John 14:4-6 "And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
Let that soak in for a while. HE IS THE WAY!!! My oldest daughter is 15, and has her learner's license. So therefore, she takes the wheel at every opportunity. That is the way it should be! It is often funny, because often times I tell her where we are going, and this distant look comes on her face. I can tell she is thinking really hard. She then will exclaim, "Oh, okay, I think I know the way!" I have to smile. You see, for 15 yrs. of her life, she was either in the backseat...or as she got older....in the front passenger seat. She was taken everywhere, and never needed to really study the roads to know where to go for herself.
As I studied this passage, I could see myself in ole Thomas, and watching my daughter figure out her way around a town she was born and raised in......these verses hit home for me. You see, the disciples dropped what they were doing and followed Jesus as he asked. They went everywhere with him and saw him perform many miracles and listened to his teachings. Then, as it came time for Jesus to die on the cross......Thomas finally realized.......oh no....how do we know the way???
Just as my daughter has begun to realize that even though she has rode with me all her life to most of these places...she has not had to do it herself. Thomas was also realizing that he had been following Jesus...and now what was he to do...how was he to know the way?
I recently, myself have tasted this new freedom. I have had to break away from my raising, my heritage, my family's religion, if you will........and tested the waters for myself. Not that I have gone astray or changed religions... but I have decided that I have to live for Christ myself, not ride my families coat tails. I had to get into the drivers seat for myself. It is scary, and I know Thomas was nervous.......but once we realize that HE IS THE WAY.......it all falls into place. Trust in Him, get into His Word and learn it for yourself. Now that my daughter has driven herself to several places, she no longer has to ask how to get there or study it out......she knows the way. What an awesome peace and freedom to know......The Way!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Seeing the Big Picture
Our pastor preached a sermon this past Sunday in Matthew 16:13-16. He focused on the answer that Peter gave Jesus when he was asking them '...whom say ye that I am?". Peter answered, "Thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God." If we could ever really grasp this sentence, and take it personally....He is the Christ, the Son of the living God!
My husband and I went to a festival they were having just down the road from us. It was held in a nearby pasture that I have passed almost every day since we have lived here....which is going on 7 years now. Both my husband and I commented on how big this piece of land was, and how we never noticed how big it was before...not until we were now walking on it.
I began thinking about that....spiritually, and then Sunday's sermon got me thinking even more. Do you realize all you have through Jesus Christ? The more we learn of Him, the more there is to learn. The more knowledge we obtain of Him, the more we realize there is so much more to learn. You can have been saved a long time....but if you have not tried Him for yourself, then you have no idea how big He is!
Just as my husband and I had seen that pasture for years. We knew it was there, we see it as we pass down the road...and we certainly could drive right to it with no need for directions. But...only when we set foot on the pasture did it begin to really open up for us. We finally could see the 'big picture'.
The same goes for Jesus. He is not your parents religion, or your grandparents....He is not the man in the Bible stories......He is much bigger! You must try Him for yourself before you can ever see the big picture. I challenge you my friends, dig deeper, read more, pray more, worship more, focus more on Him....and you will see the bigger picture! You will not regret it! What a wonderful ride...I am enjoying every moment of Him...and cannot wait until He calls me home!!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Small Wonder
Okay, check out these pictures of my aquarium. If you notice the little guy at the top of both pictures........his name is Survivor. He is named this...because somehow, some way...he survived! The second picture shows Survivor on top, and his parents below. If you have an aquarium, then you know.......you NEVER get babies! Oh, they will lay eggs, but the other fish always gobble them up. You only get babies if you rescue the eggs some how, and allow them to hatch separate from the other fish. Then, you must allow them to grow big enough so they won't be swallowed by the other fish when you put them in the tank with the rest of your fish!! Okay...our little Survivor there, not only survived by not being eaten while he was yet an egg....but then he survived again when he was too small and could still fit in the other fishes mouths'!! WOW! We were so excited, and just love watching him grow!!
My spiritual eye was so excited as well!!! In Psalm 71, it says, "By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou are he that took me out of my mother's bowels; my praise shall be continually of thee. I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge." Well, praise the Lord!!! I couldn't help but think of our little fish....what a wonder he has been to us, and everyone who comes over for a visit!
Isn't it wonderful to know that we serve a God that not only cares for us before we are born, but also takes such sweet care of us afterwards. What protection, what love, what mercy, He bestowes upon us daily! I don't know how or where that little guy stayed in that aquarium in order to survive...but he did. The world must often look at christians and just wonder how we have survived. I'll gladly tell them about my strong refuge! How about you? Have you thanked God today for His protection..for being your strong refuge?
What an awesome God we serve! Thank you Lord for your blessings on me, for your strong refuge, for your hedge of protection on my life!
Being Prepared (Inspired by Renea;p)
A friend and I were talking the other day, giving God praise for all He has done in our lives, and a thought stumbled into my head. We were talking about never getting too old to stop learning and gaining wisdom of the Father. That is the key....never losing your 'want to'. No matter what it takes, hold on to it with full on passion, grit your teeth and stand your ground! Never get complacant...and when those days come, where you are tired, cold, weak, and worn....shake it up and quickly run back close to the fire! No matter how low your valley gets, no matter how dry your desert feels...keep plodding on!! It is worth it! If God feels a million miles away...keep reading His word, keep praying every day..no matter if you don't feel a thing...keep on doing it..because, while you think you are getting no help whatsoever...you are, when that storm hits..you have your armour on, you have your protection! YOU ARE PREPARED!!
I bought my girls a small umbrella to keep in their backpacks at all times for school. Our campus is more like a college campus. We have several different buildings, so they have to walk outside a lot. They really don't think about having it with them, they just carry it in their backpacks..no matter what the weather is doing. But...you let the rain come, and they are grabbing that backpack and pulling that little umbrella out! They are prepared, whatever the weather, to stay safe and dry!
Same in the spiritual life..the 'sun' is out, life is good, nothing seems to be going on much..good or bad...but KEEP reading the Bible, KEEP praying every day...because one day that storm will come and you will be prepared...you won't have to scramble to find God, or His will! You are safe and dry! In times past, sad to say, I have allowed God to be my 'spare tire' and being the perfect gentleman, he didn't push. And when the storms of this life came my way, it was really rough, because I had to scramble to where I needed to be with Him, before I could even think about getting any help in the storm! Just like those students that get caught outside with no umbrella. They are scrambling for cover, they come to class soaked, or get stuck under an awning, with no way to get where they need to go.......but you see, my girls, being prepared, can safely get where they need to go, on time...and safe and dry. Now the rain is still wet, the storm is still going on for them, as well as the other students...but they were PREPARED! We all have to face the storms of life........how will you face them.....prepared, or unprepared?
Don't face things alone, child of God....it is unnecessary! You hold the key to being prepared...your Bible (God communicating with you) and daily prayer life (you communicating with God). Don't get caught out in the rain, where you can get soaked, or get trapped with no way to get where you need to go!!! Let Him be your umbrella......and keep Him close to you at all times.
I bought my girls a small umbrella to keep in their backpacks at all times for school. Our campus is more like a college campus. We have several different buildings, so they have to walk outside a lot. They really don't think about having it with them, they just carry it in their backpacks..no matter what the weather is doing. But...you let the rain come, and they are grabbing that backpack and pulling that little umbrella out! They are prepared, whatever the weather, to stay safe and dry!
Same in the spiritual life..the 'sun' is out, life is good, nothing seems to be going on much..good or bad...but KEEP reading the Bible, KEEP praying every day...because one day that storm will come and you will be prepared...you won't have to scramble to find God, or His will! You are safe and dry! In times past, sad to say, I have allowed God to be my 'spare tire' and being the perfect gentleman, he didn't push. And when the storms of this life came my way, it was really rough, because I had to scramble to where I needed to be with Him, before I could even think about getting any help in the storm! Just like those students that get caught outside with no umbrella. They are scrambling for cover, they come to class soaked, or get stuck under an awning, with no way to get where they need to go.......but you see, my girls, being prepared, can safely get where they need to go, on time...and safe and dry. Now the rain is still wet, the storm is still going on for them, as well as the other students...but they were PREPARED! We all have to face the storms of life........how will you face them.....prepared, or unprepared?
Don't face things alone, child of God....it is unnecessary! You hold the key to being prepared...your Bible (God communicating with you) and daily prayer life (you communicating with God). Don't get caught out in the rain, where you can get soaked, or get trapped with no way to get where you need to go!!! Let Him be your umbrella......and keep Him close to you at all times.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Stay Off!
If you read my blog, then you know that my oldest daughter has a wonderful pug named, Bo. Bo has been a God send, and we love him so....but, he has this problem.....he sheds a lot! I find myself forever brushing his hair off of the furniture. So, I got him this cute little doggy bed, put it in the living room....near us....and started training him not to get on the furniture. I found this spray at the store called Stay Off. It is a dog training spray that keeps dogs away from a certain area. I thought I would give it a try.
I brought it home and sprayed the chairs and sofa with it. It puts off no smell, that I can smell...but Bo certainly doesn't like it. It leaves no stain, no odor, no hint that it is there.....but Bo certainly doesn't like it. It seems to be working pretty well. Bo is staying off the furniture...but it doesn't seem to make him love his bed any more. I keep taking him to the bed...and he keeps jumping right back out. I put his favorite toys in it....he will retrieve the toy....and leave the bed alone.
Where am I going with this one you may ask??? Well.....it made me think about witnessing....yes you read it correctly....witnessing! Do you repel folks from God, or do you bring them in? I'm not talking about your intentions or your well meanings.....I'm talking about how others perceive you. You may mean well when you beg them to come to church with you, or when you cry and tell them you don't want to see them go to hell, forever quoting scripture in their ear, preaching to them about how they are living, and how they should be living, but how's that coming across? As you 'spray' your words out, they may have no odor, no stain, and to you, no hint that it was there....but it may be that that sinner or backslider perceives it differently. Although you are praying and beckoning them the best way you know how...that will not make them come, that will not get them saved. You can't see a thing come out of that can when I spray it, only the sound a spray can makes.........but, poor ole Bo, he can! He takes a sniff, snarles his nose and takes off. I want him to go to his bed....but that's not where he goes!
Be careful how you direct others to Christ, you may have the best intentions...but you may be repelling them. As Christians we are to point others to Christ...but don't walk out in front of Him! I can lead Bo to that bed, I can taunt him with his toys are a milkbone, but that won't make him lay down in it. He has to see that it is a soft cozy warm place for himself. He has to see that that awful scent from that can does not get sprayed on his bed. Too often, we are so excited to have someone feel, taste, and see that God is good, we actually do more damage than good.
Stop....look....and listen....listen to your Father. He will direct you. Your main job is to pray for that person and LIVE the life that God wants you to live in front of that person! Stop....pushing and pulling and proding.....look to the cross and remember your salvation....and listen to the Father as He guides you. He is a perfect gentleman, He gives each individual his own free will...we all have a choice. I found that if I just left Bo alone, that gradually, he will check the bed out for himself, sniff it, touch it....and eventually give it a try. Mom always said that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Its true. So the next time you see that friend or loved one that you so desperately want to see saved, back right, in church, living for Christ......stop, look, and listen.........God can move mountains.......but in His time, not ours. He will do and has done His part........and He doesn't need any of us in order to get anything He wants done, done. I promise.....He knows what's best, He knows the desires of your heart.....and He loves them and is beckoning them to Him.....don't hinder His work!
I brought it home and sprayed the chairs and sofa with it. It puts off no smell, that I can smell...but Bo certainly doesn't like it. It leaves no stain, no odor, no hint that it is there.....but Bo certainly doesn't like it. It seems to be working pretty well. Bo is staying off the furniture...but it doesn't seem to make him love his bed any more. I keep taking him to the bed...and he keeps jumping right back out. I put his favorite toys in it....he will retrieve the toy....and leave the bed alone.
Where am I going with this one you may ask??? Well.....it made me think about witnessing....yes you read it correctly....witnessing! Do you repel folks from God, or do you bring them in? I'm not talking about your intentions or your well meanings.....I'm talking about how others perceive you. You may mean well when you beg them to come to church with you, or when you cry and tell them you don't want to see them go to hell, forever quoting scripture in their ear, preaching to them about how they are living, and how they should be living, but how's that coming across? As you 'spray' your words out, they may have no odor, no stain, and to you, no hint that it was there....but it may be that that sinner or backslider perceives it differently. Although you are praying and beckoning them the best way you know how...that will not make them come, that will not get them saved. You can't see a thing come out of that can when I spray it, only the sound a spray can makes.........but, poor ole Bo, he can! He takes a sniff, snarles his nose and takes off. I want him to go to his bed....but that's not where he goes!
Be careful how you direct others to Christ, you may have the best intentions...but you may be repelling them. As Christians we are to point others to Christ...but don't walk out in front of Him! I can lead Bo to that bed, I can taunt him with his toys are a milkbone, but that won't make him lay down in it. He has to see that it is a soft cozy warm place for himself. He has to see that that awful scent from that can does not get sprayed on his bed. Too often, we are so excited to have someone feel, taste, and see that God is good, we actually do more damage than good.
Stop....look....and listen....listen to your Father. He will direct you. Your main job is to pray for that person and LIVE the life that God wants you to live in front of that person! Stop....pushing and pulling and proding.....look to the cross and remember your salvation....and listen to the Father as He guides you. He is a perfect gentleman, He gives each individual his own free will...we all have a choice. I found that if I just left Bo alone, that gradually, he will check the bed out for himself, sniff it, touch it....and eventually give it a try. Mom always said that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Its true. So the next time you see that friend or loved one that you so desperately want to see saved, back right, in church, living for Christ......stop, look, and listen.........God can move mountains.......but in His time, not ours. He will do and has done His part........and He doesn't need any of us in order to get anything He wants done, done. I promise.....He knows what's best, He knows the desires of your heart.....and He loves them and is beckoning them to Him.....don't hinder His work!
Do You Love Enough to Give Away Your Blue Mechanical Pencil???
Okay, I know you are reading the title and saying to yourself...what is she talking about now? Well, good! It is a good thing to always be thinking! I John 4:19 tell us that, "We love him, because he first loved us." Verse 20 goes on to say, "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?" And then verse 21 throws in this order, "And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also." Let that soak in a minute....we are commanded to love our brother....those who love Christ, that is. We, too, often get a critical spirit, sometimes a hauty spirit about our fellow man. We must be careful in doing so. Remember the old gospel hymn, "....give me that old time religion.....makes me love everybody, makes me love everybody, makes me love everybody...." Check your love meter....how's it reading?
Here is the point to the title: A couple of months back, my Mom was in the hospital. She was pretty sick, and I was doing all I knew to do to help her. The stress level was pretty high. I had tried to think of every possible way I could to help her. I knew she enjoyed doing word searches when she is well, so when my aunt had mentioned she was going to the store, I asked her to pick a couple word search books up for her. When my family and I were there to visit Mom, I saw the books. They were word search books...just not the kind that Mom liked as much, and she didn't have a pencil to work them with.
While at the store a couple days later, my youngest daughter and I looked around, and found the kind of word search book that she likes. The kind that have big print, and do not have a certain theme throughout the book...so I grabbed it. I, then, remembered that she would need a pencil, so we went to that section of the store. My daughter, so sweetly suggested, that we get her a mechanical pencil, that way, if the lead were to break, she would quickly have more lead, and not need a sharpener.....good thinking! Of course, she had another motive as well....you see, my girls love to use mechanical pencils at school, and they usually come in packs of 6 or more....so, that would mean that they would have some as well. Okay, again, good thinking.
As she and I were driving to the hospital, Riley wanted to open the pencils and write her grandmother a message on the book....and pick out a pencil to give her. Well, as most Moms do... I know what my daughter's favorite color is....so I am looking at the other pencils, wondering which of the other ones she may choose to give her. Riley asks me what Mawmaw's favorite color is...and I tell her with a smile that she loves all the colors, she has never had a favorite. Well, that was touching in of its self, the fact that she was wanting to please my Mom as much as possible. But then she said, as she grabs the blue one, "Well, I am giving Mawmaw the blue one, because it is my favorite color, and I want her to have the best, and know that I love her." Then she proceeded to write the sweetest message in the front of the book.
Well, she has no clue, but that blessed my heart so much, and tears started streaming down my face. From the mouth of babes, God can teach us what it really means to have love in your heart toward others! God gave his son with no regard to His own feelings, so that we may have eternal life. What a sacrifice! Sometimes we say we love others...but what do our actions show? Are you willing to give your blue mechanical pencil away without hesitation? Can you love enough, to sacrifice your own wants and desires, your own favorites and preferences? Can you give love away freely without expecting something in return? That's what God did, and that's what God asks of His children. Proverbs 17:17 tells us that a friend loveth at all times...can you say that?
Here is the point to the title: A couple of months back, my Mom was in the hospital. She was pretty sick, and I was doing all I knew to do to help her. The stress level was pretty high. I had tried to think of every possible way I could to help her. I knew she enjoyed doing word searches when she is well, so when my aunt had mentioned she was going to the store, I asked her to pick a couple word search books up for her. When my family and I were there to visit Mom, I saw the books. They were word search books...just not the kind that Mom liked as much, and she didn't have a pencil to work them with.
While at the store a couple days later, my youngest daughter and I looked around, and found the kind of word search book that she likes. The kind that have big print, and do not have a certain theme throughout the book...so I grabbed it. I, then, remembered that she would need a pencil, so we went to that section of the store. My daughter, so sweetly suggested, that we get her a mechanical pencil, that way, if the lead were to break, she would quickly have more lead, and not need a sharpener.....good thinking! Of course, she had another motive as well....you see, my girls love to use mechanical pencils at school, and they usually come in packs of 6 or more....so, that would mean that they would have some as well. Okay, again, good thinking.
As she and I were driving to the hospital, Riley wanted to open the pencils and write her grandmother a message on the book....and pick out a pencil to give her. Well, as most Moms do... I know what my daughter's favorite color is....so I am looking at the other pencils, wondering which of the other ones she may choose to give her. Riley asks me what Mawmaw's favorite color is...and I tell her with a smile that she loves all the colors, she has never had a favorite. Well, that was touching in of its self, the fact that she was wanting to please my Mom as much as possible. But then she said, as she grabs the blue one, "Well, I am giving Mawmaw the blue one, because it is my favorite color, and I want her to have the best, and know that I love her." Then she proceeded to write the sweetest message in the front of the book.
Well, she has no clue, but that blessed my heart so much, and tears started streaming down my face. From the mouth of babes, God can teach us what it really means to have love in your heart toward others! God gave his son with no regard to His own feelings, so that we may have eternal life. What a sacrifice! Sometimes we say we love others...but what do our actions show? Are you willing to give your blue mechanical pencil away without hesitation? Can you love enough, to sacrifice your own wants and desires, your own favorites and preferences? Can you give love away freely without expecting something in return? That's what God did, and that's what God asks of His children. Proverbs 17:17 tells us that a friend loveth at all times...can you say that?
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
The Sunshine Through the Clouds
As I write today, I see the sunshine coming through the dark clouds of my storm. I want to take the opportunity to Praise the Lord for answering prayers, for being faithful, for not forsaking me, for unconditionally loving me, and for getting me through this storm! We have had several days of stormy weather, literally, here. I went for my run the other day, and I looked up into the sky. To the right I could see nothing but dark clouds, gloomy and thick, but as I looked to the left, I could see a break in the clouds, the clouds were thin and weak, and I could see blue sky and rays of sunshine. That was a perfect picture of what I felt in my soul. Thank you, Lord, for your blessings on me!
What a great deliverer God is! I have to say that He didn't just get me by...He got me through this storm. I want to be a witness to each and every one of you to HOLD TIGHT! The storms of life are going to blow, but if you stay anchored in your faith...HE WILL SEE YOU THROUGH!!!! It is not easy, and I won't tell you otherwise. When a boat is out on the ocean and a storm comes through, they do whatever it takes to keep that boat floating. They will start throwing all things that aren't necessary overboard. As I walked through this storm, I began to get down to the bear necessities. All the 'stuff' that I thought were important...didn't seem as important anymore. I had to cut some things loose, in order to stay afloat. What are you holding on to, my friend, that is weighing you down?? When the storms come for you...and they will....will you be too weighted down to stay upright?
You may ask....how did you make it through? Well, as I said before, I got rid of some things that I really didn't need in my life, and stayed focus and what I did need. The main thing is the anchor. Without the anchor, you drift anywhere the storm takes you. You are at the mercy of the storm. But, the anchor does you absolutely no good unless you use it. The anchor of which I speak, of course, is Jesus Christ! I am a child of the King...and what do children do when they are frightened? They crawl into their parents' lap. When my storm hit, I crawled into my Heavenly Father's lap. He is the anchor of my vessel. But if I just sit the anchor aside, and not use it...just let it take up space in my boat, then I have no help in the time of need! If I don't put that anchor to use, then it too can become a weight that can harm me when the storms rage.
You see, if we don't keep our prayer life going daily, if we don't read and study His Word daily, then we are not anchored down and ready for whatever may come our way. When the storm hits....you can capsize before you go find your anchor, clean it up and get it thrown overboard. But, if you read and pray daily, then your anchor is in use when the storms show up. It is so easy to let the devil deceive you of this, that is his goal. He loves it when you get into a storm unprepared, because then he has more power. Don't drift in your christian walk, my friend....use your anchor!!
Another great help during my storm was the wonderful christian friends I have. It is very important to have a christian friend to help guide you during your storm. You must be careful, not just anyone can help, they must have a testimony that they are walking with Christ, or they may hinder you. Have you ever parked your car in a very tight spot? Trying to get out is terrible. But, if someone that you trust comes along, and guides you out of that tight spot, then it is much easier....right? Same thing in a storm. You are in a storm, you can't see clearly, think clearly, or even hear things clearly. While standing on God's Truths are your main goal....keep a good christian friend close by to guide you through the fog of your storm. I couldn't have made it through without the shoulder, love, encouragement and prayers of my friends. Don't let pride get in your way of asking for help. That is another lie that the devil will use to destroy you. If they are where they need to be with Christ, then they will not judge you, but will love and comfort you..............let them!!! You will be surprised at the strength you will gain through their help!
Many verses in the Bible spoke to me during my storm, many came just at the time I thought my boat was capsizing. Three verses in Habakkuk come to mind now for me, the last 3 verses in that book...chapter 3 says "Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines, though the product of the olive fails and the fields yield no food, though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls, YET will I rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the victorious God of my salvation! The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds' feet and will make me to walk not to stand still in terror, but to walk and make spiritual progress upon my high places of trouble, suffering or responsibility." (amplified version). WOW! That sums up just exactly what I went through during this storm.
If you are in a storm, or, like me just came out of a storm, or you are about to go into a storm, my advise is this.....get those little things out of your life that you 'think' are important, and get closer to the Father. Read God's Word, and claim His promises. Even though you will be attacked on everyside in your mind, duck down, and cling to the Truth. Even though you feel a prayer doesn't go through.....pray anyway...because prayer isn't conditioned on how you feel....it works no matter your feeling. Find a christian friend to lean on. Let your Anchor work....let go of the ropes, though your boat may be rocking.....the Anchor WILL HOLD!!!!!
What a great deliverer God is! I have to say that He didn't just get me by...He got me through this storm. I want to be a witness to each and every one of you to HOLD TIGHT! The storms of life are going to blow, but if you stay anchored in your faith...HE WILL SEE YOU THROUGH!!!! It is not easy, and I won't tell you otherwise. When a boat is out on the ocean and a storm comes through, they do whatever it takes to keep that boat floating. They will start throwing all things that aren't necessary overboard. As I walked through this storm, I began to get down to the bear necessities. All the 'stuff' that I thought were important...didn't seem as important anymore. I had to cut some things loose, in order to stay afloat. What are you holding on to, my friend, that is weighing you down?? When the storms come for you...and they will....will you be too weighted down to stay upright?
You may ask....how did you make it through? Well, as I said before, I got rid of some things that I really didn't need in my life, and stayed focus and what I did need. The main thing is the anchor. Without the anchor, you drift anywhere the storm takes you. You are at the mercy of the storm. But, the anchor does you absolutely no good unless you use it. The anchor of which I speak, of course, is Jesus Christ! I am a child of the King...and what do children do when they are frightened? They crawl into their parents' lap. When my storm hit, I crawled into my Heavenly Father's lap. He is the anchor of my vessel. But if I just sit the anchor aside, and not use it...just let it take up space in my boat, then I have no help in the time of need! If I don't put that anchor to use, then it too can become a weight that can harm me when the storms rage.
You see, if we don't keep our prayer life going daily, if we don't read and study His Word daily, then we are not anchored down and ready for whatever may come our way. When the storm hits....you can capsize before you go find your anchor, clean it up and get it thrown overboard. But, if you read and pray daily, then your anchor is in use when the storms show up. It is so easy to let the devil deceive you of this, that is his goal. He loves it when you get into a storm unprepared, because then he has more power. Don't drift in your christian walk, my friend....use your anchor!!
Another great help during my storm was the wonderful christian friends I have. It is very important to have a christian friend to help guide you during your storm. You must be careful, not just anyone can help, they must have a testimony that they are walking with Christ, or they may hinder you. Have you ever parked your car in a very tight spot? Trying to get out is terrible. But, if someone that you trust comes along, and guides you out of that tight spot, then it is much easier....right? Same thing in a storm. You are in a storm, you can't see clearly, think clearly, or even hear things clearly. While standing on God's Truths are your main goal....keep a good christian friend close by to guide you through the fog of your storm. I couldn't have made it through without the shoulder, love, encouragement and prayers of my friends. Don't let pride get in your way of asking for help. That is another lie that the devil will use to destroy you. If they are where they need to be with Christ, then they will not judge you, but will love and comfort you..............let them!!! You will be surprised at the strength you will gain through their help!
Many verses in the Bible spoke to me during my storm, many came just at the time I thought my boat was capsizing. Three verses in Habakkuk come to mind now for me, the last 3 verses in that book...chapter 3 says "Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines, though the product of the olive fails and the fields yield no food, though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls, YET will I rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the victorious God of my salvation! The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds' feet and will make me to walk not to stand still in terror, but to walk and make spiritual progress upon my high places of trouble, suffering or responsibility." (amplified version). WOW! That sums up just exactly what I went through during this storm.
If you are in a storm, or, like me just came out of a storm, or you are about to go into a storm, my advise is this.....get those little things out of your life that you 'think' are important, and get closer to the Father. Read God's Word, and claim His promises. Even though you will be attacked on everyside in your mind, duck down, and cling to the Truth. Even though you feel a prayer doesn't go through.....pray anyway...because prayer isn't conditioned on how you feel....it works no matter your feeling. Find a christian friend to lean on. Let your Anchor work....let go of the ropes, though your boat may be rocking.....the Anchor WILL HOLD!!!!!
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