Midst of the Storm
We are coming into storm season here in the Midwest, which can mean more warning, alerts and watches for bad weather. I know a lot of people are terrified of storms, while others actually chase them. I guess I’m somewhere in between.
Where is God when a storm is happening in your life? When it seems so dark that you can’t tell what the future might hold? Where is He? 1 Corinthians 10:13 reminds us that He still holds us in His hands, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
He’s right where He was before the storm happened – sitting on His throne high above the storm. Just like the sun will shine again after the natural storm passes, likewise, God will be seen when the spiritual storm passes. This is something that we need to remind ourselves when, the doctor comes back with “bad news,” your parent continues to slip in their health, your children seem to be heading the wrong direction, or your spouse has been unfaithful. Each of these (and more) can be spiritual battlefields where we lose or win.
The way to victory is to keep your mind stayed on the assurance that God is STILL God in the midst of the storms of life. He has not given away His dominion, power, or sovereign rule over the universe. It might be dark for a season, but the SON will shine again and God can restore what the storm can take away. Instead of focusing on your storm, try focusing on God in the storm. Let us remember Psalm 30:5b, “…weeping may endure for a night, but joy [cometh] in the morning.”
Be blessed and be grateful,
Pastor Chris
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Oh No, The End?
In Matthew 24, the Word tells us that in the latter days there will be wars, rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes in various places. We certainly see that today. The global conflicts, earthquakes in Haiti and Chile and now Turkey, as well as other natural disasters, are only examples of the signs that Jesus said would point to His return and the end of the age. Nations are rising against nations and scientists inform us that there have been more earthquakes in recent history than all of the previous centuries combined. While some in the world may blame simple political differences or Israel’s unwillingness to give away their land (and the security the land gives them) that God gave them on these conflicts and every weather-related disaster on global warming, God informed us over 2000 years ago that this would happen signaling the season of His return.
These man-made and natural disasters are like birth pains that are announcing the arrival of a new age. The day of grace is coming to an end and a final judgment is soon approaching. What time is it? Is it time to panic, be fearful, or have anxiety? Not if you are a child of God. The redeemed of the Lord are to be looking up expecting His soon return and reaching out to those around who are without hope. Jesus even promised that the Holy Spirit would give us words to say in these last days to reach their hearts.
There is only one kingdom that cannot be shaken and all of those who are a part of that Kingdom have a huge opportunity for outreach. It’s time for every Christian to be encouraged, full of the Holy Spirit and faith!
Be blessed,
Pastor Chris
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The Whole Armor
One of the most precious possessions I have, other than my wife and children, is a little Bible that was given to my father when he fought in the Philippine Islands during World War II. It is called, “The Heart Shield Bible”, a pocket size New Testament covered by a steel plate with the words, “For God and our Country” etched in its face. I have been told that the New Testament fits in the uniform pocket that conveniently covers the soldier’s heart to provide, in a small way, partial physical protection from a ballistic projectile (a shot that was not direct or point blank) and at the same time, spiritual protection for those who understand that they might be in the presence of God at any moment. I am moved with the knowledge that my father held on to this book for comfort as he defended this nation during this conflict with tyranny.
In Ephesians the 6th chapter, we are told to put on the whole armor of God so that we can stand against the enemy of our souls and his devices. Verse 12 tells us why; because we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers and the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. We have an enemy who will do whatever it takes to subvert us from the path our Lord has placed us on. We are not ignorant of the devils devices. He wants to steal, kill and destroy us (John 10:10). We need to make sure we our adorning ourselves with the armor that has been provided to us. Our Lord won the war on the cross, yet we are still subject to spiritual battles. Let us be comforted in the fact that we need not fear for Jesus is our Captain; more on this later.
Be blessed,
Pastor Chris
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