No Faith (Mk. 4:40-41)

Read Mark 4:40-41.

When Jesus asked how it was that the disciples had no faith, you would think they would've paused, thought about it and then asked for correction and insight.  Instead, they commented on something else (What a comment it was, too!).  That subject of having little to no faith would surface again. Jesus wasn't going to let that slide.

Here is the lesson in this pericope (4:35-41):  Faith is predicated upon hearing and understanding a word from Jesus at a specific time regarding a specific situation.  Jesus had said, "Let us go cross to the other side."  Pay attention to what Jesus says.  When He speaks, He is telling you what He wants. He isn't telling you so that you have more information.  Perhaps, then, you should work on establishing sensitivity to His voice.  Learn how to become still and distinguish His voice from all others (including your own).

Verse Of The Week (04/07/17)

Siesta Beach, Sarasota, FL
Photo taken January 25, 2017 at 11:57 A.M.

"The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; 

The God of glory thunders, 

The LORD is over many waters."

(Psa. 29:3)

My Prayer (12/28/16)

Read Matthew 17:24-27.

Lord, talk to me about the things others have already talked to me about.  Yours is the voice that settles it.  Yours is the perspective with the solution.  Others bring a charge, You bring change. Others bring condemnation, You bring liberation.  Others bring a problem, You bring a provision.  Others bring accusation, You bring peace.  O Lord, to hear You speak!  Speak to me about what I don't know that You already know.

The Holy Spirit and Obedience (Ac. 5:32)

"And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him” (Ac. 5:32, NASB).

You have to do more than want the Holy Spirit, ask for Him or merely enjoy seeing Him move.  The Holy Spirit is given in response to obedience.  To obey the Holy Spirit, you first must know what He says.

Assuming a willingness to obey Him, the great need of the hour is men and women who recognize the voice of the Spirit.  I'm wondering if it is possible to speak in tongues and have little sensitivity?  It is possible to grow up in the church and become accustomed to someone else hearing and obeying the Spirit. You just go along to enjoy the ride.

Invest time learning to hear the Spirit for yourself.  Anointing requires this.  You cannot remain filled with the Spirit if you don't hear Him and obey Him.

What Did Peter Have and Where Did He Get It? (Ac. 3:6)

"But Peter said, 'I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!'" (Ac. 3:6, NASB)

Peter couldn't give what he didn't have.  He could only give what he did have.  What did Peter have? He had boldness, courage, faith, power and sensitivity to what God was up to at that moment.

Where did he get these things?  He got them from a lifestyle of communication with God.

Here are a few observations.
1.  The miracle was spontaneous but the preparation wasn't.
2.  The way to prepare for a miracle tomorrow is during prayer today.

PS:  It wouldn't hurt, during your prayer times, to ask God for increased, sensitized hearing.

How God Speaks

God speaks...

• distinctly enough to be recognized.  His voice is different from all others.
• loudly enough to be heard.  He doesn't play "How low you can go?"
• slowly enough to be understood.  He speaks from Heaven, not Harvard.  He doesn't need multi-syllable words, and He isn't out to make your head spin.
• clearly enough to be obeyed.  He isn't out to keep you guessing.  He speaks in such a way that, when He wants you to do something, you'll know.
• softly enough to be missed.  Don't expect Him to club you over the head every time He speaks.  While His voice is always exciting, it doesn't have to be delivered in a sensational manner.

The Power of God's Voice (Psa. 18:13; 29:4)

Nothing sounds as powerful as fireworks in the mountains.  Oh yes, one thing -- God's voice.

"The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Most High uttered His voice..." (Psa. 18:13).
"The voice of the Lord is powerful, the voice of the Lord is majestic" (Psa. 29:4).

Out of the Depths (Psa. 130:1)

The depth of desperation.  The writer was aware of sin and how it caused separation from God (cf. Isa. 59:1-2).  Things must not stay the way they were.  He must get right with God.  The weight of sinfulness was too much to keep bearing.

The depth of declaration (Psa. 130:2-4).  What you believe, you will declare.  What's in your heart will come out of your mouth (Mt. 12:34).  Are you speaking truth concerning sin, forgiveness and God?  Truth:  God keeps accurate, detailed, updated records (Rev. 20:12, 15).  Truth:  Your name can be written permanently into the Lamb's Book of Life.  You can know you have eternal life (Jn. 3:16; 20:31; 1 Jn. 5:13).  Truth:  Your sins don't have to remain in permanent ink.  They can be erased (Isa. 44:22).  Truth:  "There is forgiveness with Thee."  Forgiveness is in Jesus only (Ac. 4:12; Heb. 9:12; 10:4, 10, 14).

The depth of determination (Psa. 130:5-6).  The worst thing that can happen to you as a Christian is not death.  The worst thing is to not hear God's voice!  For what was the writer so anxiously waiting?  The voice of God as revealed in His Word.  The writer longed for continued relationship and communication.  He expressed his heart to God.  What would God say in return?  Being forgiven is great.  Hearing God's voice again is a wonderful bonus.  The writer determined to keep waiting until God spoke through His Word (Psa. 27:14).

God Speaks When You're Overwhelmed (Gen. 34:30-35:1)

Expect God to speak when you're fearful, weak and overwhelmed.  Jacob didn't ask God to speak.  God just spoke. 

Speak today, Lord, into my life.  Thank You for taking the initiative.