The Storms Of Life

There have been those devotional stories and poems of actual storms, but more about those storms that rage within each of us. My favorite poem I have ever read is Step Into My Storm, which when reading it made me realize God doesn't always end storms at the drop of a hat. He has a way ...
of just stepping into the storm and speaking peace when the time is just right. The storm may be raging all around, but He keeps us safe. The storm may be raging inside, but He speaks peace and calms the storm. I wonder why God allows thinds to happen. I'm always wondering if God causes thingss to happen because of something I might have, or might not have done. I often wonder was this punishment, or just a test that He was allowing to happen. As I think of those thoughts, I of course immediately think of the recent natural disasters, and all the talk I have heard whether this was, or wasn't the wrath of God. I have heard all the discussions as to whether God caused this, or simply allowed this to happen. I personally believe that God does allow, not necessarily cause things in nature, as well as in other places to happen. I believe our God is a merciful, kind, and loving God. He doesn't enjoy seeing His children suffer. Today as I pray for this storm to pass, I think God wants me to learn to stand and face this storm head on. I know Jesus is standing in the shadows watching,waiting to step in if the waves get to high, or the wind blows to hard for me to handle. My God didn't cause this storm to reform, He still loves me and doesn't enjoy seeing me suffer. If He sees I can't stand strong and return this storm to the raging sea from which it came, He is sitting on ready, to step right in and speak His peace once again.God, step into my storm. Let a great calm return.

Mark 4:39
And He arose and rebuked the wind and said unto the sea ;Peace be still, and the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

Step Into My Storm
Some storms are but a small gust of wind.
Some storms can great turmoil send.
Some storms are mild and meekSome storms devour all they seek.
God brings lightning ,thunder, rain-God stops loneliness, confusion, pain.
God can end any storm at will-God need only say "Peace be still".
I speak not of storms of rain and such-I speak of storms with a deadly clutch.
I speak of storms from which you cannot hide.
I speak of storms churning deep down inside.
Man has no power over storms great or small-Man has no power over much of anything at all.
Man can only look up and ask God to step in-Man can only ask God's power over storms within.
Ask not for God to make your storm to cease.
Ask not for God to give you an easy release.
Ask God to step into your storm - give Him all control-Ask God to speak His peace deep into your soul.
-Judy Parker

Pushing On

When times are hard and I just feel like giving up... I have learned that I have to keep pushing on. As Christians, just as Jesus did, we are called to carry our cross during times of suffering. Instead of letting it get me down, I have learned that if I look at all that God has blessed me with and just look for the good in all of the bad, then I will have hope and faith in knowing that God is able to move the mighty mountains that stand in my way.

Just as Jesus did,
Although things are not perfect
Because of trial or pain
Continue in thanksgiving
Do not begin to blame ...
Even when the times are hard
Fierce winds are bound to blow
God is forever able
Hold on to what you know
Imagine life without His love
Joy would cease to be
Keep thanking Him for all the things
Love imparts to thee
Move out of "Camp Complaining"
No weapon that is known
On earth can yield the power
Praise can do alone
Quit looking at the future
Redeem the time at hand
Start every day with worship
To "thank" is a command
Until we see Him coming
Victorious in the sky
We'll run the race with gratitude
Xalting God most high
Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
Zion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!
-author unknown-

Enlarging Your Veiw Of God

As Christians, we all need to enlarge our veiw of GOD.

Here's a question: What if we focused on how BIG GOD is, instead of how BIG our problems are?

As I look around everything I see has been created by GOD. I see my family, the trees, the sun, ect... and then I start thinking about all of the Galaxies and how all of space is far beyond our reasoning. Then I relize that GOD is so BIG and amazing that HE knows all of the stars by name and he has all of the hairs on my head numbered. This goes to show that HE is BIGGER than all of my worries and problems.
It is so Awesome to think about how GOD is indescribable and all powerful HE is and then try to figure out what I did to deserve HIM.... but the thing is I haven't done anything to deserve HIM. None of us have! There is nothing that anyone could ever do to deserve to have the eternal connection with GOD, but GOD'S desire is for HIM (the Creater) to have and connection with ME and YOU (the Creation). Since this is HIS desire HE cares about us and is always there. HE knows my pain and HIS spirit dwells in me. This is the part that makes GOD my desire... if HE is this Amazing, Indesrcribable GOD (the Creater of all) then, why shouldn't HE be my desire? Knowing this just makes me want to GLORIFY HIS name even more.

The first thing we have to do is realize how great our GOD is. Then we have to think and know that GOD allows things to happen and limits the pain and know that our problems are so small compared to how BIG GOD is. GOD is always in control and so therefore we need to try to focus on the BIGGER picture (his plan). We are required to endure it (2 Corinthians 1:4). Doing this is the hard part. Sometimes it is so hard to hold my head up and keep pushing, but in the end i know that I will have been purified like gold is purified in the fires that will burn away that which is impure and meaningless, so that the GLORY of GOD will shine through me that much more (Job 23:10).