Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him.  And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep.  Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”  But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.  So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” Matthew 8:23-27

This is an old and familiar story, but let’s try to put ourselves right in the middle of it.  Jesus had barely begun His ministry, and recently called the disciples.  The previous verses in Matthew 8 tell us of several people Jesus healed before He got on the boat.  Therefore, the disciples had seen a display of His power, and were probably full of questions.  But the day had been long, and they all needed to get away for a bit.  Jesus, being fully human, needed sleep; being fully God, He was not concerned about earthly storms.

But the disciples were afraid for their lives when the storm came up.  It must have been a terrible storm, for several of the disciples were used to being on the sea and surely had seen squalls and high waves before.  So they ran to Jesus, crying out for help.

What were they thinking?  Did they really have any idea of what Jesus could or would do?  I don't think so! When I am in a panic situation, my brain doesn't think ahead - I just want help, and I want it now!  I think the disciples were in that mindset and Jesus had already come to be a "presence" that they trusted to take care of them and whatever trouble came to them.  We have more perspective and knowledge than they did, and we also know that going to Jesus for help is the best thing to do, even if we don't know how He will help!

Isn't it also true that when we are hurting, rocked by terrible things, and unable to help ourselves - isn't it then when what we really want is someone to be with us, to remedy our aloneness?  When I am alone is when my mind goes off into tortuous paths of self-doubt, fear, worry, and a downward spiral.  Just calling on Jesus and knowing He is near pulls me out of that whirling cesspool.

Jesus probably asks me the same question each time I run to Him.  “Why are you fearful, oh you of little faith?”  And then He calms the storm.  David once said, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in you.” (Psalm 56:3) God knows we feel fear, but He also provides His presence and help in times of distress.  His Word is full of the promise of His presence with us. Oh, how I need Him, and how gloriously He has shown Himself with me!

Fear not; for I am with you: be not dismayed; for I am your God: I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness. Psalm 41:10

Be With Us, Lord!

2 Thessalonians 3:16 The Lord be with you all.

I was praying for a friend, “Lord, be with them today.”  But as I said it aloud, I began to wonder why I was praying for God to be with someone, when it is a fact known to us as Christians that God is with us all the time.  I hear people say, after a close call of some type, “God sure was with me and watching out for me that time.”  And I think, isn’t He always with you?  So I go to the Word of God to dig deeper!

Numbers 14:43 For the Amalekites and the Canaanites are there before you, and ye shall fall by the sword: because ye are turned away from the LORD, therefore the LORD will not be with you.

Amos 5:14 Seek good and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you.

2 Corinthians 13:11 Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, life in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

Philippians 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

I know that God has been with me in those times of my life that I was rebellious and not seeking Him – the protection and His promises of grace were always with me, even when I wasn’t cognizant of them.  Perhaps it would be more fitting to say that I was not with God and therefore could not experience the fullness of His presence.

When Paul was shipwrecked, God was with him and protected him along with the entire crew.  Paul was in dire straits, but God was with him and working through him.  However, when the Israelites were engaged in battle with the pagan nations around them, God did not fight for them if there was sin in the camp.  Furthermore, He let them know about it in no uncertain terms!

My prayers still include the petition for God to be with someone, or with me.  But it is no longer a trite thing.  I pray that we align ourselves with the will of God, so that His presence is fully with us and engaged with us in power and truth.  I want to be with Him, and He with me, in every sense.  Jesus is my Emmanuel!

What do you think?  Further insight always appreciated!

Dandelions for Jesus

It's that time of year again.  Dandelions are making themselves known anywhere and everywhere.  But this stubborn little weed has some interesting qualities that make them worth thinking about.

Roots
The dandelion has a strong, thick root that can reach a length of ten inches.  This root not only keeps the dandelion hardy, it aerates the soil and provides nutrients for surrounding plant life.  In addition, if you break the root, it regenerates, and the broken pieces are capable of creating new plants.
 Colossians 2:6-7 "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught.."

Flowers
You can't miss a dandelion in full bloom.  Its color is dazzling and bright, like sunshine.  It's a sharp contrast to the green of other weeds, and especially stands out in that otherwise well-manicured lawn.  It is sensitive to light, opening itself fully to the sunshine, and closing up as soon as light is withdrawn.  This humble little flower stands out!
 Philippians 2:15 "in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.."
I Peter 2:9 "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light."

Seeds
Each dandelion flower is capable of producing up to 2000 seeds.  The seed is constructed like a parachute, for maximum dispersion by any puff of breeze. Some seeds may travel for miles.  This flower was made for propagation!
 Matthew 28:19-20 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."

Healing Properties
The entire dandelion plant is edible - leaves, flowers, buds, and roots.  It is known for its antioxidants and vitamins.  It is especially good for the liver, kidneys, and gall bladder when eaten.  It can also be used for poultices and rubs, bringing healing to rashes and skin conditions.
 Proverbs 4:20-22 "My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh."

"Dandelions spread further, are more difficult to exterminate, and grow under more adverse circumstances that most competitors," says naturalist Steve Brill.  Hmmm... how about we substitute the word "Christian" in the place of "dandelion" in that statement?  I think that's the kind of witness our Lord would like us to be in this world today.

We can be dandelions for Jesus.  Shine through me, Lord!

Obedience and Joy

For most of my 55 years, I thought I had a weight problem.  Lots of us do, right?  But a little over a year ago, God began speaking to me about this issue.  Have you ever argued with God?  I  do, it's definitely a learning and growing process!  At the time of this debate with God, I was overweight and feeling guilty about it, followed by feeling defensive when confronted about it.  So I pointed out to God that there were lots of other people who are heavy who have great ministries and service to Him.  I even named them, so He would be sure to take note.  But God...(there's those words again)!

But God wanted to deal with me, not those others.  And my prayers often include my desire to serve God more deeply and meaningfully.  That means I want to be obedient, right?  Well, as God pointed out to me, I wasn't being obedient in the matter of gluttony.  That's right, the perspective is aligned correctly now.  I don't have a weight problem, never had a weight problem.  I have a gluttony problem.  Puts blame directly where it belongs - on me.

And so I am carving a new path of obedience, with a concentrated effort on being who God wants me to be in the area of eating  This is not about a diet, or about exercise.  It is not about how good I feel.  It is most assuredly not about how I look or fit into those smaller sizes (a real temptation, so I moved the mirror into another room).  Have I struggled?  Oh boy, almost every day.  Is it worth it?  Emphatically yes!!!

In submitting (giving up, admitting another authority over myself), I am finding joy, of a depth I never experienced before.  Why was I so stubborn on this issue? Why did it take so long to apply lessons learned in other areas to this particular aspect of my life?  Why is God so patient with me?  Amazing grace of our Lord Jesus Christ!!

Psalm 13:5-6
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD,  for he has been good to me.

Embracing the Cloud

I recently read a Streams in the Desert devotional that really got me thinking.  The gist of the message was this: The clouds in your life are the best places to meet God.  So I spent some time looking up references to "cloud" in the Bible.  Here's a sampling:

.Exodus 13:21  And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night. 

Exodus 21:21 Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.

 1 Kings 8:11  So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.

Matthew 17: 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

Revelation 1:7 Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him.

I have quite a few clouds looming overhead right now.  Our grandson is on a transplant list waiting for a liver.  One son is separated from his wife.  Another son is facing a difficult custody battle.  I have several friends who are facing serious medical issues.  Another friend is out of work.  Dark clouds, and lots of them.

 

The Bible tells us that we cannot look at God's glory, in part because it is so radiant.  Remember that Moses' face shone after his time with God on the mountain.  The throne of God is radiant with glory, and surrounded by clouds.  God knows that our human eyes cannot bear the full light of His glory, so He gives us a way to know He is there - through the clouds!

If I just approach the clouds and storms in confidence and faith, I know I will meet God there.  The clouds are not obscuring Him or keeping me from Him.... they are the path to meet Him more intimately.  My God is in the clouds!!

Psalm 97:2
Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.

Violets, Part 2

I don't know where all the meanings behind flowers originated.  For example, roses are supposed to symbolize love, and even the colors of roses have significance.  A quick Google search for flower meanings will probably tell you more than you want to know about the attributes that have somehow been assigned to flowers.  And yet, God uses these "mundane" things to touch and teach each of us, personally and intimately.  As I mentioned last week, violets have always been my favorite flower.  Over the course of my teenage years and early adulthood, their qualities came to portray spiritual truths to me.  These little flowers on slender stems are not as fragile as they seem.  They can endure drastic changes in temperature, blooming among both sleet and snow.  Too much heat withers them, but a cool breeze can revive them.  They are tremendous multipliers, sending roots out all around and creating a virtual nest of roots and leaves and blossoms (many gardeners consider them pests).  I'm sure you can see how easily spiritual lessons can be drawn from the characteristics of the humble violet.

But it was later in my life I learned that violets stand for faithfulness.  And this information, I believe, came to me at a point in time that could only be a message from God to me.  You see, I have been unfaithful to God in various degrees all through the course of this journey.  I have done things I knew were wrong.  I have purposely not done things that I knew God wanted me to do.  I have run away, like Jonah.  I have been like a stupid sheep, and and wandered astray.  I find myself worrying or fretting, when I have seen God's hand working and have no need to think so negatively.  In a thousand ways (at least!), I am unfaithful and unworthy.

But God never lets go.  Because I turned to Him and gave Him my life, He now holds me....forever.  And His faithfulness never ends.  So my affection for violets has now become a continual reminder of who I am, and whose I am.  And therefore, they also encourage me to be faithful, as He is faithful.  I am His, a promise renewed every day!

Lamentations 3:21-23
This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.  It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.