Thought of the Day !!

   One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.
     The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!
     He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples.
     In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."

                              

                              
       Luke 8:22-25 (NIV) 

The disciples had just witnessed the great power of Jesus.  And they were afraid.  This just isn't supposed to happen.  This should encourage them that they're following the right guy...shouldn't it?

Yet today I feel like we can be afraid of the power of Jesus as well.  Paul tells us that we're saved from a life of fear, but sometimes we just won't let it go.  Now some fear can be good.  I know that if I go down a dark alleyway or see a bear in the woods or a snake in my back yard under my feet, I'm going to be afraid.  That just might save my life. 

But some of us are afraid of truly experiencing the power of God in our lives or our churches.  And often times this fear is the fear of change.  If I receive power from God then He may expect something out of me.  If my church experiences the power of the Holy Spirit we won't know what we'll look like after He's finished.  We may not have the same people leading us, or we may not look like the same church anymore. 

And then there's always the fear of death.  As born again Christians we're supposed to have assurance of what will happen when we die.  But plenty of people still have a sliver of doubt, which I'm sure causes fear. 

Jesus said to ask and we will receive.  If you're afraid of the power of God changing you or your church or your family etc., then ask for courage...peace...assurance.  And keep asking for it until you get it.  Your Father in Heaven awaits you.  Tell Him what you fear most.  And ask Him to see you through.

In the love of Christ,
greg