IN THE STORM….wake up Jesus!

IN THE STORM…wake up Jesus!

 

One day, when Jesus was on a boat ride with HIS disciples on their way to preach the gospel to a new set of people they were caught in the middle of a storm. It was crazy terrifying for all of them, as the boat seemed like it was going to sink for everyone-else but Jesus who was fast asleep on a pillow in the bottom of the boat. He was quite unaware of what was going on at sea level. I guess they didn’t miss HIM at first. But when they needed all hands on deck; or when it seemed like they were really all going to die, they must have taken a head count and realized that HE was missing. Imagine that, Jesus was fast asleep in never, never land. They were all at the same location simultaneously, yet having different experiences. They were all horrified that they were going to die, while Jesus was blissfully at rest on a pillow. Jesus was at peace in the middle of the storm, in the belly of the boat.

What do I do when I’m faced with uncontrollable opposition that threatens my very life existence, my philosophy, my livelihood? They were fishermen. This was their career, their trade, yet they were failing miserably - tossing things overboard just to stay afloat. This was their territory.  This was what they knew how to do. They were experts here. The sea was their natural habitat. Sure they’d seen many storms before, endured lots of bad weather. But on this occasion they were in panic mode. What do I do when I don’t know what else to do? What do I do when I’ve exhausted all of my resources at a time when I anticipated anything else but a storm? I find Jesus.

The government of heaven....

Our decisions in the midst of any turmoil is to find Jesus in the belly of our boats/ trials. Let the billows roll, and the storms rage. Let the winds howl and the bows break. We just need to get our heads on HIS pillow next to HIM.  Find God in the middle of our troubles and let HIM fight our battles for us. Get HIS opinion.

^{Phillipians 2: 5-11}

⁵ Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, ⁷ but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. ⁹ Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus had a completely different perspective, a different mindset from HIS disciples.  HE was not terrified of the storm. First we need to understand that being alive means that we are an active part of a kingdom.  Naturally, we are born into the kingdom of this world which is dominated by the devil and his demons.  But we can choose to transfer our citizenship to become a citizen of the Kingdom of God.  Both kingdoms have different laws and principles, rights and privileges.  The Kingdom of God is more powerful than the kingdom of this world and will over-ride every decree when 'its citizens' activate their authority.   

Jesus was a citizen of God's Kingdom, HE  told Pilate: "MY Kingdom is not of this world. In fact HE is the King of that Kingdom. St. John 18  Jesus did not retreat in the face of opposition, HE always stood HIS ground.  And that is what HE commands us to do.  Ephesians 6 The army of the Lord represents its citizens whenever they are in danger from the enemy.  The angels of God fight on our behalf, and they are superior to every strategy/ weapon of the devil.  When we pray we petition for assistance that God guarantees to HIS citizens.  Jesus on earth taught us how to take advantage of our citizenship by HIS actions.  HE healed the sick.  HE cast out demons. HE performed miracles.  HE even repaired the ears of HIS enemy when the soldiers came to arrest HIM in the garden of Gethsemane.  HIS mission was not physical war(fare), it was spiritual.

IN THE BOAT…wake up Jesus!

"It’s not the storm. It’s in the wind. Rebuke the wind"....Rev. T.D.Jakes

1 John 4:4

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

The source....

Sometimes the forces that come against us are not as a result of our doing. They are much bigger than us and will take a much bigger source than us to counteract and destroy them. For instance: David vs. Goliath. That bigger source was/is God. When the disciples awoke Jesus from the belly of the boat HE cursed the winds. HE cursed the winds, not the storm, not the sea, but the wind. They feared the storm, but HE knew it was the wind. The enemy was unseen to the naked eyes, it was spiritual. HE wasn’t alarmed. HE wasn’t petrified. HE took control, because HE was in control. God is always in control. It doesn’t matter what turmoil is ‘abrew’. It is important to know God’s position when we face opposition. David understood that.  1 Samuels 17 Knowing where to find the ultimate power to destroy our opposition is extremely important.  The same power that Jesus exercised, HE also gave to us.  HIS authority came from The Almighty God, HIS Father.  Jesus gave us that same authority to use.

St John 14: 11- 20

¹¹ Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. ¹² Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. ¹³ And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.¹⁵ “If you love me, keep my commands. ¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— ¹⁷ the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. ¹⁸ I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. ¹⁹ Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. ²⁰ On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.
²¹ Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

In order for us to take advantage of the privileges of citizenship we first have to become citizens. Romans 12 The laws of the Kingdom of God are very different from the laws of the kingdom of this world.  That's why Jesus gave us The Counsellor - The Holy Spirit to train us; to help us understand the culture of God's Kingdom. Obedience guarantees your rights.  It is not enough to be familiar with God's laws.  It's very important to be obedient to them.  In God's Kingdom, obedience is better than sacrifice.  Don't just be hearers of the word. Be doers!

TESTIMONY:  Muslim Encounters Jesus Christ on Hospital Bed

WORSHIP:  Songs in the night

                                      

Jesus says, "seek me, find me, run to me, use me!"

IN THE VALLEY….trust GOD!

In the valley - TRUST GOD!

Did Noah feel that way in the ark?

...like God, when is this rain going to stop, we’re seasick and the ark smells horrible with all this animal dung. Or Joseph in prison for crimes he didn’t commit. He went joyfully to serve his brothers and look at where he ended up, in prison? How long was it from the pit to the throne room? How did Jesus feel in Gethesemane, his friends deserting him; his long road to the cross? Did it make HIM want to die more though HE knew the outcome. How unbearable it must have been, the agony, the nakedness in the streets, the accusations, the shame of being hung on a cross. For sure God had deserted HIM because HE acknowledged it on the cross.
HE said, “my God why have YOU forsaken me?”
But what did it do to HIM? Does knowing the outcome make it any painless?

Jeremiah 29: 11-13

“For I know the plans I have for you saith the Lord.
Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.
Plans to give you a hope and a future….”

"MY HOPE in JESUS is like an hard boiled egg. I may crack on the outside, but I'm still solid on the inside"... Stephen Furtick

In HIS presence....

Valleys are often long and meandering with no favorable end in sight. Often times when I come to a crossroads, when I hit a speed bump I try to pull the brake handle all the way up and begin to sniff. Like a rescue dog I sniff for solace. Most times it’s the place that I feel most comfortable - at HIS feet, most times. I sniff for worship. I close my eyes and let worship music pour over my soul like alcohol in a flesh wound it soothes. It doesn’t always bring an answer, just a peace and a transition from the focus on the thing that’s trying to drive me crazy at that time, to focus on The Almighty God. 

I don’t always feel for it. But because I’ve proven that it works on multiple occasions. Even when I’m not in the mood for it I find The Word on my phone and fall asleep listening to it. Or I find worship music on youtube and do the same. That’s my drug. It’s true. For me, all roads lead to worship. It always makes all things better, even if it’s just in that moment. When it doesn’t make sense I leave it in God’s hand, I mean at HIS feet. It doesn’t matter what I’ve done or failed to do. It doesn’t matter what I’m guilty of. I’ve trained myself to sniff. Something about God’s presence is very calm, safe, uncondemning and empowering.

Isaiah 26:3

God will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on THEE!

 

HE gives us power....

 

The thing about the valley is that there's no place too low that the presence of God doesn't reside.  It doesn't matter how we feel, HE gives us keys to unlock any and every door that keeps us 'boxed in'.  HIS word says, whatsoever we bind on earth is bound in heaven, and whatsoever we loose on earth is loose in heaven.  Matthew 16 Absolutely nothing can/ should keep us in entrapment.  Like David we need to seek God.  Even when he sinned he acknowledged that: "against thee only have I sinned".   The rules of engagement in the Kingdom of God are different from the rules of engagement in the earthly kingdom of darkness i.e. the devil.  We are not familiar with God's ways.  We are not familiar with God's government. 

 

The Almighty God lives in heaven. HIS ways are higher than our ways and HIS thoughts the same. We cannot comprehend how to escape and or manipulate our environs without God's intervention.   Since Jesus overcame every tactic of the devil, we too can do the same, but not in our own strength.  We need help. When we seek God's help HE sends HIS Holy Spirit to guide us so that we can be successful in achieving and sustaining productive results.  1 Corinthians 10 We were created to win.  Because when we win we reflect God's glory. When we win it looks good on HIM.  God never looses. HE'S always in control.  We have to trust God's methods.  HE only has our best interest at heart.  It is HIS great pleasure to give us the Kingdom. Luke 12.

 

 James 4:8

Draw nigh unto God and HE will draw nigh unto thee!

 

TESTIMONY:  Nahum’s Story - Pain Turned to Purpose (Full Testimony) | 2018 Youth Summit

WORSHIP: Hills and Valleys

                                    

HE knows what HE'S doing....TRUST GOD!