You Are Not Alone - BE STILL..

 You Are Not Alone - BE STILL..

It's NEVER about your feelings nor fears. It's ALWAYS about your FAITH! Your faith is about your confidence in God as your source.  Often times you never know when or where HE'S going to bring the solution from. You just trust that HE will. HE is your only source. Everything and everyone is 'just a resource' HE will use.  You have to know the difference between the counterfeit and the real.  That comes with practice.  The more time you spend studying the real, then being able to identify the counterfeit a mile away is a given.

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Think about Jacob for a minute.  Genesis 25 - 35 He started out as a conniving artist.  He thought he had to cheat to get ahead.  It led him down a path of trials and tribulations, one demise after another.  He fled for his life from his brother; he wrestled with the angel; he got cheated by his father-in-law on several occassions. God used his cheating skill against him to remove what was inappropriate in him.  When Jacob returned to Canaan many years later he was a humble and honest man.  He had learnt to lean on God. When his father-in-law tried to cheat him with his wife, instead of 7 years he worked for 14 years. When his father-in-law tried to cheat him with the lifestock, he chose the lesser breed, yet God caused him to florish.  HE made God his source. His time away from home taught him to put his faith in God's ability and power.  

Genesis 28:20-22

20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear 21 so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God 22 and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.”

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Think about the disciples caught in the storm. Mark 4. They were mostly fishermen.  That was their career, and they were good at it.  They thought they had to fish to get ahead. But God used their career to show them how insecure they really were. Their faith almost led them to a fate of death. In the boat with Jesus, they thought they were going to die.  God used their skill of fishing for fish to teach them how to 'fish for men'.  They were afraid of the natural elements, but became more afraid of Jesus after HE stilled the storm.  The disciples learnt to trust Jesus' transformative power. They chose to follow Jesus everywhere; even into the unfamiliar gentile territory.  (For instance: They were heading to the man who lived in the graveyard.  They saw Jesus cast the demons into the pigs.  Jews don't rear pigs. It's an abomination.) 

Mark 4

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

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 We cannot rely on our feelings and our fears.  Infact, our fear should be of God's power and authority.  HE has absolute authority over everything. Afterall, HE is the creator who existed before our beginning. We must study God's word. The devil needs God's permission to act; like us, he was created.  The devil often times wins against us because we are not familiar enough with our God and what HE says. God promised Jacob that HE would take care of him and take him back to his father's house.  God even promised him that he would rule over his brother Esau and become the father of many nations.  Also, Jesus told the diciples that they were going over to another town. Yet, they accused HIM of not caring if they drowned.  We have to be careful about who we believe.  Do you believe God about the things HE has said over your life?  It doesn't matter how you feel.  Fear is human.  You have to train your mind to walk past your fear into faith.  It's a discipline. Practice, practice, practice! That's why HE commands us to walk in the spirit.  Galatians 5 Without the guidance of the Holy Spirit we cannot win.  We need the Holy Spirit to be victorious daily. Luke 4 Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 1:7

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

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Even though Jesus had performed so many miracles alongside them, and had even sent them to do miracles themselves, they were still afraid.  The disciples had never seen anyone turn chaos and or mayhem into peace like that when HE calmed the storm.  Jesus exposed them to different dimensions of himself. After HE died, they went into hiding.  But HE told them to wait for the Holy Spirit. Once, they received the Holy Spirit, they became bold.  The Holy Spirit gives clarity, power and authority. John 16 We will have opposition like squalls raging all around us.  Sometimes we will feel like we're about to drown.  But you must not forget - Jesus is always in the boat of your circumstance.  Call out to HIM!  Wake HIM up from the stern of your boat. You are never alone in your trials and tribulations. HE has given us the Holy Spirit. Listen to the Holy Spirit's directive. Ask HIM to guide you. HE is the difference between real and counterfeit.  HE gives us discernment and courage.

John 14:26

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

God's word to HIS believers is that HE will never leave us nor forsake us. Hebrews 13 If we put our trust in HIM, HE will prove faithful everytime.  Seek answers from the Holy Spirit. Become teachable, for HIS ways are not our ways, nor HIS thoughts ours. The kingdom culture is taught through the power of the Holy Spirit. If you want to live an abundant and liberated life trust God's leading. 1 Corinthians 2 Sometimes you'll just have to sit back and let God deal with your fears.  Don't resolve to fear. Resolve to push past fear and take a hold of faith.  Trust that God is able to handle every situation, and be still as you wait for HIS resources to show up.  God sent the raven to feed Elijah.  God stopped Balaam's donkey.  God drowned the Egyptian army following Moses.  Watch and see what HE will send next for you and your loved ones.  HE'S always on time! Anchor your faith in HIS ability! HE is for you! HE cannot lie!

WORSHIP: Israel Houghton - I'm With You/Be Still (feat. Adrienne Houghton) ft. Adrienne Houghton

TESTIMONY: Evidence of THE Messiah found in Isaiah 53?! | Case For Messiah

HE Is Your PEACE! BE STILL!

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!"