God in the Midst of the Storm

Scripture: “….We found trouble all around us. We had fighting on the outside and fear on the inside.” 2 Corinthians 7:5

Times like this feel like a gathering storm. News of attacks around the world, claiming innocent lives, plane crashes in the Sinai Peninsula, bombings in Beirut, and attacks on the streets of Paris make us wonder--when will it all end?

Confusing times require honest questions

These brutal attacks took us by surprise. Any of us could have been among the victims who lost their lives or their loved ones in a moment.

Where is God in all of this? Does He even care about the innocent victims, or that people are scared, traumatized, lost and insecure? Where do we go for answers? For protection? How do you ride out such a storm, knowing you’re so vulnerable?

Calling on God–and finding Him close at hand

Twelve men faced an overwhelming storm over 2,000 years ago - one that threatened to end their lives. They were out at sea in an open boat, when a great storm suddenly arose. As the waves crashed over the boat, threatening to sink it, they remembered that they were not alone: Jesus was also there. He was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. They shook him awake, demanding, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38)

We may ask that same question in the midst of the storm we’re witnessing. “God, do you not care that we are perishing?” As we read on in the story of the disciples’ storm, we find out that God does care, for Jesus rebuked the wind and waves with just a word: “Peace. Be still!” (Mark 4:39) The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Asking His help for the troubled world and the troubled heart

When we see the storms raging around us, we can become overwhelmed by storms of fear and insecurity. Such storms can only be calmed by that same soothing voice of God: “Peace, Be Still. I am in the boat with you.”

What is Worship?

Scripture: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30

This verse describes true worship. Do you worship your Maker? We need to know what worship is, what it isn't, and why it matters so much to our God and to our souls.

What Worship Is

God defines worship as "love": "Love the Lord your God." Love is a verb, an action word. It requires doing, not just attending church, listening to a sermon, singing hymns, or giving money. You've only worshipped when you've loved, adored, and honored. And it is about loving God in every way a human can love.

With all our hearts: our emotions and senses.

With all our souls: the life force itself, that which gives our bodies life, our essence. Worship involves a passionate love for God.

With all our minds: We are to have no ungodly thoughts, or songs, or movies, or television shows, or books in our minds (see Psalm 101:3). We are to think about our faith, to study God's word, to engage intellectually in the worship of God.

With all our strength: We love God with our actions, not only on Sundays. God is looking for Monday Christians, Monday worshippers, Monday disciples.

How to Worship

You can love God the same way you love anyone else. You can spend the day with him—talking to him, thinking about him. Ask him for what you need, and thank him for what he gives. Spend the day with Jesus. Love him. Worship him. This is his first commandment for every day.

Worship is not performance, entertainment, therapy, or even evangelism.

Worship is not about us. It is about loving God, every moment of every day.

We were created for worship. He gave us free will so we could choose to worship him. Nothing else fulfills us.

Worship provides the power to serve God. If you want God's power for your life, you must worship God every day.

Why Do We Worship?

Because God deserves our worship. “We love him because he first loved us“ (1 John 4:10). He created and redeemed us, and made us a place in his perfect heaven forever. He watched his Son die on the cross, to save our souls and purchase our salvation. He gave everything for us. He deserves our worship.

Are You A Refugee?

Scripture: “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1 (NLT)

The “Islamic State” is wreaking terror over large parts of Iraq and Syria. Boko Haram carries out attacks in Nigeria and neighboring states. Governments oppress their own people across Africa, while some countries persecute minorities on a massive scale. Those being oppressed are often forced to flee their homelands. Are you one of them?

God Still Loves You

Did you know that Jesus Himself was a refugee? Within the first couple years of His life, Jesus and His family were forced to “flee to Egypt” (Matthew 2:13), because King Herod the Great of Judaea gave orders that would have resulted in Jesus’s death. God allowed His infant Son to experience what you are experiencing right now. Although it might feel like no one cares about you right now – if you have been robbed, tortured, or persecuted – remember that “The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble” (Psalm 9:9).

Seek God’s Comfort

When Jesus began His ministry, He announced, “The Spirit of the Lord has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor, to proclaim... that the oppressed will be set free” (Luke 4:18-19). Even in your earthly misery, you can still claim the promises of the Lord. You can take comfort in knowing that God loves you and people in your situation. The Bible promises that “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed” (Psalm 34:18).

What Can You Do?

Even though you might be overwhelmed – with pain, the struggle to survive, anger, and fear – you can let God raise your spirits right now by remembering that the Lord “loves righteousness and justice” (Psalm 33:5). Even though it might be difficult to consider now, one day you can “forgive those who sin against you” (Matthew 6:14), which will bring even more healing to your life.

Finally, know that God has called you, even in your misery, “to do what is right, to love mercy” (Micah 6:8). This can mean sharing God’s love with fellow refugees, seeking justice for them as well as for yourself, and treating the weakest amongst you with godly respect and encouragement. It can also mean behaving gracefully and with patience toward the people in countries that are receiving you.

What to do When Your Money is Gone

Scripture: “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

Unemployment can disrupt our plans to buy a home, pay for school or help a parent. Few people make plans for job loss. Some might save a percentage of their money with hopes of earning more in the future. We’re tempted to lose hope and give up on future plans when we lose our jobs. Even though their situation looked hopeless, God told the Israelites inJeremiah 29:11 about His good plans for hope for their lives. Isn’t that great? Jesus loves you so much He has a plan for your life.

Have I been responsible?

Have you ever been laid off from a job? It feels like being fired, even though you are not. After all, the result is the same: being without a job. I go to my Father in Heaven asking, Lord was there anything I could have done to prevent losing my job? Then, I repent of things I know I did wrong and the sins I didn’t realize I committed. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Is it time for a change?

“Hear my prayer, O Lord, Give ear to my supplications! Answer me in Your faithfulness, in Your righteousness!” Psalm 143:1. As I seek the Lord to hear my cry, I set aside time to hear Him. I turn off the phone, the radio, and the television. I sit in quietness as I pray, worship and listen for Him. Jesus is able to bless you in your current profession or change your life as He did for the disciples. Mark 1:16-18, “As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.’”

If God is Good, Why Don’t I Have Enough Money?

Scripture: “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

It’s shameful when someone says, “You are poor because you do not have enough faith.” The Bible says when they make godliness a way to get rich, they have “corrupt minds” and “have turned their backs on the truth.” (1 Timothy 6:5-6) David did say, “I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous abandoned or his children begging for bread.” (Psalm 37:25) But there’s a big difference between “wealth” and “begging for bread.” How can you keep from missing out on all your loving Father has for you?

Put His Kingdom First

“God will supply all your needs” was the Apostle Paul’s promise to those supporting his missionary work. He went to plant a church elsewhere and they sent him money more than once. (See Philippians 4:15-16) We can’t claim that promise in every case. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” (Matthew 6:33). There’s a condition: God wants to come first in your life — every part it. Including finances, relationships and entertainment.

Watch How He Provides For Others

Another great provision promise is in 2 Corinthians 9. This also is for those who put His Kingdom first: “Now the One who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. ” (2 Corinthians 9:10-11). In other words, they can watch how God provides for His work to see that He will provide for them as well.

Ask How Much Is Really Enough

Desire for riches is a snare. (1 Timothy 6:9-10) Following Jesus begins with embracing a cross. (Luke 9:23) “...the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.” (Luke 9:58) Although Jesus had His physical needs met, He was poor (2 Corinthians 8:9) by this world’s standards. Here He told His followers that the things others think are “essential” are not part of any guarantee for the righteous. But we, through His poverty, become rich with “an eternal inheritance, held in reserve in heaven, that will never fade or fail.” (1 Peter 1:4)

If you really seek what pleases God, will He keep back anything from you? If He did, why would He?

I'm Unemployed. Is God Punishing Me?

Scripture: “Whatever you do, do it from the heart for the Lord and not for people.” (Colossians 3:23)

Did you know that "God helps those who help themselves" is one of the most-quoted phony Bible verses out there? Remember this: God “know(s) the hopes of the helpless” (Psalm 10:17) and His “power works best in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) If you’ve been praying for a job for a long time, here are a few things to consider.

Consider God’s Calling

Does God have a plan for you? Yes. The bigger question is, "What is God’s plan?" We all have dreams for our life, but God’s plan is first. He does not want to just be a part of the plans I make for my life. God’s plan involves His “Kingdom” because He is the King, and we owe loyalty to Him. Sin is disloyalty to Him, and “The Lord will not hear me if I hold on to sin in my heart.” (Psalm 66:18) But there’s more to think about as you wait for an answer to your prayer for a job.

Consider How God Created You

Ephesians 2:1-10 shows that it’s God’s work, not ours, that is most important. “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10) You are unique for God's purposes. Sometimes it's hard for you to see your uniquenesses. Ask a trusted Christian friend to pray with you. Together, you can think through the things that make you different from others. This may open some doors you hadn’t thought about before.

Consider the Importance of Patience

Sometimes you might pray and submit yourself humbly to God, but still have to wait a while. Waiting for fulfillment makes the eventual answer unforgettable. The Bible says, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life." (Proverbs 13:12) God’s calling for you is a holy calling, no matter what your job is. If you are certain you are where He wants you to be, you can be a grocery clerk, a truck driver or a dog catcher to the glory of God just as much as the preacher or full-time Christian worker can! “Whatever you do, do it from the heart for the Lord and not for people.” (Colossians 3:23)

Do You Spend Money Wisely?

Scripture: “You have planted much but harvest little…You earn money, but put it into a bag with holes.” Haggai 1:6

On a hot summer day you can actually see water evaporating from a stream. Does your money appear to be vanishing? Are you constantly spending more than you earn? Maybe the solution is not getting more money into your hands. Let’s go to God’s word to see what the Scriptures say about money. Do you believe God cares about what you do with the money you earn?

What has first place in your life, God or money?

For one month, try writing down all of your purchases. This is a good way to reveal where your money is going and what has first place in your heart. Does God have first place, or do you spend most of your money eating out or buying clothes and other material things? Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “…first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing…the attitude and character of God), and these things will be given to you also.”

How often do you help those less fortunate than you?

Selfishly using money we earn is the opposite of what the Father has instructed us to do. Do we forget to help someone else or help the church we attend? “Give, and it will be given to you…running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” (Luke 6:38)

At some point in my walk with Jesus, I realized that it was part of my obligation as a Christian to give a portion of my income to my church. The Apostle Paul told the church he planted in the city of Corinth, “On every Lord’s Day each of you should put aside something from what you have earned during the week, and use it for this offering.” (1 Corinthians 16:2)