Stepping Into the Storm

When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea. Matthew 8:23,24

The dynamics of their day changed when the disciples climbed into a boat with Jesus. Following Him led to a storm in their life and I am being reminded this morning that many times it is no different for us in this present age. As believers we have a desire within us to know God on a personal, intimate level. For some that desire has been buried under years of religious activity, going along with the crowd, and making their outward life appear to be just right. But the desire is still there. It is that ache inside them that whispers to them when they are finally alone with their own thoughts. Something is telling them there has got to be more to the Christian life and they long to know what it is.

I use to have a pretty “safe” way to live my Christian life. It boiled down to a neat system of behavior. Go to church, get involved, keep the rules, do what was expected of me, keep issues at the surface, never question, blend in to look and sound like everyone else, stay away from anything or anyone that didn’t agree with what I believed, and at all costs don’t make waves! While it was a safe box to live in it brought no internal satisfaction, healing, direction, or connection to God on a personal level. God was not the One I felt comfortable talking to, His Word was not something I opened on a daily or even weekly basis, and an incredible sense of emptiness, loneliness, and condemnation engulfed me. That was the shore of my existence for decades. Could people tell it on the outside? No! But my internal world mocked me.

The day I climbed into my own “boat” with Jesus was profound. All was bright and sunny for the most part. But the storm eventually came and I had to learn what it means to trust Jesus no matter what the circumstances of my life looked like. While it would appear my life has come unraveled my soul finally knows what it is like to be in daily relationship with my heavenly Father. So let the winds blow, let the waves cover me, let the rains descend! I have no intention on going back to the shores of comfort. I would rather be alone with Jesus in the midst of a storm than be surrounded by multitudes in my own emptiness.

Father, You see every storm that approaches. Your presence, Your Words, and Your voice sustain me! Amen.

When Others Experience the Storms

For I know that on account of me this great storm has come upon you. Jonah 1:12

It is a difficult thing to face the storms in our life. Consequences for choices we have made can be painful at times. That is the case when we choose to sin and sometimes that is the case when we are striving to do what is right. Jonah was running from God and yet he was not the only one to experience the storm at sea. When confronted with the question as to what they should do, he told his ship companions to throw him into the sea and he gave voice to the bottom line of their predicament. The trouble they were experiencing was on account of him! The price of his choice to disobey God’s command was being paid by himself as well as others.

I think of the many Bible characters who faced hardship because they chose to follow God. The storms of persecution came not only upon them but upon their friends and family members as well. If a father was put in prison for his faith, his family suffered the loss of his presence, protection, and provision. The enemy would be quick to condemn his choices because of the suffering others were experiencing on account of him. In many countries today there is still persecution abounding. What is it like for the one whose passion for Christ has a cost to not only himself but for his family as well? If they do not live under the grace and mercy of a loving heavenly Father, they will very easily second guess their decisions. Watching others suffer because of our personal choices can add extra pain to what we are already experiencing.

This has been the story of my life for the past seven months or so. My husband is facing the darkest and most difficult days of his life as a direct result of choices I made in relationship to my walk with God. It was easier when I was the only one paying the price for my decisions. It is much harder to see him in the midst of the storm. I have no doubt God will bring us out on the other side in complete victory. But I also know the enemy will use every thing he can to get us discouraged, doubtful, and disheartened. Every day I have two choices. I can choose to let God define this time for me or I can choose to let Satan do the defining. I choose what God says!

Father, You are the only Anchor in the midst of this storm. Help us to hold on to You like never before. We seek Your glory, Your honor, and Your deliverance. Amen.

Seeing Fruit and Victory

And He caused His people to be very fruitful, and made them stronger than their adversaries. Psalm 105:24

Although these words were spoken in regards to Israel, they are God’s intention for His children today. As believers, they capstone two very essential qualities He desires to be evidenced in our lives…fruitfulness and victory. Both must come out of a life that daily connects with God and lives in intimate relationship with Him. This morning I am asking myself how well I am doing at bearing fruit and being stronger than my adversaries.

When I think of fruit on a tree I see something that can nourish others as well as show that the tree is alive. I want my words and actions to nourish others and to show them that I am alive in Christ. Sometimes we limit “bearing fruit” to leading others to Christ. While that is certainly important (and thrilling when it happens) it is not the only thing that constitutes fruit in the life of the believer. Any conversation or interaction with individuals that shows them an aspect of God is a way of sowing seed that will eventually result in fruit. May God help us to see the moments in each day when we are able to show others who He is and what He is like by our lives.

When I first saw the phrase “stronger than their enemies” I immediately thought of the verse that says, “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.” Satan is obviously our number one enemy but not the only enemy. Strongholds, addictions, generational bents, sins, certain people, over whelming circumstances and a host of other things can be our daily adversaries. Those things which can cause us to stumble are not suppose to have the victory over us. Through Christ we are MADE stronger than all of them. But many times we don’t know our own strength and we don’t live as if we are stronger.

The key is in the two words “caused” and “made”. It is God who is working in us to make this verse a reality in our life. He alone can reveal to us what is hindering either one from being true for us. This morning this verse becomes not only a challenge but a promise!

Father, may fruit and victory both be evidenced in my life on a daily basis. May Christ be seen in me! Amen.

Deliverance From Within

You have brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God. Jonah 2:6b (New King James Version)

What a proclamation of deliverance! While Jonah’s pit was both that of disobedience and then near death, we too know what it is like to be in a pit. I think of Bible characters whom God brought out of pits. Joseph was in the pit of prison, Moses was in the pit of the wilderness, Ruth was in the pit of widowhood and famine, David was in the pit of adultery, murder, and fear, Paul was in the pit of persecution, etc…

For most of her life, my mother battled the pit of depression. I have known family members who battled (and still do) the pit of alcoholism. I have a friend who battles the pit of loneliness and rejection. Several close friends are presently in the pit of illness. For 30 years I was in a pit of emptiness. These pits are not places in which anyone wants to be. They are uncomfortable, difficult, and lonely. But we have a God who is faithful to deliver!

I find myself wondering about circumstances that some dear people endure and it appears their deliverance may not be seen in this life time. What do I do with this verse in that case? I realize there is still deliverance. God can still deliver them from despair, discouragement, hopelessness, bewilderment, and feelings of abandonment. For I remember that Jonah spoke these words while he was still in the belly of the fish…not when he was standing on solid ground!

What is your plea this morning? If you are lonely, God is present! If you are empty, God is the One who can fill you! If you are afraid, God is the One who comforts! If you are in need of forgiveness, God is the One who invites you to embrace His forgiveness! I find that for most of us, the torments of our internal world far surpass what we are experiencing on the outside. Mental anguish, heartache, regret, loneliness, and fear are not always seen by others but they are what we can find ourselves experiencing.

Jesus still says to each one of us, “Come unto Me and I will give you rest!” While the outward circumstance may continue for a season, I know that I can experience rest and peace of mind even in the midst of any storm. I can proclaim with Jonah that God has delivered me from the pit of my internal world.

Father, Your invitations to me abound! I come to You this morning to find my rest. Amen.

God's Greatest Concern

How is it you are sleeping? Get up, call on your God. Perhaps your God will be concerned about us so that we will not perish. Jonah 1:6

This captain speaks words to Jonah which are a sermon in themselves. If I had to phrase it in my own language I would say, “How can you ignore our plight? If you don’t care, maybe your God does!” Two verses come to mind because of his last statement. I Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you. And John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Both verses become powerful when we slip our own name into them. There is no “perhaps” about it. As a believer, I know to use the word “since” or “because” in front of a statement that refers to God’s concern. God is concerned and God has gone to great lengths to ensure that we do not perish. Where we spend eternity is the deepest concern of God’s heart.

This life is short and full of hardships. The past couple of days with the heartbreaking news of school shootings has caused us all to see that we really do live in a fallen, depraved, cursed world. The present war in Iraq remains a reminder of that as well. Watching loved ones suffer with different forms of disease and illness has a way of filling us with sorrow. Each of us have areas in our life that bring us face to face with pain, loss, and heartache. Taking all of that into account, I am reminded of the words someone spoke which are so true. For those who know Christ, this world is the closest thing to hell they will ever experience. For those who do not know Christ, this world is the closest thing to Heaven they will ever experience.

As believers, we have the privilege of letting others know the truth about what lies beyond this life. Our God does care and He has made a way for us to spend eternity with Him. While He desires that no one will perish, He leaves the choice to each individual. Ultimately we must do the same. Our main task is to live it before them, speak it to them, and allow God to work in their heart. Only He can bring them to the place where they are ready to listen.

Father, help me not to be asleep like Jonah when it comes to souls. May my life and words speak volumes of Your concern for mankind. Amen.

Selective Speech

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29

For years I would look at this verse and see a good guard for my conversations. It was warning me about what to say and what not to say to the people in my life. In a nutshell, I was to build others up not tear them down. This morning God is nudging me to apply the same truths to myself. He is prompting me to examine my own speech toward myself. How gracious are my words that I speak to myself? How hard am I being on myself? How many put downs am I directing toward myself?

I spent this past weekend with a dear friend. We hadn’t seen each other for over 23 years! How amazing that our conversation could pick up right where we had left off. Much was discussed, savored, and taken in. Much was shared on a deep heart level. Issues abounded….answers were given. At moments, laughter erupted. At other moments we could be close to tears. But one thing that stands out in my mind as I review our conversation is how both of us could be so hard on ourselves. We both found ourselves telling the other to not speak negative words about ourselves. This morning God is letting me know I still need to take heed to that admonition. Even now I can hear my friend say, “Don’t talk like that!” I have determined it is time to test my words before they are voiced.

Here are the questions I need to ask myself before the words leave my mouth. Am I about to speak the truth? What are the thoughts that are feeding the words? Will the things I am about to say encourage me or discourage me? Will the words bring life or death to my spirit? Who would delight the most in what I am about to say….God or Satan? Which words need to be cleansed by the blood of Christ, given over to Him, and saturated with Scripture? When I finish saying what I am about to say will I proceed to dance with joy or live with a feeling of gloom? Will I be filled with a sense of delight or disgust? There are many more questions but my point is this, I have a choice! May I proceed to apply today’s verse to myself as well as others to whom I am speaking.

Father, sometimes I feel shaky in my ability to speak the right words. If nothing else escapes my mouth today may it be praise to You. Don’t let me waste any words. I yield my tongue to You. Amen.

Plainly Said and Still Missed

And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. And He was stating the matter plainly. Mark 8:31,32

I marvel that Jesus was so precise in the things He shared with His disciples and yet they missed it! They could not see the meanings behind His words. Therefore, when those things He told them ahead of time began to happen, they were filled with fear, confusion, and misunderstanding. Truth had been presented to them but they were unable to take it in, due to preconceived ideas, unreceptive hearts, and their own personal agendas. They thought Jesus had come to overthrow the Roman government and set up an earthly kingdom. Words like suffer, rejected, killed, and resurrection did not quite fit their picture! However, once all these things came to pass and God’s Spirit took up residence in them, their eyes were opened and they could exclaim, “Now I see!” Life would never be the same for them from that point on.

I have had things plainly told to me and still missed what was being said. Even with the Holy Spirit in me and the complete Word of God before me I was not getting the message. Have you ever lived your Christian life knowing you are on the right track but sensing something is still missing….something is still wrong? This past week has been filled with eye-opening moments for me. Allow me to share just two truths that became clear to me.

God opened my understanding to the fact that if I live my life desiring to be anyone other than myself I will miss what He has intended for me. Out of my own sense of worthlessness and self loathing, I found it safer to just be someone other than who I am. God gently let me know I was settling for less and missing what He desired to do in me. Idolatry, camouflaging, and pretending actually closed the door to what I was really craving.

He also showed me that taking in truth about Him is not the same as living in relationship with Him. He wants a personal, intimate relationship with me and that is what we are now cultivating.

Father, it has taken two and a half years for the first drops of truth to get from my head to my heart. I marvel and I weep. Praise You! Amen.