Friday, September 18, 2009

THE STORM CALMER

I really love the variety of food in Malaysia. I went to the "Dessert's bar" for supper with Ps Sow Fong. I also had noodles with some friends KL. The last two photos were at another eating place where I ordered mango pudding with ice. I took a photo of it before I ate it. (See photos)


THE STORM CALMER

Are you experiencing storms in your life? Has something unexpected happened with your job, family, ministry or all three? There are many things that will burden our hearts and steal our joy. Let’s take comfort in the fact that as believers in Jesus Christ, we have the “Storm Calmer”.

Luke 8:22-25 (New International Version)

Jesus Calms the Storm

22One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. 23As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. 24The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25"Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."

I would like to share three things about how Jesus can calm the storms in our lives.

Follow Jesus' plans

In verse 22, Jesus told the disciples "Let's us go over to the other side of the lake". This is a key verse because it stated the plan and purpose of God for the disciples at that moment of time. We need to know God's plan and purpose for our lives. What is God calling us to do in our job, family and ministry? Whatever God's calling us to do, He will enable us to succeed and complete the task. God would never call us to do something without providing us His empowerment and provision. He loves us too much to simply set us up for failure in life.

Expect some storms in life

We will all face storms because we live in a fallen world. The spiritual enemy will try to hinder or put obstacles in our way, to stop us from fulfilling God’s will for us. The Bible tells us that the big storm threatened to drown all the disciples in the boat. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!" Luke 8:24a. The disciples were frightened for their lives, fearing they would not make it to the other side as Jesus had declared earlier. We should not be surprised or discouraged by the challenges in life. We can expect some storms to come our way as we serve God.

Don't panic; Keep trusting

Jesus was not deterred by the storm. He quickly rebuked the wind and the raging waters. He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. Luke 28:24b. Jesus demonstrated His power and authority over nature by calming the raging storm. In the stormy times, we should learn not to panic but to keep trusting in the plan and power of God. Jesus encouraged the disciples not to worry and put their faith in Him. 25"Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. Luke 8:25a. In the time of storms, we need to keep our faith strong in Jesus' words and promises. We can trust God because He is faithful to the end. Indeed, Jesus is our "Storm Calmer" because through him we can reach the destination He has for us.


No comments: