Storms: Destruction or Destiny

Today as I was reading Jonah chapter one verses 15 and 17 I had a thought.

• Was the storm sent by God?
• Was the storm for Jonah's destruction or destiny?
• Does it ever do us any good to run from God?

Let me share with you what I wrote in the margin of my Bible. When God is int he midst of your storm, the storm is not for your destruction, but your destiny!

Turning the Tide

I just watched a broadcast yesterday from Charles Stanley at intouch.org that everyone should watch. Here is the link to the broadcast. http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/video-archives/content/topic/turning_the_tide. I encourage you to let God speak to your heart.

War with the Lamb

One of the most precious names of Jesus is the lamb of God. John would cry "Behold the lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world." (John 1:29 KJV) But would be afraid of a lamb in a fight? Probably not. But you should be if it is the lamb of God.

In revelation 17:14 there is a long detailed account of the whore of Babylon and in the middle of this description there is a verse tucked away. "They will make war against the lamb, but the lamb will overcome them." (NIV)

The lamb will overcome them because it is the spotless lamb of God who redeemed us by His blood. The lamb will overcome because He has already defeated the enemies of the Cross. Guess what, I read the end of the Bible and we win!!

Why Do We Suffer?

The Christian life in many places of the world is synonymous with suffering. Why do so many Christians around the globe face suffering? There is no easy answer.

Paul tells the church at Philippi that "it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for Him." (Philippians 1:29-30 NIV)

Suffering is a part of the job description for being a Christian, why? We can identify (in a small way) with the sufferings of Jesus. Secondly, we can have compassion for the hurts and pains of other people. Finally, we should embrace suffering as it is a pre-requisite to reigning with Christ.

Love is The Key

What do you think of when I say the word discernment? Wise? Knowledgeable? Insight? The word discernment can mean all of those things. But where do we receive our discernment?

In Philippians 1:9-10 Paul prays that the believers would experience an abounding of love so that they would be able to discern what is pure and blameless.

Until today I would have never connected love for God and discernment. However; it makes sense. Think about it. The more we love God the more we know what is best for our lives. Discernment need not be a gift of the Spirit that is unattainable, rather a fruit that flows out of our love for God

Snares

As I was reading Proverbs 29:25 I was reminded how the enemy can trip us up. "Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe." (NIV)

It is dangerous to fear men and not trust God. Fear is a peculiar thing. People will do all kinds of things to avoid their worst fear from coming true. The Bible says that fear brings torment. Why do we want to be tormented?

My challenge for you today is to fear God, and trust in Him for your life. If you fear men you will walk into a trap set out by the enemy.

Get to Work

Yesterday I was listening to Jim Cymbala as he spoke on Colossians chapter4:17. "Tell Archippus: See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord. (NIV) For a complete audio recording of this message go to http://www.moodyradio.org/brd_programtoday.aspx?id=35654 - 35k.

Here is a summary of what he said.

• All of us (not just preachers) have a work to do for the Lord
• It is up to us to ask God what He wants us to do for Him
• There is a time to finish the work we have received in the Lord.

We should be encouraged that the Lord ask us to work for Him.