren't going to face problems. Just know He is there for us.

Jesus is often left out of our plan for life. Although He is the one that leads us to green pasture. The one that should be the nucleus of our life should be Christ, not other things.

Our plan isn't working. We're weary and tired. We end up in the doctor's office looking for relief.

The Lord will replace tumultuous storms with clear, smooth waters.

Shepherds build the confidence of a sheep and don't live in fear. They fear no evil. Fear is a hand tool of the devil. We become frozen and unproductive

Don't allow fear to intercept God's ray of light to come into your life!!God's light is profound and darkness must leave. We feel it's protection when He is in our life.

As we wrestle with burdens, our joys turn into doubt. For example, we sometimes say to ourselves 'I knew this wouldn't work'. The devil makes it worse by sending someone along to say "hey!" I got money! Suddenly, in our mind, everyone has a better life than you.

God prepares a banquet table for us, in the presence of our enemies:

Dinner = Bread of Life (His Word - The Bible)

Dessert = Fruits of the Spirit

Drink = Wine of the Vine

We don't need to wait for our circumstances to change in order to find joy in them. Internal joy shouldn't be based on circumstances. We can't allow situations to rob us of happiness. We can enjoy our meal, even as our enemies are present. Learn how to go through things and be content.

When God anoints us with Holy oil, the change begins and it's not what you've done. It's what Christ has done for you.

Make sure your changes are in your heart and mind, and God comes and anoints those changes.Click to add an engaging title. High quality images go a long way in looking professional online.

Dealing With the Goliaths of Life

1 Samuel 17, 1 Samuel 16:7

We have the privilege of having a God who cares so much about us. Read Romans 8:28. We are called, we are His people. We find ourselves not tranquil when negative circumstances occur.

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Read 1 Samuel 17. Israel's army was not organized. The Philistine army was. When Israel saw Goliath (tall, big, etc.), they wanted to take off. They were filled with dread and fear. They were disheartened and full of apprehension.

This is the same way we look at our problems. God saw Goliath as nothing.

The Spirit of God filled David and he took a pebble and killed Goliath.
Look at a problem from God's eyes, not your own.

When you attack a problem, you need to allow the Holy Spirit to deal with it.

What can we do?

Know that God is in you and with you.
Develop His eyes to look at problems. Match His eyes with our problem. David knew God would battle for him.
God is in the mix - when you have problems, know that God is in it.
God is with you. Recall instances where God has gotten you through problems.
Goliath stands for the devil. David is Christ-like i.e., when you look at problems, look at it with Heavenly eyes.

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Dealing With The Goliaths of Life

Joshua 1:2-9, Isaiah66:1, Matthew 5:5, 7:24-27, Psalm 24:1, James 5:11, Hebrews 12:7

What things are you going to do this year? God must be in everything you do and every decision you make. NOTE: Moses wrote the first 5 books (Pentateuch). God told him what would happen before he died. That's the special relationship Moses had with God.

The Lord gives us boundaries as to where our steps should be.

The Lord is always with us and will never leave us. Do not fear or be afraid.

The Joshua code: How did Joshua get a copy? God also had a copy!

Meditate on the Word of God
Try and do or follow God's Word.

Applying the Code to your life:

You think and then you start. When you have something to do, just start it. When you build on Jesus the Rock, nothing can dislodge it. The things we want must be greater than the barriers, and nonsense we have to endure to get it. We must endure the hardships.

What would Jesus, and the world, say about you and your strength of character?

If you quit, you'll never get there.
If you stay, there's a Jesus chance you'll get there.

It is the Lord Behind Life's Victories

Exodus 17:8-16, James 5:15-18

[Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]

Could not the Lord have wiped out the Amalekites in Exodus 17? Every situation provides opportunities for God to show Himself. He could have simply sent the Angel of the Lord to clean out the Amalekites.

Read Exodus 17:8-16. When Moses hands were held up, the Amalekites were being defeated, but when his hands lowered, the Amalekites would begin to win. It essentially was the Father and the Son that held Moses' hands up...one on the right and one on the left.

How many wars and battles have you lost? You try to do things for yourself and lose. Who is going to hold up your hands in a battle? The holding up has to do with your mind. The Holy Spirit is in you. He will hold up your hand.

If there are things you want to do and whatever you see yourself doing, don't faint. The battlefield (world) is around you, but the Spirit will hold up your hand. You have to win and will win. The devil will try to trip you and go against you, like the Amalekites against the Israelites. You have been given the right and power of the Living God. Have the faith to continue holding up your hand so the power of the Lord can come in and win the battle for you. He will come. The power of the Lord won the war. Faith and the Lord's Power are the winning formula.

Don't give up. Your desires will surely come. This is the Word of the Lord.

Jesus Said "I In You, and You In Me" - Change Your Thinking

John 14:4-11, John 10:38, 1 John 2:1, 2 Corinthians 1:3

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What is our perspective or relationship with God? How do you act and react to all issues? What are your perspectives on your distance from God?

Do you think Adam's perspective changed after he was thrown out of the Garden of Eden?
Did Adam's relationship with God change, because of his actions or because of God's perspective?

God reconnected us with Himself through Christ. Christ has created and fastened a new relationship for us with the Lord.

John 14 says the Holy Spirit is in you! God doesn't change. It's our eyes, our spirits and souls that have been bruised. We can't hear the Father the way Adam did when he was in the Garden. NOTE: God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all comforters.

The Spirit of God is in you, the believer - it's a permanent thing! He does not come and go. The Holy Spirit extends outside us to help us along the way. In John 14:27, Christ says "Peace I leave with you, my peace...let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid". In other words, don't let fear rule your hearts. Why? Jesus is in YOU! Therefore, you are in the presence of God's glory all of the time!!! We just can't see Him. Yet, when we get to Heaven, our eyes will see.

If you change your thinking, you will know God's glory is always present.

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Refrain From Counting the 'Woes' In Your Life: A New Attitude

Matthew 6:33, James 5:7-11, Philippians 3:13

Our attitude in life tells a lot about us.

How many times have you woken up and thought about all the bad things happening in your life? When we do this, it brings us down and allows for negativity and Satan into our lives.

Read James 5:7-11. Before you say and do, THINK! We have a tendency to think we are patient when, truly, we aren't. Do you know how long Jesus has been waiting for us???

How long are you able to wait for God to help you with your woes? Can you wait weeks, a month, a year? We truly aren't patient.

God sees everything. All He asks us to do is to copy Jesus i.e., follow Him and His word.

Spiritual things come before material things; therefore, pay attention to the spiritual. The spiritual things are more important than the material things, and God has full power over the spirit. We must seek Him first.

When you live in the past, you also count your successes, not just your woes. Don't live in the past with your woes. It takes you nowhere. God and His Son Jesus Christ is who need to follow. It is only Him who knows the contents of your heart and has a plan for you.

The Lord, Gideon, and Us

Judges 7 and 8

The Israelites did evil and God delivered them into the hands of the Midianites for several years. The Lord heard the Israelites’ prayers, despite their evil behaviours, and He sent Gideon.

God’s grace abounds with us, and in us, despite our behaviour and nonsense. It isn’t true when people say “you’ve fallen from grace”. God’s hands never leave us.

Example:

God instructed Gideon to go down to the Midianite camp (and to take his servant Phurah if he was afraid) to hear what they have to say. Gideon did so, and heard a soldier talking about a dream – where barley fell and crushed the Midianite army. The Midian soldier interpreted the dream to mean that they would fall into the hands of Gideon. It is amazing that Gideon was listening to the soldier’s dream and the interpretation thereof at the exact time it was being told. God gave him encouragement through this event.

The Lord told Gideon to split the 300 men in three groups of 100. When they got to the city outskirts, they were to blow trumpets, and brake pitchers to release light. Wile doing this, God told them to say “The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon” (see Judges 7:18 & 20).

The Lord entered the Midianite men and controlled them, and caused them to kill each other. From that day forward, Gideon began to worship God.

We are very blessed. The Holy Spirit was given to us when Jesus went home. We have Him at all times. Gideon didn’t have this. What are we going to do with the knowledge that Jesus is with us ALL THE TIME.

We will always overcome and win!

I Will Look Unto The Hills

Psalm 121, Psalm 125:1-2, Psalm 128, Exodus 19:1-18

The people (who Moses led) came to Mount Sinai (and Moses to Mount Horeb), not expecting to see anything. Yet, they were awestruck by God’s presence and voice. This should be our mindset when we go to God for help we need. We need to be respectful and humble.

A mountain can’t be moved. It signifies God’s permanence, strength, and stability. God will come from the mountain to speak to us as He did Moses and the Israelites. In Psalm 121, David was speaking about the mountains surrounding Jerusalem. Mountains signify the permanence of God, His strength and power. He is immovable.

God came to Israel and spoke to the Israelites from the mountain; hence, David is saying he will look to the hills from whence cometh my help.

God owns all things – even the unbelievers; yet, He allows us to think we own it.

God doesn’t doze off or go into a deep sleep. He is ever watchful. God is solid.

God is our keeper. He will look after us, even if when we don’t know it. Think, an umbrella keeps us cool in the heat. The Lord also keeps us cool under the pressures of life.

Jesus’ light reflects on us like the moon reflects the sun.

The Lord shall preserve us from all evil.

With God You Can Start Over - At Any Age

Philippians 3:10, 11 & 14, 1 Samuel 16:1, Genesis18:10-14

We can start over with God. There are many different types of barriers - physical (deformation), mental, and emotional (lack confidence).

With God, the best is yet to come (if you know God). Think - Abraham already had Ishmael, yet God told him and Sarah they would have a son named Isaac who would be Abraham's heir.

Any problem we have today isn't a problem, but a program in God's eyes. A program is a system to do things.

King David being chased was God's program for him.

We can change our circumstances.

Moses changed at 40, and at 80 years old. God had him lead His people, and had the world (still) follow the commandments to today (the best is yet to come!!).

Our adversities teach us to go the distance.

KFC - Kernel Sanders (born in September 1890)
His father died when he was 6 years old. His mom had to work to support 3 children. He was left to watch his siblings. His mom taught him to cook.
He got a job at 13 years to bring money into the house.
At 40 years he bought a gas station. People would ask if he had food. So he began to feed the people his chicken recipe, which became extremely popular - the governor named him Kernel.
He opened a successful restaurant. He went to school at 50 years old to learn how to improve his cooking.

You can do the things you want to do. Set your mind to it and hold God's hand while you do.
We don't have the power of a jet plane in our body, we have the most powerful person in our body - God. God lives in us; therefore, we are a part of Him.

Confidence Is The Foundation For Courage

1 Samuel 17:32 & 37, Joshua 1:5-7, Deuteronomy 20:1-4, 31:6, Psalm 27:14

Confidence comes from God. In the story about David and Goliath, it is not David's sling and rock that destroyed Goliath, it was the Lord i.e., the command of the Living God.

It is up to us to use the intangible factor God gave us - The Steps to Self Confidence:

God> implants intangible factor (call it Intangiblon) in chosen persons> leads to a 'knowing' in the recipients> leads to the development of courage> courage> leads to actions in life

God does it for us, not we on our own. Be bold, courageous, fear not, don't let inexperience cloud your mind, don't tremble. Why? The Lord our God will be with us, when we face our enemies.

Be confident. Confidence in God leads to courage.

Make up your mind and be determined that your enemy will fall. In 1 Samuel 17, David knew the outcome of the fight with Goliath.

Confidence Comes from Within P. II: Those Who Seek It, May Hate You Because of It

1 Samuel 17:28-29, Genesis 37:4, 8-36, Proverbs 18:9, Romans 8:29-30, Psalm 124:1-3, 6-8

What education do you have? What is your family lineage? These play a part in fleshly statistics. Fleshly stats can lead us down the path of failure.

David knew there was something in his soul to make him do the things he did. i.e., kill a lion or bear. David wouldn’t have gone after the lion, bear, or Goliath if he knew he’d die.

Our life is not by coincidence. God has a plan for you. He will preserve you, just as He did David.

Nobody can take your life, because the hand of God will preserve you. If you want confidence, search your souls!

Confidence Comes from Within P. I: Only You Know What You Have and Why

1 Samuel 17:33-37, Deuteronomy 20:1-4, Psalm 118:6-9, Proverbs 3:25-26

What is overconfidence? Overconfidence is an unsuccessful attempt at doing something.

What is confidence? Self-assured, presumptuous, trust in persons/things, feeling of certainty in oneself and/or one’s capabilities, no doubts, not hesitating, certain in one’s own knowledge.

Caleb’s confidence (see Numbers 13:30-33) is based on the premise of God; therefore, he believed that he and the Israelites could overtake the enemies (Amalekites, Hittites, Jebusites, Amorites, and Canaanites) of the Promised Land. But, the spies viewed the enemies in a different way. They didn’t believe they could overtake them.

We need to make note of the things God has done for us. Our confidence comes from our relationship with Him. When God says to go and do something – do it. You know God is behind you, so there is no need to lack confidence.

Have confidence that victory is yours, because nothing can outdo God!

Jesus Is Lord Over The Uncertainties of Life

Luke 5:4-11,Mark 4:36-41 (Ref. Luke 8:22-23, Matthew 8:23-27), John 14:4-9 & 22-23, John 17:2-11 & 20

Uncertainty = doubt, skepticism, untruthful, etc.

If you’re always questioning yourself, and always unsure of the knowledge you have, you are experiencing uncertainty.

You may be uncertain about work, your relationships, health, your intelligence, the way you look, being accepted, and so forth. Uncertainty is like a fungus that spreads. We are uncertain about some things; for example, day and night.

Can anything be more certain than Jesus? Can anything be more trustworthy than Jesus?

In Mark, Jesus tells the disciples to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee after He was done teaching. Without notice, a rough wind came and the sea became deadly. The boat was filling up with water, yet, Jesus continued to sleep until the disciples woke Him up saying ‘you don’t care for us, we’re going to die, and you are sleeping!’. They were probably asking themselves whether Jesus loved them enough to save them.

The middle part of our life is uncertain. The disciples were uncertain of their life and Jesus. We too are uncertain of our life, for example, relationships, work/career, money (when we are going to get it!), etc.

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit will come live with you. The problem is that we don’t see what we have. We are all one and united with our Father - a rock solid relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The uncertain factor comes from the devil. A child of God should have no uncertainty. Leave the uncertainty (lies) with Satan.

Characteristics of the Spiritually Blind: Why They Retain Their Sins

Mark 8:22-26, John 9, John 10:1-21, Luke 16:26-31

The Jews believed if you were born blind, you or your parents sinned.

Why is it, when you are looking for something and you can’t find it, it is right under your nose? Our brain isn’t sometimes connected to our sight! ‘Mind blindness’. Note, those that neither hear nor see don’t have the spiritual inputs from God.

Read John 9. The one blind man explained to everyone, including the Pharisees, how he came to see. The blind man found it interesting that they didn’t know where Jesus came from; yet, He was able to give sight to the blind man.

Jesus expects us, His followers, to be the light of the world. The blind man had to have faith. Note: He was blind from childbirth and grew up in the village (or place of the miracle). Why should they now ask if he was the same person who begged for money/food?

People see and believe what they want to. Why did they bring the blind man to the Pharisees? You would think they would take him home to celebrate. The Pharisees believed him and his parents to be lying, Why? According to them, he could not have been healed on the Sabbath.

The healing of the blind man shows us that those that don’t want to hear and/or see Jesus have made up their minds. When the blind man was excommunicated by the Pharisees, Jesus came and he professed Jesus as the Son of God.

The blind…

-Resist the truth

-Add rigor to their unbelief

-Find physical explanation for what God has done

There are inputs that God has put into our mind and soul that allows us to see the truth and hear the voice of the Shepherd. The Shepherd is Jesus, and we are His sheep. We hear His voice, and He protects us.

Exploring Our Lord Jesus’ Use of The Word Rock

Matthew 7:24-25, 16:14-20, Isaiah 8:14, 32:2, 1 Corinthians 10

Why rocks?- Shelter and protection from a typhoon, bomb, tsunami, hot sun, etc.

What is the rock that is alluded to in the Bible? Christ the Son of the Living God

Question- Is Peter or any of the disciples the church, or the rock the church is built on?

Jesus is the power behind the rock

The Rock is the Son of the Living God. Jesus is the Rock in the above noted verses. Jesus provides protection from the tsunamis of life.

Jesus’ words provide us with consistency, like mountains that are always where they are.

Christ the Rock:

is the foundation we live on.

Makes a body of believers the church.

We are built on this rock.

Faith in God Has Nothing To Do With Your Line of Work – Rahab

Isaiah 2:1-12, 6:23, Hebrews 11:31

Some professions, today, have an excess of the faithless who are very vocal about our God. For example, physicians, astronomers, physicists, etc.

Should your profession have anything to do with God?

Background information on Jericho:

Jericho is one of the oldest cities known to man. It is very hot with a tropical climate, despite being in Israel. It also produces a lot of bananas, dates, palm trees, and so forth.

After Jericho was conquered by Joshua, the Benjamites inhabited it. Prophets Elijah and Elisha also stayed in Jericho.

Note: For all those that say God doesn’t exist, need to read the passage from Joshua 2:1-12, especially verse 11. This is confirmation that the Lord is God. The unbelievers in this passage knew God is above all. They knew this, as soon as they heard about how the Israelites crossed the Red Sea.

Your profession shouldn’t have anything to do with your belief in God. Rahab got married and had Boaz; therefore, she is in David’s lineage. Why Rahab? Were the soldiers led to her by God?

Rahab was a prostitute, who lived in a house on the west, outside the wall of the city.

How did the king know to go ask Rahab? Were they watching her and her home? The Holy Spirit is at play in this. It is not possible for the men, who went told the king about the Israelite spies, to have known that 2 men went to visit Rahab and the reason for doing so.

In those days, the king would have sent for Rahab, rather than send men to her. God had a purpose for Rahab to be a part of His family. Note: Rahab dared to lie to the king twice!

When the Israelite soldiers came to get Rahab before they destroyed Jericho, her profession changed, and God cleansed her. She became a different person and a faithful servant of God.

The Lord is able to do all things. He is committed to you to become somebody in the name of Jesus. Have faith in God, even when it does not look good. Read Hebrews 11:31, Rahab is put into the Hall of Faith.

We Have the Horn of Salvation: Show It By Being Like a Lion P.II Analysis of Boldness Through Apostle Peter and King David

Acts 4, 1 Samuel 17

Ask yourself: How many times did I wimp out this week? Were there things I could have done differently?

We must move forward as Christians and do well for ourselves and God.

Examples of “A Lion”

Peter in Acts 4 heals a lame man and was hauled to the Sanhedrin because of it. The Sanhedrin had the earthly authority to strip him and his family of material wealth, kill him, etc.; Yet, Peter was bold in his response to them, because the Holy Spirit was in Him.

David (1 Samuel 17) – The Spirit was with him all the days of his life. He was bold towards Goliath. He boldly stated that God would deliver Goliath into his hands…that he would take his head.

We can’t quit or wimp out, etc.

Lessons:

Don’t be afraid of anybody. God made it so that the Sanhedrin couldn’t touch Peter and were, therefore, powerless.

The speed of God’s anger took over the stone and killed Goliath. Otherwise stated, no one can go against God’s will.

The Horn of Salvation - A horn stands out when you see it. The reference to a horn tells us that salvation is above all else. God/Jesus/Holy Spirit is above all things.

We Have the Horn of Salvation: Show It By Being Like a Lion

Luke 1:68-74, 2 Samuel 22:2-20, Proverbs 28:1

God wanted the Israelites to realize that the spiritual things come before the material things. God wanted them to reach the Promise Land physically and spiritually.

We are in church today for our spiritual needs.

The righteous should be bold, like a lion. God’s grace gives us the ability to:

Connect to God

Discern what is good and what is evil.

The lions trot like there is nothing to fear. In our behaviour, we should be bold and trot like there is nothing to fear.

We should speak without fear and be bold

Be bold at work and say what you need to say…but with love. Don’t wimper!

Serve the Lord without fear. Live without fear of our enemies getting to us.

Grab the hand of Jesus and do what you have to. Don’t worry about the consequences. You can’t lose something you don’t have!

The Formula: JTC+B = SL i.e. Jesus The Christ + Behaviour = Successful Life

"Noah, The Ark, The Flood & You After The Great Divine Clean-Up, God Gives Man A New Contract"

Genesis 8:20-22, 9:1-19, Isaiah 43:18-19, Psalm 37:8-7, Matthew 6:25-27

In Hebrews, Praise Ye the Lord is Hallelujah. Praise Ye the Lord was not used in the New Testament until Revelations. Why?

Our life is in the hand of God, as Noah’s was. While the flood took other people’s life, God preserved those on the ark. Be certain that your life is in God’s hands. God has shown us that our life is eternally guaranteed.

In Matthew, God says not to worry, as He will supply all our needs. Think: God provided all that Noah would need when the flooding stopped.

When we sit in the ark, not knowing what will happen, know that God has prepared a world for you, just as He prepared a new world for Noah.

When we come out of a period of uncertain times and future, and times of destruction, we must give praises (sacrifices as Noah did) by saying Hallelujah!

God controls everything and all is in His hands. Give God a “HALLELUJAH!” when the flood of troubles and rain comes. When the sun is shining in your life, give God a “HALLELUJAH”!

God will use you to prove that His word is true. He will give you something new in your life and you will forget all of your past troubles.

Commit thy way and thy word to the Lord. Rest and wait on the Lord, as Noah waited in the ark. We will stand tall and wait on the Lord.

Satan produces counterfeits. He will generate doubts in your mind. Know that this is the devil. Stay strong and true. TRUST GOD!

"Who Is In The Ship With You?"

Mark 4:35-41, 5:1, Mathew 5:45, 8:23-28, Luke 8:22-25

The actions that took place in Mark 4, took place at the Sea of Galilee.

We know Jesus was preaching and healing. He had to go on a boat to speak to the multitude. After speaking to them, he instructed the disciples to send the multitude away and for them to go to the other side of the sea.

In obeying Jesus, they ran into a storm…Think about it!

The disciples, in thinking that it was the end of their life, woke up Jesus – ‘don’t you care?’ Jesus wasn’t worried. He knows He has the power! He spoke to the waters and calmed them. He spoke to the wind and calmed it. Both wind and waters stopped immediately.

The good that Jesus did also went for the other boats on the sea. It proves that when it rains on the bad, it also rains on the good and vice versa!

Who is in the ship with you to calm you down when problems come? Think about it. Who is guiding your life?

As Jesus drove their boat, He does the same with us. The difference between the believer and the non-believer is what is in their heart.

Who is in the boat with you makes a difference. As Christians, it is God and Christ who is with us in the boat as captain.

"The Lord God, Israel, The Manna and You"

Exodus 16:12-31, John 16:30-35, John 6:32-33, 35

Whatever is enslaving us and our undue hardships are controlled by the will of God.

God has a list of all our enslavements, but God’s will will prevail. Think – Israelites were given the Egyptian’s gold when they left. It was God’s will.

When problems come to you, you feel locked in. The fear of ‘not having’, ‘dying’ by the hand of enemy nations, etc. began to settle among the Israelites. As a result, the Israelites began to complain.

In Exodus 16:8-15, the Israelites complained they didn’t have food, so God’s glory shone (they knew it was Him), then God filled the place with quail and manna.

There must have been a ‘spiritual blanket’ to catch the manna to keep it clean.

God also commanded that they use or discard what they get. If not, it would be rotten the next day. This is to make them (us) trust that He will provide for them (us) each day.

The quails represented God’s Word and the manna represented trust. The manna is Jesus. When we eat manna (representing Jesus), we eat clean.

For us, who live in a world of sin and death, we need to remember the manna/Christ that came here to make and keep us clean. Jesus is our bread of life.