When Storms Come...and They Will!

No matter what storms are raging around you in life, it is Jesus who can bring peace. No matter what tempests are thundering within your own mind and heart, it is Jesus who can calm you deep in your soul.

We all have trials, temptations, storms in our lives.  No one is exempt.  If you think you will go through life happy all the time, think again.  The inevitable will happen.

But God...

John 16:33 The Passion Translation (TPT)

33 And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous,[a] for I have conquered the world!”

Note in the verse "you will experience trouble and sorrows".  He didn't say MAY experience, He said WILL experience.  We just need to stay fixed on Him, rest in Him, rely on Him.  He is our strength in tough times.  It's not easy either.  Sometimes I have gone through tough times and my eyes don't turn to God, they turn to things like "if only I were dead I wouldn't be going through this", "no one will miss me", "I can't do this anymore", "what is wrong with me".  Encouraging words in a dark time....NOT! I am learning, as I abide more in His presence, that He is the first thing I think of, more often than not.  I recognize those other words, and who delivered them and I won't partake anymore.  Sometimes thoughts creep in, but I recognize works of the enemy and I give him a boot out the door.  It can be a struggle to boot him out, at times, but persistence with God's help, always wins.  God has all the authority, which Jesus passed on to us.

Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came close to them and said, “All the authority of the universe has been given to me.[h] 19 Now go in my authority and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 20 And teach them to faithfully follow[i] all that I have commanded you. And never forget that I am with you every day, even to the completion of this age.

What a blessing.  So, when we abide in Him, we get close to Him, we have relationship with Him and ultimately, we have His authority.  If Jesus has all authority, then satan has NO authority.  Don't let him bully you, boot him out with just one word "Jesus"!  

He Is Risen

Happy Easter Everyone

As I reflect back on my journey of abiding, I land on Resurrection Sunday.  Such a special day in history....His Story...without His sacrifice on the cross, I would not have the opportunity to abide in His presence.

I grew up in a religious home with good values.  My mom always hoped her kids would follow God.  I dutifully went to church on Sunday mornings and even sang in the choir.  We went to an Anglican church at the time, because our neighbours went there and invited us to attend.  I think it suited my dad better, because I don't remember him going to the Pentecostal church that we had attended, Queensway Cathedral in Toronto.

I gave my heart to God at a retreat centre called Bezak Centre which was located out in the country on a small county road, just outside of Campbellville, Ontario.  Bezak was my first encounter with the Charismatic movement and I remember loving it right from the start.  It always felt like home to me, it drew me in.  I made a number of friends there and look back over the years on how I lost touch with each and every one of them.

Over time, I back slid in my faith.  I found new friends after we moved to a small town called Paisley, Ontario.  These friends loved to party and I was drawn into that world so easily.  I didn't even want to do anything else.  It became more important to me than school.  Needless to say, my marks were not high enough for university, and I ended going to community college taking a subject I really wasn't that interested in.  But, college was good...lots of parties to go to there!

Over time I grew restless in my career and desperately looked for a change.  And change I did...I joined the military.  I was always drawn to a uniform and when I joined the military, it was the best thing I ever did.  I had so much fun in basic training that I didn't want it to end. It was a great confidence builder.  But, we all know that life changes over time.  I met the love of my life in Edmonton and we got married.  We tried to have kids, but it wasn't meant to be.  At times, I thought God was punishing me, but today I know that was not the case.  Spiritually I was lost and a small crisis caused me to start searching and eventually I found God.  He has always been there, I just chose not to listen to Him.  I returned to my faith, got baptized in water, then by the Holy Spirit.  It was been a roller coaster journey, but now...as I abide in His presence, as I sit and wait on Him, He is near me, comforting me, encouraging me.  It's not always rosy.  He even told us that "When you have troubles...".  Troubles are a part of life, they are what make us stronger.  When you abide with Him, troubles are a tad bit easier to deal with than trying to do everything in your own strength.  To be able to go through hard times, completely at peace, is worth it.  Don't get me wrong...I sometimes go through troubles by my own power and it's never easy that way.  When I choose to surrender to Him, to His ways, it's the best decision I could make.

So, abiding...helps me get closer with God, helps me know Him better, helps me keep my peace no matter the circumstance.  Are you abiding...or going solo?  How's it working out for you?  Are you at peace?  Is there conflict?  Do you have your joy?  

I am not where I need to be....but I am certainly not where I was and never want to go back there.  I am on the best journey of a lifetime.  Abiding is ultimately very rewarding.  

Happy Easter!