June 24-25, 2006, Matthew 14, Mark 6; John 6

INSTANT MESSAGES!
T+ - A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT!

*** Proverbs 12:25 "Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up." [New Living Translation]

*** Isaiah 42:3 "[God] will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the dimly burning flame. He will encourage the fainthearted, those tempted to despair." [LB]

*** Romans 15:4 "The Scriptures were written to teach and encourage us by giving us hope." [Contemporary English Version]
*** Psalm 119:28 "I weep with grief; my heart is heavy with sorrow; encourage and cheer me with your words." [Living Bible]

*** Mark 6:35-44 "By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. "This is a remote place," they said, "and it's already very late. [36] Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat." [37] But he answered, "You give them something to eat." They said to him, "That would take eight months of a man's wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?" [38] "How many loaves do you have?" he asked. "Go and see." When they found out, they said, "Five--and two fish." [39] Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. [40] So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. [41] Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. [42] They all ate and were satisfied, [43] and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. [44] The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand." [New International Version]
*** Mark 6:52 "They did not understand about the miracle of the five loaves, because their minds were closed." [New Century Version]

*** Mark 6:45-46 "Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. [46] After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray." [NIV]
*** Mark 6:47-48a "When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. [48] He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night..." [NIV]
*** John 6:16-19 "When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, [17] where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. [18] A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. [19] When they had rowed three or three and a half miles..." [NIV]

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEA!

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT!
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STORM!

WHY ME? WHY THIS? WHY NOW?

DID JESUS KNOW THIS STORM WAS COMING?

*** Mark 6:52 "They did not understand about the miracle of the five loaves..."
*** Mark 6:48a "He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them." [NIV]

- JESUS SAW!
- JESUS FELT!
- JESUS CARED!

*** Isaiah 46:4 "I will be your God through all your lifetime, yes, even when your hair is white with age. I made you and I will care for you. I will carry you along and be your Savior." [LB]

*** Mark 6:48b-50 "About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, [49] but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, [50] because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." [NIV]

*** Psalm 37:24 "If he stumbles, he's not down for long; God has a grip on his hand." [Message Bible]

*** Matthew 14:28-31 "'Lord, if it's you,' Peter replied, 'tell me to come to you on the water.' 'Come,' he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!' Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?'" [NIV]

*** Matthew 14:32-33/John 6:21 "And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down...and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." [NIV]

JESUS WALKS TRIUMPHANTLY ON THE WAVES OF LIFE'S TROUBLES!

*** Hebrews 6:18 "God cannot tell lies! And so his promises and vows are two things that can never be changed. We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us." [Contemporary English Version]

*** 2 Cor. 1:3-4 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is the Father who is full of mercy and all comfort. He comforts us every time we have trouble, so when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us." [NCV]

THINK + POSITIVELY!