Calm before the storm

We have all heard the saying "the calm before the storm". Earlier today I experienced the calm before and after a rain storm outside. Before the storm everything was very quiet and dark - very peaceful. The peace was interrupted by a ferocious clap of thunder; this the storm began. The rain began very slowly and steadily increased to a downpour. Eventually the rain began to slow and finally stopped. Everything was once again calm. What if we could remain calm even during the storm? Jesus did. Mark gives the account of Jesus sleeping while the disciples were battling a raging storm. The disciples woke Jesus and asked if he cared. He calmed the wind and waves and asked, "Why are you fearful? Do you still have no faith?" (Mark 4:40) If they should not have been scared when faced with death, why should we? Jesus has overcome EVERYTHING, including the grave. We can remain calm ifvwe do what we know to do: have faith and trust. We can only build trust by growing closer to Jesus. We do this by reading His word, praying, and singing praises. We should do these 3 things daily, but should also meet together to worship the Father with our brothers and sisters. Believers will all sing praises together side by side in Heaven one day, why not practice now. A wise woman called Sunday worship "Heaven Practice". Have you practiced lately?

Seasons

What do you think of when you hear the word season? Many think a season of life and others think hunting season. In 2 Timothy 4:2 Paul says we are to be ready in season and out of season. Just as a hunter prepares all year long for a few weeks, we are to prepare everyday to be ready when called. What does preparing everyday look like and why should we do this? If you have accepted Christ you have the same power in you that rose Jesus from the dead! Colossians 1:11 says we are strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience. To understand this we must find the definitions of steadfastness and patience. Steadfastness means unwavering, unchanging; fixed in place. Patience means the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset. This is what we are supposed to attain - deal with pain and suffering without getting upset! 2 Timothy 3:12 says, "Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." This does not say might be persecuted. Paul goes on to say we are adequately equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17). We have everything we need to stand firm in the faith. After our faith is firmly established and is growing like a tree planted by the water (Psalm 1:3), what now? The second part of Psalm 1:3 says to yield fruit in its season! There is the word season again. We share training and preparing, but for what? Matthew 28:19-20 sums up our whole purpose: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. The title of this is Seasons and I haven't talked much about seasons. We will all have times when we feel and sense God moving in our lives. We will ALL have seasons where we can't feel or sense God. The hard seasons are the times we will need to do what we know to do - be steadfast and endure because of the promises of God. We are to all keep going and making disciples - even when we don't feel like it.