I remember as a kid we would play in my neighbors above ground, round swimming pool. We would run along the inner side, pushing our legs through the water until we created a vortex that swirled counter clock-wise, then, we would lift our feet and let the current pull us around. After a few minutes we would then start running clock-wise and push with all our might to reverse the spin to go the opposite direction. This metaphor is a perfect example of what we should do with our torrential thoughts when they get us swirling.
The enemy of our souls works hard by infiltrating our mind with thoughts that God will not be there for us. We are all familiar with sleepless nights and long days of worry. It feels as though our minds are being carried off in a riptide and the panic of drowning takes over all our senses. I'm familiar with the experience of almost drowning and it's terrifying. The currents were like invisible vines that wrapped around my extremities, pulling me down while I realized that there was nothing to grab onto! The waves relentlessly crashed over me, wearing me out and I remember my last word before going under, "Help!" Within seconds my friend Daniel had swam to me and rescued me from the oceans grasp. There will be circumstances where we can firmly plant our feet and then begin pushing in reverse by using the tools that God has given us to fight with. Then, there will be times when a trauma renders us paralyzed and only a call out of "Help!" to the Savior will deliver us. Matthew 14:22,23 tells the story of such a time.
Under more manageable situations we can determine in our hearts to push against the mind-sets that the enemy tries to plant. Through daily devotion with God we can accomplish that behavioral change and live a more victorious life. But, in this sinful, treacherous world there will be riptides of terror, illness, lost loved ones... that simply cannot be managed but require a Savior to plunge His hand of mercy into our turbulent waters and rescue us. Only Christ can calm the seas, (Mark 4:35-41).
Asking Christ to calm our seas can go a few ways. Jesus can literally calm a storm in it's tracks which He did in the presence of His disciples as told in Mark chapter 4. Christ can also calm our fears through a storm by giving us assurance during our storm, as told in Acts 27, when the Apostle Paul was assured of deliverance for himself and his ship mates. Then, there is the command of peace to be made evident through obedience. Philippians, 4:6,7 instructs us, "Do not be anxious about anything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Our ultimate peace though is our hope of eternal salvation. The confident, bold assertion of the gift of eternal life through our Lord Jesus. Whether Christ literally calms our storm, gives us a promise of deliverance or commands us to calm down and accept His peace that is beyond our own understanding, our last and final peace comes in the recognition and acceptance of Christ's words to a repentent thief hanging on a cross next to Him at Golgotha, "This day you shall be with Me in paradise." Matthew 10:28 solidifies our eternal promise, "Don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body." (by our rebellion of unrepentance).
Sisters and brothers, you are not at the mercy of this worlds vortex. Christ is our Savior, our hope, our anchor. Hebrews 6:17, "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Let us in all things be sure, that we never set sail into our day without Christ in the boat.
Proverbs 21:30, "There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord."
Psalm 130:1-2, "Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; Hear my voice. Let Your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy."
John 16:33, "I (Jesus) have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
The enemy of our souls works hard by infiltrating our mind with thoughts that God will not be there for us. We are all familiar with sleepless nights and long days of worry. It feels as though our minds are being carried off in a riptide and the panic of drowning takes over all our senses. I'm familiar with the experience of almost drowning and it's terrifying. The currents were like invisible vines that wrapped around my extremities, pulling me down while I realized that there was nothing to grab onto! The waves relentlessly crashed over me, wearing me out and I remember my last word before going under, "Help!" Within seconds my friend Daniel had swam to me and rescued me from the oceans grasp. There will be circumstances where we can firmly plant our feet and then begin pushing in reverse by using the tools that God has given us to fight with. Then, there will be times when a trauma renders us paralyzed and only a call out of "Help!" to the Savior will deliver us. Matthew 14:22,23 tells the story of such a time.
Under more manageable situations we can determine in our hearts to push against the mind-sets that the enemy tries to plant. Through daily devotion with God we can accomplish that behavioral change and live a more victorious life. But, in this sinful, treacherous world there will be riptides of terror, illness, lost loved ones... that simply cannot be managed but require a Savior to plunge His hand of mercy into our turbulent waters and rescue us. Only Christ can calm the seas, (Mark 4:35-41).
Asking Christ to calm our seas can go a few ways. Jesus can literally calm a storm in it's tracks which He did in the presence of His disciples as told in Mark chapter 4. Christ can also calm our fears through a storm by giving us assurance during our storm, as told in Acts 27, when the Apostle Paul was assured of deliverance for himself and his ship mates. Then, there is the command of peace to be made evident through obedience. Philippians, 4:6,7 instructs us, "Do not be anxious about anything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Our ultimate peace though is our hope of eternal salvation. The confident, bold assertion of the gift of eternal life through our Lord Jesus. Whether Christ literally calms our storm, gives us a promise of deliverance or commands us to calm down and accept His peace that is beyond our own understanding, our last and final peace comes in the recognition and acceptance of Christ's words to a repentent thief hanging on a cross next to Him at Golgotha, "This day you shall be with Me in paradise." Matthew 10:28 solidifies our eternal promise, "Don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body." (by our rebellion of unrepentance).
Sisters and brothers, you are not at the mercy of this worlds vortex. Christ is our Savior, our hope, our anchor. Hebrews 6:17, "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Let us in all things be sure, that we never set sail into our day without Christ in the boat.
Proverbs 21:30, "There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord."
Psalm 130:1-2, "Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; Hear my voice. Let Your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy."
John 16:33, "I (Jesus) have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
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