Fear or Faith

Mark 4:35-41

THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Do not fear, for I am with you. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

It had been a long day. Jesus was exhausted from the crowds and from teaching. Evening had come, the sea was quiet, a boat ride across the Sea would be a perfect way to end the day. Thirteen tired men climb into the boat then set sail for a relaxing journey to the other side. Immediately, Jesus finds a cushion, lies down, and falls into a deep sleep. As the disciples row across the Sea, suddenly, without warning, a furious storm appears. Waves threaten to sink the boat. The wind and the waves are furiously out of control. The disciples are filled with terror; while Jesus is calmly asleep.

The disciples wake Jesus with shouts of, “Jesus, don’t you care if we drown?” What Jesus cared about was their faith. Would they trust him when the storms of life seemed completely out of control? Jesus arose from his sleep, looked at this wild, uncontrolled storm, then said “Quiet. Be still.” The disciples were amazed. The disciples witnessed a storm out of control. Their fear was out of control. Jesus, however, is never out of control.

Jesus asked, “Why are you so afraid?” When those unexpected storms come into our lives, are we quick to shout “Jesus, don’t you care?” Can you hear Jesus say to you, “Child, why are you so afraid?”

Is our fear so overpowering we cannot hear his gentle whisper when He says, “Quiet, be still! Trust me.” In the midst of our most terrifying storm, Jesus has everything under perfect control. Will you trust Him?

RUSSIAN CAKE

2 cup flour

2 cup sugar

2 teaspoon baking soda

2 eggs

l large can crushed pineapple plus juice

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix all together well, then pour into a 9 x 13 pan. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Remove from oven, cool completely.

FROSTING:

1 8-oz. softened cream cheese

1 1/2 cup confectioners sugar (powdered sugar)

1 stick softened margarine

1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix well together. Frost cooled cake. Sprinkle 1 cup chopped walnuts over the top.

God is my Hope

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.” (Psalm 42:1, NLT)

In Psalm 42 and 43, we read a message written by the sons of Korah, who were temple musicians and assistants. Their message seems to be a progression of their walk and experience with God. I find their journey and walk with God very akin to my experiences as well.

In Psalm 42:1 we find a thirst to know the living God when we read, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. “ When was the last time you were thirsty to know God; to spend time with God; to have fellowship with him?

When we reach Psalm 42:8 we read that God has become life to the writer, his everything. He shares, “By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me – a prayer to the God of my life.” God should be “our everything” as well. Not only does he give life – he IS life to all who know and trust him as their own.

The writer says in Psalm 43:4, “They will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight.” Is God your delight? Delight is defined this way: ‘great pleasure; gratification; joy; something that gives great pleasure or enjoyment.’ Do you find great pleasure; experience wonderful joy, as you sit at the feet of Jesus? As you worship at his altar? Is Jesus your delight?

Finally, in God there is hope, Psalm 43:5. It does not matter where you find yourself today. It does not matter the circumstances surrounding your life. It does not matter how deep the valley you are going through at the moment – when you hunger for God; when God is your very life; when you find delight in walking with Jesus – your journey is a journey filled with much hope because you intimately know the God of Hope. “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 43:5.

CRANBERRY CHICKEN

4 chicken breasts, cut into smaller pieces

1 package Dry Onion Soup Mix

1 8-oz bottle French Dressing

2 Tbsp. flour

1 large can jellied cranberry sauce

Cut chicken. In a bowl, combine rest of ingredients, mixing well. Put chicken into a large baking dish (or 9 x 13 pan) and pour sauce mix over all. (can use a slow cooker for this recipe as well). Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

Serve chicken over cooked rice.

Would I Pass the Test? (Psalm 26:1-12)

There is a powerful lesson for us to consider from this Psalm. Verse 1a makes this statement, “I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.” Is this something I do? Trust in the Lord without wavering? To waver means to “swing or move back and forth; to be indecisive.” When life is treating us well, it is easy to trust God, but when we are faced with difficulty and trials, our faith sometimes begins to waver. “God where are you right now?” we might ask. “God why don’t you answer my prayer?” we might plead. When all along God is whispering to us, “Just trust me.”

The Psalmist goes on to say, “Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart.” Wow! Am I willing to make a bold statement like this to God? When it comes to my trust, am I willing to be cross-examined by God to see how real I am? What questions might God ask in this cross-examination? Let’s consider the passage:

1. Are you aware of My unfailing love toward you? (vs. 3)

2. Are you living according to My truth? (vs. 3)

3. Do you spend your time with worldly people, involving yourselves in their evil deeds? (vs. 4-6)

4. Do you come to My altar and there sing songs of praise and thanksgiving? (vs. 6-7)

5. Do you tell of all the wonders I have done for you? (vs. 7)

6. Do you love My sanctuary, that place where my presence dwells? (vs. 8)

7. Do you live with My integrity in your heart? (vs. 11)

8. Are you standing on solid ground? (vs. 12)

9. Do you willingly praise Me in public? (vs. 12)

If God put you on trial today to test your faith and your walk with God by asking you these nine questions, would you pass or fail? Ask God to work in those weak areas of your faith. Determine in your heart to plant your feet on “solid ground” that only comes through complete faith and trust in knowing, and living for, Jesus.

CHEESCAKE SQUARES

1-1/2 cup crushed graham crackers)

1/3 cup melted margarine ) Mix all together and press into a 9 x 13 pan

3 Tbsp. sugar )

Mix together in separate bowl:

3 - 8-oz. cream cheese

¾ cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

Add 3 eggs and mix well

Pour this mixture over the graham cracker crust and bake at 350 for 30 minutes, or until set.

Cool. When cooled, place in refrigerator at least 3 hours. Cut into squares and serve.

My Recipe Book

What is your favorite recipe book? Mine is a very old Betty Crocker Cook Book I received 49 years ago as a wedding gift. Perhaps your favorite recipe comes by way of the internet. I have used a few of these, having bookmarked some of my favorites. When I need a really “tried-and-tested” recipe, I grab my wooden recipe box. There I find all the wonderful recipes I have collected over the years. Recipes from my mom, my grandmother, my aunt and many friends.

In Psalm 119:18 we read, “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” God has a wonderful “recipe” book for us to read. It’s called The Bible. We find nestled within these precious pages, recipes that will help us live a productive and fruitful life. If we want a recipe on “how to raise children”, we simply need to read Proverbs. If we need a recipe that explains the plan of salvation, turn to Romans. If we are wondering about heaven, the recipe can be found in John 14:1-6 and Revelation 22:1-6. Are you looking for a good recipe book? Look in the “Good Book” for recipes that will both nurture and grow you. God said to Ezekiel in Ezekiel 3:3 – “Then he (God) said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll (God’s Word) I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.” So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.”

Indeed, God’s word is sweet when we feed upon it. God’s Word does have the recipe for life that we need. If you are not reading from it daily, why not begin today?

FAVORITE CRUMB CAKE
Topping:
3 sticks of margarine 1-1/2 cup sugar (1/2 of this brown sugar)
1 tsp. cinnamon 3 cups of flour

Mix together well and refrigerate overnight.

Cake:

3 Tbsp. margarine 1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup sugar pinch of salt
1 egg 2 cup flour
1 cup milk 3-1/2 tsp. baking powder

Cream the margarine and sugar together, add egg. Beat well. Add milk, salt and vanilla – beat well. Finally, add the flour and baking powder. Beat two minutes.
Pour into a well-greased jelly-roll pan. Crumble the refrigerated topping over the cake batter. Bake in a 350 oven for 40-45 minutes. When cooled, dust with powdered sugar. Cut into squares and serve.
This is a great breakfast or brunch recipe. Serves 12-15