Thankful In The Storm

T H A N K F U L. I N. T H E. S T O R M. 

While I ponder this last year, my heart is thankful for all that the Lord is doing and all that I am B E C O M I N G. in Him. 

I am thankful for family, friends and even the storm! 

In a world where darkness, uncertainty, death, evil, rejection, fear and wickedness abounds I see Jesus 

O V E R C O M I N G. all this.

Just as Mark 6 tells us when the disciples where in the middle of the lake, straining on the oars, because the wind was against them, and the waves were high.

Their journey which should have taken a couple of hours was taking much longer but then Jesus appears walking on the HIGH waves, above the storm. 

They cry out in fear thinking he is a ghost and then Jesus is filled with compassion. 

“T A K E. C O U R A G E. 

I T. I S. I.

D O. N O T. B E. A F R A I D. 

He C L I M B E D. into the boat AND….

The moment he steps in Just HIS presence overcomes the waves He doesn’t utter a word But the wind dies down 

While it was all around him and the disciples moments earlier, 

Jesus was in C O M P L E T E. C O N T R O L. 

He had no fear, he had no need to calm it, but in the boat the waves subside… and the disciples were amazed! 

That’s what it’s like when Jesus lives within you Christ in us, the hope of glory… 

I may have been distracted by the storm of the last year and a half….wanting more than anything for others to know the truth and awake from the lies that have been spread… but the only truth that matters is Jesus… and that our eyes are on Him! 

When we invite Him as Lord into our lives, every storm will ultimately yield…. But through the storms we cast our eyes on Him, for he captivates our hearts with His love, and instructs in the way we should go!

Just as Peter could do the impossible and walk on the water as he looked into the eyes of Jesus, so WE can rise above our circumstances and do the impossible when we put our focus and full attention on him. 

It is only when We get distracted that fear enters, just as Peter started to sink as he looked at his circumstances….

But Jesus stretched out his hand. 

He is offering his same hand to all of us today…. 

He is offering his life, as He did two thousand years ago so that you can be 

one with your heavenly father, 

one with love, 

one with Jesus who loves you so much that he was willing to say,

 “Not my will but yours be done,”….. 

knowing full well what the next 24 hours will hold…. 

Beating, 

mocking, 

betrayal, 

rejection, 

and ultimately death….

yet through it all He made no sound…. 

As his body was nailed to the cross. He didn’t say too many words. He didn’t get angry or defend himself…. As Isaiah 53 says, he was led like a lamb to the slaughter 

Forgive them Lord for they know not what they do…..

It is finished 

Jesus could endure the cross because His eyes were on you… his eyes on the HUMAN RACE, 

those before him and those to be born enabled him to get through the storm of crucifixion.

That’s what Enabled him to pay the ultimate price! 

So though the storm rages, on this thanksgiving day, I filled with hope and overwhelmed by the love of my savior who holds me and has me. And he opens His arms to you too! 

He is 

Bigger than sickness 

Bigger than broken relationships 

Bigger than mandates 

Bigger than job losses 

Bigger than death! 

And for this I am truly thankful. Christ in us the hope of glory will get us through!