In the Storm

This morning I was reading Matthew 7:18-27.  While reading and thinking about friends who are in the midst of some difficult circumstances, I was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write these words.  I pray that you are comforted, and encouraged as you read.

Jesus got in the boat, and is disciples followed Him

Into a furious storm

How often does that happen?  We follow Jesus into the storm, and not away from it.

And Jesus slept in perfect peace. He knew he was in the perfect care of His Father.
That's how he wants us to be in a furious storm.  When our lives are falling apart.  When there is one thing, then another.  It's like a hurricane, and like the disciples, we become Frantic! 
saying...

"Lord SAVE us!"
"I think I'm going to drown!"
"Help!"
"Where are you?"
"Do you even care?" 

And He responds.

Oh you of little faith.  Why are you so afraid?  Why, my child?  Why do you not believe my promises?  Why do you not trust me?  Why?

Then He causes the storm to cease.  Everything becomes calm again.  And we are again amazed by the God who controls the very storms of lives.   
He brings us into the storm, and at His word, He brings us out.

Oh Lord, help me to trust you and to rest in you in the midst of the storm.  In the midst...  You are there beside me, in the midst of the storm.  Every wind and wave is under your complete control and I will not drown.  I trust you.  I trust your every word.  Oh God help my unbelief.  Make me lie down in your green pastures.  May your rod and staff comfort me.  As I walk through this difficult place, may your perfect peace cast out ALL FEAR and ALL ANXIETIES.  
So I lie down beside you in this boat, on the stormy sea.  As the winds and waves threaten to destroy me, I snuggle up next to you.  As people all around me scream, in a panic telling me what I ought to do, I look to you alone.  Embrace me that I might rest.  That I may know your perfect protection.  And the storms will become strangely dim as I listen to your loving voice lulling me to sleep.  Amen.  

What's on Your Mind?

We've been reading Ninety Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper.  As we read today, the Holy Spirit gave us a very practical illustration of a truth that He continues to sear into the core of my being.  We become what we continually think about.  Don talks about a man who became blind.  That blind man was bitter, and angry because of all the things he couldn't do anymore.  But that man had a friend who challenged him to make a list of all the things he could do.  So the man did it--reluctantly.  It completely transformed the man! Suddenly, the man realized that there were thousands of things he could do, and he resolved to spend the rest of his life doing those things.  He moved from bitterness, to thankfulness.

We, too, can transcend the problems and imperfections of this earth, by focusing our minds on Heavenly things, by choosing to dwell on the blessings which flow out of Heaven's gates to earth, by keeping our eyes gazing upward, seeing glimpses of Heavenly treasures, and enjoying the pleasure, beauty and rest that we find in God Himself.  Out of Him flows every good thing.    Praising this magnificent King and thanking Him for His lavish gifts brings us to His gates, allowing us to enter His courts.

Simply stated, praise God and thank Him for everything in your life, good, and bad, small and large.  If we do not do this small thing, we cannot expect to enjoy the delights of His very presence.

There will always be a hundred million things that we don't have in this life.  There will be pain, suffering, and disappointments, but we have the opportunity to choose how we will respond.  Aren't you thankful that we can choose?  I tell my children all of the time, "You choose your attitude."  And aren't you glad that when we choose thankfulness and praise, that we are blessed with sweet heavenly treasures that transcend all human understanding?

I challenge you.  Get out a sheet of paper.  Make a list of everything that you are thankful for--small and large. Nothing is insignificant.   Fill up the front.  Turn over to the back and fill up the back side.  List every positive quality in that person that gets on your last nerve.  As you fill up the paper with your thanks, God will fill up the treasure chest of your heart with peace, contentment, joy and confidence in this God who loves you so dearly.  As my youngest son said to me after completing this activity, "You feel rich!"  It's a promise directly from the Heavenly Throne.

And when you realize how much you've been blessed, you'll want to bless others with the gifts you've received.

Phil 4: 6-9 [6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

    PHP 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. [9] Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

It's too late! There's no hope for me.

Waiting is hard.

I know God is taking me to a new place, but right now I'm waiting.  And it seems to be God's way to keep us in the waiting room until it seems all hope is gone.  The Holy Spirit took me to Lazarus's death this morning.  Jesus waited until Lazarus had been dead 4 days before he arrived.  Lazarus, Mary and Martha were his good friends.  Why didn't he come right away when the messengers told him that Lazarus was sick?  Mary and Martha expressed their disappointment to Jesus.  "Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn't have died"  Even bystanders made the same observation.  "Couldn't this man who opened the eyes of the blind have kept Lazarus from dying?"

Do we not often feel the same way?  Lord, why didn't you answer me when I ask for .....?  Lord, why did you let ________ happen?  Lord, why did you delay in coming to my aid?  Where are you God?  Why are you taking so long?  We're not alone in feeling this way.  David expressed the same frustrations. 

PS 13:1 How long, O LORD? 
Will you forget me forever?  
How long will you hide your face from me? 

So did Jeremiah.

LA 5:20 Why do you always forget us?   
Why do you forsake us so long?

So, you understand how Mary and Martha felt.  When Jesus commanded the stone to be removed from Lazarus' tomb, Martha expressed her hopelessness.  It was too late now.  His body was already decaying.  There was nothing Jesus could do.  At least, that's what she thought.

But then Jesus says, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"

And if you know the story, you know that Lazarus was brought back to life.  It wasn't too late!

Do you find yourself in that place today?  Is it too late for hope?  Do you feel disappointed or abandoned by God?  Is your situation too far gone to be turned around? Do you see NO LIGHT at the end of the tunnel?

Jesus says to you today, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"  God still has amazing plans for your life.  He hasn't forgotten you. 

Expect Him to do something unexpected in your life.  Expect Him to astound you.  Expect Him to do the impossible.  That's His specialty!  In the meantime, keep your eyes on the Hope-giver.  Keep seeking Him.  Keep obeying Him.  Keep yourself open to you, that you might receive His lavish blessings.  They will come when you least expect it, and in ways that are beyond your imagination.

It's not too late.  There is hope.