He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”

Mark 4:35-41

He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” Mark 4:40

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 4:35-41, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary - which offers six divisions for this text. Excerpts from the commentary's fifth (of six) division (v40): 

• The commentary's title for this division is "Trials and Difficulties Come for the Benefit of Our Faith."  
• Describing the disciples likely reaction to Jesus's mild rebuke of them for the lack of faith, the commentary shares that "[b]y now they should have a greater comprehension and increased faith in His person. This was a golden teaching moment, but they came up short. In the eye of the storm, rather than trusting Him, the disciples accuse Jesus of forsaking them (v. 38). Unfortunately, this will not be the last time Jesus must point out their lack of faith (7:18; 8:17,21,33; 9:9). Until they see the resurrected Christ and fully understand what He did for them on the cross, they are going to struggle." 
• At the same time, we are encouraged us to grow in our faith as the commentary shares: "[w]e, in contrast, have no excuse. We know Jesus is all-powerful and all-knowing God. We know He has taken care of all our sin. We know He rose from the dead. We know He can be trusted no matter what! Trials and difficulties are divine appointments to strengthen our faith."   

Until we meet Jesus once again upon our death (glorification) or until He returns (second coming), all believers are a work in progress as we strive to grow in in our knowledge and love of Him, and as a result become more like Him (sanctification).  This is a day-by-day progressive process - we may often feel as if this process is too slow but we can be comforted that God is always at work.  Importantly, God is at work in the trials and difficulties of life.  See also Colossians 1:17b where the text shares that Jesus "holds all things together."  We don't know what He is doing (Isaiah 55:8), but we can take comfort that God is in "all things [to] work [them] together for good" (Romans 8:28).  We of course should also know that we will also overcome the world (John 16:33) and see Jesus face to face and at that point our sanctification will be complete!

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that I know is at work in me.  Thank You Jesus for working in my life and heart and of course for my salvation.  Please continue because I know I am still a work in progress and there is more sin to shed.  Please forgive me of this sin and help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.    

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

Mark 4:35-41

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” Mark 4:37-38

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 4:35-41, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Jesus, as the incarnate Son of God experienced all of what we as His creation experienced, including hunger, thirst and feelings of exhaustion and fatigue.  He was so tired in v37 that He was able to sleep on the boat during a "great windstorm." God of course knew about the storm as He is all-knowing - so this was part of a design to use the storm as a teaching moment about the disciples lack of faith during the storm.  Jesus tells us to build our house on a rock such that when the storm arrives we are not shaken. See also Matthew 7:24-27, Luke 6:46-49. 
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: The disciples had already witnessed several of Jesus' miracles so they knew about His power but when He calmed the storm they were astonished that He had that much power to calm the wind and sea (v41).  This shows an incomplete understanding of who Jesus is - in fairness Jesus' ministry was just getting rolling.  However, for believers of today, we should strive to have as complete an understanding of who Jesus is now - prior to meeting Him face to face upon our death or when He returns.  We need to have a hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6) and to seek Him with all of our heart. 
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?):  Jesus wants us to follow His example of weathering trials by having a steadfast faith...there will be waves or ups and downs of life but we can be steadied by being anchored to our faith in Christ and by resting in His promises (that always come true - 2 Corinthians 1:20).  We should avoid worry - see also Matthew 6:25-34. 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is our Rock and Salvation - we can rest and take refuge in You.  Thank You Jesus for the help You provide to steady our faith.  I am not deserving of my salvation, nor how richly You bless.  My sins are great and they continue...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love other as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

 Psalm 23 and Genesis 22:9-14

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

I continue my pause of my study of Jude to use Tony Evan's The Power of God's Names sermon outline series - maintaining focusing on Message Four: Jehovah Rohi and Jehovah Jireh.  Today, I continue to focus on those sermon notes that stand out to me.  This time, Sermon Point #5 in particular stands out: Trust That Your Shepherd Will Protect You and Take Away Your Fear.  Fear or anxiety is driven by unbelief in a God that is Your Shepherd, knows Your every need and provides - Jehovah Rohi and Jehovah Jireh. God want us to remain steadfast in our faith.  The text in Psalm 23 and Genesis 22 demonstrate both Jehovah Rohi and Jehovah Jireh, as does text elsewhere. John Piper, in this message, uses Matthew 6 - in particular v32 - to further illustrate how we can battle unbelief by resting in God and His promises. Piper shares: "[f]or example, at the end of verse 32 he says, “Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.” That is a spectacular promise. In everything you do at home and at work, put God’s purposes first, and he will provide all you need to live for his glory. Believe that promise, and financial anxiety will evaporate in the warmth of God’s care."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus - Jehovah Rohi and Jehovah Jireh - thank You for how You care and guide me, leading me through good and bad times, protecting me, and providing for all of my needs - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of these blessings - no one is.  I continue to sin, every single day...please help me God with my sin, forgive me, and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

Jude

Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. Jude 7

I proceed with my study of Jude using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my study consists of a commentary-assisted review of Jude 5-7.  Per the commentary:

Main idea: "Learning from those who have rejected the Lord, Christians must continually run to and cling to the mercy of God available in Christ Jesus."

Excerpts from the introduction:

• RE: our culture, "unbelief, rebellion, and immorality (the three sins Jude highlights in vv. 5-7) characterize with greater intensity and influence our way of life....[it] has turned its back on God and his Word, shunned his standards, and mocked his character."
•  Unfortunately, "[u]nbelief, rebellion, and immorality run to and fro across the land and within the congregation of God’s people....So we must ask, What does God think about our current situation, and what will God do? Jude 5-7 provides the answer to these questions with three truths we ought never forget."

Divisions:

1. Remember the Danger of Unbelief (5): V5 "flows from" the preceding verses where we are warned of false teachers and v5 describes the judgement that awaits. We are encouraged not to forget the moments when God saved us just as He did Israel from the Egyptians.  We are prone to forget as Israel did but we should not - God interceded for us then and He still does.  Jude wants us to remember that these moments are every day. The commentary encourages us to not doubt the power of God today as it describes how Jude pointed us to Numbers 14, "when the twelve spies returned from their reconnaissance mission into the promised land." Although the other spies came back afraid both Joshua and Caleb were undeterred as God was on their side and they were confident they could overtake those possessing the land God promised them. [The others] missed the promised land. They missed God’s best. Forgetting God’s grace and greatness, they dug their graves in the wilderness within sight of the land God had promised[.]"  We are encouraged to avoid the mindset that God is not with us now and every moment. 
   
2. Remember the Dishonor of Rebellion (6): The commentary postulates that Jude 6 refers to Genesis 6 where "where fallen angels had sexual relations and cohabited with women and produced an evil race of men who brought God’s judgment on the world through the flood." In light of the ambiguity of this verse, the commentary highlights instead clear application where we must accept God's plan for our lives and instead let ambition and arrogance subvert God in our lives. We must rest in the goodness of God's providence and His plan.  Otherwise, if we reject God as these angels did then we face being slaves to sin now and eternal damnation.
   
3. Remember the Destiny of the Immoral (7): The commentary points to how Sodom and Gomorrah's destruction is referenced 20 times in the Bible, showing how powerful a sin sexual immorality is and how God deals with it harshly, along with other sins such as poor treatment of the weak. We are encouraged to think carefully and in awe about the reality of Hell avoid getting close to any sin that might drag us closer to this reality.
   

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My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who provides for my all and all - You give me peace about my future.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You provide for all of my needs and how You are saving a place for me in Heaven.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving one bit...my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

 1 Peter 5

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

This morning, I pause my study of 1,2,3 John using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for these books to use DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, which today explores anxiety and its relationship to our faith.  John Piper rhetorically asks how anxiety about the future "is a form of pride."  He then answers his question by paraphrasing how he thinks God would answer that question - he points us to Isaiah 51:12 where God asks rhetorically why are we afraid of man and what man may do to us.  Man is God's creation and all of God's creation is mortal and will not last whereas God lasts forever and He promises eternal life to those who believe in Him.  Thus our faith in Him should strengthen us and if it does not it means our faith is weak and we believe more in ourselves than in God.  By highlighting 1 Peter 5:6-7, Piper wants us to follow Peter's words and humble ourselves and cast our anxieties on Him. In concluding the devotion, Piper shares "pride is a form of unbelief and does not like to trust in God for his future grace. Faith, on the other hand, admits the need for help. Pride won’t. Faith banks on God to give help. Pride won’t. Faith casts anxieties on God. Pride won’t.  Therefore, the way to battle the unbelief of pride is to admit freely that you have anxieties, and to cherish the promise of future grace in the words, “He cares for you.” And then unload your fears onto his strong shoulders."

 Great words of encouragement - God DOES care for us!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and cares for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessing me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.   Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

...casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5

...casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

This morning I pause both my study of 1 Corinthians and my study that accompanies participation in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  Instead, I lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which focuses on anxiety, as John Piper shares that "unbelief...is the root of anxiety, which, in turn, is the root of so many other sins." Piper looks at a number of sins we are tempted to commit as a result of unbelief and anxiety, and he provides promises found in scripture as the antidote for such temptation:

• sickness and health issues (Psalm 34:19, Romans 5:3-5)
  
• getting old (Isaiah 46:4)
• death and dying (Romans 14:7-9)
  
• weak faith and apostasy (Philippians 1:6, Hebrews 7:25)

Of course, when we explore the promises of God, we can rest in how God is faithful:

For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. 2 Corinthians 1:20

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - thank You Jesus for Your faithfulness and the rest it provides.  I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  My sin continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.