Dear Friends,
This week we might like to look at the text in Mark 4:33-41.
Christ spoke in parables. He explained all these things in parables and those
who were able to understand them did so as the Holy Spirit gave them power to
understand. He explained all things to his disciples privately.
Christ had explained the parable of the sower and the harvest, and of the mustard
seed. On the day he explained in the evening, he was in the ship and many small
boats had surrounded him.
At evening they went across to the other side of the lake to the country of
the Gadarenes.
During that voyage he went to sleep on the cushion in the stern. A great storm
of wind arose and the ship began to fill. The disciples were very afraid, as
the boat was liable to sink. They then woke him and said "Teacher do you
not care if we perish?" He awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea
"Peace! Be still!" The wind ceased and there was a great calm. He
said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?" The disciples
were filled with awe and said, "Who then is this that the wind and the
sea obey him?"
We are the same. We are called and given to Christ and the Holy Spirit explains
to us the mysteries of God and Christ; having explained the gospel to us, appears
to be absent or asleep while we move across the lake of time until we reach
the end of the journey and the time comes for us to remove and replace the legion
of the demons that have plagued our people for generations.
In these last days we are all tested and made afraid by circumstances that seem
beyond our control. Many of the problems that face us seem insurmountable. Is
it that the elements themselves are even against us? In these last days we face
many problems and even from the elements themselves. It is through our faith
that we overcome and triumph. Christ will return to save us. He will rebuke
the elements against us. He will calm the seas that threaten us. But we ourselves
should be able to face and control many of the problems we face through the
power of the Holy Spirit given to us in the name of God through the power given
to us by Christ. We were called by God and given to Christ, and so what we ask
of God in Christ's name is authorised and ordained of and by God. Whatever any
two of us ask in his name is bound in heaven. You alone can defeat the demons.
Do not underestimate them. I have been shown their power but their time is short.
They have power and only can control us through sin. That was the secret given
by Balaam, son of Beor, to the enemies of Israel.
By causing us to sin they weaken our power. By lessening our faith they weaken
our strength and our confidence in ourselves. So too has the adversary affected
many of us.
How many of us are afraid of the journey across the lake. How many of us think
we will be swamped. How many of us have insufficient faith to rebuke the wind
and the sea. In doubting we falter because we do not believe.
Believe and conquer. Through faith you can control the circumstances in which
you find yourselves. By prayer you can alter key elements that affect you and
control the others than flow from them.
God knows what you want and what will save you. He knows how to help you. Ask
and you shall receive.
If you do not ask, or ask amiss, you will never receive that which God has prepared
for you.
I am often attacked with the aim of destroying me and my reputation. Satan seems
intent on proving me inadequate. He is right in that I am a sinner, but with
the help of God we will all conquer and stand with Christ at the last days in
the kingdom being confessed by Christ before the Host.
So the man tormented by the demons among the Gadarenes said to Christ: "What
have you to do with me Jesus son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God do
not torment me" (Mk. 5:6-7). He knew who Christ was and so do the demons
know us all. Rejoice not that we have power over the demons but that our names
are written in heaven.
Do not be made afraid by what lies before us but rather be confident that we
are able to endure the storm and that we are able to stand before God.
Rejoice in our calling and in each other as brothers and sisters and sons of
God; all of us.
Love one another and pray for each other that our sins might be forgiven and
we might endure to the end in faith.
Wade Cox
Coordinator General
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