JESUS—KING AND LORD OVER THE STORM

[Grace777x70]

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[TD="width: 100%, align: left"]Matthew 14:27

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” [/TD]
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[TD="colspan: 3, align: left"]Are you going through a dark, difficult moment in your life? Perhaps the storm just rages on with no let-up and you are trembling in fear. You feel that any time now, you may just cave in and go under because you cannot beat this storm.

Be comforted that Jesus sees what you are going through and He always comes to where you are in your darkest hour. He did that for His disciples one stormy night on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus came, walking on the stormy waters, walking on top of the problem that was threatening to overwhelm them. He is indeed the King and Lord over the storms!

When your eyes are on Christ, even though the storms are raging and the winds are blowing, you will know that you are above your troubles and circumstances. When people ask you how you are doing under the circumstances, tell them, “I am not under the circumstances. I am on top of them because my God is above all!”

Don’t be fearful. He will come to you walking on the stormy waters. Hear His comforting voice telling you, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

And as you behold Jesus, you become like Him. You will find yourself doing things you did not know you could do. You will, like Peter, walk on water. This happens when you are occupied with the person of Jesus, with His resources, love, wisdom, ability, power and majesty.

My friend, even during the times when you take your eyes off Jesus, He never takes His eyes off you. And when you cry out to Him, He will immediately stretch out His hand to catch hold of you. You will not go under.

There may be times that you are not able to find your way back. Jesus will then hold your hand and walk you back to the boat. And like Peter, you will realize that with your hand in His, the storm will come to a standstill!

Grace Inspirations Joseph Prince Ministries
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[thepsalmist]

Lovely words to comfort ... thanks for sharing

The Lord was certainly with me in my darkest hours ... I would either be dead or in an insane asylum now if He hadn't been.

I had a wonderful dream at that time when I was first reborn. I was on a pool. hehe. Standing on a pool And puzzled ... I reached down to touch the water and it was like jello- or rubber. I punched and poked at it to no avail... That was God's way of telling me that it was henceforth impossible for me to sink again. His way of comforting me. Praise God!

 

[roaringkitten]

Interesting thread! Another passage from Matthew comes to mind. In Matt 8:23-27, Jesus went before the disciples into the boat and they followed. Jesus knew there would be a storm even before He got into the boat, but the disciples did not. The disciples got so consumed with fear, they focused on the storm beating the ship. They didn't even realize that they were with the Son of God, the one who would calm the storm!

Sometimes unforseen trials and storms happen in life, but Jesus was not caught off guard! Just as He led the disciples into the boat, He sometimes leads us into storms in life. If He leads us into one, know He will be the one to take you out of it! He is with us wherever we go and whatever trial befalls us, He wants us to trust in Him, that He is in control! He made us a promise:

"...I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Heb 13:5b

And if the trials gets severe remember He is still with you:

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." Psa 23:4

 

[ember]

Lovely words to comfort ... thanks for sharing

The Lord was certainly with me in my darkest hours ... I would either be dead or in an insane asylum now if He hadn't been.

I had a wonderful dream at that time when I was first reborn. I was on a pool. hehe. Standing on a pool And puzzled ... I reached down to touch the water and it was like jello- or rubber. I punched and poked at it to no avail... That was God's way of telling me that it was henceforth impossible for me to sink again. His way of comforting me. Praise God!

that's so neat!!

 

[Grace777x70]

Lovely words to comfort ... thanks for sharing

The Lord was certainly with me in my darkest hours ... I would either be dead or in an insane asylum now if He hadn't been.

I had a wonderful dream at that time when I was first reborn. I was on a pool. hehe. Standing on a pool And puzzled ... I reached down to touch the water and it was like jello- or rubber. I punched and poked at it to no avail... That was God's way of telling me that it was henceforth impossible for me to sink again. His way of comforting me. Praise God!

It's a new take on being "sealed with the Spirit"..jello style..lol..I love the analogy

 

[thepsalmist]

It's a new take on being "sealed with the Spirit"..jello style..lol..I love the analogy

LOL - Yes! Funny too that it was in a pool and not on the boisterous ocean ... you don't toss a toddler into the ocean even if it IS sinkproof

 

[Grace777x70]

Ahh..but the "works-based" mindset will say..you can eat your way through..and thus ruin the seal...

 

[JesusIsAll]

Yes, Jesus' presence comes to us, even in storms, more real in storms to us than at any other time. The storm in the sea was a super highway that brought Jesus to the disciples, "Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea." Jesus always comes to you in your storm,

Isaiah 43:1-2 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Jesus was with the Jewish boys in the Babylonian furnace. Jesus was with Daniel in the lion's den. Jesus was in the upper room after the crucifixion and said, in the midst of the disciples, "Peace be unto you." Jesus said, "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." And the disciples didn't lose their fear until they recognized Jesus walking on the sea,

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

If you look at circumstances of the world, you'll be distressed; if you look within, you'll be depressed; but if you look at Christ, you'll be at rest,

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

When Peter took his eyes off of Jesus, he began to sink. Stress is when you take your eyes off Jesus and put your eyes on the storm, stress a measure of the degree you have your eyes off Christ and on the storm.

Psalms 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. ("Selah" means "stop and consider this," meditate on it.)

What should we do? Psalms 46:10-11 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

The assurance of our Lord is "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5) In a hurricane is the calm eye of the storm, and God, the eternal "I am," the heart of God, is in the midst of your storms. "I am" is the sacred name for deity, the Almighty, the Great I am, the Everlasting, and just remember in the middle of your storm "I am," which is a proclamation of presence. "I am" is an unfinished sentence, you fill in the blank. Are you lost? Just fill in the blank, as Jesus said "I am" over and over in the gospel of John, "I am the way." Are you on the wrong side and want to get in? "I am the door." Are you hungry? "I am the bread of life." Are you stumbling in darkness? "I am the light of the world." Are you dead in trespasses and sin? "I am the resurrection and the life."

Jesus Christ is "I am" for you. You just fill in the blank, whatever your problem is in the dark and sinful world. One look at Jesus, and all will be light, and you will be guarded by His power and guided by His purpose. Just look to Jesus, walking on the troubled water that looked like it was over the disciples' heads, but water under His feet. Jesus will certainly see you to the shore!

 

[thepsalmist]

Ahh..but the "works-based" mindset will say..you can eat your way through..and thus ruin the seal...

OH WOW! So true!

Your analogy made me laugh! lol

I wonder what those who think that would do with such a dream ...

 

[roaringkitten]

Quote by JesusIsAll:

If you look at circumstances of the world, you'll be distressed; if you look within, you'll be depressed; but if you look at Christ, you'll be at rest

Amen! Great truth in poetic form!

 

[JesusIsAll]

Quote by JesusIsAll:

If you look at circumstances of the world, you'll be distressed; if you look within, you'll be depressed; but if you look at Christ, you'll be at rest

Amen! Great truth in poetic form!

Thank you, but I'd like to hasten to add that I referred to notes in that post, taken over many years that have no citations in them, where I mixed preaching and teaching of, by far, betters of me, glommed in the comments things I was taking away from the teaching, more verses that came to mind, etc. If it was truly profound and poetic, the likelihood that was me is radically reduced! That was all from the huge mishmash of notes, being taught by some who've forgotten more theology than I ever knew.

 

[JesusIsAll]

The Lord's promises are sure, you can expect Him to keep His word,

Matthew 14:30-34 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.

Jesus saw them through to reach the land of destination, Gennesaret, by a way the disciples could not have seen, through the fearful storm. Peter didn't drown. We do not live by explanation, but live by promises, as most of us wouldn't understand God's ways, His thoughts above our thoughts, His ways above our ways, but we can expect the Lord to see us through.

You can have peace in the midst of your storm, as in the old hymn,

When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul.

 

[JesusIsAll]

This is such a good thread topic, Grace777x70, appreciate how it's led to digging around in the old notes bin. Found some more juicy teaching along the lines probably not looked at for years, but nice to revisit, your thread leading to encouraging things to ponder. Thank you!

Weary soldier of the cross, hear these words, "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage." To "wait" means literally to endure, to not give up for the problems of life that press on you, realizing all things will accomplish God's good pleasure. God will certainly keep His promises, and nothing in this world is going to snatch you from that love of God in Christ Jesus. Eternal life awaits us, and we must wait upon God, endure, realizing all things work towards that state of eternal glory, be steadfast in our courage, be firmly fixed, immovable in our faith.

Steadfastness is the ability to remain faithful and firm, no matter the hardship, face the storms and push forward, without wavering, and without giving in, knowing the hardships in our lives don't take place by chance. All things lead to our heavenly home, and we should be encouraged in our hearts, be of good courage, facing adversity. In our need we must listen carefully, quietly, and humbly the instruction of these beautiful words, that God strengthens and makes our hearts firm and sure, know the Lord will make us strong-footed in adversity. Consider these marvelous verses in Isaiah 40 we should all memorize:

Isaiah 40:28-31 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Adversity comes like a storm, and God uses the analogy of an eagle, "shall mount up with wings as eagles," not a bird of the barnyard or a bird of filth. God uses eagles to describe saints. An eagle looks to the storm, because the thermal updrafts will make him rise all the higher when he spreads his wings, to rise above the storm. He just puts those wings out there and soars over the storm, to see further, and to fly faster. An eagle normally flies at about 50 mph, but, in a storm, has been clocked to almost 100 mph. The very winds that would defeat others just give the eagle strength.

You're going to face storms, and those storms are going to stress you, unless you wait upon the Lord. The Lord will give you strength to run and not be weary. God will give you strength to rise, to serve, and to run, but, if you can't rise, it's not God trailing off, but you. Also, victorious Christianity is not just in soaring like an eagle or running like a deer, but living for Christ day to day, being faithful in all the little things, day after day, night after night, faith in shoe leather. It's one thing to have soaring power, another to have surging power, but still another thing blessed to have sticking power, to "keep on keeping on" for the Lord Jesus, to be steadfast. There's the faith of not to being healed and trusting in the Lord, Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. That is faith!

 

[Grace777x70]

Good stuff JesusIsAll....Thank you!

I remember reading somewhere that the word "wait" in Hebrew means to " be braided together"..I like that picture I get in my spirit when I ponder on waiting on the Lord which is especially needed in the midst of the storms of life that come against us all.

 

[ladylynn]

Quote by JesusIsAll:

If you look at circumstances of the world, you'll be distressed; if you look within, you'll be depressed; but if you look at Christ, you'll be at rest

Amen! Great truth in poetic form!

Amen!!!! That is the work., to rest. It does not come naturally to not look at everything around me and want to "work" at fixing these things. It is extremely difficult to establish the (habit) of not seeing with only my eyes. But it does come and we have the Holy Spirit to keep us on track. Looking at the world is normal, we are walking in it, going to the store in it, going to work in it....driving our cars in it., seeing it in our families and seeing it on the tv and news.. etc...

Then we are also learning how not to see life through our own minds sight. Seeing people in pain., seeing people in hard situations and troubles and identifying with them because we understand fear and pain and emotions as well. But to not allow our own ideas to supersede the reality of God's love and His promises to take care of us and His other sons, that is a daily resting in that is just as important.

But wow when we do start learning how to rest and allow Jesus to work, life takes on not only new meanings but a power of faith that we are privy to as sons with the Holy Spirit abiding in us. We are not alone anymore. While the world is distressed and depressed., we are up held by His hand. It is a real place that we have in Jesus to first believe and then we see the reality. Believe first is the prerequisite. Unlike in the world where we see first and then believe.

I was never taught to actually rest. Was always taught that God helps those who help themselves. But that is not true. God helps those who rest In His Son Jesus.

 

[crossnote]

He often sends us storms to strip us of our umbrella made of fig leaves ... (human self sufficiently).

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 KJVS
[9] And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

 

[Grace777x70]

He often sends us storms to strip us of our umbrella made of fig leaves ... (human self sufficiently).

I agree that the storms of life do strip us of our own human self sufficiency and that is a major blessing to us in the scheme of things. I don't believe He sends the storms but He does walk us into them and ultimately through them for sure just like Jesus did when He was asleep in the boat when the storm came. He rebuked the storm. I don't think He was rebuking something that the Father brought on.

Slight difference in context but I agree 100% that we need to have our lives based totally on Him alone and not on our own strength.....thanks for the post...

 

[JesusIsAll]

Good stuff JesusIsAll....Thank you!

I remember reading somewhere that the word "wait" in Hebrew means to " be braided together"..I like that picture I get in my spirit when I ponder on waiting on the Lord which is especially needed in the midst of the storms of life that come against us all.

Interesting. Looked up "wait" in the Isaiah verses, and, sho nuff, there's a passive meaning to collect or bind together. Can't say I know but some Yiddish, taught by bad influences, but I suppose you were "bound" to share that with the "collective."



Sorry... did you hear about the blonde that...

Bound by Christ? That there's a good binding!

 

[thepsalmist]

I agree that the storms of life do strip us of our own human self sufficiency and that is a major blessing to us in the scheme of things. I don't believe He sends the storms but He does walk us into them and ultimately through them for sure just like Jesus did when He was asleep in the boat when the storm came. He rebuked the storm. I don't think He was rebuking something that the Father brought on.

Slight difference in context but I agree 100% that we need to have our lives based totally on Him alone and not on our own strength.....thanks for the post...

He ALLOWS the storm to happen ...

 

[Grace777x70]

He ALLOWS the storm to happen ...

Yes, He sure does allow it....and He allows us to make our own "Storms" too.....but He is always there with us. He will never leave us nor forsake us. What a great truth to hold onto when the storms of life hit us no matter the reason that they come...Jesus is the answer to them....there is a time to rebuke the storm and then there is a time to trust in Him doing what needs to be done in the storm by the Holy Spirit's direction...Lord give us the wisdom to know the difference.....