Care Not That We Are Perishing?

Beloved, what you are going on to read is written for everyone to know, but the application of what you would gain from it would even be greater if you are a Christian (a born-again) with the evidence of genuine Salvation experience. However if you are not born-again and would desire to be; if you would scroll down to the end of this message there would be some very important information just for you.

Please do read on and I am sure you would be greatly blessed.

Mark 4:35‭-‬41 AMPC On that same day [when] evening had come, He said to them, Let us go over to the other side [of the lake]. And leaving the throng, they took Him with them, [just] as He was, in the boat [in which He was sitting]. And other boats were with Him. And a furious storm of wind [of hurricane proportions] arose, and the waves kept beating into the boat, so that it was already becoming filled. But He [Himself] was in the stern [of the boat], asleep on the [leather] cushion; and they awoke Him and said to Him, Master, do You not care that we are perishing? And He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, Hush now! Be still (muzzled)! And the wind ceased (sank to rest as if exhausted by its beating) and there was [immediately] a great calm (a perfect peacefulness). He said to them, Why are you so timid and fearful? How is it that you have no faith (no firmly relying trust)? And they were filled with great awe and feared exceedingly and said one to another, Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey Him?

Whenever we doubt the Word of God or the Prophecy of God or the Promise of God or God Himself this: “care not that we are perishing?” is what we mean, even when we do not say it out loud.

This is how some pray, I mean complain when the “care not that we are perishing mode relationship has been activated by fear: “God we’ve prayed, we’ve asked, we’ve confessed, we’ve sought Your face, we knocked hard on the Doors of Heaven… But God it seemed maybe you did not hear us, or maybe you heard and you’ve chosen to do nothing? God is it that this matter is too much for You alone to handle? I know the Bible said that there’s nothing impossible with You, but God maybe for my situation and this matter before us…?”

The devil is an expert in compelling the utterances of unbelief to flow through the lips to expose the lack of faith hidden within. The words we speak when trouble shows up exposes the condition of our faith in God.

In Mark 4:35 AMPC, Jesus said to His disciples “Let us go over to the other side [of the lake]”.
That statement was as good and as definite as to imply that “they will get to the other side no matter what”.

“How well we depend on the Word of God is demonstrated when opposition shows up”.

1. There was no storm initially
2. A storm arose,
– The storm got worse
– Strong winds started blowing waves of water into the boat,
– The boat started filling up with water…and desciples Aaaaahed in fear!!!
3. But Jesus had slept, was sleeping and kept sleeping.

There is a popular phrase within and outside the Christian circle: “What Would Jesus Do?” (WWJD). Which I think should operate on the parameters of “What Did Jesus Do?” (WDJD).

“Until our faith is tested or tried would we know if it is genuine or not and fear can hide behind pretended-faith until challenges arise”.

– When there was no storm, the fear and faithless-ness of the disciples were well hidden.
– When the storm arose they probably held in-check their panic.

– But then the Wind became stronger and the boat began to fill with water. At that point the disciples minds were racing, their heart pumping and fear jumped of their bellies…and they must have screamed these words:
“Master, do You not care that we are perishing”?

Paraphased: Seriously Jesus, you are going to keep on sleeping through this murderous storm?

What would have happened if Jesus ignored the fears of His disciples and slept on? Well, most probably the storm would have killed them like they feared and Jesus would have been alright.

Allowing fear to reign in ones heart and letting it dictate the words we speak is how some give the devil access to kill, steal and destroy. That is why the devil would either straightway introduce fear to some or work skillfully at killing the brittle faith in others.

“A Christian without faith is a man in great danger”.

The actions of Jesus that followed was not to save His own live but to preserve the lives of His disciples.

Mark 4:39-‬40 AMPC
And He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, Hush now! Be still (muzzled)! And the wind ceased (sank to rest as if exhausted by its beating) and there was [immediately] a great calm (a perfect peacefulness). He said to them, Why are you so timid and fearful? How is it that you have no faith (no firmly relying trust)?

1. Jesus rebuked the wind
2. Said to the sea Hush now! Be still. And there was immediately a great calm (a perfect restfulness).

Jesus did not only rebuked the wind, He also rebuked the fear in the disciples.
He asked in Mark 4:41 AMPC
Why are you so timid and fearful? How is it that you have no faith (no firmly relying trust)?

And how did they respond?: 
And they were filled with great awe and feared exceedingly and said one to another, Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey Him?

1. They were wowed or greatly surprised
2. They feared exceedingly
3. And questioned why He had such Divine abilities.

The acts of Jesus in this chapter is in the category of what is termed a Miracle. And the response of the disciples is how the faithless usually respond. Miracles does not impart faith.

Romans 10:17 KJV
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by faith. Faith grows as we obey God’s Word and develops when we speak faith and live by faith.

Hebrews 11:6 KJV But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him

Without faith it is impossible to bring pleasure to God because we open ourselves to fear and give the devil the authority he does not have. Fear seperates from Divine Assistance and invites demonic resistance.

If the disciples had believed Jesus’s Word or just did the same thing He was doing in faith – get out a soft cushion and slept. The storm would have quickly calmed itself down. But their fear gave the permission for the storm to become bolder and to come closer to do damage.

Mark 11:22 AMP 22 Jesus replied, “Have faith in God [constantly].

Have faith in God is no mere statement nor is it a passing encouragement. It is a necessity for the life that would enjoy Divine Assistance. This live of faith is not one mingled with moments of fear but a life as Jesus puts it; of constant faith in God.

I don’t know what storm the enemy is brewing in you life at the moment but this is an encouragement for you to have a constant faith in God. There is nothing too hard for Him and I pray in Jesus Name and rebuke every wind of trouble of the devil. I command it to hush and be still right now! I pray that a Divine perfect peace comes upon you like a garment. In Jesus Name. Receive it by faith, it is yours in Jesus Name.

Don’t let the devil again catch you in fear rather work day by day building up your faith.

But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit; Guard and keep yourselves in the love of God; expect and patiently wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)–[which will bring you] unto life eternal. And refute [so as to] convict some who dispute with you, and on some have mercy who waver and doubt. [Strive to] save others, snatching [them] out of [the] fire; on others take pity [but] with fear, loathing even the garment spotted by the flesh and polluted by their sensuality. [Zech. 3:2-4.] Now to Him Who is able to keep you without stumbling or slipping or falling, and to present [you] unblemished (blameless and faultless) before the presence of His glory in triumphant joy and exultation [with unspeakable, ecstatic delight]– To the one only God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory (splendor), majesty, might and dominion, and power and authority, before all time and now and forever (unto all the ages of eternity). Amen (so be it).
Jude 1:20‭-‬25 AMPC

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Are born-again? Then keep rejoicing and pressing on in the Lord, you are in a good place.

Are you in a backsliding state? Jesus has not condemned you. Repent genuinely and return to God.

Are you not yet born-again? There is hope for you:
Salvation through Christ Jesus is free but you must make the decision to recieve it.

“…if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation”.
Romans 10:9‭-‬10 KJV

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 NLT

Now Pray this prayer meaningfully if you are willing to be born-again:
“Lord Jesus, for too long I’ve kept you out of my life. I know that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. No longer will I close the door when I hear you knocking. By faith I gratefully receive your gift of salvation. I am ready to trust you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming to earth. I believe you are the Son of God who died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead on the third day. Thank you for bearing my sins and giving me the gift of eternal life. I believe your words are true. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, and be my Saviour. Amen”.

Congratulations if you’ve just said that prayer and I joyously welcome you to the higher life in Christ Jesus. You are now on the path of your divine destiny and your God given dreams are very possible.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV

If you do not have a bible believing Church that you know God brought you into, and that you are faithfully attending then please join us today at
http://www.lifeoasisinternationalchurch.org Do well to complete the first-timers form on the pop-up screen and an ordained minister will get in touch with you ASAP.

The Message Bearer
Cornelius Bella