February 24, 2014: Worry IS Unbelief in Jesus' Power

Mark 4:21-41

Amplified Bible (AMP)

21 And He said to them, Is the lamp brought in to be put under a peck measure or under a bed, and not [to be put] on the lampstand?

22 [Things are hidden temporarily only as a means to revelation.] For there is nothing hidden except to be revealed, nor is anything [temporarily] kept secret except in order that it may be made known.

23 If any man has ears to hear, let him be listening and let him perceive and comprehend.

24 And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you—and more [besides] will be given to you who hear.

25 For to him who has will more be given; and from him who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away [by force],

26 And He said, The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed upon the ground,

27 And then continues sleeping and rising night and day while the seed sprouts and grows and increases—he knows not how.

28 The earth produces [acting] by itself—first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.

29 But when the grain is ripe and permits, immediately he sends forth [the reapers] and puts in the sickle, because the harvest stands ready.

30 And He said, With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use to illustrate and explain it?

31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all seeds upon the earth;

32 Yet after it is sown, it grows up and becomes the greatest of all garden herbs and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air are able to make nests and dwell in its shade.

33 With many such parables [Jesus] spoke the Word to them, as they were able to hear and to comprehend and understand.

34 He did not tell them anything without a parable; but privately to His disciples (those who were peculiarly His own) He explained everything [fully].

35 On that same day [when] evening had come, He said to them, Let us go over to the other side [of the lake].

36 And leaving the throng, they took Him with them, [just] as He was, in the boat [in which He was sitting]. And other boats were with Him.

37 And a furious storm of wind [of hurricane proportions] arose, and the waves kept beating into the boat, so that it was already becoming filled.

38 But He [Himself] was in the stern [of the boat], asleep on the [leather] cushion; and they awoke Him and said to Him, Master, do You not care that we are perishing?

39 And He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, Hush now! Be still (muzzled)! And the wind ceased (sank to rest as if exhausted by its beating) and there was [immediately] a great calm (a perfect peacefulness).

40 He said to them, Why are you so timid and fearful? How is it that you have no faith (no firmly relying trust)?

41 And they were filled with great awe and feared exceedingly and said one to another, Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey Him?

Okay, we don't really believe in this Jesus we serve. If we really believed, we would NEVER worry or fear anything. Seriously. He's asking us in verse 40 why we have no faith. Why do we stress? Unbelief. Worry IS unbelief in Jesus' mighty power.

After my healing from panic attacks, anxiety and depression in 2008, I spent a LOT of time in God's presence. One day I was in my favorite spot in the back corner of the sanctuary when God gave me these lyrics.

All my life I’ve been searching for Someone like You

All my life I’ve been searching for Someone like You

Someone like You who can still the waters

Someone like You who can calm the sea

Someone like You who can heal my wounded soul

There’s nobody, nobody like You

You say Peace be still, Peace be still

You say Peace be still

There’s nobody, nobody like You

There's NOBODY LIKE JESUS, FOLKS!!!

"Jesus please help me to simply believe. I cast all my worries, fears and anxieties on You today. You can calm the raging storm! You have ALL power in heaven and earth.

1 Chronicles 29:11

Amplified Bible (AMP)

11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and the earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and Yours it is to be exalted as Head over all.

Matthew 28:18

Amplified Bible (AMP)

18 Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

You have a perfect track record. Not one time have I approached the Throne and You said, "Not today. I have a lot going on and I cannot help you. I will get back to you." Not one time. Not one time have You failed to calmed the storm! Forgive me for the times I didn't help others. Like just yesterday. I felt a little annoyance about a lady sitting on the couch with her backpack by her side. She needed food and she was feeling emotionally unstable. I had a Music Ministry meeting to head up! There were 60 plus people waiting for me. I didn't have time to sit and counsel with her right then! But at the same time SHE and those like her are the very reason we HAVE a music ministry. Something is wrong with this picture. My heart is convicted. You always have time for me. And I KNOW you have a lot going on. I love You, my dear Jesus. Once again I am asking Your forgiveness. I must keep striving to be like You. And, Thank You for always taking the time to say, "Peace be still!" to the little storms and the raging storms in my life! I choose to lay my worries aside and believe in Your mighty Power! AMEN."