Sunday, September 20, 2020
Mark 4:35-41 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace,be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? Howis it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
Obey – soldiers that fall in line at the voice of their commander & chief
Verse 37- windstorm – some things you cannot see but can feel the effects of. When something like this happens, you get your eyes on the wrong thing. The wind was the problem. Not the water, waves, or boat. The problem was unseen.
Jesus was not afraid. The other passengers were overcome with fear. Jesus arose and rebuked the wind. He saw the real problem, while the other passengers saw the waves and the water and the boat.
What we’re seeing is a picture of what we are to conform to. While there’s nothing but chaos around. We are to rest in the peace. God wants us to live ABOVE the storms of life. Fear is an illusion! It has NO power unless you give it power. We are to be so at peace, that when the storms of life come, others look at us and say, “who can this be?”
Jesus was operating in something that the other passengers were not. Verse 40 – Heaven’s sufficiency. Jesus had something that they didn’t have. He didn’t have it because He was God, He had it because He had been with God. He went to God and got it! It was the Father that dwelling in Him. Jesus said 3 times,” I can of my own self, do nothing.” Jesus had to take time and turn aside daily to operate in this measure. Apart from God, we can do nothing!
Exodus 3:1-4 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. 3 Then Moses said, “I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.”4 So when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!”And he said, “Here I am.”
Verse 1 – Moses kept the flock. He had a daily responsibility. We have to TURN ASIDE from our daily responsibilities. TAKE THE TIME TO TURN ASIDE!
Verse 4 - Moses never would have had this supernatural encounter with God, if he hadn’t turned aside! It was the will of God for Him, but it never would have happened if he hadn’t took time to come closer. Moses would have continued on to be a shepherd.
God is always talking. He wants to have encounters with us! He wants our undivided attention! We must turn aside. This encounter didn’t affect only Moses. It affected thousands! It is the same with us! When we have an encounter with God, it affects everyone around us!
Luke 2:39-52 39 So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.
41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. 43 When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; 44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”
49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.
51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Verse 39-40 - Jesus had to grow spiritually just as we do!
Verse 41-42 - His parents are comparable to our soul and flesh. Until you are developed spiritually, you are still parented by your soul.
Verse 43-52 - Jesus learned at a very young age to abide where the Father is.
Don’t get a full day’s journey away before you realize Jesus is not with you! God is waiting for us to come to where He is. Every morning we get to choose whether we are going to operate with human sufficiency or with Heaven’s sufficiency. Don’t go about your day thinking God is with you, when He isn’t! You will ALWAYS experience God if you seek Him. You have to learn to get up every day and go to where He is and get what YOU need!
Matthew 6:5-13 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward youopenly.7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9 In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Verse 11 - Daily bread is not about your finances or food. It’s not about praying for your needs. “Give me what I need today” Because He knows more than we do about what we need. It is a DAILY thing. You can get up every morning and go with Him into your day, or you can go without Him. It’s your choice. Jesus arose and spoke peace to the wind and waves because peace was in Him. He got Heaven’s super on His natural.
Judges 16 – Story of Sampson and Delilah
Sampson was with the wrong woman at the wrong time. We are living in a day now, that people are being enticed on a level they’ve never been before. It’s holding people in bondage more than ever before. You need to be in the right place at the right time with the right people! The world system is pressing you daily! She will load you down with worry, fears, depression, anxiety, etc. Just as if you go to the house of wisdom, She will load you down with strength, grace, forgiveness, mercy, etc. You have to daily take up your cross!