Stirred Up

 

Mark 4:35-41

 35That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

 39He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

 40He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

 41They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

We are living in a day and time when the seas are rough, the waves are high and things are tough. 

I usually do not share many personal stories, but I want to share about my afternoon.

I went to the dentist office to have a tooth filled today.  Jenny can tell you that I am not a fan of the dentist office.

As the chair was being lowered, I literally felt sick.  My heart rate increased, I was short of breath and fear almost totally took over my body.

My fear frustrated me.  This 15 minute procedure should not “stir me up” this much.

As I focused on the true source of peace, my heart rate decreased and my breathing patterns became normal again.

Father God is the source of peace.  Jesus displayed this ability to bring peace in the scriptures.  The same man that calmed the sea, calmed my mind and body.

The wind and the waves obey Jesus.  Therefore, the winds and the waves of our world obey Jesus. 

Our storms may be fears, finances, the election, or the stock market.   Have faith, they must bow down to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

Are you stirred up?  Talk to your creator.  Ask for his peace.  Understand your fears and talk to Jesus about them.   Let him rebuke the winds and “BE STILL!”  

It Is Well With My Soul…

Studies

My recent studies have me in the book of Acts.

Chapters 6 and 7 of the Book of Acts tell of Stephen and his story.

Steven gives the onlookers in the Sanhedrin a history lesson of God’s hand moving among the previous generations.

Abraham-Isaac-Jacob-Joseph-Moses-Aaron-Joshua-David-Solomon

After the history lesson, Stephen (full of grace and mercy) started stepping on toes….

Here are verses 51-53 of Acts 7 from the Message translation:

 ”And you continue, so bullheaded! Calluses on your hearts, flaps on your ears! Deliberately ignoring the Holy Spirit, you’re just like your ancestors. Was there ever a prophet who didn’t get the same treatment? Your ancestors killed anyone who dared talk about the coming of the Just One. And you’ve kept up the family tradition—traitors and murderers, all of you. You had God’s Law handed to you by angels—gift-wrapped!—and you squandered it!”

The NIV says “you always resist the Holy Spirit.”

The Bible says we will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes, He is our counselor, and gives us words to speak when needed.  

Am I open to the direction of the Holy Spirit? 

Do I resist the gifts that Father God wants me to receive?

Are their flaps over my ears?

Is my heart callussed?

There is a great hymn that I love to sing at church titled, “Sweet, Sweet Spirit”

Here are the lyrics….

There’s a sweet sweet spirit in this place
And I know that it’s the spirit of the Lord

There are sweet expressions on each face
And I know that it’s the presence of the Lord

Sweet Holy Spirit
Sweet heavenly dove
Stay right here with us
Filling us with your love
And for these blessings
We lift our hearts in praise
Without a doubt we’ll know that we have been revived
When we shall leave this place

The presence of the Holy Spirit is so sweet. Stephen knew that….in his most difficult time, he looked UP!!

His heart was open, his ears were listening, his eyes were focused on Jesus.

Father God,

Thank you for this lesson of faith.  Thank you for teaching me to look up.  May my heart, mind and soul be more open and attentive to the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.   Come Holy Spirit!!