Acts 27:7 Paul was a prisoner on both land and sea. Acts 27:7 Forced to sail slowly against tempestuous winds with great difficulty under the lees of ancient cities. No suitable harbors for refuge. The ship's centurion gave Paul no voice aboard ship. A Northeaster violently storm-tossed the ship. They jettisoned cargo and tackle. Neither sun nor stars appeared for many days. All hope was at last abandoned. Paul stands to say to them in even his own immense hunger:
"Now, I urge you, to Take Heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night, an angel of the God to Whom I Belong and Whom I Worship, there stood before me.
Do I know the Glimpse of a Good God in the midst of my own tumultuous circumstances? Whatever Northeaster has hit you hard and you feel the darkness of neither sun nor stars, there is hope for you this day. Hope for the taking. All it requires is a strict regard for what is true, what is real. I am deceived way-too-easily. Am I willing this day to move toward a rigorous honesty or will I clamor and cower for the comfortable life where things just must work out. Struggle and shame are my allies. I see Glimpses of His Face that I never ever thought would be possible for it's not where I lived for way-too-many decades. I see His Beautiful Friendship and Sobering Kindness that so unnerves me in my own dilemmas where I thought that searching for God and understanding what was happening to me would move me forward---but, that's academic. He is real! The God To Whom You Belong and Whom You Worship is standing in your way.
I was walking this morning and thinking of the Holy Spirit. Those who we love who are looking for happiness are trying to fill the empty places the Holy Spirit is waiting to fill. Pray for those who are seeking, those who hunger for truth, that they may be filled.
ReplyDeleteStorms surge, ships shatter, then Truth steps in and saves lives. Take heart, sailors. Seas will swell, but salvation draws near. Storms are inevitable, fear is optional.
ReplyDeleteMy friend's husband had a stroke, even though he's on medication to prevent them. He had a small vessel stroke and it appears the hearing loss is permanent, but Truth hasn't had His say yet. We remain hopeful. and fear did not win. Faith remains.
I have spent the day sorting through old photos and putting them to music. My first-born is getting married in a little over a week, and I'm a puddle of sweet memories this afternoon. So, so sweet to look back and see the graciousness of God over the span of thirty years. Smiles that are sometimes painted, sometimes genuine, we are still standing, still strong in His faithful provision and Love.
Jan, praying with you. Life is just so empty and meaningless without Him.
ReplyDeleteAnnette, praying for your friend's husband to have his hearing restored. I can't even imagine how hard that must be for him. The music...how beautiful it will be at the wedding. Can you imagine never hearing music again?
Those baby boys grow up too fast and become men of great accountability to God. How I pray that he will humble himself to His heavenly Father and be the best husband. So many take their position of leadership in the home and turn it into a way to control. But the godly husband is so accountable to God for his family. I know Christ has all he needs to perform well as a husband. May your son seek Truth and follow the Savior. And now you will gain another daughter! I pray she will be a blessing to your son and follow Christ in all her ways and words.
So many storms come into our lives that we never planned for. Paul has been given warning by Christ that the trip would be risky but that Paul would stand before Caesar. That still, small Voice gives guidance, strength and courage to Paul. And to us. May we all hear Him speak the very words we need to hear this week. Ears to hear. God-ears.
Thank you, Deborah. I am writing Greg a letter and I want to include your admonishment and prayer for him. You are a very wise woman, wearing His love so well.
ReplyDeleteAnnette, I know your son is sure to be the mighty man of God He is called to be. I remember how kind he was to let us invade the ranch last year...his home.
ReplyDeleteAnd I also remember how much he loves his mom and sisters. That's a good clue that a man will make a good husband. My sister-in-law said she watched how my brother treated his mom when she was dating him. If a man doesn't respect his mother, well, I just wonder how he can ever respect and gently love his own wife.
Admonishing men today that they have an accountability for their family goes against what society is teaching right now. But a man is under the authority of God...and a wife is subject to her husband as unto the Lord.
Big difference. Men will answer for so much about their family. I pray that the fear of the Lord will make that responsibility towards the family very important in the lives of all men, especially this younger generation.
Same for women...fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
God never changes. His love for us sets very important boundaries in our rules of behavior. We can trust Him and His Word.
Hope that doesn't come across as a warning but as an encouragement to him. I still believe that marriage is holy. Holy matrimony. May Christ rule and reign in their family. God bless!