two different responses…

now there are two different responses to an unexpected storm.  matthew 8.24-25 (niv), without warning a furious storm came up on the lake so that the waves swept over the boat.  but JESUS was sleeping.  the disciples went and woke him up saying, “LORD, save us!  we’re going to drown.”

this shows how serious the reaction was and how serious the storm was.  these disciples were not novices.  they were professional fishermen.  they grew up on this lake.  it wasn’t just a little choppy water.  if they thought they were going to die, this must have been a life-threatening storm because these guys were pros and the pros panicked.  that’s how serious it was. 

the greek word for storm here is the word we get seismograph from.  what does a seismograph do?  it rates earthquakes.  the word literally means “violent shaking”.  it says the waves swept over the boat.  if you’ve ever been in that kind of situation you know that’s scary.  so they panicked.

compare that to JESUS’ reaction to the storm.  HE was filled with peace.  it says a furious storm came up on the lake and the waves swept over the boat and in at the end of verse 24 it says, but JESUS was sleeping.  sleeping!  you talk about a heavy sleeper!  these guys are professionals but the water’s pouring in and JESUS is sawing logs! 

this tells me two things about JESUS:  one, HE’s human.  HE had just taught all day and HE was worn out.  HE was fatigued and HE needed HIS sleep.  JESUS understands when you get tired and fatigued.  HE understands.  HE’s been there. 

but it also tells us that HE wasn't worried.  HE knew the FATHER would take care of HIM.  this is a picture of complete trust in GOD.  HE’s not worried about the storm.  HE’s sleeping through it.  i think HE was giving a visual object lesson.  HE set an example for HIS disciples. 

did you know that sometimes sleeping can be a statement of faith? “i’m not going to worry about it.  i can’t do anything about it. i’m going to bed!  i trust GOD.”  sleeping can be a statement of faith.  it says i’m trusting GOD.  i’m not worried about it. 

isn’t this typical?  ironically, human reaction is the opposite. usually when a crisis occurs we lose sleep.  when a crisis happens, our mind goes into overdrive, we lay awake wide-eyed with our minds going a mile a minute, worrying.  americans spend over a half a billion dollars a year on sleeping aids.  why?  because we live in a very fearful society. 

but the point here is that JESUS could sleep anywhere.  HE’s not afraid.  the boat is crashing in the waves and HE’s sawing logs!

just a thought from the front porch…

three possible responses to GOD’s will…

we are looking at james in his letter in the new testament and how to handle the future.  one thing he says in chapter 4 verse 15 (niv) is, if it is the LORD’s will, we will live and do this or that.  now there are three possible responses to GOD’s will:

1.  i can make reference to it.  that’s what he’s saying here.  i admit that GOD has a will and i accept it, acknowledge it, make reference to it.

2.  i can show deference to it.  i really want GOD’s will and i accept it into my life.

3.  i can show preference for it.  more than anything else i want GOD’s will in my life.  what GOD wants – that’s my plans.  i deeply desire it.

proverbs 16.1 (niv), we may make our plans but GOD has the last word.

man proposes, GOD disposes.  proverbs 16.9, living bible, we should make plans – counting on GOD to direct us.

stop praying, “GOD bless what i’m doing.”  don't pray that anymore.  “GOD, i’ve made my plans, i’ve worked them all out now YOU bless them.”

instead pray, “GOD help me to find and do what YOU are blessing.”  GOD is doing a lot of fantastic things in the world.  i just want to be in on them.  “help me to do what YOU’re blessing.  i don’t want my plans.  i want YOUr plans in my life.  YOUr plans will provide fulfillment in my life.”

planning without GOD is the first mistake.  you overcome it by including GOD in your goal setting.

just a thought from the front porch…

your focus and GOD’s response…

the third part of 2 chronicles 20.12 (niv) says this, we were powerless against this mighty army that’s about to attack us and we don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on you.

in your impossible situation that you are facing you need to trust GOD to help you. you need to not focus on your problems but focus on GOD.

this is the biggest mistake that people make when they’re overwhelmed. when we’re overwhelmed all we tend to see is the problem. we don’t look to GOD. we don’t put our eyes on GOD. we put our eyes on the problem.

most people, when you say, “how are you doing?” they’ll say, “i’m doing ok, under the circumstances.” under the circumstances? what are you doing under the circumstances? who put you there? why don’t you get on top of the circumstances? circumstances are like a mattress on your bed. you get on top of them and you’ll rest easy. you get underneath them and you’re going to suffocate. what are you doing under the circumstances? you put yourself there. it’s what you focus on.

here is a great quote of corrie ten boom’s: “if you look at the world, you will be distressed. if you look within, you will be depressed. but if you look at CHRIST, you will be at rest.” it all depends on what you have your eyes on.

what are you focusing on right now? if you’re discouraged, it’s not GOD. you can’t be discouraged and focus on GOD at the same time. you know who HE is and you know what HE’s done and HE can help you again.

when you do these things, notice GOD’s response in 2 chronicles 20.15 (niv), this is what the LORD says to you: do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. for the battle is not yours but GOD’s!

the battle is not yours but GOD’s. GOD says “relax and trust ME to help you.”

just a thought from the front porch…

difficulties, despair, and the right response…

difficulties cause us to despair.  acts 17.20 (niv), we finally gave up all hope of being saved. 

fourteen days in total darkness on this ship in a storm, don't know where they’re going, they’re being beat up, tossed back and forth.  they’ve given up their cargo, their tackle, their food.  finally they give up hope.  that’s the last thing to go.  hope. 

but they’d forgotten one thing:  even in a storm GOD is in control.  HE hasn’t left you.  you may not feel HIM.  if you feel far from GOD, guess who moved?  HE hasn't left you.  HE’s with you in that storm.  HE’ll help you through it.  GOD is testing you to see if you’ll trust HIM. 

so what is the right response to difficulty?  if you're not in it now, you're going to go through it. 

first of all if you brought it on yourself, admit it.  stop blaming other people.  stop making excuses.  face the problem and say, i brought this on myself. 

if you've got a problem with drugs, admit it.  if you've got a problem with alcohol, admit it.  if you've got a problem with your temper, you admit it.  if you've a problem with your mouth, admit it. 

the bible says in proverbs 28.13 (tlb), a man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful.  but if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance. 

accept responsibility.  what are you pretending is not a problem?  first admit when you are the problem and turn the light on and you won't be afraid anymore. 

just a thought from the front porch…