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!
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