Two words come to mind as they often do, “But God”. Though man, in his finite wisdom, seeks to play God, he will never be God. Two impossible surgeries have already been completely successfully. The stage is set for God to move. We’re in the final 2 minutes of the fourth quarter. All eyes are watching.

Though it appears that Jesus is sleeping while the storm is raging, He has all of us in His hands and at the perfect time, He will move forward His perfect plan. We need not try to wake him up in a panic. He has this!

At the end of the passage, Jesus asks them “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” The end result was still fear but instead of fearing the world they feared the Savior of the world.

Reflection

Read Mark 4:35-42

What storm is is raging for you?

What would it look like if you let Him sleep trusting that His plan was perfect and fearing Him?

Prayer

Father in heaven, thank You that You never leave us or forsake us. Thank you we need not panic. For You hold all things in Your hand and You are carrying out Your perfect will. Help us to trust and fear you instead of the raging storms of this life, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

@brianfriedl

#intheeyeofthestormYouremainincontrol

#ourGodhasthis

I believe there are two motivations in this verse worth considering as we live and pray this side of life:

1. TRUST – Jeremiah speaks clearly and confidently boasting in what the LORD can do. There is no “if” used.  Nothing is impossible with God.  Jeremiah didn’t just declare it, he believed it with his whole heart. 
2. GLORY – We all glorify something whether it’s the movie we watched last night, our local football team, or our amazing Heavenly Father.  Here we see that praise is reserved for only One.  Jeremiah simply boasts that the LORD is his praise. Again, he doesn’t just declare it, but wholeheartedly believes.  

So as we pray for those around us, are we just selfishly throwing up request after request or at the core of our request, is there a desire for God’s glory to be seen by all onlookers in order that they we see and know the LORD is who He says He is; the one true living God?
While compassion compels us to help, Trust and His glory give us the wisdom and desire to go to the Father who gives every good gift. 

Even James reminds us:

“But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”

And the Apostle Paul instructs:

“For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.”

Let us always know confidently that our help comes from the LORD, the Maker of Heaven and Earth.  And may our desire be to praise and glorify Him!

Reflection

What is your motivation as you bring requests to the LORD?  

Do you care more about God’s glory or your request?

Do you pray fully trusting that God will answer and desiring for His glory to be seen?

Prayer

All powerful LORD, our Father, You are our everpresent help in time of need. Teach us who You are, so that everything we are bows down and worships You.  May our words be confident, filled with trust, and desire Your glory above all else.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!

This “Be the best” attitude worked great until I was made aware of my sin. My attempt to overcome it was in vain.  The harder I tried to do away with it, the more I longed for it. I wish I could say I learned this truth from scripture quickly.  Unfortunately, that is not the case. 

After wearing myself into the ground, I finally understood that I must surrender to have victory.  For Jesus has overcome the enemy. I simply need to surrender and trust in Him.  I wouldn’t need this reminder just once but every day of my life I must revisit this truth. 

Reflection

Are you struggling in your own strength to wage war in your flesh?

Why are you fighting the battles that have already been won? 

Simply surrender and seek to know and love your Savior more deeply each day.  Bathe in His word today!

Prayer

Gracious God, You are our victory.  You go before us as a consuming fire, overpowering our enemies with Your righteous hand.  Help us to trust in Your victory at the cross. In the name of Jesus, Amen!

Perhaps you had an abusive father, brother or some other male in your life.  This may even bring discomfort thinking of God as our Father.  Maybe you were ridiculed after a speech you gave in the 4th grade and now you are deathly afraid of speaking in front of others.  

Fear doesn’t feel good and stresses your physical body as well so it’s only natural that we seek to avoid it whenever possible.   The Lord; however, has a way of bringing us to a place where fear must be challenged.  We can see this with David, Esther, Peter, Gideon and many others. 

So what’s the solution to fear?  Is it for us to falsely depend on ourselves and trust no one? Certainly not!  God tells us not to fear because HE IS WITH US.  We no longer need to fear anything in this life or the life to come.  The uncontended power of our God was witnessed at the cross and tomb with Christ’s death and resurrection.  He will strengthen and uphold us!

Read the Old Testament and you find that He was faithful and claimed Israel as His people and He chose to be their God.  Read the New Testament and we find that God is faithful and has rescues all who call upon His name.  

What are you facing today that seems impossible?  Are you paralyzed by fear of some kind?  Trust in God today for even the wind and waves obey Him.  Nothing is impossible with Him!

@brianfriedl

#truthtalk4life

This verse is applied most for me as a parent of hurting children.  There are many days where I plant, and few if any days I see fruit.  There are days when I’m tired and don’t do the best job weeding either. 

If it was all about my effort, it would make sense that I would lose heart, but thankfully that is not the case.  God is doing a work greater than we can see so I press on doing my best, with a trusting heart, that God will do something amazing.  There are times when I lose sight. Praise God for brothers and sisters in Christ that He has given us so we are not doing this life alone!

Personal Reflection

Where are you most at risk of growing weary?  Is it parenting, pastoring, sharing with friends?  Spend some time thinking about how wonderful the fruit will be in the lives of those you serve.  What positive impacts might they experience?  How might your relationship with them be blessed?

Prayer Focus

Gracious God, we confess to you that we do lose heart, we forget to trust because we long to see fruit. Help us LORD to rest in you and trust in your perfect plan.  Thank you for the challenges we face that you are growing our faith through.   Thank you for bearing fruit in us through Jesus. In His Name we pray, Amen.