With Jesus There Will Be Storms

And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

                                                                               (Mark 4:35-41 KJV)

When Jesus got into the boat a tremendous storm arose. Expect it! Expect storms if you are a follower of Jesus. His journey on this earth was not an easy one nor should we expect ours to be. There were many in cahoots to destroy him. He was persecuted and put to death in spite of being totally innocent.

Jesus told his followers and he tells us:  "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also." (John 15:18-20)

Do not be surprised if the world is against you for your faith in Christ. Do not be surprised when other berate you for your faith in Christ for when we step into that boat as a follower of Jesus we are promised that storms will arise.

But, the good news is that even when those storms arise and they will, the Christ is with you. He can calm the storm. He will save you. He will bless you with peace. Have faith. Trust him!

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Fearful Will Sing With Joy

in the habitation of dragons shall be grass...

Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.

And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. 

                                                                                 (Isaiah 35:4-10 KJV)

The Lord will make those with fearful hearts sing with joy. That is His promise. He will lead us on The Way where there is nothing to fear. He will save us. He has saved us! We will live in peace as we make our journey through the land that He has prepared for us.

May the peace of the Lord be with you always! Pr. J.

Vengeance is God's

For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Heb 10:30-32 KJV)

Judgment at the hands of the living God is something that we should not take too lightly. I sometimes wonder if all the "wolves in sheep's clothing" actually realize that they are devouring God's sheep; His children. Way too often, we find dissension and division within congregations. Way too often, the division is caused by people who want to have more power because they have no real power and they do not recognize the sovereignty of God. Jesus is a fairy tale to them. They do not take the judgment or the grace of God seriously. The church, to those who would usurp authority that does not belong to them, is nothing more than a place where they can have their own egos fed. Since they do not truly believe the power of God, they have no clue that they are devouring God's sheep. If they do realize it; they seem not to care.

Jesus came to reconcile us to our Father in heaven. Those who encourage division among God's people ought to take seriously that judgment will not come at the hands of humankind; but, at the hand of the living and all powerful God. Vengeance is His! We ought to take that seriously and thank Him for the grace that He has bestowed upon all who believe through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.