Storm Protection
Next time you are in a killer lightning storm, hail storm, tornado or hurricane, remember the story when Jesus was in a bad storm and said to the wind and waves, "Quiet! Be still!" and it stopped. Then He asked His disciples who were worried about the storm, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" If you follow Jesus and have fear of anything, killer storms, people, situations then we are lacking in faith in God. God is constantly telling people like He told Isaac, "Do not be afraid, for I am with you". The reason we should not be afraid is because God is with us! Jesus contrasted being "afraid" with lack of "faith". Jesus told a man who was concerned for the life of his sick child, "Don't be afraid; just believe". Jesus is very firm that we are to "Have faith in God". When a storm is approaching, it is good to remember that Jesus tells us, "Anyone believing in Me shall do the same miracles I have done". Jesus tells us to not worry but rather seek God and, "give Him first place in your life and live as He wants you to".
One time a woman who was growing in her faith shared when they got back from vacation that she was driving back with her husband in a motor home in a bad rainstorm. She knew she had to drive through Denver, which for her was a large unfamiliar city and she was concerned. She said she prayed and asked God to make the rain stop so she could drive through Denver. She said when she got to Denver the rain stopped and finally when they got on the other side of Denver, it started raining again at the city limit sign. In retrospect, she said she wished she had asked God to stop the rain completely. Once when I was a newborn follower, I was in the middle of a large, deep lake in a rented bass boat. A storm came up quickly and the waves were big and the rain and small hail was so heavy I could not see my friend at the other end of the boat much less the shoreline, which I knew was quite a distance. I fervently prayed for God's help and immediately the boat was on the shore and we were able to run for cover. God can help His way. Unless you have communication with God like His son Jesus, it may be better to ask for God's help and let Him decide how He wants to help.
Another reason to not have fear is the worst thing that may happen from a bad storm is for your body to die. Jesus tells us, "do not fear those who kill the body…" Some may think that is easy for Jesus to say not to fear death but remember He tells us repeatedly that if we believe in Him we will live even after our body dies, "He who believes in Me will have life even if he dies". When you are at that point in your relationship with Jesus and God that you have no fear of death rather death is viewed as just an event in the next phase of eternal life, you will have no fear. Some even welcome the opportunity of moving on into eternal life. Next time there is a dangerous storm, trust God, seek His help and let Him guide you. He may guide you to take shelter in a safe room or He may stop the storm or cause the tornado to lift back into the clouds or any other option God chooses. Trust God, "Have faith in God" and do not be afraid.
1. Mk 4:39-40; Ge 26:24; Mk 5:36 (NI); Jn 14:12; Mt 6:33 (TL)
2. Mt 10:28 (NKJ); Jn 3:16; 5:24; 8:51-52; 11:25:26: Mk 11:22 (IC)
note: click here for bible verse and translation abbreviations
A Psalm for reflection "in God I trust; I will not be afraid" Ps 56:4 (NI)
Understanding the Teaching: What I share in the teaching is what I believe God wants me to share. All the direct quotes from God are highlighted in royal purple. Of course the words of Jesus are in red. Rather than follow some made up doctrine, remember that Jesus said that every thing He said (Jn 12:49) and everything He did (Jn 14:31) comes from God. All teachings and all opinions should be supported by what we learn from God or Jesus (see the scripture referred to in the footnote).
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MARRIAGE WORKSHOP MOMENT
To refresh what you have learned in our Workshop or entice you to experience our Workshop
"Remember, all marriages can be better, if you use what you learned."
One time I stated that I consider it was a bad witness for me if I go to places that promote alcohol, like when they have "Bar" in their name. A man at church complained to me saying, "You will miss out on lot of good food". That's my problem not his. If a wife is late to work, that is the wife's problem not her husband. If a husband doesn't like to play golf and his wife think he should. That is the husband's concern not the wife. We need to be careful how we talk to our spouse. When we marry someone we marry them as is, we don't marry them to change them. It is good to consider who really owns a problem before complaining. It is important how we talk to our spouse. Avoid character assassination that implies things can't change. For example instead of saying to your spouse, "You are a slob" it is nicer to say, "It bothers me when you leave your dirty underwear hanging on the door knob". Avoid saying harsh words to your spouse. Remember Jesus said in Mt 5:22 (NI) "…anyone who says, `You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell." When you have trouble with name-calling or character assassination, it may be a good time to call time out and discuss the subject using the Speaker Listener Technique.
The Better Half "When your partner won't support your efforts to make your marriage better" Without your spouse's support to improve your marriage, you can still pray daily for God's will to be done in each of your lives and your marriage. Jesus said, "all things are possible with God", Mk 10:27 NI). As the spouse that is trying to make your marriage better, you can be careful not to tell your spouse what you think they ought to do. You can say how you feel with out name-calling or character assassination. Remember Jesus encourages us to "Treat others as you want them to treat you" (Lk 6:31 TL).
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Hearing God's Voice - Greek Miracle - We Center on Jesus - Honoring God Physically
Eye Healing Miracle * The Alphabet is from God * Family Prayer Outline * Jesus Knows the Bible and Spoke Hebrew *