The External Storm

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,

the evidence of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1


Faith is something that happens inside of us,

something that the eyes can't see.

I'm sure you would agree,

that we can have both storms around us,

and storms inside of us.

We need to not let the external storms,

awaken internal storms.


In Mark chapter 4, it gives us a story of when the apostles of the Lord,

allow the external storm to awaken an internal one.


They were on the sea of Galilee and were in a boat with Christ.

As they were making their journey a huge storm hit their boat.

Water was filling the boat!

"the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full." -Mark 4:37

As I think most of us would be doing,

the apostles were panicking!

And what was Christ doing?

Asleep in the boat, which if the boat was filled with water,

I'm sure he was a little wet.

Why didn't Christ wake up?

He knew He was the Savior, and that it wasn't His time to die.

He didn't allow the external storm (literal in this sense),

to awaken the internal one.


The apostle woke up Christ and said this,

"Master, carest thou not that we perish?" -Mark 4:38

Christ's response proves that His internal storm was and always will be,

calm.

"Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?" -Mark 4:40

Immediately after, Christ calmed the storms around the apostles.



Christ will not always calm the storm around us.

Most of the time He wont.

But He will give us the strength to keep the internal storm,

calm.

We need to have faith in Him,

rely on His promises,

and be calm in the strength of the Lord,

no  matter what external storm is raging.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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Expressions of Faith

Standing at the podium,

the person begins to tear up.

They exclaim their love for the Lord

and how much He means to them.

Many people in the congregation share tears with the speaker.

Turning to their neighbor,

a member of the congregation condescendingly notices,

there eyes were dry.

I wonder why they aren't feeling the spirit of the Lord,

they think.

This isn't an uncommon thought process.

Some grow up wondering why they can't feel the Spirit,

as strong as their neighbor, since they have never cried themselves.

An expression of faith is just as unique as the person expressing it,

and most importantly,

Christ doesn't condemn a person whether they cry when they feel the Spirit.



I have had this thought rattling in my brain for many years,

but could not find an adequate way of expressing it.

My professor explained it in a way that exceeded even what I felt would have been adequate.



The story starts in Luke 10.

Let's start in verse 38.

"[Christ] entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house."

It's important to note that the house is referred to as Martha's house,

It would seem that she would be in charge and be hosting Christ.

Verse 39-40

"And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet and heard his word.

But Martha was cumbered about much serving,"

Up to this point Christ has said nothing to Martha.

If Christ came to my house,

I would be panic cleaning and preparing something for Him to eat.

Let's continue,

"[Martha] came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me."

My professor had a great point,

when has Christ ever said after someone was accused,

Oh, you know? you're right. Go ahead and help.

He has never! So He doesn't at this point either.

"Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things. But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

Why does Christ wait until now to say something?

If Martha was frustrated enough to say something I'm sure she's been laboring for a good time by now.

Christ wasn't condemning what Martha was doing,

but rather condemning Martha judging Mary.


Is Mary more faithful than Martha?

From this story we can't tell.

All we can tell is that they show their faith and express it in different ways.


Later in the book of John, it was written that Jesus loved Martha.

and as Jesus visited after the death of Lazarus,

He spoke with Martha as she was taking care of everyone,

and shared profound points of doctrine.


Mary's way of expressing faith was to kneel before the Lord.

Martha's expression of faith was to work and prepare her house for the Lord.


The Lord did not condemn one action over the other.


This is where it all ties in,

whether you are crying, over-joyous, or logically appreciating the doctrine truth silently in your mind,

the Lord knows your faith.

Don't think you're missing a feeling of the Spirit,

just because your eyes stay dry throughout the church meeting.



Work with the Lord and come to know how the Spirit works with you,

and how you as an individual can express your faith throughout your life.


In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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You Never Know

John the Baptist not only was Christ's cousin,

but he was the forerunner to Christ. 

When John died,

he was in part leading the way for Christ. 

When Christ found out, 

not only would He have mourned the loss of a friend,

but also realized that in a way, He was next. 

Right after Christ finds out, this is what He does:

"When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities."
-Matthew 14:13

A natural feeling right? 

I'm sure He wanted time to pray to his Heavenly Father,

and also process the news. 

However as He was in His boat He saw many people gathering,

to hear from Him. 

He didn't just keep sailing on,

but stopped the boat and turned toward shore.

He continued to heal the sick and afflicted,

both spiritual and physical.

It's not stated, 

but do you think anyone asked how He was doing?

When we see others,

we need to not only see them as a means to the end,

but as a mean themselves.

I'm not saying I would have asked Christ how He was doing, 

if I was there.

However I can say I don't ask people how they are doing,

often when they are struggling and just praying for support.

When we are checking out at the grocery store,

talk to the cashier.

When we are picking up the car from a mechanic,

don't yell at the person giving you your invoice.

When we are interacting with another person,

assume they are just as important as you feel you are.


Open your eyes and see those around you,

then God can start using you.

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