Don’t be afraid…

45 Right then, Jesus made his disciples get into a boat and go ahead to the other side of the lake, toward Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After saying good-bye to them, Jesus went up onto a mountain to pray. 47 Evening came and the boat was in the middle of the lake, but he was alone on the land. 48 He saw his disciples struggling. They were trying to row forward, but the wind was blowing against them. Very early in the morning, he came to them, walking on the lake. He intended to pass by them. 49 When they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost and they screamed. 50 Seeing him was terrifying to all of them. Just then he spoke to them, “Be encouraged! It’s me. Don’t be afraid.” 51 He got into the boat, and the wind settled down. His disciples were so baffled they were beside themselves. 52 That’s because they hadn’t understood about the loaves. Their minds had been closed so that they resisted God’s ways. (Mark 6:45-52, CEB)

Jesus was going to pass them, so when they got to the other side he would jump out from behind a tree and yell, “boo” really loud…

No not really. Jesus sent the disciples ahead and they struggled on the water. I understand this. Sometimes the wind blowing the wrong direction can cause severe issues on the water. But Jesus was walking and didn’t have any issues.

He got close to them and said, “Don’t be afraid.” Do not have fear, I am with you and all is good.

Isn’t it good to know that Jesus is in the boat and all is well.

Even when we don’t see Jesus, he is in the boat.

Don’t be afraid, face the winds head on and love out loud!

Love People. Love God.

Run the ship ashore

39 In the morning light they saw a bay with a sandy beach. They didn’t know what land it was, but they thought they might possibly be able to run the ship aground. 40 They cut the anchors loose and left them in the sea. At the same time, they untied the ropes that ran back to the rudders. They raised the foresail to catch the wind and made for the beach. 41 But they struck a sandbar and the ship ran aground. The bow was stuck and wouldn’t move, and the stern was broken into pieces by the force of the waves. 42 The soldiers decided to kill the prisoners to keep them from swimming to shore and escaping. 43 However, the centurion wanted to save Paul, so he stopped them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and head for land. 44 He ordered the rest to grab hold of planks or debris from the ship. In this way, everyone reached land safely. (Acts 27:39-44, CEB)

Have you ever been on a boat in rough waters? I have and it is an experience I will never forget. Even after that I went back on the water. Because of the adventure and the possibility of disaster.

We never know what is going to happen in life, but one thing that is guaranteed is that life won’t be smooth sailing every time.

There will be rough seas, and you may have to run the boat ashore, but then get another boat and get back out there.

God is always with us, and wants us to live the best life we can. This is done by sharing love and being with God’s people.

Live and share the love and grace you have been given.

Love People. Love God.

What did he say?

13 When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they could carry out their plan. They pulled up anchor and sailed closely along the coast of Crete. 14 Before long, a hurricane-strength wind known as a northeaster swept down from Crete. 15 The ship was caught in the storm and couldn’t be turned into the wind. So we gave in to it, and it carried us along. 16 After sailing under the shelter of an island called Cauda, we were able to control the lifeboat only with difficulty. 17 They brought the lifeboat aboard, then began to wrap the ship with cables to hold it together. Fearing they might run aground on the sandbars of the Gulf of Syrtis, they lowered the anchor and let the ship be carried along. 18 We were so battered by the violent storm that the next day the men began throwing cargo overboard. 19 On the third day, they picked up the ship’s gear and hurled it into the sea. 20 When neither the sun nor the moon appeared for many days and the raging storm continued to pound us, all hope of our being saved from this peril faded. 21 For a long time no one had eaten. Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have complied with my instructions not to sail from Crete. Then we would have avoided this damage and loss. 22 Now I urge you to be encouraged. Not one of your lives will be lost, though we will lose the ship. 23 Last night an angel from the God to whom I belong and whom I worship stood beside me. 24 The angel said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul! You must stand before Caesar! Indeed, God has also graciously given you everyone sailing with you.’ 25 Be encouraged, men! I have faith in God that it will be exactly as he told me. 26 However, we must run aground on some island.” 27 On the fourteenth night, we were being carried across the Adriatic Sea. Around midnight the sailors began to suspect that land was near. 28 They dropped a weighted line to take soundings and found the water to be about one hundred twenty feet deep. After proceeding a little farther, we took soundings again and found the water to be about ninety feet deep. 29 Afraid that we might run aground somewhere on the rocks, they hurled out four anchors from the stern and began to pray for daylight. 30 The sailors tried to abandon the ship by lowering the lifeboat into the sea, pretending they were going to lower anchors from the bow. 31 Paul said to the centurion and his soldiers, “Unless they stay in the ship, you can’t be saved from peril.” 32 The soldiers then cut the ropes to the lifeboat and let it drift away. 33 Just before daybreak, Paul urged everyone to eat. He said, “This is the fourteenth day you’ve lived in suspense, and you’ve not had even a bite to eat. 34 I urge you to take some food. Your health depends on it. None of you will lose a single hair from his head.” 35 After he said these things, he took bread, gave thanks to God in front of them all, then broke it and began to eat. 36 Everyone was encouraged and took some food. (37 In all, there were two hundred seventy-six of us on the ship.) 38 When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea. (Acts 27:13-38, CEB)

What would you do if you were on a ship and someone on the ship said the ship will be lost but we will all be safe? And mind you this is after you haven’t seen the sun or the moon for days because of the rain that has been beating down on you…

I would be a little skeptic and wonder.

But God does things we do not understand.

God works in ways we do not get.

God does things the way God wants to, when God wants to.

So trust God. Know God will always be there for you.

Love People. Love God.

How can you sleep?

35 Later that day, when evening came, Jesus said to them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.” 36 They left the crowd and took him in the boat just as he was. Other boats followed along. 37 Gale-force winds arose, and waves crashed against the boat so that the boat was swamped. 38 But Jesus was in the rear of the boat, sleeping on a pillow. They woke him up and said, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re drowning?” 39 He got up and gave orders to the wind, and he said to the lake, “Silence! Be still!” The wind settled down and there was a great calm. 40 Jesus asked them, “Why are you frightened? Don’t you have faith yet?” 41 Overcome with awe, they said to each other, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him!” (Mark 4:35-41, CEB)

Have you ever been on a boat in high winds and waves?

I have, I remember it like it was yesterday and it was probably 3 or 4 years ago at this point. I was on a boat with a couple of friends who owned the sail boat and my wife. We were going to a local marina to celebrate my wife’s birthday. This was not the first time I had been on a sail boat. I raced with the captain every week for most summers at least two years before this and probably another 2 years after. I only stopped racing because I moved away from the area. But this day we were just taking our time going across the bay, until the captain saw the storm coming, and knew we would not make the marina before it hit. We were in at least six foot waves, which may not sound like much but when the boat if only 25 feet long, six foot waves is enough to hear the motor spin out of the water every time you go up.

And I knew we were in trouble when the captain stopped talking. Hos gaze was fixed on the horizon and he was focused to make sure his boat and crew were safe. And we were safe with him at the helm. But I could not have slept through that.

But Jesus was so sure they were ok, he was asleep at the back of the boat.

That is how God is in our lives. Able to rest completely.

Trust God. You always can.

Love People. Love God.

Near

25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. On the earth, there will be dismay among nations in their confusion over the roaring of the sea and surging waves. 26 The planets and other heavenly bodies will be shaken, causing people to faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world. 27 Then they will see the Human One coming on a cloud with power and great splendor. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, stand up straight and raise your heads, because your redemption is near.” (Luke 21:25-28, CEB)

We all want signs. We want to know when the end is coming, but should we be concerned with the end?

We already have eternal life and the end will come when the end will come.

We need to be focused on sharing love and making sure people understand the love God has for everyone.

That should be our focus. Sharing love with the world.

Love People. Love God.

Are you ready?

After we tore ourselves away from them, we set sail on a straight course to Cos, reaching Rhodes the next day, and then Patara. 2 We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, boarded, and put out to sea. 3 We spotted Cyprus, but passed by it on our left. We sailed on to the province of Syria and landed in Tyre, where the ship was to unload its cargo. 4 We found the disciples there and stayed with them for a week. Compelled by the Spirit, they kept telling Paul not to go to Jerusalem. 5 When our time had come to an end, we departed. All of them, including women and children, accompanied us out of town where we knelt on the beach and prayed. 6 We said good-bye to each other, then we boarded the ship and they returned to their homes. 7 Continuing our voyage, we sailed from Tyre and arrived in Ptolemais. We greeted the brothers and sisters there and spent a day with them. 8 The next day we left and came to Caesarea. We went to the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven, and stayed with him. 9 He had four unmarried daughters who were involved in the work of prophecy. 10 After staying there for several days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 He came to us, took Paul’s belt, tied his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In Jerusalem the Jews will bind the man who owns this belt, and they will hand him over to the Gentiles.’” 12 When we heard this, we and the local believers urged Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Paul replied, “Why are you doing this? Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I’m ready not only to be arrested but even to die in Jerusalem for the sake of the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 Since we couldn’t talk him out of it, the only thing we could say was, “The Lord’s will be done.” 15 After this, we got ready and made our way up to Jerusalem. 16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us and led us to Mnason’s home, where we were guests. He was from Cyprus and had been a disciple a long time. (Acts 21:1-16, CEB)

Paul is on his way to Jerusalem, where people think bad things will happen to him. They are urging him not to go, but he knows that God needs him to go there.

Have you ever thought something was going to go badly? I have. I have been there and seen the signs a number of times, like people were out to get you and would do anything to make sure you are done for. Been there, done that. And I have stood my ground. I have spoken the truth in love and knew that no matter what happened, that God was with me.

That is where Paul is in this reading. He knows that God is with him. He knows that no matter what happens that God is never going to leave him. He is ready to be killed for what he believes. Paul is ready to stand his ground and speak the truth in love.

Are you ready?

Love People. Love God.

How long?

When the riot was over, Paul sent for the disciples, encouraged them, said good-bye, and left for the province of Macedonia. 2 He traveled through that region with a message of encouragement. When he came to Greece, 3 he stayed for three months. Because the Jews hatched a plot against Paul as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided instead to return through Macedonia. 4 He was accompanied by Sopater, Pyrrhus’ son from Beroea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. 5 They went on ahead and waited for us in Troas. 6 We sailed from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread and met them five days later in Troas, where we stayed for a week. 7 On the first day of the week, as we gathered together for a meal, Paul was holding a discussion with them. Since he was leaving the next day, he continued talking until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we had gathered. 9 A young man named Eutychus was sitting in the window. He was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell from the third floor and died. 10 Paul went down, fell on him and embraced him, then said, “Don’t be alarmed. He’s alive!” 11 Then Paul went back upstairs and ate. He talked for a long time—right up until daybreak—then he left. 12 They took the young man away alive, and they were greatly comforted. 13 We went on to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we intended to take Paul on board. Paul had arranged this, since he intended to make his way there by land. 14 When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene. 15 The next day we sailed from there and arrived opposite Chios. On the day after, we sailed to Samos, and on the following day we came to Miletus. 16 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus so that he wouldn’t need to spend too much time in the province of Asia. He was hurrying to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by Pentecost Day. (Acts 20:1-16, CEB)

I have heard it said there is a fine line between a long sermon and a hostage situation…

I can definitely say I have never preached so long that someone fell asleep and out of a window. That is not to say I haven’t put someone to sleep with a sermon!

But those people were gathered and they knew they only had this night to talk, so they talked, and talked about how the church was moving. They were emblazoned by the passion they have for Christ and for making the message of grace and mercy known.

Are you emblazoned by the story, to stay up all night and talk about all that God has done in and through your life?

Share the story.

Love People. Love God.

Produce

43 “A good tree doesn’t produce bad fruit, nor does a bad tree produce good fruit. 44 Each tree is known by its own fruit. People don’t gather figs from thorny plants, nor do they pick grapes from prickly bushes. 45 A good person produces good from the good treasury of the inner self, while an evil person produces evil from the evil treasury of the inner self. The inner self overflows with words that are spoken. (Luke 6:43-45, CEB)

You will produce what is naturally in you. Your inner self will always flow from you.

It is always interesting that those who lie have to have a great memory to remember what lies they have told to who.

Always be truthful and let the love that lives in you flow through your life.

Love People. Love God.

Which side?

22 I didn’t see a temple in the city, because its temple is the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb. 23 The city doesn’t need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because God’s glory is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. 25 Its gates will never be shut by day, and there will be no night there. 26 They will bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. 27 Nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is vile and deceitful, but only those who are registered in the Lamb’s scroll of life. 1 Then the angel showed me the river of life-giving water, shining like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb 2 through the middle of the city’s main street. On each side of the river is the tree of life, which produces twelve crops of fruit, bearing its fruit each month. The tree’s leaves are for the healing of the nations. 3 There will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 Night will be no more. They won’t need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will shine on them, and they will rule forever and always. (Revelation 21:22—22:5, CEB)

This is a part of the vision of John from Patmos, the Revelation.

It is interesting because it says there was no temple because God already resided there, so there was not need of a house for God. And it is always open because there is no night. (So side note, do the gates have hinges and locks? Like buildings here that are open 24 hours, why do they have locks on the doors? But I digress.)

But the interesting thing to me in this text is “On each side of the river is the tree of life”. The river of life runs through the place and on each side of the river is the tree of Life. 1 tree that is on both sides of the river!

But in my feeble understanding I don’t get that, but that is what heaven is like. The unimaginable. The things we think that can’t happen, happening.

With God all things are possible.

Love People. Love God.

What matters?

11 Look at the large letters I’m making with my own handwriting! 12 Whoever wants to look good by human standards will try to get you to be circumcised, but only so they won’t be harassed for the cross of Christ. 13 Those who are circumcised don’t observe the Law themselves, but they want you to be circumcised, so they can boast about your physical body. 14 But as for me, God forbid that I should boast about anything except for the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through him, and I have been crucified to the world. 15 Being circumcised or not being circumcised doesn’t mean anything. What matters is a new creation. 16 May peace and mercy be on whoever follows this rule and on God’s Israel. 17 From now on, no one should bother me because I bear the marks of Jesus on my body. 18 Brothers and sisters, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. (Galatians 6:11-18, CEB)

Being circumcised or not being circumcised doesn’t mean anything. It doesn’t matter what your body looks like. The outward appearance of who you are doesn’t show what really matters, and that is the place and shape of your heart.

We can modify our bodies but that doesn’t modify our actions.

I remember when I got my ear pierced for the first time and my mom was so upset, but my brother told her that I was still the same person she raised, I just had an earring. It didn’t change who I was, only how I looked.

It doesn’t matter if you look the part, are you a changed person?

Some of the people I know who follow Jesus closest, would scare people by their tattoos and piercings, but they are doing what God has called us to do, more than someone who sits in a pew and pretends to be a follower of Christ.

Let you life show who you are.

Love People. Love God.