Why are you afraid?

And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” (Matthew 8:24-27 ESV)

I could really picture this scenario. The disciples were freakin out about the storm. But Jesus was asleep!  How could he be asleep when they're fixin to die?  The disciples are like dude you better wake him up cause we're gonna die!  Jesus calmly raises up and tells the winds to die down. 

Does the storm you're in have you scared for your life?  Do you feel like Jesus is asleep?  Don't forget, just like with the disciples, He is right there in the storm with you. 

All you have to do is reach over and wake Him up. He will calm the storm just in time. 

Are you happy?

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33 KJV)

"Do what makes you happy" is the most dangerous advice to give anyone. It's not in the bible. And when does anyone really know what happiness really is?  

Happiness is usually found by changing the focus of your current circumstances. Let's look at some examples:

1) "I'm not happy with my job, I'm quitting."

Reply;  good jobs are hard to come by right now. You have been there for years and are respected in the company  didn't God provide that job for you when you needed it most?  It's God's will that you stay and continue to influence people for Him. 

2)  "I can't stand this old truck anymore. I really want a new one. "

Reply;  that truck has carried you back and forth every day for years and never left you on the side of the road. It's paid for and a new truck payment is $800/mo. Didn't God bless you with that truck for a good deal years ago when times were hard?  It's God's will you continue with that truck and use the extra cash flow to support in the ministry. 

3). "I'm mad at my friend.  They made a destructive lifestyle decision. I'm not going to talk to them anymore."

Reply;  that's your friend!  You have encouraged each other for years. Aren't they going to need your support and biblical advice in their new endeavor?  It is the will of God that you stick with them to help them through !

Friends the best advice comes from the bible. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God". Change your focus. Happiness will follow. 

as I awoke on the eve of the greatest day

¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11

I woke up this morning with a resounding noise in my head.  I have struggled all day to let it out.  Here it goes:

My Lord, I am before you.  In Your presence, I have not the strength to stand. At Your feet, my face is plastered to the ground.  My weapons are holstered.  My stomach is sick.  My callused hands grasp the train of Your robe.  My bloody knuckles wipe the tears from face.  My scars are many, and deep.  For I have been in battle for my Saviour.  He is the one I live for.  He is the one I fight for.  He is the one I will die for.  The Way, the Truth, and the Life.  He is the Alpha.  Most remember the Lamb but, I serve the Lion.  I am His chosen warrior.  His voice comforts me.  He tells me to rise.  My heart begins to beat swiftly.  I feel the warmth of my blood starting to flow.  I am energized once again as I get up to my knees. Every muscle in me begins to flex and twitch as I stand before the Almighty.  Now, at attention, I look up slightly and connect my eyes with the Maker.  His light shines.  He is all that is pure.  He tells me to return to the war.  To fight for all that is good.  To stand for the innocent.  To be the lover of good.  And, that He will be joining me soon.  "Yes Master," I reply.  I kiss His hand.  I turn and walk seven steps.  Then, I run seven steps.  By then, I have gained my speed and strength to fly back to where I am from.
     I will do battle in the fields alone until the King of Kings meets me in the clouds.  There we will ride together.  His justice will be violent and swift.  The deceiver will be defeated.  Every knee will bow.  All those that hadn't believed, will.  The war will be over.  And then, I will worship the Most High  for the rest of eternity.

Why not like or share?

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. (1 John 4:15 ESV)

So, you read my blogs. I know you do because my dashboard at blogger tells how many times each post is viewed. You read them but, do you enjoy them? I assume you do because views are at an all time high. If you read them and enjoy them share them or like them or comment on them.
My blogs are not to notarize my name. They do not have monetary value. The blogs are meant to inspire you. To make you ask questions. To step on your toes and break your heart so that Jesus Christ will be glorified.
Many are afraid to touch religious items. Sharing this blog is just an easy way to obey the Word of God and "confess that Jesus is the Son of God."

For the firefighters

Proverbs 27:17

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁷ As iron sharpens iron,
    so a friend sharpens a friend.

Truly feeling inspired after witnessing the events at the 9/11 memorial stair climb in Clayton today.  Several firefighters and their families gathered to raise money for the 9/11 memorial fund.  In all 22 teams were in the first wave of the climb where they would climb 110 flights of stairs in honor of the world trade center.  11 teams went to the south staircase representing the “south tower” and 11 to the “north tower.”  14 more teams would climb later in the day.  Most participants were active firefighters and wore full gear while climbing. 

What may have impressed me most is the teamwork and brotherhood that was involved.  Team 7 was from Dexter and comprised of Ryan Rascher (captain), Lauren Rascher, Matt Thurmon, Mindy Thurmon, Hannah Thurmon, and Ladawn Northcutt.  Ryan Rascher said, “We are a team.  We will start as a team and we will finish as a team.”  And, that, they did.  As the stair climb went on, some of the participants began to tire, everyone encouraged them on.  Some began to shed gear, others picked it up and carried it for them.  Some stopped to rest, their team waited.  After the last elevator ride to the bottom floor, each team member rang a bell as they walked by it in the lobby.  It was a lonesome sound that lingered.  The ring was chilling and reminded me of the bell rang at a firefighters funeral.  343 firefighters were killed in the 9/11 attacks and I can tell you one thing for sure, this world is worse off without them.  They are a special kind of people.  They are heros.  You want them on your team.

So, who’s on your “team” in life?  Are you carrying each other’s burdens?  Are you encouraging or being encouraged?  Have you been left behind?  Have a team meeting and remember there is no “I” in team. 

Mowing in the dark

Lord, You are my lamp; the Lord illuminates my darkness. (2 Samuel 22:29 HCSB)

With harvest in full swing, I have been pressed for time.  Last night, I tried something I have never done.  I mowed in the dark.  My big John Deere didn't let me down. It has bright headlights but, not bright enough. Do you really know what happens when you mow in the dark?  You hit stuff.  You are slow.  You are inefficient.  You miss spots. It's not worth it!
It's kind of like going through your life in the dark.  If you are without Christ you are in the dark.  Friends, if every step of your life is not lit by the light of Christ, it's time to stop "mowing in the dark."  Come into the light and live.

Servant

When Jesus had washed their feet and put on His robe, He reclined again and said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? You call Me Teacher and Lord. This is well said, for I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you. “I assure you: A slave is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. (John 13:12-17 HCSB)

The closest example of a servant, I can think of, in our modern day society is a waiter/waitress. One of the better waitresses I have had in a while is at a restaurant in Sikeston. I frequent the establishment about twice a month but,
1) she calls me by name
2) she knows I want a mountain dew
3) she is always comes by the table at the right time with a smile ready to
serve
We can learn a lot from the waiters/waitresses in our lives. Good and bad habits. Jesus has called us to be servants. What tips can you take from a recent restaurant visit that could improve your servant hood to fellow man?