Forwarded from RunningTheRace ✞ (RunningTheRace)
Is Your Boat Rocking?
Mark 4:39-41
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. And He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?
Years ago someone sent me the song below. It’s called, Calmer of the Storm! Let’s read the lyrics.
Calmer Of The Storm!
“When everything is wrong, the day has passed and nothing's done. When the whole world seems against me; when I'm rolling in my bed, there's a storm in my head — I'm afraid of sinking in despair.
Teach me, LORD to have faith in what You're bringing me will change my life and bring You glory.
There on the storm, I am learning to let go of the will that I so long to control. There, may I be in Your arms eternally — I thank You, LORD — You are the Calmer of the Storm.
You rebuke the wind and the waves. Once again I find I'm amazed at the power of Your will; Cause I'm a child of little faith. I feel the wind and forget Your grace — And You say, "Peace, be still".
Oh, when the torment blows, the middle of the sea — May I never trust, never trust in me. Cause there in Your arms, I find no tragedy.
There on the storm, I am learning to let go. The white wave's high, it's crashing o'er the deck. And I don't know where I go. Where are you LORD, is this ship going down?
The mast is gone so throw the anchor. Should I jump and try to swim to land?
There on the storm, teach me God, to understand of the will that I just cannot control. There, may I see all your love protecting me. I thank You LORD — You are the Calmer of the Storm.”
Beloved, when do we need His peace? When everything in our lives, and in our world is going well? Or, when everything seems to be falling apart?
It is when the storm is raging, and it feels like our boat is sinking that we need His peace! It’s in the midst of the storm!
The disciples were in such a storm! Even though Jesus was in the boat with them, they were afraid. Do you know what Jesus was doing in the middle of this storm? He was fast asleep!
Matthew 8:24
And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but He was asleep.
The disciples awakened Him and asked Him to save them!
[25] And His disciples came to Him, and awoke Him, saying, LORD, save us: we perish.
[26] And He saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
Beloved, if we really trust that the LORD is in control, we won’t be afraid in the storms we face!
If we believe His Word, and are focused on His promises to us, and His faithfulness to carry out those promises, we will not fear! We too can rest peacefully, though our boat is rocking violently!
If — We are focused on the LORD, and not on the storm!
In Mark’s account of this story the disciples asked Jesus if He cared about them!
Sometimes it feels like we’re all alone, and no one cares, but He is always with us, and He cares for us deeply! But, beloved child, He wants us to trust Him!
Mark 4:38
And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and say unto Him, Master, carest Thou not that we perish?
If Jesus is with us why are we so fearful?
[40] And He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
Part 1 of 2
#EyesOnHim
Mark 4:39-41
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. And He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?
Years ago someone sent me the song below. It’s called, Calmer of the Storm! Let’s read the lyrics.
Calmer Of The Storm!
“When everything is wrong, the day has passed and nothing's done. When the whole world seems against me; when I'm rolling in my bed, there's a storm in my head — I'm afraid of sinking in despair.
Teach me, LORD to have faith in what You're bringing me will change my life and bring You glory.
There on the storm, I am learning to let go of the will that I so long to control. There, may I be in Your arms eternally — I thank You, LORD — You are the Calmer of the Storm.
You rebuke the wind and the waves. Once again I find I'm amazed at the power of Your will; Cause I'm a child of little faith. I feel the wind and forget Your grace — And You say, "Peace, be still".
Oh, when the torment blows, the middle of the sea — May I never trust, never trust in me. Cause there in Your arms, I find no tragedy.
There on the storm, I am learning to let go. The white wave's high, it's crashing o'er the deck. And I don't know where I go. Where are you LORD, is this ship going down?
The mast is gone so throw the anchor. Should I jump and try to swim to land?
There on the storm, teach me God, to understand of the will that I just cannot control. There, may I see all your love protecting me. I thank You LORD — You are the Calmer of the Storm.”
Beloved, when do we need His peace? When everything in our lives, and in our world is going well? Or, when everything seems to be falling apart?
It is when the storm is raging, and it feels like our boat is sinking that we need His peace! It’s in the midst of the storm!
The disciples were in such a storm! Even though Jesus was in the boat with them, they were afraid. Do you know what Jesus was doing in the middle of this storm? He was fast asleep!
Matthew 8:24
And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but He was asleep.
The disciples awakened Him and asked Him to save them!
[25] And His disciples came to Him, and awoke Him, saying, LORD, save us: we perish.
[26] And He saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
Beloved, if we really trust that the LORD is in control, we won’t be afraid in the storms we face!
If we believe His Word, and are focused on His promises to us, and His faithfulness to carry out those promises, we will not fear! We too can rest peacefully, though our boat is rocking violently!
If — We are focused on the LORD, and not on the storm!
In Mark’s account of this story the disciples asked Jesus if He cared about them!
Sometimes it feels like we’re all alone, and no one cares, but He is always with us, and He cares for us deeply! But, beloved child, He wants us to trust Him!
Mark 4:38
And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and say unto Him, Master, carest Thou not that we perish?
If Jesus is with us why are we so fearful?
[40] And He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
Part 1 of 2
#EyesOnHim
Forwarded from RunningTheRace ✞ (RunningTheRace)
He has been telling us each day — Fix your eyes on Me! If we don’t have our eyes on Him, our faith will be shaken and we will start to sink in the storm! But even then, in His mercy and grace, just as He did for Peter — He will lift us up!
Matthew 14:29-31
And He said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, He walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, LORD, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Are you in a storm today? Where will you find peace? There is only one sure place to look — To Him!
We are told difficult times will come, but we are also told He will keep us through those difficult times. He will give us everything we need!
He uses these storms we are in for His purposes! Nothing is happenstance for a child of God, and no trial is wasted!
When Jesus was crucified, the enemy rejoiced at his seeming victory! But, what the enemy saw as victory was God purchasing our salvation through His Son! It was God’s plan that Jesus die on the cross!
The enemies plan may seem to succeed for a time, but his success will be short lived!
After the cross — Death was swallowed up in victory!
1 Corinthians 15:55
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our LORD Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the LORD, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the LORD.
Peace — Be Still!
We know Who is in control! So, no matter what we encounter in the days ahead — no matter how much our boat is rocking, or how high the waves are that are crashing around us, no matter how dark the sky — Know this beloved — God is on His throne!
Don’t look at the storm — Look at Him! Hear His voice speaking to calm your heart with His Words — Peace be still — Fear not, I am with you!
Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I Am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Part 2 of 2
#EyesOnHim
Matthew 14:29-31
And He said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, He walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, LORD, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Are you in a storm today? Where will you find peace? There is only one sure place to look — To Him!
We are told difficult times will come, but we are also told He will keep us through those difficult times. He will give us everything we need!
He uses these storms we are in for His purposes! Nothing is happenstance for a child of God, and no trial is wasted!
When Jesus was crucified, the enemy rejoiced at his seeming victory! But, what the enemy saw as victory was God purchasing our salvation through His Son! It was God’s plan that Jesus die on the cross!
The enemies plan may seem to succeed for a time, but his success will be short lived!
After the cross — Death was swallowed up in victory!
1 Corinthians 15:55
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our LORD Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the LORD, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the LORD.
Peace — Be Still!
We know Who is in control! So, no matter what we encounter in the days ahead — no matter how much our boat is rocking, or how high the waves are that are crashing around us, no matter how dark the sky — Know this beloved — God is on His throne!
Don’t look at the storm — Look at Him! Hear His voice speaking to calm your heart with His Words — Peace be still — Fear not, I am with you!
Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I Am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Part 2 of 2
#EyesOnHim
Forwarded from RunningTheRace ✞ (RunningTheRace)
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
The servants said — let us remove these tares from among us! I know we ask the same of the LORD — Can’t you just show these people for who they really are, LORD, and remove them?
[27-28] So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
Jesus told them, the tares were to be allowed to grow among the wheat until the harvest!
[29-30] But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
The tares will be gathered first at the end of time, then His wheat!
We must ask the LORD each day to give us His wisdom and discernment! We must read His Word, and know it, so that we know the imposter; the counterfeit when he is shown! We must not be followers or respecters of men, lest we become blinded and are deceived!
The disciples asked Jesus to explain the parable of the wheat and tares to them. This is His explanation!
Matthew 13:37-43
He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of Man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of Man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Father, give us discernment, and wisdom in these days of deception! May we walk closely with You LORD, filled with Your Spirit so that we’re not deceived by the enemy! May we live our lives to glorify You, and be found faithful to You when Jesus returns, is our prayer today, Father, in Jesus Name!
Part 2 of 2
#EyesOnHim
The servants said — let us remove these tares from among us! I know we ask the same of the LORD — Can’t you just show these people for who they really are, LORD, and remove them?
[27-28] So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
Jesus told them, the tares were to be allowed to grow among the wheat until the harvest!
[29-30] But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
The tares will be gathered first at the end of time, then His wheat!
We must ask the LORD each day to give us His wisdom and discernment! We must read His Word, and know it, so that we know the imposter; the counterfeit when he is shown! We must not be followers or respecters of men, lest we become blinded and are deceived!
The disciples asked Jesus to explain the parable of the wheat and tares to them. This is His explanation!
Matthew 13:37-43
He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of Man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of Man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Father, give us discernment, and wisdom in these days of deception! May we walk closely with You LORD, filled with Your Spirit so that we’re not deceived by the enemy! May we live our lives to glorify You, and be found faithful to You when Jesus returns, is our prayer today, Father, in Jesus Name!
Part 2 of 2
#EyesOnHim
Forwarded from RunningTheRace ✞ (RunningTheRace)
The Wheat And Tares Grow Together!
Our enemy is the most subtle of all! He will not come to us announcing his evil intentions, and neither will his servants!
Genesis 3:1
Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
In order to deceive — the enemy will come masquerading as an angel of light!
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
How many tares are among us even now? How many are pretending to be someone they are not? It’s not possible to fully know — unless they slip and reveal their true nature and purposes!
The Word of God says that the wheat and tares will grow together to the end!
1 John 2:18-19
Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
Beloved, this is why we mention over and over to watch the fruits of the people who claim to be His closely — and not blindly follow any man!
Again, we know from the Word of God that the devil is the most subtle of all!
Will you consider this statement carefully before you say — “I will know, I won’t be deceived!”
Luke 21:8
And He said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in My Name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
1 Corinthians 10:12
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
The anti-Christ, false prophets, apostles, and teachers will deceive many! Why is that? Because they will attempt to counterfeit Christ!
The anti-Christ’s goal is to deceive not only the whole world — but most especially the people of God!
Beloved, we are living in the last days! The deception will get worse in the days to come!
These men will hold to their deception even when they stand before the LORD one day! But He will say to them — “Depart from Me, I never knew you.”
Matthew 7:22-23
Many will say to Me in that day, LORD, LORD, have we not prophesied in Thy Name? and in Thy Name have cast out devils? and in Thy Name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.
You see beloved, these people were even doing their works using His Name — But they weren’t really His!
These tares have been sown among us while we were sleeping! Just like in this parable!
Matthew 13:24-25
Another parable put He forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
In time the tares in this parable were seen among the good fruit. Remember — by their fruits we will know them!
[26] But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
Matthew 7:13-20
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Part 1 of 2
#EyesOnHim
Our enemy is the most subtle of all! He will not come to us announcing his evil intentions, and neither will his servants!
Genesis 3:1
Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
In order to deceive — the enemy will come masquerading as an angel of light!
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
How many tares are among us even now? How many are pretending to be someone they are not? It’s not possible to fully know — unless they slip and reveal their true nature and purposes!
The Word of God says that the wheat and tares will grow together to the end!
1 John 2:18-19
Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
Beloved, this is why we mention over and over to watch the fruits of the people who claim to be His closely — and not blindly follow any man!
Again, we know from the Word of God that the devil is the most subtle of all!
Will you consider this statement carefully before you say — “I will know, I won’t be deceived!”
Luke 21:8
And He said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in My Name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
1 Corinthians 10:12
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
The anti-Christ, false prophets, apostles, and teachers will deceive many! Why is that? Because they will attempt to counterfeit Christ!
The anti-Christ’s goal is to deceive not only the whole world — but most especially the people of God!
Beloved, we are living in the last days! The deception will get worse in the days to come!
These men will hold to their deception even when they stand before the LORD one day! But He will say to them — “Depart from Me, I never knew you.”
Matthew 7:22-23
Many will say to Me in that day, LORD, LORD, have we not prophesied in Thy Name? and in Thy Name have cast out devils? and in Thy Name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.
You see beloved, these people were even doing their works using His Name — But they weren’t really His!
These tares have been sown among us while we were sleeping! Just like in this parable!
Matthew 13:24-25
Another parable put He forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
In time the tares in this parable were seen among the good fruit. Remember — by their fruits we will know them!
[26] But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
Matthew 7:13-20
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Part 1 of 2
#EyesOnHim
Forwarded from RunningTheRace ✞ (RunningTheRace)
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
The servants said — let us remove these tares from among us! I know we ask the same of the LORD — Can’t you just show these people for who they really are, LORD, and remove them?
[27-28] So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
Jesus told them, the tares were to be allowed to grow among the wheat until the harvest!
[29-30] But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
The tares will be gathered first at the end of time, then His wheat!
We must ask the LORD each day to give us His wisdom and discernment! We must read His Word, and know it, so that we know the imposter; the counterfeit when he is shown! We must not be followers or respecters of men, lest we become blinded and are deceived!
The disciples asked Jesus to explain the parable of the wheat and tares to them. This is His explanation!
Matthew 13:37-43
He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of Man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of Man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Father, give us discernment, and wisdom in these days of deception! May we walk closely with You LORD, filled with Your Spirit so that we’re not deceived by the enemy! May we live our lives to glorify You, and be found faithful to You when Jesus returns, is our prayer today, Father, in Jesus Name!
Part 2 of 2
#EyesOnHim
The servants said — let us remove these tares from among us! I know we ask the same of the LORD — Can’t you just show these people for who they really are, LORD, and remove them?
[27-28] So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
Jesus told them, the tares were to be allowed to grow among the wheat until the harvest!
[29-30] But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
The tares will be gathered first at the end of time, then His wheat!
We must ask the LORD each day to give us His wisdom and discernment! We must read His Word, and know it, so that we know the imposter; the counterfeit when he is shown! We must not be followers or respecters of men, lest we become blinded and are deceived!
The disciples asked Jesus to explain the parable of the wheat and tares to them. This is His explanation!
Matthew 13:37-43
He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of Man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of Man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Father, give us discernment, and wisdom in these days of deception! May we walk closely with You LORD, filled with Your Spirit so that we’re not deceived by the enemy! May we live our lives to glorify You, and be found faithful to You when Jesus returns, is our prayer today, Father, in Jesus Name!
Part 2 of 2
#EyesOnHim