God of the Storm

In the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion:  in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me.  Psalm 27:5


     For many years now our church has had a booth at our county fair.  It is the first booth passed by people who enter the main gate.  It is a sucker pull.  Pick out a sucker, pull it out and see if there is a color on the bottom of the stick.  If there is, you get a glow bracelet.  If not, you win the sucker you pulled.  We enjoy doing it.  The days are hot and long; but, we meet hundreds of wonderful people out for a good time at the fair.

     Every year that we have done this, our booth has been blown down in a storm.  If the storm is during the daytime, workers take refuge in the booth and, hopefully, keep it from collapsing.  If it is at night, the booth is reassembled the next day.

     The booth is frail and gives very little protection.  God, on the other hand, is God of the storm.  Furthermore, life is made up of storms.  You are probably either entering a storm, in the midst of a storm or a storm is leaving you in its wake.  Where do you take refuge in the storms of life?  They are going to be there, either coming or going.  What is your defense against the storms of life?  Whether they are physical or spiritual, remember that God is the God of the storm.  He will shelter you and keep you close by his side.

God's Gifts To You

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do His work and build up the church, the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:11,12 NLT


Have you ever heard the saying that most Christians go home after church and have roasted Preacher for lunch? It is a sad fact that this is often true. People, whether they realize it or not, are evaluating how well they think the pastor is using the gifts that God has given him.


The New Living Translation of the Bible gives a slightly different read on a familiar passage of scripture. Here, Paul points out that these people, themselves, are gifts to the body of Christ. It is not that God gives these people gifts (although he certainly can), it is that the people are gifts to the believers. 


Do you think of your Pastor as a gift that God has given you? What about your Sunday School teachers, Music Ministers or your Host Home hosts? When we are given gifts, we are expected to say 'Thank you.' Do you thank God for these people whose responsibility is to build you up in Christ? Start thanking God for the workers who serve you. They are God's gift to you.

God's Plans for You

Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21 NIV)


"Where do you see yourself in five years?" It's a question we've all had to answer when sitting in a job interview. Are you where you planned to be five years ago? What about ten years ago or twenty? When I was a child, my goal was to be rich and famous when I grew up. I wanted to be a "movie star." What did you want to be? Are your plans God's plans? What do you think God wants you to be? He is probably more concerned with who you are. Are you the person that God wants you to be? Are your values God's values? Are your goals God's goals?


There is an old gospel song that went, "I want to be what You want me to be." Examine your goals and throw away the ones that aren't God's. You will have a better life.

Who is the Body?

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.  For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free —and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.  Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.      I Corinthians 12:12-14  NIV


     I grew up in a church where the people truly believed that those who practiced the teachings of our denomination were the only people going to Heaven.  That made sense to me because we were teaching the truth, right?


    As an adult who has more experience with scripture, that attitude frightens me, a little, because it reminds me of the Pharisees who thought they had the  express lane to Heaven and everyone else was out of luck.


    The fact is that just as individuals are given different gifts to exercise in the body of Christ, so are different churches.  One church focuses on God the Father, another on Jesus the Son and others on the Holy Spirit.  Some churches praise God with contemporary music, some with traditional hymns and some only sing Gaither tunes.


     We are all different parts of the body.  We all proclaim Jesus as Lord.  It is time we worked together as the body of Christ and ministered to those who are open to the way God will use us.  Never limit God.  He is the Father of us all.  


     

Need

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.    (Hebrews 10:23-25 NIV)


There are some people that I call chameleons. Like the small lizards whose skin changes color to match what they are sitting on, these folks change how they talk and act, even what they believe, depending on who they are with. They are People Pleasers to the max.


On the other end of this spectrum are the rigid people. These are the "my way or the highway" crowd. They are not open to new ideas because they assume their way has always been right and always will be. They are not teachable. They sincerely believe they don't need other people and don't care who knows it.


The author of Hebrews wants us to know that we need each other. Once we accept Jesus, we need to hold firm to his promises no matter what obstacles the devil throws in our way. We need to stand firm by standing together. I may not need to go to church; but, another believer might need what I have to offer that day. On the other hand, a day will come when I do need to be at church. On that day, I may need encouragement from you!


What we all need to remember is that Jesus keeps his promises. Anyone who tries to tell us different is someone that we don't need. What they need is Christ.

Safe in the Arms of God

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.  Deuteronomy 33:27


     The life that God gave to each of us is wonderful.  It is not surprising that we worry when we think something is going to change.  Tragedies happen, jobs are lost, people get sick and, at some point, we all die.  How do we cope when disaster strikes?  Remember that God is our refuge.
     A refuge is a safe place.  A refuge is a place where we are protected from whoever and whatever is attacking us.  Our refuge is secured by the arms of God.
     Remember that God's arms are strong.  They are stronger than our enemy in whatever form he takes.  God is with us, he guides us and he protects us.
     God's arms are also everlasting.  We don't have to worry that he will take his protection away.  God cares for us.  We are forever safe in the arms of God.

When you don't know what to do. . .

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk from the city.  When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying.  Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.  They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.  Acts 1:12-14  NIV

     Jesus had just been taken up into heaven.  They had been told by Jesus to go  back to Jerusalem and wait for a few days until God would baptize them with the Holy Spirit.

     So, what do you do when things are happening that you don't understand?  What do you do when events are happening around you but you are just waiting for the next step?  The Apostles and those with them prayed.  They had come a long way from the day when they asked Jesus to teach them to pray.  They knew that staying in sync with God was vital.

     What do you do when you don't know what to do?  Jesus taught those close to him to pray.

Will God Get It Right?

He [Jesus] said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."  After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.  Acts 1:7-9 NIV


     The Apostles had been spending time with Jesus for forty days after his resurrection.  They thought they had lost him to death forever; but, now, they knew that something great was going on.  They wanted to know what was going to happen next.  Exciting things were happening and they wanted to be part of them.

     Jesus reassured them that they would have their parts to play; but, he was clear with them that they shouldn't worry about the future.  They shouldn't worry about times and dates and when God would act.  He wanted them to do what he had trained them to do -- be his witnesses.

     It is so easy to convince ourselves that our plans are God's plans.  Only God has an eternal perspective.  He wants us to trust Him and do our part.  He doesn't need our help.  We get to give him help.  He doesn't want us to worry about the future.  God will get it right.  There is nothing that Satan can throw in His way that will cause God's plan to fail.  Don't worry about the future.  Just remember this:  God has it under control.

Waiting on God

On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command:  "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.  For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
Acts 1:4,5  NIV


     Throughout Scripture there are situations where God's Timing is important.  The Apostles were told to wait.  Moses waited for forty years after he left Egypt before God had him return to free his people.  When the Israelites marched around Jericho, they were to do it in complete silence for the first six days.  On the seventh day they were to march around the city seven times.  The seventh time around the city they were to shout.  Then the walls fell down.  Why not do that on the first day?  Why wait?

      Actors often have to wait in the wings of the theatre for the appropriate time for their entrance.  Everything that is happening onstage is preparation for their participation in the production.  If they come on too soon or too late, the play will be spoiled.  They have to wait until just the right time.  Then, they will be part of a group effort that works.

     Does God have you waiting on His Timing right now?  Are you good at waiting on the Lord?  Be sure of this, while we are waiting, God is doing.  He is preparing.  He will let you know when it is time for your part to be played.  God's plans are the best plans.  God's timing is the best timing.  Don't be impatient.  Wait on the Lord.

Do Your Research

After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive.  Acts 1:3  NIV


     There are a lot of fantastic stories on the internet.  These often come to us in our email from a shocked friend who tells us to send the story on to warn others about something horrendous that is going to happen if people are unaware.

     What frightens me most is not the stories themselves; but, that Christians send them on without checking them out.  I believe, strongly, that our credibility -- our very Christian witness -- is compromised when we fall for, and pass along these urban legends.  Whenever one comes to me, I check it out on a website devoted to finding out the truth about these stories.  Most of the time they are false.  Occasionally, I am surprised and a story turns out to be true.
   
     Jesus didn't expect his followers to believe that he had come back from the dead without giving them many convincing proofs that he was, indeed alive.  He spent time with them.  He ate with them.  He taught them.  His own mother was among the people who spent time with him.  (Acts 1:14)

     The man who wrote the book of Acts, Luke, was a doctor.  His goal was to write out an accurate history of the things that had happened during, and as a result of, the life of Jesus.  He did his research.

     Is there something about the Christian life that doesn't make sense to you?  Do your research.  Read the Bible.  Ask other Christians about your question. Ask God -- Pray.  There is no question too hard for God.  He is not threatened by your questions.  He gave many convincing proofs of his resurrection.  Jesus wants you to believe the true gospel.  Do your research.

Part of the Body

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.       
1 Corinthians 12:27  NIV


     I remember in grade school, having to learn the parts of a flower.  There were the petals, the stamen, the stem and other parts that I can't remember.  The bees landed on the flowers and the pollen stuck to their legs, when they went to another flower, they would fertilize it.  The roots, underneath the ground, would drink up the water that would allow the plant to grow.  Nutrients would come from the soil.  There was a lot involved in the development of a flower that I just wanted to look at and smell.

     Paul tells us that we are each a part of the body of Christ.  As with flowers, each part of a body has a function.  What is your function?  We may think that the petals on a flower are there just to be pretty; but, they are there to attract the bees.  They have a job to do.  They are part of the system.

     Can you think of anything that God created that doesn't have a purpose?  Researchers have found that even the lowly appendix helps our bodies to fight disease.  What is your purpose in the body of Christ?  What is God calling you to do?

Freedom from Possessions

And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. (Acts 2:44-45 NLT)


There is a TV show that has become popular recently. The one I am talking about is called 'Hoarders.' Hoarding is a type of compulsive behavior which, in extreme cases, is a form of mental illness. Those of us whose houses are merely cluttered can watch an episode of Hoarders and feel better about ourselves. The reality is that most Americans have TOO MUCH STUFF.


There is no hard and fast rule as to when collecting becomes hoarding. The question to ask yourself is how hard is it for you to let go of your possessions? The first century Christians shared their possessions with those who needed them. Jesus taught us that if we have two of something, give the spare away.


And yet, their activities went beyond giving their possessions away. Sometimes folks need money. After all, you can't pay your heating bill with someone's spare coat. The early Christians also sold their spare possessions and gave the money to those who needed it.


If I know someone who needs money, and I have it, I might give them the money to cover their need. But how likely am I to put a rocking chair up on eBay and give them the money from that, or the extra car that has been sitting in the garage for a few years now?


Jesus wants us to be the master of our possessions and not the slave of them. People are more important than possessions. Who or what is important to you?

Freedom

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law. (Galatians 5:1 NLT)


What does it mean to be free? It means that you have choices. It means that you are not being controlled by someone else. Our freedom in Christ means that we don't have to be controlled by Satan or by religious rules put into place by people who want to control you. You have a relationship with God. Rules become necessary when relationships fail. Are your relationships -- both with God and with people -- based on rules or on trust and faithfulness? Love God and love other people. Those are the rules that Jesus said are most important to follow.

Eat, EAT!

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper), and to prayer.  Acts 2:42  NLT


On the first day of the week we met to break bread and eat together.  Paul spoke to the people.  He kept on talking until midnight because he planned to leave the next day.  Acts 20:7  NIRV


     We eat a lot at our church.  We rarely have potlucks like many churches do; but when we come together to learn God's word, more likely than not, there is something to eat!  In the early church, "breaking bread" became a term that people used to refer to The Lord's Supper -- the sharing of bread and wine for the purpose of remembering the sacrifice of Jesus.  But they also just ate meals together.  Eating is universal and there are many examples in scripture when people ate either before, after, or as they studied God's word.

     Many people feel that it is disrespectful to eat or drink during church or a Bible study.  But Jesus was social as well as practical.  He provided food for the body in addition to food for the soul (Remember the feeding of the 4,000 and the 5,000)!

     In Romans 12, Paul taught us to be hospitable.  What is hospitable for an individual is also hospitable for a church.  Come as you are to Jesus.  Relax.  Have a cup of coffee or a cookie.  Then, eagerly learn about Jesus.