puricare chronicles: Storms in life

Showing posts with label Storms in life. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

WHERE IS GOD DURING THE STORM? - God is with you, every moment of the day and every day of the week. He sees your struggles, and He has it all under control. Although the storm may seem unbearable, and although it may feel like your boat is sinking, He’s there for you when you cry out to Him. He can calm the sea with a word, and He’s our safe harbor even when things feel out of control. If you’re facing a storm, don’t waste time and energy trying to bail your boat out with a teacup. Cry out to Jesus, trust in God, and let Him guide you through the waves. - Their boat was being violently tossed, and the disciples were terrified. They’d had fine weather when they set out for the other side of the lake, but the wind blew in unexpectedly and one of the squalls that the lake was famous for rushed down with vengeance. Waves rose higher than the boat as they bailed out the water that rolled over the boat’s sides, shouting to be heard over the roar of the wind. “Jesus,” they called out as they fought to keep the boat afloat. “Help us, please!” But there was no answer, and they kept up their frantic activity alone. “Jesus, where are you?” Finally, they discovered Jesus — sleeping. In frustration, someone shook him awake and cried out, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” Jesus stood, and with a few words he simply commanded the waves to be still. Can you imagine the silence, after all that blowing, shaking, and yelling?

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Where is God During the Storm?

God is with you, every moment of the day and every day of the week. He sees your struggles, and He has it all under control. Although the storm may seem unbearable, and although it may feel like your boat is sinking, He’s there for you when you cry out to Him. He can calm the sea with a word, and He’s our safe harbor even when things feel out of control. If you’re facing a storm, don’t waste time and energy trying to bail your boat out with a teacup. Cry out to Jesus, trust in God, and let Him guide you through the waves.

christrevealed.com

Their boat was being violently tossed, and the disciples were terrified.

They’d had fine weather when they set out for the other side of the lake, but the wind blew in unexpectedly and one of the squalls that the lake was famous for rushed down with vengeance.

Waves rose higher than the boat as they bailed out the water that rolled over the boat’s sides, shouting to be heard over the roar of the wind.

“Jesus,” they called out as they fought to keep the boat afloat. “Help us, please!”

But there was no answer, and they kept up their frantic activity alone. “Jesus, where are you?”

Finally, they discovered Jesus — sleeping.

In frustration, someone shook him awake and cried out, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

Jesus stood, and with a few words he simply commanded the waves to be still.

Can you imagine the silence, after all that blowing, shaking, and yelling?

Suddenly, the sea was calm — the sky above reflecting on its still surface.

They could hear their hearts pounding in their chests, so sudden and complete was the change in weather.

Jesus looked from one pale, trembling face to the next and shook his head. “Why are you so afraid,” he asked them. “Do you still have no faith?”

God in the Storm

Have you ever found yourself crying out to God during one of life’s hard storms?

Maybe it snuck up on you, or maybe it had been brewing for quite some time.

A failing marriage, a health crisis, a job loss, a betrayal… the storms of life can seem overwhelming, and it can feel like you are drowning.

Fear can take over when we’re hit with a squall, and we’re left feeling like we’re trying to bail the water out of our little boat with a teacup, exhausted, fighting for our lives and barely able to speak. “Jesus, where are you?” we gasp in prayer.

“Don’t you care if I drown?”

At the point that they found themselves at the mercy of the waves in a boat that must have suddenly felt like a bobbing death trap rather than a vessel of safety, the disciples had already seen Jesus do plenty of miracles.

He’d turned water into wine, and they had witnessed him heal many sick people.

In fact, he’d recently healed a lame man on the Sabbath, inciting the wrath of the Pharisees.

And that day, he’s called himself “The Son of Man,” — a direct reference to his identity as Messiah and Savior.

In fact, they’d also seen Jesus at work in the crowds before this fateful boat trip, and when impure spirits encountered him they “fell before him and cried out, ‘You are the Son of God.’” (Mark 3:11).

They’d had plenty of chances to see that Jesus was capable of miracles, that he cared deeply for the people, and that he was no ordinary man.

Still, despite the repeated miracles they’d witnessed—they were afraid that Jesus would let them down.

The disciples were afraid that Jesus had abandoned them, not only fearing that he had fallen asleep and wasn’t paying attention, but that he didn’t care what happened to them!

Of course, Jesus cared. And he had the situation under control — he knew that with a few words, he could turn the crisis around and put them back on calm waters. He also knew that what happened that day in the boat was a powerful lesson that would speak to believers through the ages to come, a lesson that we all need to lean on at times.

Trusting in Jesus to Calm Life’s Storms

If the Lord’s close friends, who had been there at his side all along, were lacking in faith… is it any wonder that we often find ourselves in the same “boat”?

Sometimes it really can feel like Jesus is has forgotten about us, he’s asleep on the job or he just doesn’t care.

But the truth is, God knows every second of the storm’s path, and He knows your fears and struggles.

The story of Jesus calming the storm is found in 3 out of 4 gospels, each account tells the story in near-identical accounts.

Despite how it must have felt to the disciples at the time, what happened that day on the lake was no accident — it was a God-Ordained storm, and Jesus used it to show his followers that he is in control of all creation… all of the time.

And the same is true for you, today.

Psalm 121:4 says, “Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.”

God is with you, every moment of the day and every day of the week.

He sees your struggles, and He has it all under control.

Although the storm may seem unbearable, and although it may feel like your boat is sinking, He’s there for you when you cry out to Him.

He can calm the sea with a word, and He’s our safe harbor even when things feel out of control.

If you’re facing a storm, don’t waste time and energy trying to bail your boat out with a teacup.

Cry out to Jesus, trust in God, and let Him guide you through the waves.

https://www.christrevealed.com/where-is-god-during-the-storm/

Thursday, April 8, 2021

FEAR NOT FOR YOU WILL NOT BE ASHAMED - God’s Church will not go out under reproach - we will be afflicted and storm-tossed. Yet we are also promised a foundation made of sapphires. These sapphires represent spiritual knowledge and wisdom, insights into the very heart of God. Those who endure suffering come out armed with greater insights into God’s mercy. You may be tempted, tossed, afflicted and alone, but through it all He is forming underneath you a rock-solid foundation. It is all so that you may comfort others in their trials. - “Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.” - Everywhere we turn in the last days, we will see God’s glory breaking forth in a last revival. Christ’s Church will stretch beyond all former limitations to spread the good news. “Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; for thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited” Simply put, the Church will gain strength and raise up multitudes in Christ. Isaiah’s prophecy is meant not only for the Church Body but also for individuals. Isaiah makes it clear in this verse: We are told that we will be afflicted and storm-tossed. Yet we are also promised a foundation made of sapphires.

Fear Not for You Will Not be Ashamed

God’s Church will not go out under reproach - we will be afflicted and storm-tossed. Yet we are also promised a foundation made of sapphires. These sapphires represent spiritual knowledge and wisdom, insights into the very heart of God.

Those who endure suffering come out armed with greater insights into God’s mercy. You may be tempted, tossed, afflicted and alone, but through it all He is forming underneath you a rock-solid foundation. It is all so that you may comfort others in their trials.

Devotional Thoughts

By David Wilkerson

“Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.” - Isaiah 54:4

Everywhere we turn in the last days, we will see God’s glory breaking forth in a last revival.

Christ’s Church will stretch beyond all former limitations to spread the good news.

“Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; for thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited” (Isaiah 54:2–3).

Simply put, the Church will gain strength and raise up multitudes in Christ.

As we look more closely at Isaiah’s prophecy, we see it is meant not only for the Church Body but also for individuals.

I know godly servants, friends of mine, who have laid hold of this prophecy as a personal word from the Holy Spirit.

And they have built up their faith by its promises: “Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more” (Isaiah 54:4).

Isaiah makes it clear in this verse: God’s Church will not go out under reproach.

Yet just a few verses down, we read this warning to the last-days Church: “O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires” (Isaiah 54:11).

We are told that we will be afflicted and storm-tossed.

Yet we are also promised a foundation made of sapphires.

What does this mean, exactly?

When God declares, “I will lay thy foundations with sapphires,”

His message is, “When everything in the world is being shaken, you will not be moved. The foundation I’m laying underneath you is as solid as these stones. What I’m doing in you cannot be shaken.”

These sapphires represent spiritual knowledge and wisdom, insights into the very heart of God.

We know that those who endure suffering come out armed with greater insights into God’s mercy.

You may be tempted, tossed, afflicted and alone, but through it all He is forming underneath you a rock-solid foundation.

It is all so that you may comfort others in their trials.

David Wilkerson was called to New York City in 1958 to minister to gang members and drug addicts, as told in the best-selling book The Cross and the Switchblade. He went on to create Teen Challenge and World Challenge, Inc. to minister to people’s spiritual and physical needs.

In 1987, he established Times Square Church. As its founding pastor, he faithfully led this congregation, delivering powerful biblical messages that encourage righteous living and complete reliance on God.

David Wilkerson also had a strong burden to encourage his fellow pastors. He founded the Summit International School of Ministry; and from 1999 to 2008, he held international conferences to strengthen church leaders.

His passion to support believers, build up leaders and care for the poor is still at the heart of World Challenge’s ministries to this day.

https://worldchallenge.org/verse/isaiah-544

Monday, March 15, 2021

INSTRUMENT RATED - In a storm, pilots can lose all sense of direction. Their only hope is to lock onto their instruments and depend on the aircraft's guidance system to show them the way. The Word of God is our spiritual guidance system. We must not depend on what we can see with our eyes or feel with our emotions. The devil attacks us in our spirit. Faith is "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." No matter what is happening around you, put your faith in the true, undeniable Word of the living God, and He will see you through. You will weather the storm not through "flying by the seat of your pants," but through flying with His Word as your true compass, pointing you in the direction of righteousness. - “Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; out of His mouth come knowledge and understanding” - Pilots of small aircraft are required to be "instrument rated." This means they can fly without depending on their vision. In a storm, pilots can lose all sense of direction. Their only hope is to lock onto their instruments and depend on the aircraft's guidance system to show them the way. The Word of God is our spiritual guidance system. We must not depend on what we can see with our eyes or feel with our emotions. The devil attacks us in our spirit. No matter what is happening around you, put your faith in the true, undeniable Word of the living God, and He will see you through.

Instrument Rated

In a storm, pilots can lose all sense of direction. Their only hope is to lock onto their instruments and depend on the aircraft's guidance system to show them the way.

The Word of God is our spiritual guidance system. We must not depend on what we can see with our eyes or feel with our emotions.

The writer of Hebrews calls faith "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

The devil attacks us in our spirit. No matter what is happening around you, put your faith in the true, undeniable Word of the living God, and He will see you through.

You will weather the storm not through"flying by the seat of your pants," but through flying with His Word as your true compass, pointing you in the direction of righteousness.

Rod Parsley

“Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; out of His mouth come knowledge and understanding” - Proverbs 2:5-6

Pilots of small aircraft are required to be "instrument rated."

This means they can fly without depending on their vision.

In a storm, pilots can lose all sense of direction.

Their only hope is to lock onto their instruments and depend on the aircraft's guidance system to show them the way.

The Word of God is our spiritual guidance system.

We must not depend on what we can see with our eyes or feel with our emotions.

The devil attacks us in our spirit (John 16:13).

Are you trusting your sight or His?

The writer of Hebrews calls faith "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1).

No matter what is happening around you, put your faith in the true, undeniable Word of the living God, and He will see you through.

You will weather the storm not through "flying by the seat of your pants," but through flying with His Word as your true compass, pointing you in the direction of righteousness.

Lord, You are not my co-pilot; You are my pilot, my aircraft, my instruments, my power, and the wind beneath my wings.

I will fly only where you send me.

Amen.

Further Reading

Proverbs 2:5-6

John 16:13

Hebrews 11:1

Rod Parsley has been clearly called to a pre-eminent position of leadership within the Body of Christ, as his numerous roles – including TV host, evangelist, educator, humanitarian and statesman – will attest. But he’d be the first to tell you that his prominence is solely a function of his willingness to be used by God in extraordinary ways.

He was 19 when he first led a Bible study in his parents’ backyard. In more than 40 years since then, he’s built one of the most important and far-reaching Christian ministries in the United States. He has founded and now leads outreaches with local, national and worldwide reaches.

This New York Times best-selling author has successfully advocated for federal legislation, delivered hundreds of millions of pounds of food and medical supplies to poverty-stricken areas of the world and changed the lives of thousands who will shape the cultural landscape in the next generation. He’s in constant demand to preach the Gospel in pulpits across America and around the world, and to comment publicly on the moral issues of our day. If none of those opportunities had ever presented themselves, though, he’d still be Pastor Parsley, sharing God’s Word with his beloved World Harvest Church, helping his congregation know God as he does.

His other ministries include Valor Christian College; Harvest Preparatory School, an educational institution for local students from preschool through 12th grade; Hispanic and urban-outreach ministries; a national ministerial alliance; Bridge of Hope, a world-wide missions organization.

Through Bridge of Hope, he hosts the television shows “Breakthrough” and “Rod Parsley Now” which air on the Word Network, Daystar and 1,400 other local channels and cable outlets worldwide.

https://www.rodparsley.com/dailydevotion

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