Miracle and Mystery.( John 20 v 28 )

 Retuning to the disciples and Jesus in the storm( Luke 8 v 22 -25,to what was a miracle ,it was an ancient King Canute the Great, who in humility showed to his subjects that he couldn't turn the tide back.He had no control over the elements,Kenneth Copeland boasted he controlled the weather,well so much for that.,of course he believes he is a god. It was a miracle performed by Jesus in spite of the disciples lack of faith, what Jesus did filled them with fear and amazement,and questions,'Who  is this? He commands even the wind and water, and they obey Him',let us consider two OT quotations Psalm 107 v29,which reads'He stilled the storm to a whisper,the waves of the sea were hushed'. Here it is speaking of God  the only one who has control of the elements, likewise in Psalm 106 v 9,we read  ,'He (God )rebuked the Red Sea.,the word rebuke is the same word in Luke 8 v 24, were we read,' Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the waters',immediately the storm ceased.So we answer the question,that the disciples asked themselves,' who is this man?'( NLT), is it not obvious?

In a storm. ( Psalm 46 )

 One day Jesus said to His disciples,'Let us go over to the other side of the Lake, (Luke 8 v 22) as fishermen that would have been no problem with that,but they did not know what lay ahead. The Bible tells us that we do not know what a day may bring forth. In Proverbs 27 v1 we read ,' Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day will bring forth'.People read their horoscopes in a vain effort to find out what a day will bring forth.Hoping it will bring happiness ,love,and storms,no they don't hope for storms,no more than the disciples hoped for a storm,a  life threatening storm. Well after all Jesus was with them surely all will be well ,wrong, Jesus can lead us into a storm,!, But we read that Jesus was asleep ,and even though the storm grew more fierce,He continued to sleep,but the disciples became more and more anxious, until it reached the panic button time.In that panic they went to Jesus,and in their panic they woke Him,with the words ,'Master, Master, we're going to drown''. Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm'. I will stress of one lesson we can learn from this event,If Jesus leads us into a storm,He will most surely bring us  through the it. Here are some words from a hymn by Mary Ann Baker.

                                                ' The wind and the wave shall obey Thy will

                                                                  '' Peace be still''

                                                 Whither the wrath of the storm tossed sea,

                                                 Or struggles or evil,whatever they be,

                                                                      ''Peace be still''

One way. ( Acts 4 v 12)

 If I raise certain issues I  could be classed as intolerant  ,offensive,and not reflecting true Christianity,  which is a religion of love.   I raise this issue as recently our king went to Scotland to confirm that he is king of Scotland.There was a service held in a Cathedral, representatives of different religions were there,Muslim's,Buddhist, Jews,and others.each were invited to pray for our king. All very nice or was it?,of course not,why not?,simple because they were been  given credibility to that which is not credibly. None of these religions represent the truth,I have listened to Christian apologists,they are those who seek to defend the Christian faith,and it is clear as to the errors of these religions   .There are many things one could challenge as regards these religions,the morality of the so called prophet Muhammad, who had sex with a nine year old girl,he also  married his adopted son's wife.Then what did he believe about Christ?,he tells us Christ did not die on the cross,the implications of are very serious. None of those religions present would accept Christianity,in fact I pray for fellow Christians who are being murdered and persecuted by these other religions. None of those religions would recognise that they need a Saviour, look at mankind ,what does mankind need ? they need a Saviour, and there is only one Saviour, Jesus.

                                                             'Jesus said ,'

                                          '' I  am the way,the truth, and the life,

                                            No one comes to the Father except

                                            through Me.''

It's impossible. ( John 1 v1 - 5)

 I was watching a nature program on the TV, and one the presenters was speaking about a beautiful moth, and she said this,''what an amazing design'.I do not think she appreciated the full significance of what she said,as most of the presenters of nature programs ,believe in evolution,in other words creation just happened .My reply to that is ,it is impossible, for where you have design you must have a designer,it is all around us everyday,but most of these evolutionist are atheist,they don't want to believe in God.The Psalmist declared as regards his body,'I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made'.(Ps 139 v 14 )One has said ,'every birth is a divine creation',it is something of a mystery ,but a greater mystery if you believe it just happened.   Jason Lisle  declares that there are three things that support the biblical view. of creation; laws of logic, uniformity of nature,and morality'.Take logic, at this time we have those who are hold views that are illogical as regards gender,likewise it is illogical to say everything just happened and that there is no designer of the universe. Why do we have uniformity in creation? it just happened? impossible, next morality, why do most nations have a degree morality,why is that?,where did it come from?why do they have a conscience?. I just mention these things, I am not an expert on this subject,but the fact is without God there is no meaning to life,and no future

                                            'He whom by all things were made

                                            came into this world to reclaim back 

                                             His creation. 

A reluctant prophet, ( Galatians 1 v13- 17 )

 When Moses was called to go into Egypt ( Exodus 3-4 ) ,it was very obvious that he didn't want to go,and each time God dealt with the issues he raised, he still didn't want to go.He wanted out of it ,even asking God to send someone else,at that, the Lord became angry with him.It is wonderful how patient God was with him, I often wonder how God puts up with me, but He does,it is amazing,there is a word as regards God putting up with His people, 'longsuffering', yes that seems right.But God will have His way,he didn't let Moses of the hook,and likewise  he would not let let Jonah of the hook either. Moses truly was a reluctant prophet,there are reasons why he felt the way he did,Alec Motyer points out as regards Moses,' That he needed tons of reassurance', he was chronically uncertain about himself',He had left Egypt under a cloud it had left it's mark on him,As  A.M writes ,'He was no longer a prince of Egypt,but a shepherd of Midian who needed a tender loving hand holding him.Moses was the man for the job,all that went before equipped him for the task that lay ahead. I think of my own experience,I was so willing to go to the ends of the earth to serve God,but God held me back, I was not equipped ,if truth were told.If God calls one to serve Him he will have equipped them for that task.

Don't give up ( Psalm 116 v 1-2 )

There is an old hymn that asks the question,'did you think to pray?,' it's a good question,for unfortunately we do forget. Prayer is a wonderful gift from God,given to His children,it is not a vain exercise,it is vital, as we walk through this world with all  those things we have to deal with. Could be you have become disillusioned, because you prayed and it seemed no answer was given. Well join the club you are not on your own,we have all prayed, many have prayed for healing for others and for themselves,and it hasn't happened. The great apostle Paul  prayed for healing it didn't happen,but God had a reason to keep humble , but God did answer his prayer, here was God's answer 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor 12 v 9 )I wonder what the reason is why  God has not answered your prayer?,there is always a reason. Yes I have had my no,from God,but I have had many yes-es,many needs met,problems solved,big and small,Take a moment and remind yourself of the answers to your prayers. Don't give in to unbelief,or whatever,persevere, press on,keep calling on God,don't give up, and don't give in. Remember God is not in the business of playing with us, He loves us to much for that, remember He is your loving heavenly Father,who loves to bless  His children.

He touched me. ( Luke 5 v12 - 6)

 Just imagine going about in worn and torn clothes,with your hair a mess ,you never comb it,and you have a covering over your mouth.If anyone comes near you ,you have to shout out,'Unclean.unclean!'. You are not allowed to live at home ,you could not earn a living,and you are depending on the goodwill of others to give you food,in a way you are cut off from normal human society, having to live in  a cave,if you could find one.. All this because you were a leper (i.e, Hansen's disease) I have watched programs on  Leprosy, and one of the symptoms is you loose all feeling in your hands and feet,people have accidents,the result disease sets in and you loose fingers and toes. You are completely  isolated ,no one would touch you with a barge pole, or any other pole,think of those words,'No one would touch you', after all you were unclean, you are covered with leprosy . But then you hear about a man with the power of healing, his name is Jesus, and suddenly you see Him walking down the street,and you pick up courage,and you throw yourself down before Him,and you cry out in desperation ,'Lord if you are willing,you can make me clean',And to your amazement he did something no one has done for years,He touched you ,and He healed you. Jesus is still touching peoples lives,people whose lives are ruined by sin and all it's consequences, bringing healing into their lives,where there is despair , replacing it with hope,where there is sadness replacing it with joy,where is guilt replacing it with forgiveness.

                                  'Shackled by a heavy burden,neath a load of guilt and shame,

                                   Then the hand of Jesus touched me,and now I am no longer the same.

                                   Since I met this blessed Saviour, since He cleansed and made me whole,

                                   I will never cease to praise Him, I'll shout it while eternity rolls'

                                                                 Words  Bill Gaither .