He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" Mark 4:40Have a wonderful Sunday....
Mr and Mrs Z (photo by Mr Z...Santa Monica, CA)
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30 comments:
my comment poofed..lol
Great picture, did you take it?
Kevin, Mr. Z took it! Thanks.
Granny Annie!
I feel exactly as you do....I want our country to survive against all odds, too.
You know, Z, faith in the Biblical sense is taking God at His Word. It is the only genuinely sensible thing to do! Thank you for your timely reminder. God Bless.
How is it indeed that we still have no faith in Him? How we so soon forget that which He has done; not only for us but for those around us.
Our faith is strengthened and increased when we learn to trust even in the midst of the greatest of storms that threaten to destroy all we THINK is important.
Blessings.
David and I.H.S....thanks SO much.
I thought I should add something to the verse for a more interesting blog post and then thought "What can I add?"
And then I thought "if we're still scared, we're not practicing our faith", right? (and still I fear.......don't get me wrong. But, I'm getting MUCH better, SO much better about the fears)
Are there ways some of you would care to chime in on how your faith helps you conquer those difficult moments?
Remembering scripture like my blog scripture here?
prayer?
Talking to Christian friends?
it might help someone. AND ME!!
This probably comes with age, but I find that it helps to look back and realize that no matter what, life goes on. I find comfort in knowing that the same God sustains me that brought my ancesters through their trials. And He will bring me through mine.
I just keep praying that NObama will get struck with a bolt of "smart" lightening that will knock some sense into him. One can still dream, can't one? I haven't seen any new laws concerning that yet.
Z, you said,"And then I thought "if we're still scared, we're not practicing our faith", right?" The scriptures never said we wouldn't be scared or fearful, because that would definitely be unfair for the Lord to expect from us seeing as we are finite beings.
It's when we give in to the fear we experience, that's when we aren't practicing our faith.
Sue, I understand where you are going with your statement, however it has been my experience that the older some get the less faith they exibit. This is why I believe the Lord says, "...unless you become as a child..." Have you ever notice how children will believe everything you tell them you're going to do for them without question. It's not until they start getting older is when they start to question you, interesting, no?
Blessings.
We shouldn't be afraid for our salvation is near.
Both reading scripture and prayer. So often the Lord gives us exactly what we need for the moment through His word.
I.H.S. - There is no doubt but what my faith is stronger than it has ever has been. I often 'complain' to my Maker that I haven't been given what I wanted. But He gave me something I didn't ask for and never had until about 5 or 6 years ago - peace of mind.
Sue, I don't doubt your faith is stronger now, I was speaking in reference to people I've been in contact and relationship with.
Isn't peace of mind an awesome feeling? I know it is for me.
Blessings.
I.H.S....I guess that's what I mean..if we're not getting solace from our faith and are still very fearful, something's wrong. It's reassuring to me to read what you wrote...that we can't ever have NO fear because we are human beings ...and it's how we handle the fear, where we go to calm it, how we go about calming it, that's important...and what the Lord expects from us is ...well, didn't He say "have no fear for I am with you...do not be dismayed for I am your God.....I will strengthen you and help you......" It's all relying on HIM that's the answer, isn't it.
Children just plain BELIEVE, don't they...then we start asking questions and muddy our pureness with LIFE and all that hits us..and we go away from the childlike heart !
Shoprat....how can anybody be fearful of heaven!!? Right?
Sue, what wonderful advice..to look back and see when He's come through, how he helped us in trying times...and know He'll never leave us..
CJ...thanks, scripture REALLY has helped me...I've memorized a few that really speak to me and they've been an amazing help.
Peace of Mind. Nothing better.
I don't know where else I'd go for that, frankly. You SURE can't purchase it!
"You SURE can't purchase it!"
Z, you have hit the proverbial nail on the head. How indeed can We purchase something that Jesus not only paid for in Full, but was the only one that could.
Wow, in the words of the preachers I grew up listening to, "I feel my help coming..." Sorry, I'll stay reserved for the rest of the evening, maybe.
Blessings.
NO, NO, IHS!! "reserve"?
I'd LOVE to hear more about that
"I feel my help coming.."
I could use some pastoral input these days, sadly....
So, fire away!!!
Faith as small as a mustard seed... :)
Joshua 1:9
Z, "I feel my help coming" is a phrase stated by preachers in churches that are predominately African-American, and it was normally said when the preacher started to get "happy". Now, the happiness was the direct result of what was being stated in the sermon that sparked an emotional response.
Now, when I said it; it was based off of the statement you said about us not being able to purchase peace of mind and my response was,"How indeed can We purchase something that Jesus not only paid for in Full, but was the only one that could." Which sparked the overwhelming emotion of gratitude, and thanksgiving because I realized as I said what I said; He didn't have to do it. He didn't have to subject himself to the torture and shame of being placed on a tree that was reserved for criminals, but He did it because He saw me. Before the foundation of the world He saw that I was going to need peace of mind, He saw that I was going to need an anchor to hold on to in the midst of turbulent situations.
I felt my help coming; which is the Holy Spirit, and I was reminded of the scripture where He said, "My peace I give to you, not as the world gives, give I unto you."
I hope I explained that alright.
Blessings.
Papa frank, I preached a sermon from this text once.
God knows just how to calm us, doesn't he?
Blessings.
Z,
I've been thinking of some things along this line, so maybe this is the place to post them. May be a little disjointed, but here goes! When Paul, Silas, Luke & Timothy were preaching the Gospel in Philippi, in Acts 16, when Paul cast the demon out of the slave girl & her owners went ballistic & had them beaten, what did they do 1st thing when they were thrown in prison? Whine & moan because of their unfair treatment. Right? WRONG!! If it'd been me, I fear I may have, but they PRAYED & SANG PRAISES TO GOD! See for yourself in Acts 16:16ff! Their praising God in their trials led to the jailor's salvation, & likely others' as well! And, get this, the Philippians' salvation led to the Phillipian church being planted, the 1st Christian church in EUROPE! No doubt the Gospel eventually came to America from there!
But I digress. The point is that in their troubles they praised God & He led many to salvation through it! Reminds us of Joseph's words in Gen.50:20! Sometimes God allows us to suffer so He can bless us, & not only us, but also open His Arms & include others in the blessing as well, like He did with Paul & Silas as well as Joseph!
Now, how do we get the faith to do as Paul, Silas, Timothy, Luke & Joseph, as well as many others did? How about 2 Cor.3:18! Not by trying to build up faith in ourselves, or just hope that it happens. The Bible says that as we gaze on Jesus in His Word, & trust Him, the Spirit in the believer transforms us into His image!! It may take pain & suffering as God's chisels, but that may be like a craftsman here in town! He carves out beautiful wooden Indians & other figures out of logs. Somebody asked him how he did it, & he said "It's easy! You just cut off everything that doesn't look like an Indian!" Just so, God can use our trials as we look to Jesus to cut off everything in us that doesn't look like Jesus. OK, enough ramblings! God Bless!
I.H.S., I appreciate your words!!
Bless you, D.W.
And, your words were a blessing to me as well. I especially liked the part of chiselling off all the parts that don't look like Jesus.
I love that and I hope you don't me using it, do you?
Blessings.
God Bless you IHS! No, I'd be honored if you found a way to glorify our Lord through it!
IHS -- God is the ONLY calm that is inexplicable and that makes EVERY situation around us null and void. I would love to sit under your teaching as your grace and wisdom are both evident here at my great friend Z's blog. To be completely honest with you I am in a very dry season. I have been a child of God's for nearly all my lifetime. I love and seek to honor Him and He is good to me continually. But for some reason I have not attended my church in 3 months time. I blame myself and nobody else as my life is only subject to my own choices and not the circumstances created by others. I'm not even sure why I'm telling you all of this but for some reason I think that I should.
z - I failed to mention how beautiful Mr. Z's picture is.
Where's the snow?
Thanks, Pops Frank...this is wonderful, indeed:
Joshua 1:9 (New International Version)
"9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go" WOW, what assurance.
David...you left SUCH a fascinating and important comment and added "I DIGRESS?? you DIGRESS?" that's not digressing, it had me a little weepy it was so wonderful! What incredible testimony...yes, they should have whined, but they praised God! you DIGRESS? (HA! If so, I'm SO SO glad you DID!)
Papa, I SO don't know what happened at this site tonight, but your admitting you haven't been to church in 3 months and my own emotions right now after reading your words about I.H.S. at your "great friend Z's blog"...etc...well, it's a little overwhelming, folks.
Sue, we don't agree on politics, but I like you VERY much. Oh, and I will tell Mr. Z your compliment. thank you. I love sharing my faith with you and having your inspiring input here. Thank you.
Ya, this is a blog, and it's public, but I need you to know, all of you, that I am SO SO totally humbled by your coming here and being so open about your faith.This isn't coincidence, this isn't an oddity,....No, this is God working through us.
I thank you for inspiring me and making my faith come so alive. I do have great affection for you all.
z
z - your last comment was a perfect way to end my (blogging)
evening.
Papa Frank, First I thank you for your kind words, they really touched my heart. I bless God that the words that He gives us to say on a daily basis reaches and touches someone you never thought would have been. This I believe is only part of the awesomeness of who He is.
We all go through dry seasons in our lives; from the greatest (as we count greatness)of us to the least of us. The question then becomes have you enoughprovisions to carry you through the dry seasons? You have said that you have been one of His children for a very long time, and I say to you; and this you know already. The Lord has been a well of water for you, and your dry season could possibly mean you just need to dig a little deeper into the well.
I promise if you do that you will find once again that nourishing spring that has sustained you all these years. I don't know the situation you have at your church but there are plenty of us out here that out grow the ministry of which we are a part.
Look at it this way, and I'll finish with this. When you bring a plant home from the store and begin to care for it; that plant is going to start growing and soon it will need to be RE-Potted into a larger pot in order to it to stretch out and continue to grow. I don't know but maybe it's time the Lord re-plant you in another part of the vineyard?
I will be praying for you and all that concerns you.
Blessings.
Thank you for that word IHS. I'm at work now but I'll discuss this more with you later on when I get home. Thanks again!!!
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