Is Jesus Asleep On Your Ship?
Is Jesus asleep on your ship?
But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. Luke 8:23It was an apparent clear day, with calm waters. The disciples gather on the boat with the Lord and he announced that they are going to the other side. The other side of the Sea of Galilee. They have no problem with that. It is not a big sea and the journey would only take a few hours by boat.
The Lord Jesus had fallen asleep on this calm trip and the disciples didn’t think much of it, after all, the Master was a very busy man and could use the rest.
But then a storm came and the wind turned to a dangerous gale. The waves began to lift the boat and the water came in. The disciples did all they could to stabilize the ship and bail out the water but now they are at their wits end. They have no answers, they have no more strength. They are at the mercy of the storm and fearful for their lives. It is at this point they say, Master, master, we perish!
I love this part, Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased and there was a calm.
The Lord would ask them a question that should cause us to think about our own faith. He said to them, “Where is your faith?”
That is a good question because it wasn’t a lack of faith that was the problem it was the object of faith that was the problem. Everybody has faith in something, whether they call themselves an atheist or agnostic, they still have faith. In some case’s the atheist has more faith than the average Christian because they have less proof than the Christian.
It is possible that the disciples had faith in their surroundings. They were familiar with the sea of Galilee and had no fears of going to the other side. It was familiar territory for them, yet the familiarity may have been the object of their faith and not the Lord. We too can get comfortable with our surroundings and tend to be less motivated to pray and trust the Lord, so the Lord has to stir things up a bit to help put faith where it belongs.
It is possible they put faith in their abilities. After all, they were fishermen. They knew how to handle a boat. This too is easy for the Christian to do. If we are naturally good at something we can easily put confidence in self rather than God.
It is possible they put their faith in the boat. It was a sturdy boat and a proven boat. They had no problem getting into the boat; it was seaworthy.
As a matter of fact, with all of these things going for them, the Master could take it easy and rest a while. No need for him to help. “We got this” was the mind set of the experienced sailors. So, our Lord goes to sleep until the storm. Yes, the Storm! It would be the storm that revealed who the real captain was!
We don’t know if Jesus is sleeping in our lives until the storm comes and we have to wake him up. I wonder if they ignored him a little because they were busy with the boat and so he went to sleep. One thing is for sure, I am glad, he was willing to wake up when they called for him. Is it possible that storms come to your life because you have let the Captain go to sleep? Don’t feel bad about keeping him awake. Psalms 121:4
The Danger of Not Living By Schedule
The Danger of Not Living By Schedule
If you are not living by schedule than what or who leads you? A schedule is supposed to help you get things done at the appropriate time. Nobody excels in life without living by schedule.To live by a schedule is to plan your work and work your plan. Some people are able to plan their work but they struggle with working their plan. It may take time to plan but it will save you time in the long run.
Consider the alternative to not living by schedule. Someone or something else leads your life. It may be your appetites or your wicked heart. You may say I’m not hurting anyone and you may not be but you are wasting your life.
Those who can’t live by schedule are living by another master. They are slaves to their circumstances or their appetites.
David did not live by schedule when it was time to go to war (2 Samuel 11:1). A greater temptation came and he would commit adultery and murder. Why? Because he did not live by schedule! He failed to do what he was supposed to do and that always leads to doing what you shouldn’t do!
Amasa failed to live by schedule when the king gave him an appointed time to return with troops to quench a rebellion that was brewing (2 Samuel 20:4-10). He would lose his job and then lose his life.
A man who can’t keep a schedule is either double minded or lazy. Those who can’t keep a schedule will lose the trust of their superiors and their peers. They will even lose their own self-respect. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways (James 1:8).
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold… (Proverbs 20:4). The slothful man saith, there is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets (Proverbs 26:13). Notice the excuses that this man makes.
Those who can’t keep a schedule often can’t take care of other things either. I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; and lo it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down… (Proverbs 24:30-34)
Nehemiah was a man who could keep a schedule: And the king said unto me…for how long shall thy journey be? And when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time. (Nehemiah 2:6) So the wall was finished… (Nehemiah 6:15).
Friend, if you are going to get anything done for God, family, or yourself, then learn to live by schedule. Ponder the path of thy feet and let all thy ways be established (Proverbs 4:29). Plan your work and work your plan. Excuses are for the lazy!
I always get the best nights sleep when I have completed my schedule!
The only good reasons for not completing your schedule are:
You bit off more than you could chew when planning. Your schedule was overruled by your superiors or an emergency
The Danger of Impatience
The Danger of Impatience
Impatience can get us into a lot of trouble. You see the house you want to buy but you don’t have the income for it. You keep looking at it and decide if you just tighten up in a number of other areas of your life. You might be able to afford it. You want it so bad you are wiling to get a thirty year loan at a high interest rate to purchase it. The deal is made, your indulgence is gratified, and you are in your dream house. Then reality hits and you have other things that musty be paid for. You weren’t expecting the doctor bills, you didn’t think about the cost of living going up. You are so restricted financially that you and your spouse are constantly fighting about money. The dream house is becoming a nightmare that you are stuck with because you were impatient.
You are a single lady and don’t want to be an old maid who never marries. So you give of yourself to the first guy who shows you some attention. You lower your standards and either marry someone who does not have the same moral values you have or you get pregnant out of wedlock. Your impatience has brought you unnecessary heartache. The consequence of your impatience is always greater than the gratification of your impatience.
Impatience can cause us to take shortcuts that require us forfeiting our integrity. Impatience can cause us to use unethical means to get gain. Impatience is what stirs road rage. Impatience behavior from the past is why a lot of people are living like paupers today. Impatience is why many people are slaves to their lender. Impatience is why many people quit good jobs!
Impatience is why a lot of Christians bail out on God during tribulation. They want a quick fix even if it is carnal. Impatience is why people won’t wait on God to renew their strength. Impatience is why the church has lost its power in the world! Impatience is evidence of unbelief. Impatience always cost more than its worth. Impatience will always cause you to act contrary to the will of God. Sarah had her husband go into Hagar because she was impatient about God’s promise. Rebecka would deceive Isaac because she was impatient. Moses would spend forty years of his life on the back side of the desert because of his impatience.
Somethings take time, you can’t rush the washing machine or the dryer. They have to run their course. We can’t microwave good character. A microwave is fine in some cases but it’s not the best way to prepare a meal. God’s timing is as important as his plan. God uses troubles to grow us and use us. Don’t get impatient but wait on the Lord! Nobody has ever regretted waiting on the Lord! Ask Joseph, ask Job.
My brethren count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire wanting nothing. James 1:2-4
Why You Should Bring Your Bible to Church Versus your iphone or ipad?
Why you should bring your Bible to Church verses your iphone or ipad?
- Your example– People won’t question what you are doing when the scriptures are open but when you use an iphone it looks like you’re playing on your phone. If you are concerned about your example that should be enough.
- It won’t break if you drop it
- It will still work if there is a power surge
- It will serve you well to know how to find passages of scripture so you can help the kids who do bring their Bibles!
- It is easy to take notes
- It won’t receive a text message or news report that would distract you during the message
- It allows you to leave something for your children or grandchildren when you are gone. They would enjoy looking at your old notes and markings.
- Can you imagine waving your iphone when we sing hold the fort for I am coming Jesus whispers still, wave the answer (waving your iphone?) back to heaven by thy grace we will. Traditionally that is when we wave our Bibles!
She Hath Done What She Could
She Hath Done What She Could
She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. Mark 14:8She could do no more with the time that she had. She could do no more with the resources she had. She could do no more with ability she had. She hath done what she could.
Only the Lord knew that she did what she could. Others did not understand why she did what she did, let alone that she done what she could.
What was it that she did? She poured out years wages of precious oil on the Lord. She took advantage of the time she had left with the Lord to show him she loved him. Where your treasure is their will your heart be also. She has just poured it upon the head of Jesus.
Why would she do this? She knew he was going to die soon. She believed everything he said and listened to everything she could when he spoke. The other disciples didn’t acknowledge that the Lord was going to die in just a couple of days but she did. She acknowledged Jesus as her king and in a way fulfilled a scripture from Song of Solomon 1:12 While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof. She had just broken a box of spikenard on the Lord.
How did she know and why didn’t others know?
This is Mary the sister of Lazarus and Martha from John 12:1-8. She is recognized as doing the one thing that is needful Luke 10:39 “…sat at Jesus feet…” to listen, learn and worship him.
We may not be able to do as much as others but are we doing what we can? Are we doing what we can to win souls? Are we doing what we can to grow in grace? Are we doing what we can to encourage the brethren? Are we doing what we can to show Jesus we love him?
Nineteen Years and Still Going Strong!
Nineteen Years and Still Going Strong!
This week Lighthouse Baptist Church will celebrate its nineteenth anniversary. The Word anniversary is used because the church is the bride of Christ. What a blessing it has been to be a part of this wonderful church. It is the Lords doing and it is marvelous in our eyes! Sunday September 24 of 2000 we had our first service in a little building located at 524 West St. We had a good attendance at that first service. I think we had about sixty people although some were friends from out of town who were actually members of other churches. Eventually they all went back to their home churches. We still had about forty of us that were meeting on Sunday mornings, some were families that came with us when we started; The Reynolds family, the Savage family, Sammy Henderson, The Barnes, and The Bococks. What a blessing these families were! I love them and thank God for them all. We prayed, fasted, and went soul winning and God gave the increase. Something happened in December of 2000 that looked like revival. People began to come and souls began to get saved and baptized regularly. By May of 2001 we had over a hundred people coming to church. I can’t explain it other than God gave the increase.
The fall of 2004 we moved to 858 W. 250 N. after meeting in a gymnasium on Sunday mornings for two years. The church has had three major building projects and sits on sixteen and a half acres of land that it owns. We are still soul winning, praying, preaching the Word and upholding a biblical standard in the community. God has allowed a lot of good people to be part of Lighthouse over the years. Whether you were part of the past or the present I thank God for you all. It is God that has brought us together. May we continue to Exalt the Savior, Encourage the saints, and Evangelize the sinners!
“…upon this rock (faith in Christ Jesus) I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18
The Charge To Build A House For God
The Charge to Build a House for God “Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? His God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem” Ezra 1:2-3The Jews had been in captivity for over seventy years, Jerusalem had been destroyed along with the temple of God that Solomon built. Many Jews had grown accustom to life away from the city of God inspite of the bondage they were under. It was at this time the Lord raised up King Cyrus his name means sun and throne. He had been prophesied about a hundred years earlier before Jerusalem had been taken and destroyed. In Isaiah 44:28 he is called the Lords shepherd and rebuilder of the temple. In Isaiah 45:1 he is called the anointed one and the liberater of Gods people. He is a type of Christ in this sense.
At the command of King Cyrus the people of God were granted liberty to go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple of the living God. Take note that it was not a forced mandate. If a Jew went back it was because he wanted too.
To go back would be an exercise of faith and an evidence of love for the Lord God of Israel. By all appearances there wasn’t much to go back to, but to the child of God it was the city of God. It was the place of true worship.
As believers in Christ we to have been set free from spiritual bondage and can anticipate a heavenly home. In the mean time the Lord Jesus Christ has a house for us to build it is called the church 1 Timothy 3:15. We are to be co laborers together with him. He has given us all the resources necessary for this work just as king Cyrus provided for the Jews. It will be a matter of faith and devotion to the Lord that makes the difference. Only those who have a heart for God will do it.
I find it interesting that God records the names of all who came back to Jerusalem in chapter two of Ezra. It may be mundane reading to you but to God it’s a testimony of those who loved him. Every one that has a heart for God and his house will be remembered. Do you have a desire to build Gods house? Are you thankful for the redemption of your soul?
God wants real devotion not legalistic mechanical devotion that has no real heart for him. Check your heart, is it true? “But the hour cometh, and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth(scripturally): for the Father seeketh such to worship him.”John 4:23
Read: Ezra chapter one
The Power of the Rain
The Power of Rain
It’s raining outside, and it’s been raining most of the day. There are folks, in this farming country that are excited about the rain and there are others who are not. They had events planned and their parade got rained on. Rain can bless you or blast you! It can refresh you or drown you. It is needed but so is sunshine. God’s word says it rains on the just and unjust, letting us know that rain is not a respecter of persons.We had a rather large addition to our church building last year. Since the completion of the project we have struggled with a leak in the ceiling. I have called the contractor about this and they have sent people out to find the leak and repair the damage but the next time we get a hard rain there it is again. The rain has a way of exposing the leaks. Now I could complain about the rain but we need rain and therefore it is not the rains fault. It is the builders fault. Yet even he can’t be sure if he has fixed the problem until it rains again. As frustrating as this has become it still needs to be fixed.
It may not rain for a month and we may think all is well after the so called repairs, but wait, … here comes the rain to validate the work. Yes, I hear it coming down, I see it coming down and before long it’s in the building again. All the labor they had put into finding the leak and repairing the damage has proven vain.
Now we could choose not to worry about the leak since it doesn’t rain all of the time. We could repair the damage the leak caused and then forget about it until the next rain. The symptoms are cared for but not the problem.
I know some Christians like that. They care for the symptoms but not the problem. In some cases they make their repairs with narcotics rather than seeking Jesus!
We too may have some serious leaks in our Christian character. We may appear fine in the sunshine but it has to rain and it will rain, on “the just and unjust”. When it does much is revealed about our Christian character that was undetectable in the sunshine. We may discover that we act no different than a lost person when trouble comes, or should I say an unexpected rain.
Your Christian character needs a good hard rain now and then. It’s a great diagnostics test. Don’t get mad if you discover some leaks, thank God they have been revealed. You can now repair the roof. Noah wasn’t worried about the leaks because he followed God’s instructions.
It amazes me how hateful some Christians can get when someone looks at them cross eyed! Could it be they have a leak? Some Christians who claim to have great faith either lose it or discover they didn’t have it when the doctor says, cancer. Could it be they have a leak in their roof? Now I am not making light of cancer but there ought to be a difference in the way a Christian handles adversity verses a lost person.
Next time it rains on you praise the Lord! If you don’t have a leak, that’s good news. If you do have a leak, that’s good news, because you can repair it!
You Must Know
You Must Know! There are a lot of things you and I can’t know and there are a lot of things you and I can know but then there are somethings that we must know! I can’t know for sure who first discovered America, Columbus, Erikson, or Vespucci. I can’t know how many stars there are in the sky. I can’t know how many people have walked on this planet. I can’t tell you the exact date of the flood or the name of Cain’s wife. I can speculate on the things I can’t know but it has no bearing on my eternity. I can know the multiplication table. I can know the distance around the globe. I can know when it’s a good time to go fishing. I can know how to make lasagna. There are many things I can know that are helpful to me but not many of them have an effect on my eternity either. There are somethings you and I must know:
- If you would escape hell and live in hope of heaven you need to know how to get there.
- Thankfully 1 John 5:13 tells us, these things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
- God wants you to know and he doesn’t want you to live in doubt about your eternity.
- You must know you are a sinner before God
- You are a sinner by nature- Romans 5:12
- You are a sinner by practice- Romans 3:23
- You must know that there is a consequence for your sin
- Romans 6:23
- Physical death- Romans 5:12
- The second death- Revelation 21:8
- You must know that your good works will not merit your entrance to heaven
- Ephesians 2:8-9
- You must know that Christ paid that consequence while on the cross
- Because he was the only one qualified- John 3:16
- Because he loved us- Romans 5:8
- Through him the door to heaven is open! John 10:9
- You must know that eternal is a gift from God that was paid by Jesus.
- Jesus must be accepted to be saved! Romans 6:23
- Romans 10:9-13
When All You Can Do is Lean!
When All You Can Do Is Lean!
Jacob couldn’t run anymore but he could lean. He wasn’t as agile as he once was but he could lean. He would live the rest of his life leaning on his staff. It was an experience he would never forget. He would no longer be just Jacob (supplanter) but he would be Israel (prince with God). This life changing experience did not mean he would not have struggles ahead but now he knew he could lean on the God of Abraham and Isaac. (Genesis 32:24-31)What was this life altering event Jacob experienced? It was the night he God took his leg out of socket. He chose to wrestle an angel of God for heavens blessings. He lost the full use of one leg but he won the blessing of God. He would remember his need to lean on God the rest of his life. (Genesis 32:24-31)
You may feel weak spiritually but you can lean! You may feel defeated and overwhelmed but you can lean! Family burdens may be breaking your heart but you can lean! The people and things you use to have confidence in have let you down but you can lean! You may not have the physical strength you use to have but you can lean!
It’s by leaning you truly get to know God. Paul had a thorn in the flesh that he desperately wanted removed but it was not going away. What did he do? He leaned on Jesus and found his grace to be sufficient. John was old, isolated and left for dead on the isle of Patmos. He couldn’t swim but he could lean. He couldn’t build a bridge but he could lean. Oh how God met with him! What wonders he discovered and was able to impart to us because he leaned. The book of Revelation is the result John leaning on Jesus.
Real rest comes from leaning on Jesus. An easy chair would not be called an easy chair if you had to hold yourself up when you sat in it. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalms 23:4
