Decisions

Luke 8: ²² Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” And they launched out. ²³ But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. ²⁴ And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!”

Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. ²⁵ But He said to them, “Where is your faith?”

And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!”

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With sheets of rain pounding against the car I gripped the steering wheel in anguish. “LORD what should I do?” I said. Through the extremely poor visibility I could see the flashing lights of people who had pulled over. “Keep going” were the strange words I could hear. “YOU are kidding!” I thought, but I obeyed. About a five miles later it wasn’t raining at all.

• There were times when the storm seemed so big that I felt I would never make it out.
• There were times when the winds of life hit hard and it seemed like there would never ba an end.
• There were times when the torrents of problems flooded my life.

JESUS was asleep when a huge storm hit as they were crossing a lake. This was a big problem as it seemed like there was no escape. Water beneath and water falling from the sky meant there was no place to go. JESUS rebuked the wind, then asked “Where is your faith?”

• JESUS wants me to base my decisions on HIS protections.
• JESUS wants me to base my decisions on faith not on what I currently see.
• JESUS wants me to base my decisions on HIS promises to be with me always rather than what I am currently worried about.

Deciding to follow GOD seems difficult at times. I mean the problems of life can sometimes present themselves as huge and out of control. BUT GOD says something different. HE says “I AM in control of the largest storm, I can certainly handle any problem you face.” GOD wants me to go through the storm and come out the other side with faith.

• Does the storm you are facing seem huge and out of control?
• Does it seem like there is no way out of the storm?
• Can you place your trust in GOD and decide to have faith in HIS wonderful plan HE has for you today?

Delivering Celebration

Luke 1: ⁵⁷ Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. ⁵⁸ When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.

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“Look… I can walk!” were my words of joy. I was excited because I could not say the same weeks prior due to being laid up on the couch with an injury. The LORD healed me and I was elated to be able to do something so basic.

• When I get through the storm I feel excited.
• When I get healed I feel relieved.
• When I get delivered I feel free.

Elizabeth had given up on the dream of having children years before the announcement, yet somehow she wasn’t bitter at GOD. HE found favor in her unlike the bitter desert people Moses delivered, who complained about their situation daily. GOD delivered her mercy and she delivered a prophet.

• GOD wants me to have patience when I am going through the storm.
• GOD wants me to praise HIM during the storm.
• GOD wants me to increase my excitement for HIM during the storm.

The longer the trial, the bigger the delivery. No other woman in Elizabeth’s neighborhood was praised like her, because their deliveries were common. GOD takes me through some uncommon trials too. HE uses difficult situations to bring delivery for HIS people.

HIS SON suffered a great deal and was blamed for every one of my sins. GOD delivered me from eternal separation from HIM and for that I am truly grateful.

• Are you going through an extended trial?
• Do you feel like giving up?
• Can you replace any bitterness you have and replace it with praise for GOD today?

Acquired Skill

³⁵ On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” ³⁶ Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. ³⁷ And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. ³⁸ But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

³⁹ Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. ⁴⁰ But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”  ⁴¹ And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

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“Impossible” I said. I mean this task placed in front of me was way too hard. The person tried explaining it to me and even showing me but I still could not see how to do this humungous feat. I acquiesced to try again. I got on the bike and rode past 4 maybe five houses this time! Maybe I can do this!

• Sometimes life seems difficult.
• Sometimes life seems hard to master.
• Sometimes life can have tasks that seem impossible.

JESUS was and is the ultimate teacher. As the boat was tossed about, HE laid silently asleep on a pillow. These skilled fishermen had seen storms before and probably knew of people who had died in similar squalls. “Don’t you care?!” is a familiar exclamation I use to GOD when times get tough and it is the same question the disciples used.

• JESUS says to me “I AM teaching you little by little to have faith in ME.”
• JESUS says to me “Do not focus on the storm, focus on ME.”
• JESUS says to me “I AM right here so do not worry.”

After reading this passage in the past, I thought JESUS was a little unreasonable. I mean this is a life threatening crisis, “Why aren’t YOU sending out legions of angels to save the people who follow you?” is my first thought. JESUS says “I AM not worried” IS your lesson.

JESUS knows more about the situation than I do. HE knew the storm would not harm the disciples and the storms of life cannot harm me. Somehow, through all the worry, fretting and doubting, JESUS has ALWAYS come through. HE wants me to grow up to accept HIS way of doing things and grow my faith as an acquired skill.

• Are you worried, fearful and doubtful?
• What has GOD brought you through in the past?
• Is GOD trying to mature you by appearing to be asleep during your crisis?
• Will you calm down for a moment to observe how HE can sleep even though HE is getting wet in the waves of life with you?

Eye of the Storm

Matthew 26: ¹⁷ On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

¹⁸ He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” ¹⁹ So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

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After a very long day of intense political meetings I came home on edge. I mean how dare this group accuse my group of what they were saying! When I sat down on the couch, my kids came over to play with me. I had to put aside my brooding so I could focus on those around me.

• Sometimes I have a lot on my mind.
• Sometimes life dishes out blows that cause me to replay in my mind over and over what’s wrong.
• Sometimes the storm of life brings worries.

Hurricanes have turbulent sides but in the middle there is a calm area where everything seems fine, this is known as the “eye of the storm.” JESUS was in the eye of the storm. HE had been tempted, lied on and slandered on one side of the storm. HE would face beatings, mockery and death on the other side of the storm, but in the middle HE does something amazing.

• JESUS calmly says to me “Relax and I will sup with you.”
• JESUS calmly says to me “It may seem turbulent but there is peace in ME.”
• JESUS calmly says to me “I see what you are going through and I want to give you peace.”

In the middle of the storm, JESUS sends HIS disciples out to prepare for a nice calm dinner. HE said “MY appointed time is near” so calmly that the disciples missed the meaning. JESUS knew HE would be murdered and blamed for all of my sins, yet HE was calm. I am thankful for the eye of the storm.

• Are you in the middle of a storm?
• Are you highly disturbed?
• Can you do what JESUS did and calm down enough so you can calm others down?

In memory of those affected by Hurricane Harvey