Category Archives: Storms

Are You Fighting Or Trusting??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #335

03 Thursday Apr 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, Be not conformed to this world, Be Steadfast, Be Still and Know, Father's Way!, Fight or Faith?, Fighting With God's Weapons, Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus, Follow Jesus, Following Jesus, Following Jesus or the World?, For Such A Time As This, Stand by ME!, Stand Fast!, Still Will I Trust HIM, Storms, That They May Know, The Battle IS The Lord's, The Blood of Jesus Cleanses from SIN, The Broad or Narrow Way?

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Are You Fighting Or Trusting???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #335

We often face battles and forget that our Lord is standing with us, for us, and His Spirit will lead and provide if we will but learn to trust Jesus (But I’m doing pretty good by myself, right?) to lead us on that straight path.  Oh, to learn to trust Him more, to rest in HIM more, to follow even in the dark.  One of my favorite reminders of this is King Jehosaphat, and the literal battle that God promised to fight for him and the people of Israel.  What battles are you trying to face alone?  You don’t have to, God is ready, willing, able and He wants you to look to His sufficient grace and provision. (Simple but almost always not easy!!!)

“And he said,

Hearken ye, all Judah,

and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem,

 and thou king Jehoshaphat,

Thus saith the LORD unto you,

Be not afraid nor dismayed

by reason of this great multitude;

for the battle is not yours,

but God’s.

16 To morrow go ye down against them:

behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz;

and ye shall find them at the end of the brook,

before the wilderness of Jeruel.

17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle:

set yourselves,

stand ye still,

 and see the salvation of the LORD with you,

O Judah and Jerusalem:

 fear not,

nor be dismayed;

to morrow go out against them:

for the LORD will be with you.”                                2 Chronicles 20:15-17

Hallelujah!  Praise be to God!  How many victories have we missed because we wanted to “do it myself”?  God is faithful and trustworthy, and one of the greatest passages in all of scripture reminds us of the character, goodness, and “the power of HIS might” (See Ephesians 6:10-19)!  Daniel and his friends had prayed for God’s deliverance and HIS wisdom to diffuse the King’s angry decree to slay all the ‘wise’ men, including Daniel and his friends.  God heard and I encourage you to rehearse and even memorize this precious declaration of praise and glory to The One who IS God—our great deliverer!!!

“Then Daniel went to his house,

and made the thing known

to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:

18 That they would desire mercies

of the God of heaven concerning this secret;

that Daniel and his fellows should not perish

with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel

in a night vision.

Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

20 Daniel answered and said,

Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever:

for wisdom and might are his:

21 And he changeth

the times and the seasons:

he removeth kings,

and setteth up kings:

 he giveth wisdom unto the wise,

and knowledge

to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth

the deep and secret things:

he knoweth

what is in the darkness,

and the light

dwelleth with him.

23 I thank thee, and praise thee,

O thou God of my fathers,

who hast given me wisdom and might,

and hast made known unto me now

what we desired of thee:

for thou hast now made known unto us

the king’s matter.”  Daniel 2:18-23

I ask you to ponder these things, no matter the battle that you may be facing; God sees, He knows, and He is ready, able and willing to stand with YOU!  I pray that like Daniel and even David with his sling, we will trust God no matter the giants that are coming against us.  Paul said it better than I can.  Remember, we win!!!

“O death, where is thy sting?

O grave, where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death is sin;

and the strength of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”                                1 Corinthians 15:55-18

Press on my dear friends, and always let God fight for you!  You are not alone.  If you don’t know Jesus, listen for His voice calling you and come to the cross in repentance of your sin and faith/trust in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice which saves those who come to Him, turning from sin and giving us eternal life in exchange. “He shall save His people from their sins...” (See Matthew 1:21)

Amen and Amen!!!

Trusting With Confidence??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #314

14 Tuesday Jan 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Call To Look Unto Jesus!, A heart of faith, Armor of God, Believe God?, Believe IN Jesus, Believing God's Words, Jesus Saves!, Jesus SinLESS Son of God, Stand Fast!, Still Will I Trust HIM, Storms, Study to Show Yourself Approved Unto God, Trials, Troubles, Trust, Trust God, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus, Trusting Jesus?, Truth is True

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Trusting With Confidence???      A Word from THE WORD!!! #314

I’m a bit late posting this week, but as I’ll be out of pocket for the rest of this week, I wanted to share some thoughts with you; not new thoughts, but things that I need reminding of every day, and thought maybe you would be blessed by the same reminders. This year has already been challenging, with the release of my book, and juggling orders, mailing, taxes, and keeping things straight and done in a timely manner, but God in His heaven hasn’t left the throne and I know that my confidence is in HIM not myself, and maybe you feel the same way.  But remember, as I am often known to remind those around me, “We Win!”

“And I heard as it were

the voice of a great multitude,

and as the voice

of many waters,

and as the voice

of mighty thunderings, saying,

Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.”   Revelation 19:6

God is still God, God is still good, and I still trust Him!  How about you?  Have you let the strife, conflicts, confusion, and just plain old weariness beat you down? Just take a breath, look up and rest in the assurance that “the Lord God omnipotent reigneth”; put on some uplifting praise music (for me that’s the good old Southern Gospel that I was raised on) whatever lifts your heart, soul and mind upwards, then just breathe in the air that God is still supplying.  Put on that armor of God as Paul instructs us in Ephesians 6:10-19 (be sure and commit this to memory and then you can put it on every morning before you face the world—it truly helps!) and go out with confidence in your Lord!  And if Jesus isn’t your Lord yet, He can be if you will but come to Him in faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for your sin, repenting of your sin and receiving His forgiveness and saving grace!  His amazing grace!!!  (See Ephesians 2:8-10)

“Trust in the LORD

with all thine heart;

and lean not

unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways

acknowledge him,

and he shall

direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise

in thine own eyes:

fear the LORD,

and depart from evil.

8 It shall be health to thy navel,

and marrow to thy bones.”  Proverbs 3:5-8

And in Jesus’ own words, remember, He cares for His own.

“Then said Jesus unto them again,

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

I am the door of the sheep.

8 All that ever came before me

are thieves and robbers:

but the sheep did not hear them.

9 I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not,

but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:

I am come that they might have life,

and that they might have it more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

12 But he that is an hireling,

and not the shepherd,

whose own the sheep are not,

seeth the wolf coming,

and leaveth the sheep,

and fleeth:

and the wolf catcheth them,

and scattereth the sheep.

13 The hireling fleeth,

because he is an hireling,

and careth not for the sheep.

14 I am the good shepherd,

and know my sheep,

and am known of mine.

15 As the Father knoweth me,

even so know I the Father:

and I lay down my life for the sheep.”   John 10:7-15

Jesus paid the ultimate price for our salvation, and He is able to save, keep and deliver us into His Kingdom!  You can trust to His care, no matter the trials that face you; no matter the confusion that Satan may through at you; no matter the discouragement that may assail you, remember Jesus is the Risen Savior.  We can be victorious in all things through Him.

And Paul’s great reminder to the believers in the church at Corinth is still true for us today. We can withstand “in the evil day”!

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding

in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”                                1 Corinthians 15:57-58

Amen and Amen!!!

JESUS Knows Your Storm??? A Word from THE WORD!! #22

22 Friday Jul 2022

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Encouragement, Following Jesus, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Storms, Trials, Tried by FIRE!, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?

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JESUS Knows Your Storm???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #22

I’ll have to say, I don’t know if this will be brief or extended, but I just thought someone besides me, may be wrestling with storms; and while I don’t know your “storm”, I do know the ONE who can conquer every battle—with us—for us—or through us!  The problem is that we often don’t want to be used in those storms!  Rather we want the old “instant” answer—solution—or resolution—all painlessly; yet God is working with a different motive, plan and usually a different outcome than we often expect—or want! (Remember Thy Kingdom come…Thy Will be done!)!

“And there arose a great storm of wind,

and the waves beat into the ship,

so that it was now full.

38 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?

39 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.

40 And he said unto them,

Why are ye so fearful?

how is it that ye have no faith?

41 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 4:37-41

Here we find Jesus and the disciples in a literal “storm”; yet Jesus is asleep in the ship!  Not fretting, not wringing His hands, not giving sailing advice to the disciples.  The disciples who have been following HIM, yet who couldn’t understand (any more than we could have then-or-now) how they could survive this sudden storm; and that’s how they usually come into our lives, suddenly and often unexpected.  But even the ‘expected’ trials can often catch us unprepared or unaware until they smack us upside of the head.  Yet, just like the disciples, when we finally think to go to Jesus, we sometimes don’t come in faith, but rather complaining about why He hasn’t already acted, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?”  Jesus always cares, He just doesn’t always act in the way that we expect or desire.  Are we listening to our Lord?

“Humble yourselves therefore

under the mighty hand of God,

that he may exalt you

in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him;

for he careth for you.

8 Be sober,

be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion,

walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith,

knowing that the same afflictions

are accomplished

in your brethren that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace,

who hath called us unto his eternal glory

by Christ Jesus,

after that ye have suffered a while,

make you perfect,

stablish,

strengthen,

settle you.”  1 Peter 5:6-10

Don’t miss the admonition that God gives us through Peter to remember that God uses “suffering” to refine our mettle, and to make us “perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you”!  WHAT???  SUFFER?  WHO ME?  I thought God promised us prosperity, provision, and ease!  Never did!  What did HE promise?  James gives us great insight to God’s plans, which often include trials and suffering!  Jesus cares!  Always!!!

“I can do all things

through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”  Philippians 4:13

“My brethren,

count it all joy

when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this,

that the trying of your faith

worketh patience.

4 But let patience have her perfect work,

that ye may be perfect

and entire,

wanting nothing.

5 If any of you lack wisdom,

let him ask of God,

that giveth to all men liberally,

and upbraideth not;

and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith,

nothing wavering.

For he that wavereth

is like a wave of the sea

driven with the wind

and tossed.”  James 1:2-6

Just like the disciples in the boat, our storms are not a surprise to God.  HE never says “oops”!  And HE is always and ever trustworthy in every way. HE is working for our good and HIS glory in everything around us—growing our wisdom quotient!

Trials produce –patience

                            –Perfection (spiritual maturity)

                            –Completeness (entire, sufficient to the task)

                            –Lacking nothing that we need!

                      Wisdom—Godly wisdom—

What is ‘godly wisdom’?  Well, Paul along with James, gives us some great parameters to understand true wisdom.  Godly sorrow—be it through trials, tests, or sorrows, will accomplish God’s purpose in us, for our good, and for HIS glory, if we’ll just LOOK UP in faith and obedience!

“Now I rejoice,

not that ye were made sorry,

but that ye sorrowed

to repentance:

for ye were made sorry

after a godly manner,

that ye might receive damage by us

in nothing.

10 For godly sorrow

worketh repentance to salvation

not to be repented of:

but the sorrow of the world

worketh death.”  2 Corinthians 7:9-10

So, are we willing to trust God in the storms, or do we keep trying to bargain, manipulate and misuse God’s promises to have a life of ease rather than a life of service, no matter the degree of discomfort we may see or feel.  I’ll close with two passages from Paul’s letter to the Romans, may we read them, heed them, and commit to adhere to God’s Word and Way!  And don’t reject those friends that God sends your way, with HIS truth, because it’s uncomfortable!  (In other words, Paul is reminding us that being sorry because we got ‘caught’, isn’t godly sorrow—by God’s definition!)

“And we know that all things work together for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed

to the image of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.”  Romans 8:28-29

And a great command to prepare for God’s service.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect, will of God.

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God hath dealt

to every man the measure of faith.”                 Romans 12:1-3 

Amen and Amen!!!