Fear on the Lake
Mark 6: 45-52
Living in fear of what life brings is where some of us live from time to time. And, today we hear another sea story for summer. There is something about the ocean that gives us a feeling of relief and assurance. But these are not always calm days at the beach. " And he
saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. " 6:48 If we were to ask to look inside our hearts , it may be overwhelming to us to see what He finds there. It is the things that rile us that test us to see what we truly believe.
Family members may be ill or a tragedy of some kind strike that we never thought possible. Or we can be isolated in some way that we are not feeling well enough to speak about what is really hurting and bothering us.
In the reading from Ephesians the Apostle prays, " ...that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine.." To have a foundation that is not secure is not something that is very encouraging.
I would think as I read these lessons yesterday morning that the Lord knows more about the situations, difficulties, and trials that we have and continue to experience . The disciples were terrified as they thought they saw a ghost, but Jesus calls to them , " Take heart; It is I. Do not be afraid." Mark 6:50
"Fear keeps us focused on the past or worried about the future. If we can acknowledge our fear, we can realize that right now we are okay. Right now, today, we are still alive, and our bodies are working marvelously. Our eyes can still see the beautiful sky. Our ears can still hear the voices of our loved ones."
Thich Nhat Hanh
I have thought deeply about what Rev. Lloyd Ogilvie said in his book, 12 Steps to Living Without Fear. " My fear is really loneliness for God. Therefore I will claim His promise to never leave me or to forsake me."
" Take heart. " It really means to be "warmed up" or trans as " bolstered within..." When I am mowing the lawn as I did on SAT from 1030-1100 I was really warmed up , and the sweat started coming down from my forehead and the cap while it shielded the sun did not keep me from getting overly warmed . The lawn activity stopped because the person doing it was breathing heavily, deeply and was very warmed up. Jesus was telling them by a present imperative command to be warmed up! Here are some more thoughts on this word, " ('showing boldness') is the result of the Lord infusing His strength by His inworking of faith ('inbirthed persuasion,' /pístis). Showing this unflinching, bold courage means living out the inner confidence (inner bolstering) that is Spirit-produced. " The word is tharseo...and sounds like thermometer.
2. We should as we are grounded in the faith and not carried about by every wind of doctrine. Eph 4 be warm- hearted to those who are truly struggling with the gospel of God's grace which can only be received in the heart.
The Apostle says, " speak the truth in love..." And as we do that we will " grow up into Him , Christ, the head ..." Each part as well oiled machine does its purposes in the lives we live and in the lives we encounter and the " body grows as it builds itself up in love." 4:16
Note we must believe in the truth. Jesus is the " way , the truth and the life." But " all Scripture is inspired and is profitable for doctrine..." 2 Timothy 3 The Bible is God's Word, or speech to us...not the vain imaginations of our own thoughts or hearts that may contradict what it says to us.
An Anglican Church that believes this must stand on it, and not worry about it. The Bible has enough of a sword to pierce every heart no matter what people try and make up. Hebrews 4 tells us this. vs 12 " For the Word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit , of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart."
Today's Prayer, Collect reminds me of so much of how God is so just, and comforting to those who seek Him truly, and in faith.
Collect of the Day
"Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to
pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour down upon us the
abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience
is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask,
except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen"
3. Even the Disciples did not understand at this point . " Their hearts were hardened" But they would later. The Lord gave the apostles, the prophets, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of the ministry, for building up the body of Christ." Eph 4 Their hearts were porous, as if they had marble on them. They were covered over.
This describes many in our area. They want the goodness and love of God but do not believe . Their truth is not the truth . How I wish it were not so . We live in a tumultous time where the faith is a remnant of people, those who are called out by God through His Spirit are there and they shine as lights.
May we have the love, concern and wisdom to know when to speak, when not to speak , and the warmth of God as we speak.
We do not live in fear. If we believe that the Word of Jesus is the Word to us in our difficulties, trials and sicknesses , then we are not afraid.
Living in fear of what life brings is where some of us live from time to time. And, today we hear another sea story for summer. There is something about the ocean that gives us a feeling of relief and assurance. But these are not always calm days at the beach. " And he
saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. " 6:48 If we were to ask to look inside our hearts , it may be overwhelming to us to see what He finds there. It is the things that rile us that test us to see what we truly believe.
Family members may be ill or a tragedy of some kind strike that we never thought possible. Or we can be isolated in some way that we are not feeling well enough to speak about what is really hurting and bothering us.
In the reading from Ephesians the Apostle prays, " ...that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine.." To have a foundation that is not secure is not something that is very encouraging.
I would think as I read these lessons yesterday morning that the Lord knows more about the situations, difficulties, and trials that we have and continue to experience . The disciples were terrified as they thought they saw a ghost, but Jesus calls to them , " Take heart; It is I. Do not be afraid." Mark 6:50
"Fear keeps us focused on the past or worried about the future. If we can acknowledge our fear, we can realize that right now we are okay. Right now, today, we are still alive, and our bodies are working marvelously. Our eyes can still see the beautiful sky. Our ears can still hear the voices of our loved ones."
Thich Nhat Hanh
I have thought deeply about what Rev. Lloyd Ogilvie said in his book, 12 Steps to Living Without Fear. " My fear is really loneliness for God. Therefore I will claim His promise to never leave me or to forsake me."
" Take heart. " It really means to be "warmed up" or trans as " bolstered within..." When I am mowing the lawn as I did on SAT from 1030-1100 I was really warmed up , and the sweat started coming down from my forehead and the cap while it shielded the sun did not keep me from getting overly warmed . The lawn activity stopped because the person doing it was breathing heavily, deeply and was very warmed up. Jesus was telling them by a present imperative command to be warmed up! Here are some more thoughts on this word, " ('showing boldness') is the result of the Lord infusing His strength by His inworking of faith ('inbirthed persuasion,' /pístis). Showing this unflinching, bold courage means living out the inner confidence (inner bolstering) that is Spirit-produced. " The word is tharseo...and sounds like thermometer.
2. We should as we are grounded in the faith and not carried about by every wind of doctrine. Eph 4 be warm- hearted to those who are truly struggling with the gospel of God's grace which can only be received in the heart.
The Apostle says, " speak the truth in love..." And as we do that we will " grow up into Him , Christ, the head ..." Each part as well oiled machine does its purposes in the lives we live and in the lives we encounter and the " body grows as it builds itself up in love." 4:16
Note we must believe in the truth. Jesus is the " way , the truth and the life." But " all Scripture is inspired and is profitable for doctrine..." 2 Timothy 3 The Bible is God's Word, or speech to us...not the vain imaginations of our own thoughts or hearts that may contradict what it says to us.
An Anglican Church that believes this must stand on it, and not worry about it. The Bible has enough of a sword to pierce every heart no matter what people try and make up. Hebrews 4 tells us this. vs 12 " For the Word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit , of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart."
Today's Prayer, Collect reminds me of so much of how God is so just, and comforting to those who seek Him truly, and in faith.
Collect of the Day
"Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to
pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour down upon us the
abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience
is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask,
except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen"
3. Even the Disciples did not understand at this point . " Their hearts were hardened" But they would later. The Lord gave the apostles, the prophets, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of the ministry, for building up the body of Christ." Eph 4 Their hearts were porous, as if they had marble on them. They were covered over.
This describes many in our area. They want the goodness and love of God but do not believe . Their truth is not the truth . How I wish it were not so . We live in a tumultous time where the faith is a remnant of people, those who are called out by God through His Spirit are there and they shine as lights.
May we have the love, concern and wisdom to know when to speak, when not to speak , and the warmth of God as we speak.
We do not live in fear. If we believe that the Word of Jesus is the Word to us in our difficulties, trials and sicknesses , then we are not afraid.
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