Thursday, June 21, 2007

When Storms Come

Day 1... I have mine...do you have yours...sun block...floppy hat...old tennis shoes...good book? I'm going to the lake. I'm going to rest, relax, and get away from it all. Want to come along? Try to find a few quiet moments today and reflect on this verse.

"There will be a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and refuge and protection from the storm and the rain." Isaiah 4:6

Have you ever been to the ocean...the lake...or maybe a pond? I don't know about you, but I love the peaceful sound of the water...the feel of the wind in my hair. I love the quiet feeling I get inside when I just sit and enjoy the view. If you are like me, the sea is a place of rest and recreation…but it was just the oposite to the people of the ancient world. To them the sea was an evil abyss, a monster of chaos, with the power to destroy. In the eyes of the ancient world, the sea was one of the biggest evils out there…and they felt completely powerless over it.

I was thinking about the image…of the sea being "evil". Where did that image come from I wondered? Then it hit me. I truly believe the image came from Noah's flood. Imagine what it must have been like for the people outside the ark as the water began to rise. It didn’t just rain. The Bible tells us in Genesis 7:11 that the "fountains of the great deep burst open." That meant there were probably massive earthquakes, explosions of water, landslides and tsunamis. Do you get the picture? The ocean literally took over the world and killed everything and everyone, except Noah, his family, and the animals in the ark.

Noah’s descendants never forgot the flood. All over the world, we find stories of the flood in ancient writings. Some of the stories twist the facts a little…but it is amazing how similar they all are. As Noah’s descendents spread across the earth, they not only took the story of the flood with them...but I believe they also took the fear. They never forgot the incredible power of the sea. They never forgot how in just moments it could destroy them.

Not all of us have been in a severe flood, but most of us have witnessed one on television. Remember the horrible Christmas Tsunami? Most of us watched in horror as the sea consumed people in the blink of an eye. Take a few minutes and think of a storm you have seen.

How powerful was the wind?
How powerful was the water?
Would you go out on the sea without weather information?
Today we are blessed to have weather forecasts…but the people of the ancient world were not.

This week we are going to talk about storms. Not everyone has experienced a devastating storm on the sea…but most all of us have gone through the storms of life. Some of you might be going through a storm right now. This week, as we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, we will learn how to weather the storms…and we will learn that we are not alone.

Good for you...you finished Day 1. As I watch the weather before I go to bed tonight, I’m going to see if any storms are coming...and if there are…I’m going to remember that I am not alone.





Day 2... Have you ever wondered if God was real? I remember when I did. It was a difficult time for me…trying to decide if I "believed" in Him. Try to find a few quiet moments today and reflect on these verses.

Then he (Jesus) got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. Matthew 8:23-24

Twelve men, called disciples, traveled with Jesus. They literally lived with him, followed him and learned from him as he taught about the Kingdom of Heaven. As they spent time with Jesus, each was deciding if they truly "believed" in Him. Was he the Messiah? Was he the Christ? Was he the son of God? I wonder what they thought about as they went to sleep each night. At times, I am sure it all felt like a dream.

The disciples had many incredible experiences as they spent time with Jesus. Let’s read about one of them.

Then he (Jesus) got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” Matthew 8:23-27

How did the disciples feel when they saw Jesus calm the storm?

Many scriptures in the Old Testament tell of God providing water. The disciples knew these scriptures and we read some of them last week, in our Living Water lesson. The disciples also knew other scriptures…scriptures that described God’s power over water...as being the one who controls the water. Let’s read a few.

For I am the LORD your God, who churns up the sea so that its waves roar…the LORD Almighty is his name. Isaiah 51:15

Who stirs up the sea?

He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea. Job 9:8

What does God do to the waves of the sea?

Now let’s read an incredible scripture passage from the book of Psalms.

Others went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty water. They saw the works of the LORD, his wonderful deeds in the deep. For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves.

They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away. They reeled and staggered like drunken men; they were at their wits’ end. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.

He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. Psalm 107:23-30

Jesus' disciples knew God’s word. They had heard Psalm 107 their entire lives. They knew of God’s power over water. They knew the text told them God could calm the sea, and could tread (a marching walk) on the tops of the waves. And one day, they got into a boat with Jesus, and watched Jesus do exactly what God’s word, Psalm 107, said God could do. God’s word came to life before their very eyes.

The Word (Jesus) became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

God knows what it is like to be human...he knows our thoughts and our questions. Jesus knew his disciples were trying to decide if He really was the Christ. So Jesus got into a boat with them as they rowed out onto the "evil abyss" and let them face the powers of a terrible storm...so that they could see that God's Word had become flesh.

If you are still trying to decide if you "believe" in Jesus, he is right here…waiting for you. He loves you and wants to show you how real he is. Some of you are praying for someone you love that does not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. It feels as if you are in a great storm. You are not in the boat alone...he is right there with you too.

Good for you...You finished Day 2. In the midst of the storms I face, I am going to seek out the peace of Jesus and know that He is right there with me in the boat.




Day 3... When you were a child, did you ever stay up late at night with your friends and tell spooky stories? You know the ones I’m talking about…the ones that made it hard to walk into a dark room by yourself. Try to find a few quiet moments today to reflect on this scripture.

"Who alone stretches out the heavens and tramples down the waves of the sea?" Job 9:8

Behind our elementary school was a very large park with a cement trail winding through it. In the shadows of the trees, a long wooden fence stood a few feet off the trail. That is where the witch lived. At least that is what we believed. All the children attending my school knew about her. We knew that if we didn’t run…as fast as we could…when we passed her back fence…she would get us! I always...I mean ALWAYS ran! As an adult, I asked my older cousins about the witch story and sure enough, they knew exactly what I was talking about. I guess the tale had been handed down from year to year...and for all I know it is still being told.

Jesus disciples got into a situation that they couldn't run away from...and it just about scared them to death.

I wish I could really get to know Jesus' disciples. I can only imagine what they must have been like. Some fishermen...a tax collector...men from different places and backgrounds…men brought together out of devotion to Jesus. They were strong men...men who had been on the water many times...men who were about to experience an incredible event.

In the book of Matthew chapter 14:22-33 we read another story about the disciples getting into trouble in the middle of the Sea of Galilee. The disciples were with Jesus when he told them to get into the boat and go to the other side of the lake and he would be there later. As they left, Jesus went up to the mountain to pray.

The text tells us that it was evening and they were in the middle of the lake. They were in trouble. The wind was very strong and their rowing was not getting them anywhere. The Greek word used to describe how hard it was to row means "torture". This was not just any storm...this was torturous rowing on the dark sea...on the "evil abyss." They knew they could die...and this time Jesus wasn't with them.

Then they saw something...someone…walking on top of the water. They absolutely lost it. The text says they "cried out." The Greek word translated “cried out” is the word “krazo." It means to "croak" like a raven...scream...shriek. The disciples were screaming like a flock of scared crows. And what is it that made them scream? They thought they saw a ghost or as the original Greek text says... a "phantasma"...a phantom. They were terrified!!!

Let’s look at the story together.

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.

When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. .Matthew 14 22-26

In the middle of their screams, Jesus spoke to them.

"Take courage, it is I do not be afraid." Matthew 14:27.

Then one of the disciples named Peter asked to get out of the boat and walk to Jesus…on the water. I can imagine the other men thought he was crazy. They probably thought he was a fool. But Peter was willing to follow Jesus no matter how it looked. He stepped out of the boat onto the "evil abyss" with his Lord.

Sometimes the Lord asks us to do something for him and it seems as if everything goes wrong. In those times, we can't take our eyes off Jesus. We can't look at the waves. We can't listen to the wind. We can’t forget that in the midst of our storm we are not alone. We have to keep our focus and our faith...on Jesus. Try to think of a time when you were being obedient to God and things seemed to go wrong.

How did you respond?

He is there waiting for you to call on him when the waves start washing over the side of your boat.

Good for you...you finished Day 3. As I go to sleep tonight, I am going to ask the Lord to help me remember to have the courage of Peter and to step out of the boat and follow Him.




Day 4 ... Have you looked at your feet lately? I mean really “looked” at your feet. The Bible talks a lot about feet...especially what’s under them. Try to find a few quiet moments today to reflect on this verse.

"And he put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." Ephesians 1:22-23

If you live in the Middle East, you know never to show the bottom of your foot to anyone. Showing the bottom of your foot to someone is an obscene gesture...a vulgar insult...a huge put-down. It can get you into big trouble.

The image of "under the feet" is found throughout the Bible. Psalm 18:37-38 tells us,

"I pursued my enemies and overtook them, and I did not turn back until they were consumed. I shattered them so that they were not able to rise; They fell under my feet."

Deuteronomy 11:24 tells us that the Israelites will possess the land, "on which the sole of your foot treads."

Oppression and persecution are also pictured by the image of the foot..."trampled by ones foes".
If something was under your feet, you controlled it, possessed it, or had conquered it.

Let's think back to the sea. What image did the people think of? That's right the "evil abyss". The sea represented evil’s domain or home. When Jesus came to the boat "walking on the water" what was under His feet?

That's right...the sea. He wasn't just showing his disciples that he could do "cool" miracles. He wasn't just showing his disciples that He was the Word made flesh. He was also showing them that the "evil abyss" was under His feet. He controlled it, he possessed it, and he came to conquer it!

Jesus gave his disciples a visual "picture" of His power over Satan. He didn't just tell them that He had power over evil. He showed them. Let’s read Ephesians 1:18-20.

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms…

Look at the part about hope and power. Where is Christ seated?

Now let’s read verses 21-23.

…far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

What is Christ seated above?

That's right...all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given…forever. Did you see the part about power and dominion....that means Satan and his demonic horde.

Now let’s read Ephesians 2:4-6.

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus…

When we were dead, who did God make us alive with?
Where does verse 6 say we are seated?

That's right...what's under His feet is also under our feet!

Christ paid the full price for our sins. We accept this gift of salvation. We ask for forgiveness...and turn from sin. We are seated with Him in the Heavenly places. Remind the devil of this the next time He tries to defeat you. Remind him that he lost and Christ won...and remind him that he is under your feet!

Good for you...You finished Day 4. Remember the young Iraqi boy that hit the fallen statue of Sadaam Hussien over and over again with his sandal? It was his way of telling the watching world, "This leader has fallen...he is under my feet!" Praise be to God, Satan has fallen...and thanks to Christ he is under our feet! Think about that the next time you look at the bottom of your shoe.



Day 5...Time to go fishing again...this time we will go to the Sea of Galilee instead of the Dead Sea. You'll like it much better. Grab your pole. Try to find a few quiet moments today to reflect on this verse.

"And He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. Immediately they left their nets and followed Him." Matthew 4:19-20

Sometimes, when I have been fishing, I sure wished I had a net instead of a pole. The only net I have is one to scoop the fish into the boat with after it is caught. If I just had a net that I could throw and then...bam...fish all caught. If only it was that easy.

Fishing with a net takes a lot of practice and skill. It takes patience and also someone to teach you. Some of Jesus closest disciples were fishermen. Boats, nets, fish...that had been their life. Jesus had a different plan for them. Jesus asked the fishermen...to become fishers of men. Fishing for men takes a lot of patience and it takes someone to teach you. Sometimes it even means getting on a boat and rowing through some really big storms.

Do you go people fishing much? If you have decided to follow Jesus, part of following him is becoming a fisher of men. The first step to becoming a fisher of men is to surrender your all to God. Let his Spirit fill you. We talked about this earlier...sanctification…being set apart for God’s service and being filled with his Spirit. Stepping out of a self-centered heart and stepping into a God centered heart. Without the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our life, we will spend a lot of time rowing in the wrong direction, in the wrong boat, and fishing with the wrong nets. We need the Holy Spirit to come along side us, to lead us, empower us, and guide us.

Trade in your nets....for his nets. You will never regret it.

Good for you...You have finished Day 5. I am going to check my nets for rips and tears and see if any of them need to be mended.



Day 6...Today we are going back to the pasture with the shepherd and the sheep. Today we trade in our nets for a rod and a staff. Try to find a few quiet moments today to reflect on this verse.

"He said to him, "Shepherd My sheep." John 21:16

Let's fast forward from the time Peter walked on the water with Jesus to the time Jesus was arrested, convicted and killed. Peter didn't stand by the Lord...he denied that he even knew Jesus. Peter totally gave into his fear. Then the miracle happened...Jesus arose from the dead. Peter found out Jesus was alive. Now, you're ready for the next part of the story...Peter decided to go fishing.

He got back in the boat and fished all night...didn't catch anything. He looked up and saw a man on shore at daybreak. Peter didn't realize it was Jesus. Jesus told the fishermen where to throw the net and they caught a boatload! One of the disciples realized it was Jesus and told Peter. Peter jumped out of the boat and ran through the water to Jesus.

Jesus had cooked breakfast for the guys. Can you imagine eating a breakfast cooked by Jesus! Then, Jesus and Peter had a talk. Let’s read John 21:15-17 together.

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?”

He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep...”

Jesus told Peter to feed (pasture) his lambs (lambkins) and shepherd (tend, lead, supervise) his sheep. Do you remember our lesson on The Lord is My Shepherd? Do you see what Jesus is asking Peter to do? He is asking him to trade his boat and net for a shepherd's rod and staff. He is asking him to become a shepherd. Remember the job of the shepherd? Find the water...everyday. Find the grass...everyday. Lead the sheep...everyday.

Then Jesus said this to Peter. " Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished, but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go." John 21:18

Peter was no longer to walk "wherever he wished"...he was now to walk a shepherd's path…a path of leadership and sacrifice...a path that would lead Peter to his own death for being a follower of Jesus. So, we say to our sheep..."Follow me as...I follow Him".

The secret to being a good fisherman is to learn to be a shepherd. Are you walking the shepherd's path or are you walking wherever you wish? Have you traded in your "nets" for a shepherds staff?

Good for you...You finished Day 6. Good fish...Bad fish...sheep...goats...following the Shepherd...walking where you wish. God leaves the choices up to us. And just like Peter...who had messed up and denied Christ three times...God will give us a fresh start...and the privilege of walking in the footsteps of the Shepherd.
Never forget...You are Sought After.
Until next time,
Cynthia
Links for those who want to dig a little deeper.
Posted by at