“Relax, Dad’s On Deck!”

Matthew 8:23-27, “And AFTER HE GOT INTO THE BOAT, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly, behold, there arose a VIOLENT STORM on the sea, so that the boat was being covered up by the waves; BUT HE WAS SLEEPING. And they went and awakened Him, saying, Lord, rescue and preserve us! We are perishing! And He said to them, Why are you timid and afraid, O you of LITTLE FAITH? Then HE GOT UP AND REBUKED THE WINDS AND THE SEA, AND THERE WAS A GREAT AND WONDERFUL CALM (A PERFECT PEACEABLENESS). And the men were stunned with bewildered wonder and marveled, saying, What kind of Man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him!” (AMPC)

I am not a regular sea traveler, so I have never been in a storm at sea, and truthfully that’s just fine with me! But I have certainly heard many sea-storm stories, especially from my friends who just about live for cruises. However, you may remember the ship from some years ago, that was making a transatlantic voyage from Liverpool to New York. And just in case you don’t know the story, here it goes: One night, at a time when most of the passengers were asleep, the ship was hit by this “mega” Atlantic storm. The wind and the waves were so violent at one point they actually tipped the ship almost on its side, and down below, the passengers were literally thrown out of their beds! Everyone’s freaking out (understandably)! I mean, this is the epitome of what I’d call a rude awakening!

The interesting part of this story though? There’s this one cabin, where a little girl was thrown out of her bed like everybody else and her mother was already awake from the intensity of the storm. But there was one thing different about this particular little passenger. YOU SEE, HER DADDY WAS THE CAPTAIN! While she was all bleary eyed, she asked her mom the only thing she really wanted to know about the situation, “Is daddy on deck?” Her mom said, “yes he is, honey.” The little girl’s priceless response was right to the point, “THEN I’M GOING BACK TO BED.”

Sounds comical, but listen to Matthew 8, beginning in verse 5. “When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him asking for help. ‘Lord, he said, my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering.’ Jesus said to him, ‘I will go and heal him.’ The centurion replied, ‘Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof, but just say the word and my servant will be healed, for I, myself, am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, “Go!”, and he goes, and that one, “Come!”, and he comes. I say to my servant, “Do this”, and he does it.’ When Jesus heard this He was astonished, and said to those following Him, ‘I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.'” (vss. 5-10)

The Amplified Bible reads like this: “As Jesus went into Capernaum, a centurion came up to Him, begging Him, And saying, Lord, my servant boy is lying at the house paralyzed and distressed with intense pains. And Jesus said to him, I will come and restore him. But the centurion replied to Him, Lord, I am not worthy or fit to have You come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant boy will be cured. For I also am a man subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my slave, Do this, and he does it. When Jesus heard him, He marveled and said to those who followed Him [who adhered steadfastly to Him, conforming to His example in living and, if need be, in dying also], I tell you truly, I have not found so much faith as this with anyone, even in Israel.” (AMP)

Verse 13 tells us the conclusion of it all: “Then Jesus said to the centurion, ‘Go! It will be done just as you believed it would,’ and his servant was healed at that very hour.”

Now in this story there is a powerful insight into the kind of faith that Jesus loves – and it gets things done! It says He was ‘astonished’. I mean, this is the faith that amazes Jesus! He even goes so far as to call it great faith! Let’s look at verse 10 in a few translations:

“When Jesus heard this, He was AMAZED. Turning to those who were following Him, He said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen FAITH LIKE THIS IN ALL ISRAEL!” (NLT)

“When Jesus heard this, He was SURPRISED AND WONDERED ABOUT IT. He said to those who followed Him, “For sure, I tell you, I HAVE NOT FOUND SO MUCH FAITH IN THE JEWISH NATION.” (NLV)

“When Jesus heard it, HE MARVELED, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I HAVE NOT FOUND SUCH GREAT FAITH, NOT EVEN IN ISRAEL!” (NKJV)

“When Jesus heard this, HE WAS IMPRESSED and said to the people following him, “I say to you with all seriousness that even in Israel I HAVEN’T FOUND FAITH LIKE THIS.” (CEB)

Jesus was AMAZED, SURPRISED, MARVELED, WONDERED AND IMPRESSED by this man’s FAITH! A good question to ask yourself? Would Jesus have that same response to MY FAITH? If yes, wonderful; if no, pray ‘Lord INCREASE MY FAITH’!

Now further on in the chapter, He says to the men who are WITH HIM CONSTANTLY, “You of little faith!” during the storm when they were freaking out, just before He “Got up and rebuked the wind and the waves, and it was completely calm.” Astonished! Why? Because he finally found a man who understood the connection between FAITH AND AUTHORITY. The centurion said, “I say something to my servants and they do it. I have total authority over them. But Jesus, someone I care about is in a crisis I can’t handle, but You have total authority over this illness. Whatever You say to this illness, it will do.” Wow!

You see, faith is acknowledging the TOTAL AUTHORITY OF JESUS over this situation. That’s what the disciples could not do in their storm. They acted as if Jesus didn’t have authority over the storm, BUT HE DID! He spoke to it like a parent would speak to a child … and “it was calm.”

So, the faith issue for you right now may very well be “who or what you believe” has the final authority in your situation. Will the company decide it? The economy? Is this disease going to have the final word? Your mate? Your kids? Your feelings? What the news is reporting? Or, is everything in this situation TOTALLY UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF YOUR SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST? Yes or no! (Remember, no one can answer that, but YOU!)

If it’s Jesus, then you can make that your bottom line and the panic is over! The peace that defies logic is kicking in. There’s an unexplainable sense of well-being and calm that comes when you settle where the final authority is in your situation. And the shield of faith will extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one, because Satan cannot touch something that you’ve completely given to Jesus.

Matthew 8:23-27, “And AFTER HE GOT INTO THE BOAT, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly, behold, there arose a VIOLENT STORM on the sea, so that the boat was being covered up by the waves; BUT HE WAS SLEEPING. And they went and awakened Him, saying, Lord, rescue and preserve us! We are perishing! And He said to them, Why are you timid and afraid, O you of LITTLE FAITH? Then HE GOT UP AND REBUKED THE WINDS AND THE SEA, AND THERE WAS A GREAT AND WONDERFUL CALM (A PERFECT PEACEABLENESS). And the men were stunned with bewildered wonder and marveled, saying, What kind of Man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him!” (AMPC)

Like that little girl blown around by a dangerous storm, all you need to know is if your “Savior’s On Deck.” Because there’s nothing He can’t handle, so you might as well go back to bed. Your Lord is in charge!

Can you imagine being trapped on a boat that’s trapped in the midst of a violent storm? Can you just imagine the emotions, fears, chaos and even pain of literally being thrown around on a boat, in a storm? Sure, you can imagine all of that. Truth is, the part we struggle with trying to grasp is trying to imagine how to have the same attitude as that little girl. Is dad on deck? Yep. Okay, goodnight, I’m going back to bed! Sounds absolutely insane I know! But look at what the Scripture says, “And AFTER HE GOT INTO THE BOAT…” All you need to know about your storms is simple: IS JESUS ON DECK? YES. OKAY, GOODNIGHT, I’M GOING BACK TO BED!

When the doctor gives the diagnosis, remember, Jesus is on Deck, no worries!

When the bills come in, but there’s no money to put out, remember, Jesus is on Deck, no fear!

When the marriage foundation starts to shake, remember, Jesus is on Deck, no concerns!

When it seems the children will never improve, remember, Jesus is on Deck, no stress!

When the business starts to go under, remember, Jesus is on Deck, no panic!

When the church starts emptying out, remember, Jesus is on Deck, no anxiety attacks!

When the job of 20 years lays you off in 2 minutes flat, remember, Jesus is on Deck, no nervous breakdowns!

When the loan is denied, remember, Jesus is on Deck, no flipping out!

When the tuition goes up the same time your paycheck goes down, remember, Jesus is on Deck, no more pulling out your hair!

When friends become enemies and family becomes foes, remember, Jesus is on Deck, no more loss of sleep!

If you’re not getting it, don’t focus on the storm, focus on your God who is still on Deck!

Jesus was able to sleep during a storm because of Who He is; that’s the very same reason why you can sleep during your storms, because of Who He is!

Keep your eyes focused on Jesus, He’s on Deck before, during and after every single storm!

Mark 4:35-41, “On that same day [when] evening had come, He said to them, Let us go over to the other side [of the lake]. And leaving the throng, they took Him with them, [just] as He was, in the boat [in which He was sitting]. And other boats were with Him. AND A FURIOUS STORM OF WIND [OF HURRICANE PROPORTIONS] AROSE, AND THE WAVES KEPT BEATING INTO THE BOAT, SO THAT IT WAS ALREADY BECOMING FILLED. But He [Himself] was in the stern [of the boat], asleep on the [leather] cushion; and they awoke Him and said to Him, Master, do You not care that we are perishing? AND HE AROSE AND REBUKED THE WIND AND SAID TO THE SEA, HUSH NOW! BE STILL (MUZZLED)! AND THE WIND CEASED (SANK TO REST AS IF EXHAUSTED BY ITS BEATING) AND THERE WAS [IMMEDIATELY] A GREAT CALM (A PERFECT PEACEFULNESS). He said to them, Why are you so timid and fearful? How is it that you have no faith (no firmly relying trust)? And they were filled with great awe and feared exceedingly and said one to another, Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey Him?” (AMPC)

Luke 8:22-25, “One of those days He and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, Let us go across to the other side of the lake. So they put out to sea. But as they were sailing, He fell off to sleep. AND A WHIRLWIND REVOLVING FROM BELOW UPWARDS SWEPT DOWN ON THE LAKE, AND THE BOAT WAS FILLING WITH WATER, AND THEY WERE IN GREAT DANGER. And the disciples came and woke Him, saying, Master, Master, we are perishing! AND HE, BEING THOROUGHLY WAKENED, CENSURED AND BLAMED AND REBUKED THE WIND AND THE RAGING WAVES; AND THEY CEASED, AND THERE CAME A CALM. And He said to them, [Why are you so fearful?] Where is your faith (your trust, your confidence in Me—in My veracity and My integrity)? And they were seized with alarm and profound and reverent dread, and they marveled, saying to one another, Who then is this, that He commands even wind and sea, and they obey Him?” (AMPC)

Much Love, Dr. Shermaine #EnjoyTheRead #BeInspired #BeEncouraged #BeEmpowered #BeChallenged #ShareTheWordFeel free to also join us at: http://www.selfcarewithdrshermaine.blogspot.com Today’s Lesson: “Foods to Help Improve Your Circulation”

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“Peace in the Midst of the Storm”

 Psalm 46, “God is our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and well-proved help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains be shaken into the midst of the seas, Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling and tumult. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God will help her right early [at the dawn of the morning]. The nations raged, the kingdoms tottered and were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our Refuge (our Fortress and High Tower). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has wrought desolations and wonders in the earth. He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow into pieces and snaps the spear in two; He burns the chariots in the fire. Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our Refuge (our High Tower and Stronghold). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!” (AMPC)
One of the things I can’t wait to try is painting! However, since I’m a definite beginner, it will have to be the Kindergarten level of painting! But then there are others who are a bit more experienced then I am. In fact, years ago a major art gallery sponsored a competition for painters. They were offering prizes for the best painting on the subject of “Peace“. As the attenders browsed through the entries, most had decided that one certain painting was almost sure to win. It portrayed this lush green pasture under a vivid blue sky, with the cows grazing lazily and a little boy walking through the grass with his fishing pole over his shoulder. It really made you feel peaceful. But believe it or not, it came in second! The painting that won was a big surprise! The scene was the ocean in a violent storm! The sky was ominous, the lightning was cutting across the sky, and the waves were crashing into the rock walls of the cliffs by the shore! Not so peaceful of a scene in my book! But then again, you had to look twice to understand what was really going on! There, about halfway up the cliff was a birds’ nest, tucked into a tiny hollow in the rock. A mother bird was sitting on that nest with her little babies, tucked underneath her, sleeping soundly. Now, that was what you call peace!

And what was the title of the prize-winning painting – “Peace in the midst of the storm”, and rightly so, because peace is not just the absence of a storm. It’s peace in the middle of the storm! The kind of peace many of us could use right now in fact; the kind of peace maybe you could have right now if you’re resting where you ought to be!

That word ‘midst’ is simply defined as ‘in the middle of’. And for many of us, that describes us to the letter! We’re right in the middle of a storm on every side! Reminds you a bit of Paul when he said: “We are hedged in (pressed) ON EVERY SIDE [troubled and oppressed IN EVERY WAY], but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair; we are pursued (persecuted and hard driven), but not deserted [to stand alone]; we are struck down to the ground, but never struck out and destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 AMPC)

For many of us that’s just how life feels at the moment, we’re experiencing troubles On Every Side, and In Every Way! But thank God that’s not the end to our story!

And as our headlines have become more dominated with new dangers, as so many hearts have been struggling with new anxieties and new fears, I think we’re ready for the incredible peace offered in Psalm 46. I like to call it “Good News for Bad Times“. And maybe there’s a good reason this news is landing on your doorstep today!

Our Scripture opens with tremendous encouragement: “God is our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and well-proved help in trouble.” (vs. 1 AMPC) The word ‘refuge’ is defined as ‘a place or state of safety from danger or trouble.’ Its Latin Origin ‘refugium’, from ‘fugere’ literally means ‘flee.’ And that’s the first thing the psalmist wants us to know. God Himself is the place and state of safety from danger and trouble that we are to flee to! Sadly, it’s not often the first place or person we go to. We want to talk to mom or dad, a best friend, a pastor, a prayer warrior, coworker, sibling, spouse, and nothing is wrong with any of these people, but that’s not the First Person we need to seek when in danger and trouble. God Is! And He’s not only our refuge (or covering) but He’s also our Strength. And can we be honest? When we’re facing hard and harsh times, it has a tendency to weaken us. When we’re battling the storms of marriage, parenthood, work, church, family, health, finances, etc…our places of strength, become the places we become most vulnerable to weakness. We don’t attend church, prayer, bible study, we don’t dive into the Word of God, we don’t sing the songs of Zion, we don’t walk by faith, we lose hope and trust, and at that very moment is when fear arrives with all of its baggage to pay us an extended, unwelcomed visit! But when we go to God First, He protects us as a Refuge, and He becomes the Strength we need to make it out of this particular storm in life. Paul once again encourages us with these words: “But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!” (2 Corinthians 12:9 AMPC)

Yet again, God proves Himself to be our Refuge and Strength, even in the times of our dangers, troubles and weakness. So, doesn’t it make even more sense now to go to God First? After all, he ends it with, “…a very present and WELL-PROVED HELP in trouble.” So, we’re not hoping this thing with God works out, this isn’t about trial and error, or wishful thinking. He is already Well-Proven! The word ‘proved’ is defined as ‘to demonstrate by evidence or argument the truth or existence of; to show genuine and established validity; a testing process.’ Its Old French ‘prover’, from Latin ‘probare’ literally means ‘tested, demonstrated, approved.’ We are not hoping this goes well, God has already proven His strength is Valid! His help and presence are guaranteed! People on the other hand cannot offer you the same security. And even when they make faulty attempts at promises, presence and help, it will never compare to that of God!

The more troubled things are, the more present God makes Himself! The psalmist then says, “Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains be shaken into the midst of the seas, Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling and tumult. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!“ (vss. 2-3 AMPC) In other words, everything’s collapsing here – things that have always been there for us. But no fear. Why? “God is our Refuge and Strength.” So it doesn’t matter how the mountains shake, or how bad the rivers roar, nothing can hinder God’s help for us! Which is why the psalmist admonishes us: “…Selah [pause, and calmly think of that…” Sometimes all we need to do is find somewhere quiet to sit still and have a Selah moment. A time to remember who God was, is and will always be. A time to remember what God has done for you in the past. A time to remember His name, His blood, His Word, His Will, His Work, His Plan, His Son! A time to remember the healing, the saving, the deliverance. A time to remember the last time you thought you wouldn’t make it through, make it over or make it out of, and then there was a ‘But God’ Encounter!

Today, let this be the day that you start to Selah, in the middle of the Storm!

Don’t let the elements cause you to forget who made them and who controls them!

With that said, let’s take a listen to God:

Job 38 : “And now, finally, God ANSWERED JOB FROM THE EYE OF A VIOLENT STORM. He said: “Why do you confuse the issue? Why do you talk without knowing what you’re talking about? Pull yourself together, Job! Up on your feet! Stand tall! I have some questions for you, and I want some straight answers. Where were you when I CREATED THE EARTH? Tell me, since you know so much! Who decided on its SIZE? Certainly you’ll know that! Who came up with the BLUEPRINTS and MEASUREMENTS? How was its FOUNDATION poured, and who set the CORNERSTONE, While the MORNING STARS sang in chorus and all the angels shouted praise? And who took charge of the OCEAN when it gushed forth like a baby from the womb? THAT WAS ME! I wrapped it in soft CLOUDS, and tucked it in safely at night. THEN I MADE A PLAYPEN FOR IT, A STRONG PLAYPEN SO IT COULDN’T RUN LOOSE, AND SAID, ‘STAY HERE, THIS IS YOUR PLACE. YOUR WILD TANTRUMS ARE CONFINED TO THIS PLACE.’ “And have you ever ordered MORNING, ‘GET UP!’ told DAWN, ‘GET TO WORK!’ So you could seize EARTH like a blanket and shake out the wicked like cockroaches? As the SUN brings everything to light, brings out all the colors and shapes, The cover of darkness is snatched from the wicked-they’re caught in the very act! “Have you ever gotten to the true bottom of things, explored the labyrinthine caves of DEEP OCEAN? Do you know the first thing about DEATH? Do you have one clue regarding death’s dark mysteries? And do you have any idea how large this EARTH is? Speak up if you have even the beginning of an answer. “Do you know where LIGHT comes from and where DARKNESS lives So you can take them by the hand and lead them home when they get lost? Why, of course you know that. You’ve known them all your life, grown up in the same neighborhood with them! “Have you ever traveled to where SNOW IS MADE, seen the vault where HAIL is stockpiled, The arsenals of hail and snow that I KEEP IN READINESS for times of trouble and battle and war? Can you find your way to where LIGHTENING is launched, or to the place from which the WIND blows? Who do you suppose CARVES CANYONS for the downpours of RAIN, and charts the route of THUNDERSTORMS That bring WATER to unvisited fields, DESERTS no one ever lays eyes on, Drenching the useless WASTELANDS so they’re CARPETED WITH WILDFLOWERS AND GRASS? And who do you think is the FATHER OF RAIN AND DEW, the MOTHER OF ICE AND FROST? You don’t for a minute imagine these marvels of WEATHER just happen, do you? “Can you catch the eye of the beautiful PLEIADES sisters, or distract ORION from his hunt? Can you get VENUS to look your way, or get the GREAT BEAR and her cubs to come out and play? Do you know the first thing about the SKY’S CONSTELLATIONS and how they affect things on EARTH? “Can you get the attention of the CLOUDS, and commission a shower of RAIN? Can you take charge of the LIGHTNING BOLTS AND HAVE THEM REPORT TO YOU FOR ORDERS? What Do You Have to Say for Yourself? “Who do you think gave weather-wisdom to the IBIS, and storm-savvy to the ROOSTER? Does anyone know enough to NUMBER ALL THE CLOUDS or TIP OVER THE RAIN BARRELS OF HEAVEN When the earth is cracked and dry, the ground baked hard as a brick? “Can you teach the LIONESS to stalk her prey and satisfy the appetite of her cubs As they crouch in their den, waiting hungrily in their cave? And who sets out food for the RAVENS when their young cry to God, fluttering about because they have no food?” (MSG)        

Saints, are you getting this? When God Himself Made and Still Maintains ALL of the Elements of the Earth, Above and Beneath It, Who Else Would You Call On to Speak On Your Behalf When These Elements Are Effecting You? And If God Can Create and Control ALL of This, Why Would You Take Your Storm to Anyone Else?!

This is another Selah moment for you!

Re-read Job 38 as often as you need to in order to remind yourself that Anything Out of Your Control, is NEVER Out of God’s Control!

Just Because You Can’t Handle it, Doesn’t Mean His Hands Can’t!

Then the psalmist continues: “There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High” (vs. 4) That spoke of a place where God’s presence lived. And where does God live today? Well, it’s in those who belong to Him through faith in Jesus His Son. Which means, believers, this encouragement is talking about you! “God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God will help her right early [at the dawn of the morning].” (vs. 5) Just when you thought you were about to go down in the midst of your storm, God steps in to remind you that He is in the midst of you while you’re in the midst of your storm, therefore, you will not Sink, you will Survive!

Matthew 14:24-33, “Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. “A ghost!” they said, crying out in terror. But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.” Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come ahead.” Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!” Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, “Faint-heart, what got into you?” The two of them climbed into the boat, and the wind died down. The disciples in the boat, having watched the whole thing, worshiped Jesus, saying, “This is it! You are God’s Son for sure!” (MSG) I Reiterate, You My Friend Will Survive, Even if You Sink First! God is Amazing!

Then the Psalmist continues, “The nations raged, the kingdoms tottered and were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.” (vs.6) Who is fighting for you? The One who is powerful enough to speak and His voice Melts the Earth! It didn’t matter what the nations and kingdoms were doing, God reminds you that all I have to do is speak and the Earth will Melt! That’s the best advocate you’ll ever receive! When God speaks on your behalf you need no further defense!

“The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our Refuge (our Fortress and High Tower). Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!” (vs.7) Does it really matter if a whole host is against us, when the Lord of host is for us? Surely Not!

Psalm 27:1-6, “The Lord is my Light and my Salvation—WHO SHALL I FEAR OR DREAD? The Lord is the REFUGE AND STRONGHOLD OF MY LIFE—OF WHOM SHALL I BE AFRAID? When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. THOUGH A HOST ENCAMP AGAINST ME, MY HEART SHALL NOT FEAR; THOUGH WAR ARISE AGAINST ME, [EVEN THEN] IN THIS WILL I BE CONFIDENT. One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek, inquire for, and [insistently] require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty [the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness] of the Lord and to meditate, consider, and inquire in His temple. FOR IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE HE WILL HIDE ME IN HIS SHELTER; IN THE SECRET PLACE OF HIS TENT WILL HE HIDE ME; HE WILL SET ME HIGH UPON A ROCK. And now shall my head be lifted up above my enemies round about me; in His tent I will offer sacrifices and shouting of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.” (AMPC)
I reiterate, With God as Your Refuge, Strength, Fortress and High Tower…What and Who Shall You Ever Fear?! 

The Psalmist continues: “Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has wrought desolations and wonders in the earth. He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow into pieces and snaps the spear in two; He burns the chariots in the fire.” (vss. 8-9) Why should you ever fear, when your attackers are stripped of their weapons by the God you serve? So, the next time you’re in a violent storm, just do as the psalmist did, invite your storm to, “Come, behold the works of the Lord…”

And then as everything seems to be melting down, God says this, “Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!” (vs. 10) This is why you can sit so peacefully in the midst of storms, because no matter what or who encamps against you, your God will always be Exalted! Above the nations and above the earth. You need not fear what or who is against you, when you know Who is FOR you! So once again, allow this to be your Selah moment. Sit peacefully in the presence of God and know and recognize and understand that He Is Still God!

Therefore, turn off the news, and tune out all those other voices, and get where you can just be with God. And realize that as long as you’re in His hands, there’s no such thing as anything in your life being out of control. He is still God and you are still His! When you’re resting in the care of the Lord Jesus Christ, you can rest through any storm, because you belong to the One who can give you peace in the middle of the storm. Matthew 11:28-30, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (MSG)

Then the psalmist closes with these words reiterated once again to bring our hearts joy and reassurance, “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our Refuge (our High Tower and Stronghold). Selah, [pause, and calmly think of that]!” (vs. 11)

Now, is all of this easy? Nope! Life is a heavy-weight champion that never takes its’ gloves off or ever exits the ring. But when you belong to the Creator of All Life, you realize that the fight is always fixed in your favor! So, today, my heart’s desire is that you take away one small, yet powerful word…PEACE! It’s God’s pillow for you to rest your head on so you can do as He has done. When the storm rages, our Lord went to sleep. And that was easy for Him to do, because He created and calms the seas. So, when your storm rages, you need to rest in Him knowing that He’s still the creator of the seas, and that He still calms them.

Mark 4:37-39, “And a furious storm of wind [of hurricane proportions] arose, and the waves kept beating into the boat, so that it was already becoming filled. But He [Himself] was in the stern [of the boat], asleep on the [leather] cushion; and they awoke Him and said to Him, Master, do You not care that we are perishing? And He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the seas, Hush now! Be still (muzzled)! And the wind ceased (sank to rest as if exhausted by its beating) and there was [immediately a great calm (a perfect peacefulness).” (AMPC)

He’s still doing that you know! Trust Him to do it for you…again!

Isaiah 26:3, “You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.” (AMPC);

Psalm 107:29, “He hushes the storm to a calm and to a gentle whisper, so that the waves of the sea are still.” (AMPC);

Jeremiah 1:8, “Do not be afraid of them. For I am with you to take you out of trouble.” (NLV);

Isaiah 43:2, “When you pass through the waters, I will be there with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you.” (AMPC);

Proverbs 10:25, “When the storm is over, there’s nothing left of the wicked; good people, firm on their rock foundation, aren’t even fazed.” (MSG);

Hebrews 6:19, “[Now] we have this [hope] as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whoever steps out upon it – a hope] that reaches farther and enters into [the very certainty of the Presence] within the veil.” (AMPC)

“You can’t calm the storm. So stop trying. What you can do is calm yourself. The storm will pass.” (Timber Hawkeye)

“There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm.” (Willa Cather)

“In the middle of the storm, God gives us His grace to stand it, His grace to bear it, His grace to overcome it.” (Elizabeth Livingston)

“It doesn’t matter what rages around. It only matters Who reigns within you.” (Author Unknown)

“God’s peace is not the calm after the storm. It’s the steadfastness during it.” (Dr. Michelle Bengtson)

“Jesus, I don’t know what will happen today but I’m thankful that you are here beside me. Please give me your peace in the midst of the storm. Amen.” (Author Unknown)

“There is peace even in the storm.” (Vincent Van Gogh)

“In every storm there is a ‘Peace! Be Still’, that Christ will speak where prayer’s call invites Him.” (Jack W. Hayford)

“God will give you the power to have peace in the midst of the storm.” (Joyce Meyer)

“And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.” (Haruki Murakami)

Much Love, Dr. Shermaine #EnjoyTheRead #BeInspired #BeEncouraged #BeEmpowered #BeChallenged #ShareTheWord

Feel free to also join us at: http://www.selfcarewithdrshermaine.blogspot.com Today’s Lesson: “Uprooting Bitterness”

Feel free to join us at: http://www.chefshermainesbiblecafe.home.blog Today’s Chef Special Word “PEACE”

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