flood | considering the word

Photo taken straight through my kitchen window. Notice the water drops…they’re on the outside. I was safe and dry on the inside.

I was taking a few moments to just enjoy myself and gaze out at the rain through the kitchen window this morning. Then I looked over and had to laugh when I noticed that our outside cat, who was now inside, was doing the same through the sliding door.

Tropical storm Michael is upon us right now, so we have a nice, steady rain here right now, some wind gusts; and it’s still a bit dark out. Inside our home this morning; however, it has been so nice and peaceful. It’s been very calm and quiet this morning, and I’ve felt an unusual type of peace. It’s been quite lovely.

It reminded me of something that God can do in our lives. Sometimes there are storms in our lives. Winds can blow, rain can pelt down, floods can rise. Things in our lives can be out of control all around us. Oh, but God…He can keep everything calm and peaceful within us.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Ph. 4:6-7 (NLT)

God will give us peace that exceeds anything we can understand, and it will guard our hearts and minds as we live in Christ Jesus. That’s the peace I’m talking about. The peace that keeps us calm on the inside while the storm rages around us on the outside.

It won’t make sense. People will wonder how we can be so calm. We may not even believe it ourselves at first, but then we will understand that God has just been faithful once again, like He has been before! He cannot lie, so if He says He will give us this kind of peace, then we can take Him at His word. We just have to trust Him enough to try it.

So, the first step is do not worry, but pray. Tell Him what we need. Thank Him for all He has done. And then…then comes that peace…the peace within the storm! I want that peace in the storms of my life, don’t you? Let’s give it a shot!

Praying for your peace and mine,

jamie

I love the methods that God will use to get a message to us. Migraine rescue medication combined with tension and sadness made for a rough morning today. I was persevering, though. I read my Bible while I ate my breakfast, I listened to praise and worship music all morning long. I know where my strength lies, but sometimes I feel like I’m clawing for it. Have you ever felt that way? Is that just me? Hmm…

Then my kids and I sat down for our morning devotions and the book said, “It is a great gift from God to be able to hear, but what you do with what you hear is your gift back to God.” Then it quoted Jesus,

Everyone who hears these things I say and obeys them is like a wise man. The wise man built his house on rock. It rained hard and the water rose. The winds blew and hit that house. But the house did not fall, because the house was built on rock. But the person who hears the things I teach and does not obey them is like a foolish man. The foolish man built his house on sand. It rained hard, the water rose, and the winds blew and hit that house. And the house fell with a big crash.” (Mt. 7:24-27)

I could literally hear God reminding me that my house is not built on the sand. My house, my faith, my hope…they are built on the rock. The solid rock of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Yes, it is raining hard right now, and the waters have been rising lately. The winds have been blowing from one direction and then another, but MY HOUSE IS BUILT ON THE ROCK!

I’m not going to fall or crash. I’ve got the Mighty God, the Great I AM, the Prince of Peace holding me in His hand. My life is built on a solid foundation and I can take refuge in the stronghold of His name. I can’t just talk about trusting Him in a blog on Monday and then forget it on Tuesday. I have to do it! And I am.

I was immediately comforted by the Lord as we read that devotion this morning. If the winds are blowing around you and the rains are pouring down, pelting you from all sides, take heart. If you can literally see and feel the waters rising around you, stand firm. Your house is built upon the Rock and YOU WILL NOT FALL!

Stand firm…He is holding you steady,

jamie