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Today is Wednesday October 14, 2009 and we are continuing our studies in the book of Mark, please read chapters 4-5 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-october-14

Today's Message: Nothing to Fear
It is natural to have a little fear at times, but too much fear can destroy the faith of the most faithful Christian, causing them to walk away from God.

There is a saying that most of us know, “There is nothing to fear, but fear itself” This type of fear is defined as a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined. To illustrate Jesus spoke a parable about seeds growing on different types of ground. The ground represents the foundation by which we grow as a Christian, “And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred............Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.” - Mark 4:15-20,30-32. Our faith begins as the size of a mustard seed and grows little by little, the more we believe in God, the more our faith grows. The more our faith grows, the more blessings we receive. However, if we do not water our seed it will never grow and will eventually whither away and die. When I pray I always say to God, “You said that as long as I have the faith the size of a mustard seed You will take care of my needs, but I do not want the faith the size of the seed, I want the faith the size of the plant.” There is something always so invigorating about those words, it is as if God says back to me, “Be of good cheer, I am here, your faith will endure.

No matter what we are going through Jesus is always with us, even His disciples showed some fear from time to time. However, Jesus always proved to them that they need not fear if they have faith. “And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” - Mark 4:36-41. Jesus is always there to calm the storm in all believers, but unless we are willing to put our trust in Him that we will never get out of the storm. Trust me, I spent years with howling winds and waves beating me with no end in sight. The only way that I was able to find peace and an end to it was by calling on Jesus for help.

God does not expect us all to grow at the same speed, just as some trees take years to produce fruit, it takes years to produce faith in some Christian's. However, God does not rule out any one of us, it took me twenty-three years of growing before He used me for full time service. So, you see, it's never too late to be used of God and we never stop growing. The most effective way to grow is with knowledge. Knowledge always strengthens our faith, if we have the knowledge of Gods Word then we will know ahead of time what is going to happen. Then when it does we will not be as fearful as we are prepared and planted in good, solid ground. It is the end product of the seed planting, (the watering and nurturing) that brings the blessings, for some will get thirty, some fifty and some hundred fold. The more work we give the seed the more fruit it produces. According to our faith comes the blessings of God. The blessings come after we have done the work. God knows what we have need of, and He will add those things on to our blessings as our faith grows.

There is another type of fear that God actually encourages, this type of fear is defined as to be in awe of, to honor, and adore. This is the type of fear that God wants us to have toward Him. He wants us to be in awe of Him to honor and adore Him. When we fear God He gives us power and strength over Satan. “And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.” - Job 2:3. As long as we fear God we do not have to fear what Satan tries to do to us. God is our strength, our power, and our might. In Him all things are possible! Do not be afraid of what is going on, get in God's Word, seek Jesus, He is the only one who can calm the storm. Remember, knowledge is Power! There is nothing to fear, but fear itself!

Today's Prayer:

Dear God,

Lord, the great blessing in trusting You is the confidence we walk in as we look to You for everything that we have need of.  We who have placed our trust in You have found You to be faithful.  Instead of cringing fear we walk in confident faith because it is not in ourselves that we trust but in the Living God who is trustworthy in all areas of our life.  Now, give us grace to trust You even more,  to grow in our faith, and to be planted in the solid ground that produces bountiful fruit. In Jesus' Name........Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night
God Bless You,
Christina

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