Steadfast

“You will give him perfect peace whose mind is steadfast on You.” Isaiah 26: 3. I say this verse everyday. I want always, to keep my mind, my sight, on Christ no matter how difficult the circumstances. At present there is looming a situation that brings anxiety and I seek perfect peace by keeping my mind steadfast. The situation, though worrisome, is no greater than what most people have faced before and will face again. Life on earth is chaotic and Jesus will bring me through. In Matthew 14: 22-33, Jesus comes to the disciples with the storm, walking on the water. The wind and waves batter the boat just as chaos, turmoil and change batter our lives. We, as Peter, hear Christ say, “Take courage,” “Do not be afraid.” Peter shows us how we should respond. “Lord if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” If the storm is of God’s doing, the difficult circumstances are meant to bring us closer to Him. Peter got out of the boat. He acted courageously. As long as his gaze was on Jesus he walked on the waves. He conquered through Christ who strengthened him. When he became afraid, he focused more on the circumstances and sank. The situation overcame him. I can relate. Verse 31 is my favorite of the whole passage. “Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him.” I’m guessing it was a very powerful grip. It comforts me to know that in life’s storms I can come through walking above the waves, unafraid, with my mind steadfast on Jesus. If my faith falters and I look more at the problems of life instead of Christ, He will grab hold. A Hymnist wrote it best with these lyrics;
Turn your eyes upon Jesus.

Look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
in the light of His glory and grace.”

"In peace I will both lie down and sleep,

For Thou alone, O Lord, dost make me to dwell in safety. Psalm 4: 8.

Question

As I read Mark’s Gospel, I wonder where I would be if I lived during the time that Jesus was on earth. What would I be doing, where would I fit into the narrative? Would I need, like Simon Peter’s mother-in-law, to be taken by the hand and lifted up in order to serve? Ch 1: 31. Would I be like the leper who came in need of cleansing? Ch 1: 40. Would I be as the four, who brought their friend to Christ, and would let nothing and no one, including a crowd stand in their way? Ch 2: 3-5. Would I, as Levi, leave my love for money and follow Jesus. Ch 2: 13-14. Would I be like the man who turned away from following, because of my many possessions? Ch 10: 17-22. Maybe I would be just one within the multitudes, part of the masses for whom Christ had great compassion. Ch 6: 34. Certainly I would have been one of those who followed Him but were not one of the chosen twelve. Ch 4: 10. Probably not. A shiver runs down my spine, for I know myself. When Jesus chose the twelve, I would have left in disappointment and possibly anger, thinking that Jesus plays favorites. Would I be like the men who asked Jesus to leave the area because he hurt business? Ch 5: 17. How I wish I was like the Gentile woman from Syrophenicia, who no matter how rudely treated kept her faith in Christ. Ch 7: 24-30. Am I like the twelve, jockeying for position of who would be the greatest when Christ came into His kingdom? Ch 9: 33-34. Do I want more recognition within my church, and would I argue with others to get it? Would I be like the Scribes and Pharisees, unable to give up my position? Who were unable to say, like John the Baptist, “He must increase, but I must decrease?” John 3: 30. It is so difficult to voluntarily sit in a lower chair. I am some of all, good and bad. So who would you be? Who are you most like?

Share

All Christians should want to bring others to Christ. As we begin to experience and delight in Him there should grow a desire to share Him. We live in a country where the majority of its citizens have already heard about Jesus. There are some who have not heard, from lack of attention or interest. Most, I believe, have heard and rejected Christ at some time. To speak for Him, can seem futile, a waste of time. Every excuse and reason is given why they cannot believe in Him.
They abandoned the God who made them, and rejected the Rock their Savior. Is this the way you repay the Lord, O foolish and unwise people? Is He not your Father, your Creator, who made you and formed you”? Deuteronomy 32: 4-6 & 15
We must not stop trying. How can we make our friends, family and co-workers realize the joy and peace of believing God by following Jesus if we do not tell them? Oh how I want them to confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dead so they will be saved (Romans 10: 9). How can we persuade them that Jesus brings peace even through trials, and that he gives hope for a glorious future. Our prayer should be the same as Paul’s.
Ask God to give me the right words as I boldly explain God’s secret plan…pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for Him as I should”. Ephesians 6: 19- 20
Jesus also gave us a promise.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses… Acts 1: 8
May we continually pray for our friends and acquaintances that they would accept Jesus and the Holy Spirit will give us courage and tell us what to say.

Peacemaker

These are articles from the Daily Oklahoman. KANDAHAR, Afghanistan-Militant attacks killed four Canadian soldiers and wounded ten. BEIRUT, Lebanon- Israel and Hezbollah sharply intensified fighting Saturday with air strikes, rocket attacks and brutal ground fighting. BAGHDAD, Iraq- At least 21 were killed or found dead, most of them in the capital. And now for a rebuttal. “The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den. They will not hurt or destroy on all of my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord.” Isaiah 11: 6-9.
I so much would like to be around for Christ return. What a privilege. Better yet that He would return today. The above verse states that when the earth is full of the knowledge of the Lord there will be peace. No one will be hurt anymore. When Jesus returns, the wars will be over. Why does He delay His coming? Why must sin and strife and wars continue? Because He want’s all who will, to freely love and join with Him. When He returns the chance is gone. Now is the only guaranteed time that anyone has to trust in Him. In the meantime we who are Christians should do our best to increase the knowledge of Christ to all the world, to all peoples. Because when we do, we increase peace, one person at a time.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.”
Matthew 5: 9

“He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear…” Psalm 46: 9