Let not your hearts be hardened!

And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. Mark 6:51-52

We find the disciples in a situation where Jesus had just fed over five thousand people with a few loves and fishes. The food had multiplied dramatically so that there was quite a bit more left over when everyone was done eating, than there had been when they began to eat! And yet the Bible tells us that the disciples hearts were hardened! They were amazed that Jesus was able to walk on water and that the wind obeyed Him. I am sure that none of us would think that we would ever be in the same situation. That is, God performing a wonderful miracle before our eyes, and then being amazed that He has the power to do an even greater miracle. Yet, if we are not careful this is the very situation we will find ourselves in. Praying and receiving a miracle, and then not being able to comprehend how He can do something even greater.


Eph 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

He has the ability to go so far beyond what we can think that it will blow our minds! Let us trust in Him to provide whatever the situation.

Signs

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. Mark 16:17,18


And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation. Mark 8:11,12

Contrast the two passages above. In the first, Jesus describes to His disciples the signs that will FOLLOW those that believe on Him. In the second, we see where those SEEKING a sign(for their own personal reasons) were denied a sign. In doing a simple concordance search for the words- sign(s)- you will find that this was not the only place that those opposing Jesus were searching for some sign to verify His authority and power. We should not seek for signs to validate our anointing, ministry, etc. Rather the signs should follow us as we labor for Him. When we believe on Him, follow after His will, and seek Him then the signs follow.

Let us seek Him rather than seeking signs.

Balance

The Word demonstrates that we must have balance in our lives. One instance that I came across recently that spoke of this to me is in Mark 6.

And they went out, and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them. Mark 6:12,13

The preached against sin and also went about healing and casting out devils. It seems that too many in Christianity tend towards one extreme or the other. They want to preach the Truth, but fail to enact it. Others want to show love by physically being in the community and doing works, but fail to tell them the truth or repentance.

As The Church of God we must make sure that we do BOTH. We must preach the Word unwavering, but the preaching must be backed up by God to confirming it, i.e. signs of His anointing, working. Otherwise, we are just preaching the letter of the law, with no Spirit to convict and compel the people.

Created for HIS pleasure

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation 4:11

God created EVERYTHING that ever has been, that is, and that ever will be. He is the almighty creator. Just as importantly, it is for His pleasure that things are created. Think about it, Gen. 1:27 tells us that we are created in His own image. We are created in the image of God.

So, we are 1)created in the image of God, and 2)created for His pleasure.

When the world around seems to count as of little worth, remember how you were created and why.

Early Dec. Update

Well, we had a good month of November. We rounded out the end with our church Thanksgiving dinner. We had a wonderful time of Fellowship. Afterward, the wonderful people here cleaned up everything, even washing all of the dishes before they left. It was a real blessing to Kelley and as a result to me as well. I am truly thankful that the people here love us so much. It makes pastoring here much easier than it could be otherwise.

Unfortunately, we have had to cancel our revival. Bro. Walters was/is having some health problems and is able to make it. Please pray that he would get better. We are planning on rescheduling after the first of the year.

We are now getting ready for a Christmas dinner next week at church. After that, we will be looking forward to our Christmas Eve Candlelight service.

Pray for us that we can keep working faithfully for Christ and His Church.