Rest In Peace--Hushing the Storm

And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea,

so that the boat was being covered with the waves;

but Jesus Himself was asleep.
And they came to Him and woke Him, saying,
"Save us, Lord; we are perishing!"
He said to them, "Why are you afraid, 

you men of little faith?"
Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea,
and it became perfectly calm.

Matthew 8:24-26

When Jesus was asleep in the boat and the storm arose, His disciples woke Him up as they were afraid. He told the storm to "Hush, be still," and it did. Jesus was asleep, but not with a naivety that caused the storm to overtake Him with fear or physical harm. He arose in power and authority and took care of it. The disciples were afraid of the storm which seemed to be overtaking them. There was a physical threat there, but there was also a great fear that had gripped their hearts.

God's people need to rest in peace, as Jesus was doing in this incident, yet wake up and walk in the power and authority He's given us. As we do, we will rebuke, not only the physical harm, but the fear and terror associated with it. We're not to be asleep, with a naive sort of "peace" which keeps us unaware of what's going on, so that the storm overtakes us. Rather, we are to rest in His peace in the midst of the storm, not allowing fear to grip our hearts, and not allowing the storm to overtake us. We need to know the authority He's given us.

In Mark's version of this account, before they got into the boat Jesus said, "Let us go over to the other side." Jesus knew what He was to do next. He knew they were to go over to the other side of the sea. He was resting on the direction of that Word. The disciples had allowed the chaos of the storm to make them forget His words and their purpose. They lost their way because they got side-tracked with fear. 

When faced with situations that seem threatening, let us resolve to know the Word of God more intimately--the written, the spoken and the living Word--Jesus Himself. And let us also resolve to understand that when He speaks to us to do something, those words are backed by His authority, and we can use that authority to hush the storms that would try and keep us from fulfilling that purpose.

See also Mark 4:35-41; John 5:19

The Winter Has Passed

When I was a young child, every winter my dad would repeat something he heard his mom say, "Once you make it to January 19th, you have winter licked." I never asked him exactly what she meant, I figured it meant something like spring was just around the corner. But my dad grew up in the far north of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Winter's there are very snowy and long. His mom grew up in northern Finland, so both my dad and grandmother experienced long winters. Spring is not just around the corner from January 19th in the kinds of winters they experienced! Finally, this year, I know what she meant.

Having winter licked doesn't mean that it's almost over and you're almost done with it. What it does mean is that it no longer holds power over you. By January 19th, your body is, for the most part, adjusted to the colder temperatures and the snow. You're accustomed to the shorter daylight hours and you're used to wearing the extra clothing required. It's not that you've conquered winter by making it go away, but you've adjusted to it, accepted it, and are enjoying life. You realize that you can do this. You can make it through, and not with an attitude either. All the while you know that spring will come--it won't be winter forever. Not even in northern Michigan!

This is the kind of thinking we need to have when we are going through difficult times. We don't gain anything by fighting against the seasons of life that come our way. Each season has a purpose for us, and a preparation for the next season. I'm not talking about the troubles that your adversary, the devil, tries to trap you into and defeat you with. I'm talking about the seasons of life that God leads you through. Learn how to live this season with praise on your lips and a grateful heart. Before you know it, Spring will come.

For behold, the winter is past

the rain is over and gone.

The flowers have already appeared in the land;

The time has arrived

for pruning the vines,

And the voice of the turtledove

has been heard in our land.

The fig tree has ripened its figs,

And the vines in blossom

have given forth their fragrance.

Arise, my darling,

my beautiful one,

And come along!

Song of Solomon 2:11-13

Lord, If it's You...

Peter said to Him,

"Lord, if it is You,

command me to come to You

on the water."
And He said, "Come!"
And Peter got out of the boat,
and walked on the water
and came toward Jesus.

Matthew 14:28-29

Peter said, "Lord if it is You." He didn't want the contrary path to lead to just an image of Jesus, some kind of form that wasn't really real, he wanted it to lead to the real Jesus. Just like Peter, we should have the same desire, that whatever path we follow, we want it to lead to the living and real presence of the Lord--not just an image, or a form, or a ghost of memories past. Even if the path we are on is full of miraculous display, if it doesn't end up with us in His presence, then what is it worth? No matter how cool it looks, if it just leads to a form of Jesus and not His living, real, presence, it's not worth a thing.

When we know that our path leads to the Lord, we can put up with some turbulence. All of that doesn't matter if it takes us into His arms. In fact, Peter realized that the way Jesus was doing it, not fighting against the wind, not putting out a bunch of effort trying to row the boat contrary to the wind, was the way to go. Our own efforts won't do a whole lot when we're fighting against the wind. How much better off would we be if we would work with the Holy Spirit, instead of against Him? 

When Jesus and Peter got into the boat, the wind stopped. Even the wind obeyed Jesus. It cooperated with Him. If His plan became to row the boat to the other side, the wind cooperated with the change of plans, whatever He wanted to do, it would obey. Jesus has been given all authority in heaven and on earth. He was trying to teach His disciples about His authority in the earth, and how they too could operate in the authority He had given to them. How often do we pray, "Lord if it's Your will..." when we might do better by praying, "Lord if it is You..." If it brings man into the presence of God, teaching and training them in His ways, then He has given us the authority to do it.

Seeing Jesus operate in His authority, can be a frightening thing, but when we know Him well enough to recognize His voice, He calms our fears. The very thing we say we want--a miraculous walk with the Lord--can also be frightening. However, He is right there to help us, and to teach us, how to walk as He did in the earth. When we are in pursuit of meeting with Jesus, we must not be afraid, but walk out in the authority He has given. As we examine the paths that are presented before us each day, may we pray, "Lord if it is You, I will take courage and not be afraid! I will walk on Your authority. I will meet with You!"

Read the whole story in Matthew 14: 22-33, Mark 6:45-52

See also Matthew 28:18-20

Sons of the Kingdom Filling the Earth!

But as many as received Him,

to them He gave the right
to become the children of God,

even to those who believe in His name,

who were born, not of blood

nor of the will of the flesh

nor of the will of man,

but of God.

John 1:12-13

God spoke to Adam and Eve and said to "be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth." His desire was for the earth to be filled with people. God loves people and wanted an entire earth full. Of course we know what happened--sin entered and the life of God died within the nature of mankind. Still, Adam and Eve began to fulfill God's command to fill the earth, yet wickedness increased and God shortened man's lifespan to 120 years.

Noah was a righteous man, and God spoke to him instructing him to build the ark so he and his family would be saved. After the flood, God told Noah and his sons to "be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth." Just like He said to Adam and Even. He even said, "populate the earth abundantly and multiply in it." Once again, God wanted lots of babies! However, the people became wicked again. At some point, man's lifespan became shortened to 70 or 80 years. God did not just want a planet full of people, but a planet full of His people--righteous people--who would walk in His ways of love and goodness. For there to remain a family of godly people, man's days had to be cut short. It would just take too long to fill the earth with righteous people otherwise, for God is taking into consideration the righteous people of all generations.

Jesus told the parable of the tares among wheat. He is as one who sowed sons of the kingdom into the world. The enemy came and sowed sons of the evil one. The landowner said to let them both grow together until the harvest, so as not to damage the good seed. At harvest time the angels will remove the evil ones and then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father! We have both "growing together" right now on the earth. Yet God doesn't just want a planet full of bodies, He wants Sons of the Kingdom filling the earth!

When God spoke to Abraham, He didn't tell him to be fruitful, multiply and fill the earth, like He did Adam, Eve and Noah. Instead He said "I will make you a great nation," and "I will multiply you exceedingly...I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you..." Abraham was not told to be fruitful and multiply. He was told God would do it through him. God established His covenant with Abraham and through it we see that He began separating a people unto Himself.

John says of Jesus, "He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." Now we have those who are not just born, physically, but those who are born of God spiritually. These are a people who are not just born because a man and a woman decided to have a baby--but born of the will of God!

Jesus told Nicodemus, "unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit...you must be born again." When is it enough? When will Jesus return? God said to fill the earth--with righteous people. Only He knows when the population of the kingdom has reached the point where it's time to harvest. In the meantime, let's continue to fulfill the command to populate the earth with those who are His, by going into all the world and preaching the gospel to all creation, making disciples of all nations.

Genesis 1:28; Genesis 6:3-8; Genesis 9:1, 7; Psalm 90:10; Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43; Genesis 12:2; Genesis 17:2, 6; John 1:11-13; John 3:5-6; Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19

The Call to the Roots

But when the sun had risen, 

they were scorched;

and because they had no root,

they withered away.

Matthew 13:6

The other day while I was praying, I saw some roots. I saw them below the soil a little ways, not real far, but below the surface of the ground. I got the impression that the roots were starting to dry out just a bit, and if they dried out too much they would die. It was then that I realized these roots were in the soil of a person's heart. A couple of things could happen. They could begin to move in a direction looking for water, but it may be the path of least resistance which would make them move horizontally just below the surface of the ground and they wouldn't find water that way. Or they could become discouraged, stay where they are and shrivel up and die. They seemed to be discouraged and becoming too dry to have any strength to move and look for water.

Just then, I saw a table of water rising from far below. It came up through the soil and touched the lowest tips of the roots, giving them refreshing drink. The roots responded with fresh energy and moved towards the water for a bigger drink. They were getting refreshed and revived. After a bit, the water receded, moving back down deeper into the earth. As the roots began to dry again, they moved deeper towards the direction of the water. This time they knew which way to go to find the water. The cycle started again. Each time it repeated, the roots moved deeper towards the water, with clear direction and increasing determination to get to the water. 

After seeing this, I realized that the Lord comes to meet us in our shallow place with a taste of His refreshing drink, but He will draw back after a bit, calling us into a deeper place in Him. He could meet us where we are all the time and provide what we need, but He wants us to go deeper. By going deeper, we become stronger, we are more stable and can withstand the winds, the storms and the droughts. We are more fruitful in the deeper place. By His mercy, He rises up to meet us so we do not wither and die, yet He beckons us to push through whatever stands between He and us. 

Have you tasted of the goodness of the Lord, and yet seem to be in a dry place right now? The Lord is calling you into a deeper place. Here is your drink--He loves you and wants to bring you deeper in Him, to the place of strength, stability and refreshing! Move in His direction, move past those things that would stand between He and you. Replace the hard places of your heart with roots that will soften the soil and connect with the Lord who provides all you need. He even provides the strength to pursue Him with. Go after Him with all your strength!

Luke 10:27; John 7:37

Until...

When I pondered to understand this,

it was troublesome in my sight

until I came into the sanctuary of God;

Then I perceived their end.

Psalm 73:16-17

The psalmist is in turmoil, trying to understand why things were going so well for the wicked. He admits he almost stumbled because he became envious of them. He saw their prosperity, even though they mocked God. He felt as though it was useless for him to try and keep his heart and actions pure because in spite of his efforts he was "stricken all day long and chastened every morning." (vs.14). He couldn't figure it out. When he tried to understand why the wicked seemed to be so blessed and yet he was going through all that he was, it troubled him. He couldn't make any sense out of why God allowed things to go the way they were going. In the same way, how many times have we said, "God it's not fair! I don't get it!" 

To try and explain this, people often say that God has His own reasons and we just need to trust Him. Although this is true that God's ways are higher than ours and we do need to trust Him. We need to fear Him and not question His right to do whatever He pleases. It's also true that the Lord chastens those He loves. He refines us, and thank God He does. However, in this psalm we get a little more insight. The psalmist says he was troubled in trying to understand all this UNTIL... "until I came into the sanctuary of God, Then I perceived their end." 

When this psalmist came into the sanctuary, into the presence of the Lord, then He understood. He perceived what would happen to the wicked in the end. He saw it all from God's perspective. As long as we are trying to figure things out and make sense of God outside of His presence, in our own mind and reasoning, we will remain troubled, frustrated, and may even stumble. But when we enter His presence then it all makes sense. We see things how He does, we gain His understanding and perception. 

When we are outside of the presence of God and look at the wicked, questions will arise. We say, Why? This will become a weight of doubt upon us that slows us down and causes our zeal for the Lord to waver. Yet in His presence, we see clearly. The doubt falls off. The questions are resolved and our faith is strengthened. Not only do we see the end of the wicked, but we see the reward of the righteous. This reveals the goodness of God as well as His justice, which is necessary to maintain the atmosphere of His presence. You can enter into His presence wherever you are. If Jesus is your Lord, He is always with you. Close your eyes, pray, seek Him, until you become aware of His presence within.

If you are troubled and confused trying to figure out why the wicked seem to be doing well and things are going in your life the way they are, then don't turn your back on God thinking that His actions or inaction make no sense. Don't envy the wicked and begin to think that your righteousness is worthless. Instead, get closer to the Lord and you will understand His ways. You will see things from His perspective and be assured that He is good and right and just and worthy of all of your trust and praise! The psalmist goes on to say:

I am continually with You;

You have taken hold of my right hand.

With Your counsel You will guide me,

and afterward receive me to glory.

Whom have I in heaven but You?

And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.

My flesh and my heart may fail,

But God is the strength of my heart

and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:23-26

May we say the same. In the end it is worth it all.


Isaiah 55:8-9; Hebrews 12:4-8; Jeremiah 17:10; Malachi 3:3; Hebrews 13:5; Psalm 92:7

Your Kingdom Come

"But the saints of the Highest One
will receive the kingdom
and possess the kingdom forever,
for all ages to come."

Daniel 7:18

God has a kingdom. Jesus proclaimed the good news of this kingdom when He was here in the earth. The religious people of Jesus' day couldn't see His kingdom and questioned Him about it. "Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or, 'There it is!' For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst." (Luke 17:20-21). They were looking for outward signs of the kingdom. They didn't recognize that the kingdom Jesus displayed as He walked the earth was the kingdom of God. While demonstrating this kingdom, Jesus revealed the salvation of God--forgiveness of sin, healing and deliverance. He revealed His authority over the earth. Yet not everyone could see it. Jesus said to Pilate that His kingdom is not of this world, not of this realm, and that He came to the earth to testify to the truth. He said that everyone who is of the truth hears His voice. The kingdom of God is revealed to those whose eyes, ears and hearts are open and seeking the truth. 

Jesus said to pray in this way, "...Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven..." (Matthew 6:10). The kingdom of God is all around us. Yet even though God owns the earth and everything in it, He will not inhabit the entire territory. In this age, the righteous and the wicked are sharing the same earth. We must each personally invite Him to sit on the throne of our inner "kingdom." This inner throne is our will. "Your kingdom come, Your will be done." His kingdom comes into the hearts of those who seek His will. When we pray this way, we let Him know we are willingly inviting His kingdom--His will--to rule in our lives. Once He rules within us, then He will be able to rule from us in the earth. 

The Bible tells us, "as He is, so also are we in this world." (1 John 4:17). We are the light of the world, we are to proclaim the good news of the kingdom, just as Jesus did. Sinner and saint alike enjoy, to a certain extent, the benefit of kingdom living. The saints are the salt of the earth. As long as we are here we are preserving the earth. However, the time will come when the sons of the evil one are removed from His kingdom. "Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father." (see Matthew 13:36-43). Until that happens, we are to display His kingdom here in the earth even while darkness is among us.

In the book of Isaiah we read, "Thus says the Lord, "Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest? For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being," declares the Lord." Since God has created all the things that we see, what could we possibly do for Him that He hasn't already done? Is there any way for us to create a resting place suitable for Him? He goes on to say, "But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word." (Isaiah 66:1-2). There is a place with one who has a humble and contrite spirit, the one who trembles at His word, understands His authority and power and submits to Him. With this one the Lord will look to rest. He rests with those who humbly follow His ways, saying, "Your will be done." The King is what makes the kingdom of God so great, and there is no greater joy than to have the presence of the King in our midst! 

In the book of Revelation we read that when the seventh angel sounded the trumpet there were loud voices in heaven saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever." (Rev. 11:15). Those who live for Jesus, the King of kings, are all a part of the same kingdom--God's kingdom. Together we possess the kingdom forever, for all ages to come! Let's pray for more people to open their eyes, ears and heart and seek the truth with a humble and repentant heart, honoring the Word of God. Let's make sure we are doing the same thing while we proclaim and display the good news of the kingdom throughout the earth!

For Yours is the kingdom
and the power
and the glory
forever.
Amen. 

John 18:36-37; Matthew 13:10-17; Psalm 16:11; Matthew 24:14; Matthew 6:13