Promise for Today - When the Wind Stopped

“Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.

Matthew 14:29-32 NLT

This has always been one of my favorite passages of Scripture. I don't care how many people point out Peter's fear and doubt, I don't see anyone else's name mentioned as going over the side of the boat IN THE STORM and walking on the water. It lends a whole new meaning to "getting your sea legs."

I thought I'd heard this story taught from every angle. I was wrong. My pastor taught on this last night, and I heard another pastor's sermon on YouTube this morning that seemed to be the extension of last night's teaching, and both were exactly what I needed to hear. I've lived long enough to know that when God repeats something, "verily verily," I'd better pay close attention.

Just to refresh - In this story of the storm and Peter, verse 24 tells us, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. The waves that Jesus was walking on. The same waves that Peter stepped into when he went over the side of the boat. The point being that the circumstances had not changed. Jesus was there, but the storm was still raging. Jesus bid Peter come and walk to Him, yet the storm raged on. The wind didn't stop when Jesus showed up. It didn't stop when Jesus reached down and pulled Peter out of the water. It didn't stop as they were climbing to get into the boat - which was no easy task... The wind stopped after they got back into the boat. After...

Sometimes the circumstances don't change, but I can guarantee you that Jesus is there because His Word promises He will never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8, Hebrews 13:5). And we know that God works ALL things together for our good. Storms, dark nights, tears. Faith is never strengthened without being tested. When did the wind stop? AFTER the waves, after the dark, after the fear, after he was sinking, after he climbed back up into the boat. Where was Jesus? Right there. Always right there.

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the encouragement to grow our faith. Thank You for never leaving us. Thank You for Your presence at all times. Remind us to give thanks IN all things. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Reminder - Storms and All

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Mark 13:31 NLT

I was on my way home from a meeting. The sun was behind me shining brightly into the mass of storm clouds ahead of me. I knew conditions were right for a rainbow...and I was not disappointed. I thanked God for it as I watched it appear, not only for its beauty but for the covenant - for His Word that stands the test of time. And in that moment, the Holy Spirit pierced my heart with understanding and hope...

As I mentioned, the sun was fully shining behind me, but the storm clouds ahead were daunting. The kind you watch for signs of a tornado. I don't like those, and I had the fleeting thought, 'Why head for the storm when you could turn around and ride into the sunset?' and it was in that moment that the rainbow appeared and I felt peace.

You see, I've been riding the edge of a storm in my life. The winds have been howling, the thunderous clamor of life's circumstances overwhelming at times, and it feels like I'm headed straight into it with no hope to avert. I've been so concerned with trying to find a way to get around or away from the storm that I'd completely lost sight of the ability to go through it with my God who promised to never leave me, to never forsake me.

Storms come and go. Battles wax and wane, but the same God who proclaimed, "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away", also promised in Matthew 28:20, "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." Storms and all.

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your promises. Thank You for loving us beyond our comprehension, and thank You for being a God who is with us always. Strengthen our hearts, O God, in Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Reminder - Who's Passing Who?

Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified.
Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down.
Mark 6:47-51a NIV

I know I've read this passage many times, but tonight, it finally sunk in that Jesus intended to pass by them. The Message reads, "He intended to go right by them." 

Why would He do that? He saw them fighting the wind that was against them. He saw them straining at the oars. These were seasoned fishermen who knew their way around a boat, plus they were His followers and they were struggling. Why wouldn't He just run to them and save them? But notice, it wasn't until they cried out in fear that He acknowledged them and turned to them.

How often do we do that? We're going about life, doing what we know to do. And there are those times when life gets really hard, and we just keep trying to do life in our own strength... All the while wondering why God doesn't do something. Can't He see what we're up against? Doesn't He see us struggling and straining? Is He really going to ignore our plight?

Let me ask the tough questions - Have we called on Him or are we still trying to do everything in our own strength? Have we acknowledged and confessed our need for Him or are we too busy indicting Him? Are we passing HIM by?

Prayer:

Father,
           Forgive us for thinking that we can do anything apart from You. Thank You for loving us enough to correct us and to turn our hearts. Thank You for Your protection and provision. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Rocking Our World

So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.

Hebrews 6:18-19a NLT 

What keeps you grounded during tough times? What is it you choose that will anchor your soul when the howling winds of hell threaten to destroy you? On what can you stand and hang on to that never changes - that never needs an upgrade to be forever sustainable? Only the promises found in God's Word. Everything else will fail. God's Word never fails. 

God is faithful. He is love. He is everlasting. He is light and compassion and justice and power and SO MUCH MORE. He is everything we need and His Word has everything in it we need to live.

Life is HARD and we don't always understand the whys and wherefores of it. God's plan for our lives rarely aligns with our own. Yet, He is trustworthy and worthy of our praise, our thanksgiving, our faith, and our worship. When our world is rocked by the storms of life - sickness or calamity or even death - such things do not knock God off His Throne. If we stand on His Word, our Anchor will hold.

Revelation 21:4-5 NLT assures us, "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for Your Word that calms our hearts and soothes our souls through the storms of life. Thank You for Your promises that give us hope and blessed assurance. Thank You, especially for Matthew 5:4, "Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted." written in red. We need Your comfort and Your peace, Father, in Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

From Now Until Easter - Storms

From Ash Wednesday until Easter, I will post from Lent and Easter devotionals offered online. Today's post features excerpts written by Alan T. “Blues” Baker, RCA supervisor of Chaplain Ministries, who has also served as a military, campus, and corporate chaplain.

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They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away. They reeled and staggered like drunkards; they were at their wits’ end.

Psalm 107:26-27 NIV

Every seasoned sailor experiences storms at sea. In rolling darkness, their ship sways and shudders by the strength of the wave. As a Navy chaplain, I’ve been thrown from my rack to the deck by the force of the storm. I’ve served alongside sailors unable to sleep because we were overwhelmed by uncontrollable circumstances.

Throughout the past two centuries, the RCA has sent chaplains to sea. The chaplains bring comforting words of the Bible to fearful sailors. Beyond words, they bring the incarnational presence of Jesus among those in the storm. When the waves are strongest, chaplains remind sailors that Jesus is even stronger. They remind mariners who are scared and stressed that they aren’t the first to fight against the storm. Chaplains retell the story of a group of first-century fishermen, wet and wind-burned, caught in a terrifying squall on the Sea of Galilee. These seasoned sailors panic. They cry out to Jesus. Like the calm eye of a savage hurricane, Jesus brings stillness because, no matter the circumstance, he abides with his father.

You may not be at sea, but you may be reeling from waves beyond your control. Are you sinking in frustration, anxiety, fear, depression, or anger? Whatever your storm, call upon the comforter, the Holy Spirit, who will bring the presence and peace of Jesus to your anxious, fearful, and frantic circumstance. God promises to fill your cloudy sky with his bright moonbeams shining against the wave of your stormy sea.

Prayer: 

Lord, 

       Save us in the storms of life and remind us of Your promise to never abandon ship: “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Amen.

I Never Thought of That

You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. 

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!

Psalm 139:16-18 NLT

On the days when I wonder what in the world is going on, I am comforted by this passage. It reminds me there IS a Master plan. I may not know what it is, but I know WHO made it and I choose to trust Him no matter what. 

And one of almost everyone's favorites, Jeremiah 29:11 NLT - "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."  I know I've used that Scripture reference LOTS of times. He's telling His people, "Yes, you are being held captive and will be for 70 years!"  It's not our first, second, or even third choice but there is great comfort in remembering the Lord said, "I know the plans I have for you..."  

There is even greater comfort in realizing that at NO TIME has God ever said, "I never thought of that." Let that sink in...then give Him praise.

Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You that You are ever mindful of us and what is best for our lives as we follow You. Even though we don't always understand Your ways, we are so glad You have thought of everything. Thank You for Your faithfulness to us. Help us to continue to walk in Your peace through every storm, knowing that You have thought of everything. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Through Every Storm

But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.
Psalm 77:11 NLT

Today, my life was the living epistle of Psalm 77. I was mad that Hurricane Laura is projected to be a Category 3 before landfall in my part of the world. I had great concern for all the tasks that had to be completed today in preparation and I had no idea how I was going to get it all done. My daughter and son-in-love were expected home today from seeing his children, but not until late this evening. There were things at the office that needed to be done, too, and those who normally would have been part of the task force have been laid off during the pandemic. We also needed to evacuate...

Midway through my tirade, the Holy Spirit reminded me that God has gotten me through EVERY storm that has come my way. EVERY storm. Every hurricane, every tornado, every physical storm, every emotional cyclone... I may have lost some stuff along the way, but it's just stuff. I am alive, my children are alive, my grandchildren are alive. My Redeemer LIVES!

So right there, I stopped and began to thank God for all the times He has brought me through. All the times He has rescued my family. I acknowledged ALL the provision He has made during my life and the lives of my subsequent generations. And I praised Him for all His mighty works.

Within the hour, my son and daughter-in-love showed up to prep the house, and several guys from work volunteered to take care of the office needs. Not to mention, I was able to find a hotel that was pet-friendly, affordable and available, and I had the funds for it. My needs were met yet again and all I did was thank Him for what He'd already done. Children, pay attention! Through EVERY storm...

Prayer:

Father, 

           I cannot stop thinking about Your mighty works. O God, Your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as You? You are the God of great wonders! You demonstrate Your awesome power among the nations. By Your strong arm, You redeem Your people. And we are so grateful! Continue to remind us of Your mercy and grace. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Not Again

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness.
Romans 8:26a NLT

This is a little different. This is the latest post from my FB page where I journal about the breast cancer/now cancer-free journey of my life, but it is definitely my Promise for Today.

At the initial onset, it’s difficult to express all that goes on emotionally with a cancer diagnosis. However, I had great peace when all this started in 2016. I knew God was going to see me through it. Nor can I express the proper appreciation for the amazing, above-and-beyond support from my family and friends, (I could never have gotten through it without the love and prayerful support of all of you). Nevertheless, I just want to be done with this. 

I’m the type of person who wants to get through something and go on with life. What I have learned is that’s not how it works with a cancer diagnosis and ensuing treatment… Even when you’ve completed said treatment, there must be follow-up appointments. There must be tests; blood work, x-rays, mammography, ultrasounds, CAT scans, etc. yada, yada, rinse, repeat. I know compared to many, my journey has been relatively easy, and yet there is still a part of me that resents the repeat performances. (Read – I don’t like that I don’t have control.) The dichotomy is I find myself struggling with just-below-the-surface anger every time a new appointment is scheduled for me, while at the same time rejoicing and giving thanks to God that the next appointment is further away each time; three months, six months, a year.

I also find that while I like to do research and have all the information I can get; I need to guard my heart and mind just like I do as I try to follow Christ. I would encourage you to do the same. Listen, just because there’s an article about it - someone’s opinion on what cancer is or is not, what it does or does not do to you mentally - doesn’t mean we need to read it. 

So, as of today, March 1, 2020, I’ve been cancer-free for three years, 7 months and 2 days. This past Friday, I had the regularly-scheduled diagnostic mammogram and ultrasounds completed at The Rose on Featherwood. It was the first time since 2016 that I had gone a year between visits. When they called to schedule the appointment, I had no issues to report. 

You might remember there is a weird side effect of a mastectomy; I’ve mentioned it in a previous post, I think. Insane itching at the scar site. The hard part is it itches enough to drive you up a wall, but you can’t scratch it because it’s under the skin, and the scar causes that area to be numb, so you rub it like crazy. The week before the appointment, during one such manic itching episode, I felt a lump beneath the scar. "Is it the traveling lymph node? It doesn’t feel like a lymph node." So then to be sure, I did a self-examination on the remaining breast and found the known traveling lymph node, but not too far from it was another lymph node. (The shape is distinctive for those.) "Oh good," I think to myself, "my traveling lymph node has decided it needs a dance partner." I don’t care if it’s an entire dance troupe of traveling lymph nodes, as long as it’s not... you know.

Back to the left side, that thing should not be there. (Which for some strange reason took me immediately to Dr. Seuss’s Cat In the Hat, “Do I like this? Oh, no! I do not! This is not a good game,” said our fish as he lit. “No, I do not like it, not one little bit!”) Then immediately, all the questions. All the what-ifs. The one fear that you do not want to speak aloud or even acknowledge, and then the prayer. "God? Are You there? Please let it just be a cluster of fat cells. Please let it be fat cells. Please let it be fat cells…" (Have you ever known ANY woman to pray for fat cells?!? Let alone a BBW who already has more than enough?) 

Anyway, I found myself in a very strange place, not being able to pray specifically about it other than, "God? Are You there?" And He was. Scripture, sermons I heard at my church, live streams of pastors I listen to online - all confirming that very promise. His presence – Psalm 46, a VERY present help in time of trouble. Romans 8:26a NLT, And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. In Isaiah 59, when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. And there was a veritable flood of words from the enemy’s weapon of choice, fear. 

I believe that what you feed in your spirit is what lives. We must starve fear to death. Don’t feed it, don’t repeat it. I found myself picking the weapons of my warfare just like I did before. I have to have a fight song (or a fight playlist). And God is so faithful to lead me to the right song every time. He is so personal, He took me directly to Sheri Easter’s, Hear My Heart. I had no idea that she wrote the song during her own battle with cancer, but God knew… It spoke exactly to where I was –  "‘Cause You know every fear and every doubt I cannot speak. You know all the ways I need You and all the ways I'm weak, so I'll be quiet so You can hear my heart." (It's on YouTube.)

Then the ultrasound and all the measuring and marking reference points and the locations all in concert with the background choir of fear-ridden what-ifs. Now, I love a good choir (like the ones in the Sister Act movies) but this wasn’t that choir… And in that moment when the technician said she was going out to get the doctor and to not get dressed in case he needed to look at something else more specifically, I found myself ALMOST overwhelmed by fear - wanting to call my sister and wanting to call my best friend - but then I heard in my heart the Lord say, “Be still and know that I am God” and tangibly felt the Holy Spirit lift up the standard against the onslaught of fear. 

By the time the doctor came into the room, I was completely shored up with Psalm 23, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the SHADOW of death I will fear no evil for You are with me…" Turns out the shadow IS a fat cell cluster on the left and on the right, a dance partner for the traveling lymph node. I asked the doctor when the last time was that he heard of a woman praying for more fat cells… He agreed the Lord works in mysterious ways.

Hear my heart, Lord. I want to be done with living in a what-if environment. By God’s great grace and mercy, I remain cancer-free. Praise His Holy Name!

Prayer:

Father,
           I pray for all those being tossed about on the storms of life. Speak to the wind and the waves of those storms, and speak to their hearts, too, O God, “Peace, be still.” In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen

In the Storm

But the Lord hurled a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm that threatened to break the ship apart.
Jonah 1:4 NLT

We have all experienced storms in life. As Christians, we call out to Jesus, waiting for Him to stand and say, "Peace! Be still!"  It sounds like a good plan, doesn't it? He did it for the disciples that time, didn't He? Why wouldn't He do it for us, even if our storm is a figurative one rather than a literal storm? After all, it's difficult to keep moving forward with our plans if we're fighting just to stay afloat. 

And therein lies the crux of the matter. We need to ask ourselves some difficult, yet telling questions.

How did we get in the middle of the storm to begin with?

Whose way are we following - ours or His? 

Are we running toward God or trying to avoid Him? 

Honest answers to these questions will provide our best course of action to surviving the storm.

Teaching moment - 
In the case of the disciples, they were walking in obedience. They were doing what Jesus told them to do when the storm came upon them. He spoke to it and the winds ceased, and He rescued them, teaching them about faith in the moment.

Lesson - 
Storms will come even when we walk up close, right next to Jesus. And yet, we have only to trust Him to see us through, because He will. 

Teaching moment - 
Jonah, on the other hand, was trying to avoid God because he didn't want to do what God had instructed him to do. And he wasn't going to stop, that is until the Lord hurled a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm...
Lesson - 
Sometimes, God throws the storm at us to stop us in our rebellious way. The truth is, we don't always appreciate it, or the truth that it is evidence of His great love and mercy. We don't like to think of God throwing storms at us, yet Romans 2:4 asks, Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? 

The story of Jonah is a great depiction of repentance and God's redemption - for Jonah and the Ninevites. And for us...

Prayer:

Father,
            Open our eyes to see the Truth of any self-serving ways we may have slipped back into. Thank You for doing whatever it takes to stop us from our sin and turn us back to You. Forgive us, O God. Give us clean hands and pure hearts to be willing and able to follow Your plan for our lives. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen 

Full of It

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Jude 1:20-21

Colossians 1:23 reads, if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

The word "IF" stuck out and the concern in my mind was for those times when the level of faith felt less than it should be and hope fell short. So, let me just say this. I have never met one Christian who could say they didn't go through times when they felt their faith was less than it should be and/or their hope fell short. However, it's what we do when we're in that place that matters the most.

What choice do we make in the place where we are assailed by circumstances, trials and tribulations, pain and suffering? When we're dashed against the rocks by the horrendous storms of life - are we crushed or do we know that Jesus is the Rock? In the moment of our deepest dark, do we give up and walk away, or do we say with conviction, "God, You are still God" - no matter what we see going on around us?

Listen, friends will fail us, and so will family. Not on purpose more than likely, but it will happen. So will those in church leadership at some point or another. The number one thing to remember when it does happen is that they are NOT God. Romans 3:23 tells us that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. It's when we make the choice - as an act of our will - to follow after Christ that we continue in our faith. If there never was going to be a need to forgive or to be forgiven, Christ would not have died.

1st John 2:24-25 exhorts us, So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father. And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised us.

Can we make up our mind to believe the Word of God is true, no matter what we see or hear - and then "feed" on the Word instead of what we feel?

We remain faithful by keeping our faith FULL... full of His Word.

Prayer:

Father,
           You are the Lifter of our heads. Help us to see above the circumstances of life and to abide in Your Word. Help us to remain faithfully Yours. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Past the Storm Clouds

When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures. 
Genesis 9:14-15 NLT

There was a lot of chatter at work today about Tropical Storm Cindy, and the level of concern depended largely on which news venue they listened to. Here in southeast Texas, 45 mph winds are not cause for great concern among the general population, and 4 inches of rain seems about standard for a summer storm. I guess the difference is sustained winds versus gusts.  

I was on my way home from church this evening and watched the storm clouds begin to gather. Thick and dark and rolling in like tumbleweed, but every now and then, I'd catch a quick glimpse of sun in the cloud break. Then about halfway home, I saw a snippet of a rainbow behind the bloated clouds. It winked out a few times, and just as I arrived home, the clouds parted and the rainbow appeared - beautiful and vibrant as the covenant it represents. Mere moments later, it was swallowed up in clouds as though it had never been, but I still knew it was there.

It was a great illustrated sermon of the storms of life. If we know God and we know His Word, we should know that we can trust Him no matter what we see. Yes, the storms of life will come. Yes, the clouds will gather and life will seem dark. Yes, the winds will blow, and we may not see what we want to see. But this we know - above it all - the Son of God still reigns. His covenant with us is forever.  As God's Word assures us in 2nd Corinthians 4:18, So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

Look past the storm. You will find Him. He is there.

Prayer:

Father,

            Thank You for illustrating Your love and promises to us. Thank You that Your covenants are forever. You always provide what we require to be able to trust You. What a loving Father You are! Keep us ever mindful to look past the storm. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Be Still

Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”
When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.
Mark 4:38-39 NLT

I love walking the beach. I've witnessed its turbulence in a thunderstorm when the wind was so strong the birds wouldn't fly, and I've absorbed its tranquility when it was so calm I could barely discern the lapping of the tide at water's edge. Have you ever seen it when it looks like the proverbial sea of glass? It's not very often. 

I know how fierce the water can be in a storm when I'm standing on dry ground. And although I will walk the beach in any kind of weather, being on a boat is a whole 'nother story! Can you imagine that boat being tossed about to the point that veteran fishermen believed they were going to die on the water? "Jesus, don't You care...?"

I'm reminded that our lives are very like this story. We're walking along, heading for our destination, when all of a sudden, we're hit with one of the many storms of life. We try to bail water, trim sails, pull anchor - you name it, we're trying it, just to keep ourselves afloat. And we're already tired because it's nighttime and we were  going to rest on this trip. We may not want to bother Jesus, because we think He's asleep. We don't want to bother Him because He just took care of all of those other people. And then, when we get to the end of our own ability and we are unable to do for ourselves, and it seems as though everyone and everything is against us, we cry out, "Jesus, don't You care...?"

And His answer to us is the same as it was to the waves on the sea, “Silence! Be still!” So the wind of our whine should stop suddenly, so that there will be great calm. Why? Because Psalm 37:7 reads, Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.

Be still in the presence of the Lord. When the storms of life hit you broadside - Be still in the presence of the Lord. When the waves are crashing in on you - Be still in the presence of the Lord. When the evil people are scheming, Be still in the presence of the Lord. In HIS presence...now that's a GREAT calm.

Prayer:

Father,
         We will come into Your presence with singing, worshiping at the Throne of God, knowing that You are the Calmer of the storm. Help us to show others Your calm. In Jesus' Name we pray. AMEN

* Can You See It From Where You Are?

Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.

Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified.

In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”

Matthew 14:22-27 NLT

There was a brown lumpy thing next to the paper towel holder on the bathroom counter. True to the slogan that everything's bigger in Texas, so are its bugs... So, my first instinct was, "Kill!" Can you imagine how I laughed when I realized I was trying to kill a ponytail holder? 

How many times have you seen something just far enough away that it's not discernible from where you are? You have to get closer. And even then, sometimes you can't tell what it is till you get right up on it - or if there's not enough light, you may even have to touch it to see what it is.

In our text for today, can you imagine the disciples in the boat when the storm whips up? What was going on in their minds? Oh, why didn't Jesus just come with us? Oh, come, Lord Jesus, we need You! Father, please save us! You can make the wind stop! You control the universe! You can make the storm go away! Make it stop!!"  Nothing happens that they can tell, so they pray harder and probably much louder! 

No, the Scripture doesn't say specifically that they were praying, but it does say they were afraid. And if Christians are afraid, you best believe, they're praying!!  O Lord, save us! We're gonna drown!  And then here He comes...walking across the water. The miraculous answer to their prayers! And they don't believe it...because that's not where they were looking for Him. His response - His ANSWER to their prayer - was not in the form they expected. They couldn't see Him from where they were. 

Where are you? Are you praying about or for something or someone? Have you defined how it needs to be done?

Peter said, Lord, if it's really You, bid me come."  And Jesus replied, Yes, come. Can you see it from where you are? Maybe you need to get a little closer. Maybe you need to touch Him...

Prayer:

Father,

        Forgive us for limiting You by our unbelief. Open our spiritual eyes to see You in Your fullness and glory. Let us stay so close that we never ask, 'Where are you?' Let us see Your hand in all things that pertain to life. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* In Spite of the Storm

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Mark 13:31 NLT

I was on my way from a meeting this evening; the sun was behind me shining brightly into the mass of storm clouds ahead of me. I knew conditions were right for a rainbow...and I was not disappointed. I thanked God for it as I watched it appear, not only for its beauty, but for the covenant - for His Word that stands the test of time. And in that moment, the Holy Spirit pierced my heart with understanding and hope...

As I mentioned, the sun was fully shining behind me, but the storm clouds ahead were daunting. The kind you watch for signs of a tornado. I don't like those, and I had the fleeting thought, 'Why head for the storm when you could turn around and ride into the sunset?' and it was in that moment that the rainbow appeared and I felt peace.

You see, I've been riding the edge of a storm in my life. The winds have been howling, the thunderous clamor of life's circumstances overwhelming at times, and it feels like I'm headed straight into it with no hope to avert. I've been so concerned with trying to find a way to get around the storm that I'd completely lost sight of the ability to go through it with my God who has promised to never leave me, to never forsake me. 

Storms come and go. Battles wax and wane, but the same God who proclaimed, Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away, also promised in Matthew 28:20, Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Storms and all.

Prayer:

Father, 
         Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your promises. Thank You for loving us beyond our comprehension, and thank You for being a God who is with us always. Strengthen our hearts, O God, in Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

  

* Cloudy, with a Glimpse of Son

I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as the Lord. “In that day, I will answer,” says the Lord. “I will answer the sky as it pleads for clouds. And the sky will answer the earth with rain. Then the earth will answer the thirsty cries of the grain, the grapevines, and the olive trees."
Hosea 2:20-22a NLT

When I was a kid, I hated the rain. It got dark. You couldn't go outside. And if my mother saw even the slightest flash of lightning, the TV was unplugged and we couldn't talk on the phone, either... However, I loved rainbows! And you can't have a rainbow, unless there is some rain. Amen?

This morning, I took a detour to Sylvan Beach to watch the sunrise. The clouds were thick, yet they caught the glimmering pink of the sun before it peeked over the horizon. The dull grey of the water took on a pearlized beauty as it mirrored the coral color caught in the clouds... the same clouds that threatened rain at some point during the day. And as much as we need the rain, for the briefest of moments, I did not want to be rained on while doing the errands I had on my list for today.

As I watched the sun climb, the clouds thickened, and as they did, the sun continued its unhurried, yet constant ascent to break over the horizon, hurling its colors across those clouds. While the morning dawned on me physically, it also dawned on me that without the clouds, there would be nothing to reflect the light that causes the color to be so breathtaking. Some people may hate to see clouds in the sky, but no clouds equals no incredible colors sponged in streaks across the sky. And it was then I caught the parallel to our lives as followers of Jesus Christ.

If our lives were perfect (no dark times), we could be a light that people might notice if we were gone, but rarely do people stop to look at a clear, cloudless sky. However, when the clouds of discouragement or distress bluster in and billow around us, if we will reflect the Son as HE lights our way, the breathtaking beauty of HIS reflection will cause those who witness it to pull over, stop and drink it all in.

The sky pleads for clouds to answer the earth with rain to provide water for the thirsty cries of those living things that would die without the evidence of rain... His latter rain.

Prayer:

Father,
        You know what we need to make us grow in You and to effectively touch the lives of those around us. We trust You, Lord. Bring on the sun and the rain as You see fit. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen