Friday, July 31, 2015

Tough Questions / Tougher Answers - Part 2 - Storms



Continuing Michael's message from yesterday: One of the hardest questions is, "Do you want to spend the rest of your life learning to become just like Him?"  If the answer is yes, you will be tested by trials and tribulations. Crisis and calamity strike suddenly and without warning.  Our hearts must have been prepared in advance.  Jesus rebuked the waves and the raging storm when he said, "peace be still."  Who is this man that even the winds and sea obey him? The crises in life ask the great questions of life. Little crises are the tests for the bigger crises. He that is faithful in that which is least shall be faithful also in much.  According to 2 Timothy 3:16, The Word of God is profitable for reproof and correction once we have heard the doctrine of how to believe rightly. The purpose is that the child of God may be perfect ...  perfected through and through unto all good works.

There are two types of storms:  Storms of correction and storms of perfection.  The disciples had already obeyed Jesus who had said, "Let's get in the boat and go to the other side" – Mark 4:35-36. They were within the will of God when the storm came. When God asks us to follow Him, there are four levels of obedience: (1) I'll do what God wants me to do, if it lines up with what I want to do. (2)  I'll do what God wants me to do, if he'll do what I want him to do. (3)  I'll do what he wants me to do, as long as I'm comfortable and it's convenient. (4)  I'll do whatever you want me to do Lord, because I want to be just like Jesus. If you choose door number four, the storms of life will rage. These are the storms of perfection. According to James 1:3-4, "Knowing this, that the trying of your patience worketh patience.  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." Jesus said, "You must take up your cross daily and follow me."  Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction. However, straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth to life, and few there be that find it. Only Jesus Christ is the way the truth and the life. He said, "No man cometh to the Father except by Me." Those who choose to follow Him are a peculiar people, a  royal priesthood, an holy nation. We're outliers from this world as citizens of heaven. Nations of this world will come and go but the our heavenly homeland abideth forever. We've been redeemed from the bondage of this “fallen” world, having been reconciled to God through the finished work of His son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.


What is the storm raging in your life today? My times are in thy hands ... God's question to His children is, "No matter the storms of life, will you still purpose in your heart to love me and to serve me?" Are you a child of God absolutely?  I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice holy (and wholly) acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service – Romans 12:1.  Are you all in?  Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to thee.

May God richly bless you. 
Your brother in Christ, Michael

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