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

Literally

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 

Mark 4:35-36 NLT

Few people speak literally. Have you ever noticed that? It can quickly become confusing when trying to make a decision to act, based on what someone has said. Did they mean it literally? Was there a veiled message in it? Did you notice any innuendos? Double entendres? 

Jesus spoke literally. (Yes, He told parables and other stories, but when He did, He always let you know that's what it was.) We're never left guessing when it comes to the spoken Word. And Jesus said He speaks only what the Father tells Him. The same God the Father who spoke the world into existence, "Let there be light." And there was light!  That Jesus said,"Let's cross to the other side of the lake."

Jesus did not say, "Let's go drown in the middle of the lake because of the storm that's coming."  They heard Him, they got in the boat and started out - heading to the other side. Then circumstances changed and they lost all hope of living to see the other side! And what was Jesus doing? Jesus was sleeping on a pillow...not moved by tossing waves, stormy seas. Why? Because He'd already spoken it. 

We would do well to remember that circumstances may change. God’s Word never does.

Can we believe the literal Word of God? Yes, I know we can, but DO we?

Prayer:

Father,

         Forgive us for allowing the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, to crowd out the words You have spoken to us. Let Your Word and Your Word alone be the bread of life to us.  In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Yes and No

But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
Matthew 5:37 NKJV

"Let me be perfectly honest with you..." Wait - does this mean you haven't been being honest with me?!? 

"In all honesty..." as opposed to NOT in all honesty? Wouldn't that be lying? 

"Truth be told..." And here I thought you've been telling me the truth all along...

These are some of the goofy phrases people use to try to convince others that whatever they're saying is more honest than what they've said before. How is that supposed to make them appear more trustworthy? If you want to be trustworthy, it's simple. Tell the truth. 

And don't use empty words to try to make yourself look good. If you say you're going to pray for someone, then pray for them. Do it! ...let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’  

Prayer:

Father,

           We pray as David prayed in Psalm 19, Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

The Focus

Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well:
2nd Kings 4:26 KJV

How many of us would be able to proclaim what the Shunammite woman did? And what about Job? In the book of Job, chapter 1 - Job, a very wealthy man, loses all of his children and all his possessions in one day. Scripture tells us at the end of the chapter, Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.

Some of us get a hangnail and we want to blame God. Get stuck in traffic and "God, you could move this, if you wanted to..."  Go to bed late because we get caught up in YouTube or Facebook, and when the alarm goes off, instead of 'Good morning, Lord', we're groaning, 'Good Lord, it's morning!' as though it's His fault we're tired...

Let's take a little time to think about the good things God has done for each of us. The times He's brought us through, pulled us up and lifted us out, covered us, delivered, redeemed, and set us free. Just to name a few... Is your focus - your heart - toward the circumstance or toward God?

Prayer:

Father, 

           Forgive us for the petty things in life that we allow to steal our focus away from you. Let us ALWAYS think of what You've already done, what You're doing, and what You're going to do. Keep our hearts, minds, and souls ever toward You, O God. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

To Keep Your Hope

And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You.

Psalm 39:7

What is your hope? What is it anchored in? When the storms of life come (and they will!), do you lose hope or is your foundation sure? 

♪♫ My anchor holds and grips the solid Rock... His Name is Jesus... yes, He's the One... ♪♫

I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8 NASB. When it's blowing and going with gale-force winds, what do you have to hold onto that is secure? Where will you 'hide' from the storms of life, and yet maintain your hope?

When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.

Psalm 61:2b-4 NKJV

Do you have any guarantee for your hope? Anything that will back it up? What about the following?

God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. 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 6:17-19 NLT

We have Word upon Word, promised forever. So in the principle of sowing and reaping, what are YOU sowing? I've just given you a page of encouragement to keep your hope!

Prayer:

           

Father,

           Let everything we sow be pleasing unto you. Let it bring forth fruit, according to Your Word. Encourage those around the world who are reading this. Multiply their hope in You. In Jesus' Name we pray.

What to Say

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power.

Isaiah 40:28-29 NASB

Have you ever had those days that feel like all you do is go from one fire to the next without any lasting results? It's like trying to run a marathon with one foot nailed to the floor. You're giving it all you've got, but you're not getting anywhere. 

I've been so much busier that at first, I didn't recognize what was going on. Then through the hustle and bustle, I heard Him whisper, "Come away. Come spend time with Me. Make more time for Me - I will help you." More time spent on something means less time for everything else when it can feel like we don't have enough time as it is to get everything done in a day. In our finite minds, that doesn't make sense. What do you say to that?

However, we're talking about the Creator of the universe. The God of multiplying, not dividing. The One Who always gives more! I was reminded of that when I read Proverbs 21:21, He who pursues righteousness and loyalty finds life, righteousness and honor. We pursue righteousness and loyalty and He gives us LIFE. God gives so much more than we could think or ask. So what do you say to a God like that?

You say, "Yes, Lord."

Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for always loving us. Thank You for always having the right answer and providing it for us. Thank You for knowing what we have need of before we even ask and for being patient and kind enough to allow us to come into Your presence where all our needs are met. Father, let our heart's desire be always toward You. We want to know You more. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

The Light

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
Genesis 1:2-4 KJV

Light is a very powerful force. Movie fans are fascinated by light sabers and in the real world, laser surgery is considered the latest and greatest. The world is fascinated by lights. Electronic games and pinball machines and shoes that light up! Even Sin City is known for its lights! Every picture or postcard of Las Vegas I've ever seen was taken with its lights glittering. Why? Because light attracts.

Light is God's idea - His first words on record. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good... And it was so good, that He used it in the New Covenant as well. The Light appears in Matthew, chapter one, and again in chapter four. Later in John 8:12, Jesus announces, I am the light of the world... David told us in Psalm 119 that the Word is a lamp and light to guide our way so that we may see clearly.

Directly following the Beatitudes given by Christ and in the same sermon, He says in Matthew 5:14-16, You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

HIS light in you. Let YOUR light shine... Let there be light!

Prayer:

Father,
         Cause us to seek after the Truth of Your Word. Let us soak up so much of Your Truth that we reflect Your true light - Life-giving light - to a world that is dying in darkness. Help us to be purposeful in living and reflecting Your light, so that others will be drawn to You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen