Overcoming in this World

This is a note for anyone who may find that the storms of life are overtaking them. . .that the waves crash, one right on top of another, without any reprieve.  There seems to be "no rest for the weary."  This is for anyone who has ever felt like they could just use ONE DAY with good news. . .one moment in time where there was peace from the ongoing storms of life. 

When everything seems to be so discouraging, remember Jesus said, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."  (John 16:33)

He says "IN HIM" we may have peace.  "Abiding in HIM" (and "He in me") is the way for me to experience peace in my storms.  God's Word tells us that Jesus is the Prince of Peace.  To be a prince, a male must be born to the royal family of that particular country.  He inherits the title Prince, by birth, and the country is what He is the "prince of."  Peace.  Jesus is the Prince of Peace.  He IS peace.  And He is the ONLY ONE Who can speak Peace to our storms.  Wait a minute!  He is the Only One Who can come IN the MIDST of our storms, and set up His kingdom and "reign" down His Peace to our hearts.   

The Prince of Peace, Jesus, tells us that He has overcome The World.  The World of worry, the World of fear, the World of meanness, the World of selfishness, the World of pride, the World of self-righteousness, the World of greed...the World of SIN. 

He also tells us, in Revelation 3:21 "To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne."  Go back and substitute YOUR name where the words "TO HIM" are.  "To Tammi, who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with ME on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on His throne." 

Take heart, dear friends.  In this world, this world filled with sinful, fallen mankind, we will have trouble.  It's just inevitable.  But because HE OVERCAME every single sin that mankind is capable of committing, (and will commit) we too can overcome our storms ~ the storms that are either caused by others' sinful natures, our own sinful mistakes OR they are sent by our Father, Who, motivated by His love for us, sends them in order to purify us.

God allows these storms to strengthen us, and "agitate" us--- like the washing machine.  If it weren't for that agitator, the clothes would just sit in that soapy water, and soak.  They have to be agitated in order for the grime and dirt to be "knocked loose." 

God knows what He is doing.  He knows what He is after when He allows these storms and trials to come, sometimes one right after another. . . but He has promised that they will not overtake us.  

Father, Thank You so much for encouraging my heart in the midst of the Storms of Life.  And when I look at the initials of those three words, I see S.O.L.  That reminds me of the "Standards of Learning" that our children have to take at the end of each school year.  What am I learning in the midst of my storms of life?  Am I making the grade?  Am I becoming more like Your dear Son?  Or is there a lesson that You have to keep bringing me to, because I just do not learn the lesson?  What could it be that I am missing?  Please open my eyes, through the power of Your Holy Spirit.  Thank You for Your patience, Your long suffering, and tender loving care.  And for Your Faithfulness. 

In Jesus' Name...Amen.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  Isaiah 43:2

Standing Still

"The Lord was not in the wind. . .The Lord was not in the earthquake. . .The Lord was not in the fire. . . And after the fire came a gentle whisper." I Kings 9:11, 12

 

As I sit here this morning, it's dark outside.  On the east coast we're awaiting the storms that have been tearing through several states, causing catastrophic damage and widespread loss of lives.  The way the weather is causing such record-breaking damage in such a short amount of time, it's definitely getting lots of attention, and hopefully causing people to look up---past the clouds and straight to the Maker of all creation~ God. 

Maybe you've endured a terrible storm and are left, standing in the rubble of what once was your life.   And, as usually is the case after a terrible storm, all is quiet.   You're left to wonder what went wrong?  How did this happen?  OR--- WHY did God allow this to happen?
  

In the silence, you listen for some Divine explanation, but you hear nothing.    God's Word tells us to "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."  Psalm 46:10   When I read Barnes' Notes on the Bible, it says:

• Be still - The word used here - from רפה râphâh - means properly to cast down; to let fall.....to be relaxed....especially the hands:  It is also employed in the sense of not making an effort... and then would express the idea of leaving matters with God, or of being without anxiety about the issue. . . 

• And know that I am God - See, in what I have done, the evidence that I am God.  See a work accomplished which none "but" God could effect. . . .
• I will be exalted among the heathen - That is, among the nations. The nations abroad that do not worship Me, but worship idols, shall see in these deeds full proof that I am the true God, and that I am worthy of universal adoration. . .
• I will be exalted in the earth-In the lands abroad; all over the world.  

Just be still, knowing that God is in control.   And, if you're one of "the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28), then He has promised you to work this, yes, even THIS, out for your GOOD and His glory.   

I was reading in my "Joy and Strength" devotional today the following, and thought it would be helpful to add:

"Jesus STOOD STILL, and commanded him to be called." 

Mark 10:49.  

"Don't we sometimes feel, in trial or storms, that others would be a help to us if only they'd stop and listen?  But they won't, and in their constant hurry we know it's little use to speak.    Let us note this lesson for ourselves--and give what WE ask:  leisure to hear, attentive, concentrated, not divided~ but calm, patient consideration for others in their time of need.    It may be our 'busy work for the Master' overcrowds our lives that we don't have the time for this 'standing still.'  Sad eyes meet ours, but we can't stay to read their story.  Some look to us for help in battles which WE fought long ago, but we can't turn aside to see how it fares with them in the strife, or to even whisper the secret of victory.  God would have said, 'Even though some plans of your own for My service were put aside, you have done it unto Me."  (H. Bowman)      

Jesus took the time to stop and listen. . . to get in the "trenches" with the people who were suffering and needy.  It's just like my big bathtub.  I can not lean over it, from the outside, and scrub the entire thing.  Nope...I have to actually GET IN THERE and scrub the dirt away.  Same with people and the storms of life:   Sometimes we have to get in there...we can't stand from the sidelines and offer help "from afar."  

So this lesson is two-fold:

1. If YOU are left standing in the rubble of your life, after a terrible storm ~ God wants you to be still and know. . . just trust that He is going to work even THIS out for your good and His glory.  
2. And if by chance, you're on the outside, looking in on someone who's IN the trenches, in the fight of their life---yes, you may be busy about the Master's business...but sometimes it's best to Stand Still (as Jesus did) and stop what you're doing. Offer a shoulder to cry on,  a comforting word, a strong arm to lean on, a guiding hand that will point them to God.

Father, You want us to be still.  This is so difficult to do, when we're overrun by anxiety.  Yet, Your Word offers us a command, not a suggestion, but a command---to be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let our requests be made known to You.  We want to do Your will, just as Jesus came to do Your will.   Either we are IN a storm, standing in the rubble from a recent storm, OR we are bystanders.  The way life is, we are going to be in one of those categories at some point or another all throughout life.  Please help us to remember to be willing to Stand Still by trusting Your Sovereignty and taking the time to listen to someone else who may need an encouraging word.   In Jesus' Name....amen.

Spiritual Storms

photography by Katrin Blumenschein

When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.  Isaiah 59:19b (KJV)

It's been extremely hot here on the east coast of Virginia for the past several days.  The heat has been just oppressive!  Whew....I wondered when the rain would come to cool things off?  Well, today, I'm looking outside and see the clouds rolling in. . .and based on how my knees are hurting (they seem to predict the weather sometimes LOL) I think we'll be getting a substantial amount of rain later.   Hopefully cooler weather will be ushered in as well.

As the clouds are looming, and the H/H (heat and humidity) are stifling, I couldn't help but think about the past several months and the spiritual storms that the Lord allowed me to go through, like the fiery furnace of affliction.  Mark 6:45 says, "And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side..."   From reading the passage, we know what was awaiting them--a fierce storm.   He constrained them to get in and go on ahead without Him, so He could go up to the mountaintop and pray.  

The Greek word for constrained is anagké, which means to compel, to force.   Sometimes we feel as if the Lord is FORCING us to "go on ahead," maybe even without Him.  Then we find ourselves in the midst of a storm, feeling ALONE.  Oh the fear and wonder as to WHY He would have ever called us to "do this??"  "Where IS He?"   May it bring us comfort to know He is our Advocate. . .He is praying on our behalf...and really, He has never left us, not even for one second!   He is just about ready to reveal Himself in a powerful way---just like He did with the disciples---He walked on water!  "Be of good cheer!  It is I!  Be not afraid!"   

So, as I am feeling forced hopping into "this boat" and heading "out on the sea of college," I need to remember, when the winds are howling and I'm "toiling in rowing," to LOOK OUT and see the Master of the Wind walking on the water!  He's calling out to me (and YOU) to take courage and be not afraid!  It IS HIM!  He has never left us. . and when it seemed He WAS away, He was simply interceding on our behalf to our Heavenly Father--waiting to perform a miracle for the glory our Heavenly Father!   May He always receive GLORY in every storm that rages!

                                                        Spiritual Storms

                                                   by my grandmother Belle Sandefur

When the enemy comes in like a flood to destroy your spiritual home

Look up!  Remember that God above still reigns upon His throne.

He rules the tide, He knows how high the waves and billows roll;

And His Spirit lifts the standard high to protect the trusting soul.

So trust Him when the storms are raging.  Cast on Him your anxiety and care;

And don't forget, He's your Heavenly Father, and He hears your smallest prayer.

"Come closer, my child, come closer," can't you hear Him gently say?
"I love you enough to draw you near--near to My heart today...

And each thing that happens--though it be from the enemy's hand-

I promise it'll work out for your good, though you now cannot  understand."

When the storm has passed, and the skies are clear,

you'll look back~ probably shed a tear-

As you see the beautiful bright design Your Heavenly Father saw all the time,

As He allowed the storms to come to prepare you better for your heavenly home.

The Master of My Ship

The Master of My Ship

(by my Grandmother, Belle Sandefur)

Thy Word was planted in my heart; I fell in love with Thee.

I cried, "Lord, be the Master of my ship.  Come on board and pilot me."

"I took You even as You were into my life that day;

But many times in the midst of the storms, I almost lose my way.

photography by Katrin Blumenschein

I try, and fail when I take the helm~~as if You are asleep.

I cry out in fear, "Oh Lord, don't You care?"  With a broken heart, I weep.

You've always arisen and rebuked the winds,

and said unto the sea, "Peace be still."

And oh, the joy that floods my soul

when I know I'm in Your will.

So even today's there's another storm raging from deep within;

But You're the Captain of this ship, and You guide it safely in.

You know the cares. You know the fears, and deep down inside there's rest.

For I know the Master of this ship doeth "all things" for the best.

You're wonderful, Lord. 

You're very near, and each day that I live

May I never forget Who the Captain is,

And that "an abundant life You give."

Enjoy the following video of one of my favorite pianists, Dino,

playing "Wonderful Peace."  May the Lord use this to minister to you and bring peace to your hearts. "Thank You, again dear Jesus for being our one and only true source of Peace! In Your name we pray, amen."

The Divine Stabilizer

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. 

Mark 4:39

Saturday night, when everyone else in the Yates' household was sound asleep, I was awake...Talking to the Lord.  Having an honest conversation.  Realizing the importance of going to our Heavenly Father through our Advocate or Representative, Jesus Christ, I pretty much "stated the facts of this case" I find myself grappling.   "Dear Jesus, here are the facts, as plainly as I can state them..." 

Have you ever felt like "Maybe if He'd just calm the stormy seas, His reflection in my life could be seen more clearly?"    I have!  In fact, remembering how He rebuked the wind and calmed the sea, I begged for Him to "do it again, Lord....for Your image to be clearly seen in my life...for Your glory."

Oh....how quickly I received a response to my "9-1-1 call to heaven!"  The very next morning, in my devotional, "Unto the Hills," by Billy Graham, he spoke of a ship's stabilizer, a gyroscope.  That is a device that is used for measuring or maintaining orientation.  Now I will not even attempt to explain the mechanics behind this instrument.  Basically, it remains stable no matter what direction force (or motion) is coming from.  The key is.....STABILITY.  Keeping the ship stable, even if the vessel is being tossed about violently. 

For Christians, our stabilizer is the Holy Spirit.  He enables us to keep going in the right direction, no matter the amount of force "our vessels" are experiencing.  So here I was "suggesting" that the Lord just speak PEACE to these storms, "calm the storms, so that Your image can be reflected even clearer," and He quickly responds, "Dearest, I've equipped you with a Divine Stabilizer....You empty your vessel of your fleshly nature, and allow My Holy Spirit to fill you up from 'bow to stern,' and you shall remain stable from the inside-out, able to reflect My image, even ON stormy seas."

So...maybe He will speak Peace and a great calm will come to the raging seas of life.  Maybe not.  Either way, God expects us to reflect the image of His Son by allowing the "Eternal Son" to rise in our hearts.  No matter what, He's there in the midst of us, able to speak peace, or to bring (and KEEP) peace from within the very depths of our hearts. 

Dear Jesus, we humbly and readily admit that You ARE the Master of the wind, the Creator of the universe, and You will do what is best in order to bring us closer to You.  You reflect the Heavenly Father to us, and You then enable us to reflect Your image right back to Him, so others will see and be drawn to YOU.  Have Your way within our hearts, no matter the stormy seas that may be raging around us.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.

A big thank you to Michel Mayerle for granting permission

to use his beautiful picture of the sunrise!

http://michelmayerle.blogspot.com/

(To find more detailed info about the gyroscope, click here.)

Another Reason to Arise

Arise for our help, and redeem us
for thy mercies' sake.   
Psalm 44:26

Ever come to the end of your day and felt as if you'd been beaten to a pulp?  Feeling as if you were "still standing" or maybe not QUITE standing, but still determined to keep on fighting?   The determination to keep on running the race, even though so many obstacles have been thrown into your path, justifies the bruises and scrapes you've received.  You realize "from whence this is coming"---the enemy is trying to thwart God's plan.   Or...could there be another reason?  Could it be a test straight from the Lord, to check our determination?  Sometimes I'm not even sure, but it is helpful to remember that no matter what, the Lord does have to approve all things before they come into our lives.  So that means He is totally aware of what's going on!   Knowing this gives us hope!  He's watching...and thankfully He's in control too.

Earlier I had written about letting the Son rise in our lives before we speak to others about Him.  Here, in Psalm 44:26, we find a cry for Him to "arise for our help..."   Oh!  Another reason for Him to Arise!  Not only to shine forth His beauty and grace to others through us, but also ARISE for our help! 

Sometimes we encounter storm clouds....testing and trials roll in, and suddenly the Light of Jesus in our hearts is obscured.  If we're not totally prepared and fully "suited up" in the Armor of the Lord, we can be caught off guard by these sudden storms, and His Light is quickly obscured. . . Never fear!  There is hope! 

 
Of course we desire to let the Son shine in us so that others may see Him, but we also want Him to arise and redeem us in the event we find ourselves taken "aback" by the sudden onset of a "major storm."    Maybe a discussion ended up a little bit "too heated," or you're suddenly standing on a pile of rubble where your home once stood.  These types of situations can certainly obscure His light.  Thank God He understands we have this Treasure of Salvation in an earthen (leaky) vessel!  
 

Oh to have the refreshing waters pour down on us like rain, and restore our souls!    Dear Father, we so desire for Your Son to truly shine through our lives.  But how quickly we can find ourselves in the midst of sudden storms, being beaten down by hail, tossed around by gail-force winds, drenched by downpours of tears!  These situations can obscure the Son from within us!   We pray for You to ARISE for our help this very evening, and redeem us for THY mercies' sake!   You ARE mercy, Father.  Therefore we are surrounded by Your mercy!  This is plenty of reason for You to Arise and Redeem us.   Thank You for understanding..and how do we know this?  Because as the Creator of all sunrises, You sometimes bring clouds into the scene in order to reveal breathtaking colors at the dawning of the day!   Please use these clouds that once seemed to obscure Your light to ENHANCE the Son-Shine in our hearts!  Take OUR breath away as we see Your Son rise again tomorrow!   And by the way, as You take our breath away, breathe NEW life into us, by the Power of Your Sweet Holy Spirit!  In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Pressure Washin'

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:26, 27

Ever had one of those days when you just wonder "what else in the world could go wrong?" Pressure here, pressure there, pressure everywhere... except where it needs to be---like a tire!?!? LOL Anyway, yes, we've all had those days when it just seems as if we can't take it any longer. Just when you feel the walls closing in, He's got His eyes on you..He knows how much pressure you can take.

Remember from an earlier post I had written about our dark times are always a time to listen ? ?   Sometimes, trials and tests will come --->from every direction<---  and it does seem like it's just too much. But remember, He's going to teach us a lesson in this storm if we'll only be quiet and listen patiently for His voice.

Well, this week has been "loads" of fun. . .and I do mean LOADS. . .of laundry! For some reason my washer is putting out so much water during its drain cycles that the old slow pipes just can't handle the outflow. So in order to get a load done, I have to stand there, and "patiently" watch and listen for the washer to drain. As it's draining, I can hear the water quickly rising in that pipe. When I DO finally see the water begin to peak I immediately push the "STOP" button. I have to press STOP on the washer--just to give the pipe time to drain . . then I pull "start" and let the tub drain, then stop. You get the picture. It takes a long time. And it's not really fun either. If I don't do this, the garage will be flooded!

So what is it that You are trying to teach me in THIS situation, Lord? Well..."ask and ye shall receive..." LOL He showed me something pretty neat:

From Darkness to Light

Last week our Pastor requested prayer for several members of our church family who are going through extremely difficult waters right now.  Some have lost all  hope, some have given up on God...and some are becoming bitter.   As I sat there, the Lord reminded me that I was "just there" last summer.  And yet, here I am, pulled out from that darkness and back into His light.   Did He want me to encourage these people to hang in there?   I'm willing to be a vessel in His hands, to do His will.  So, after church I asked Pastor if he felt that me writing a letter to share my experience and have him deliver it to the hurting ones would be a help?   Remembering what I went through, Pastor took me by the hand, and said, "Tammi, I think it would mean more to them if they heard it straight from you.  Would you pray about taking about ten minutes to share your experience within the next week or two?"   I told him I would.   That was last Sunday.  This past week has been spent in much thought, prayer and seeking the Lord's guidance.  What did He want me to say?   All I had to do was ask Him and seek Him.

Lord willing, I will be sharing the following notes with my church family tomorrow.  Please pray for the Lord to encourage the hearts of His children, and be lifted up.

From Darkness to Light:

Recently I found a prayer I had written last July. It ended with “Losing Hope Fast. HELP, Father. I’m sinking.”

Circumstances were overwhelming me.  From where I was “standing,” the surrounding conditions were distorting my perspective of life.  I had lost ALL HOPE and given up on God.  Looking back, I’m certain that I did NOTHING to bring myself out of that darkness!

But I wonder….why is it that God would allow some of us to be touched (or SLAM RUN OVER) by darkness of depression??  What purpose does this serve anyway!?   After all---God is light..and in Him is NO DARKNESS right??   I know I am His child and have Him within me..SO PLEASE TELL ME why does He sometimes pull the veil of darkness over me and remove the SENSE of His presence?

Last Sunday, I came home and asked the Lord to show me what He wanted me to say today. And He immediately answered prayer, when I opened a devotional called, “My Utmost for His Highest.”

Matthew 10:27 says, “Jesus says, ‘What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.’” Wow.   He pulled the veil of darkness over me to TELL ME something.    And that “something” is meant to be SHARED….when I’m in the light.  

He taught me a lesson for two different groups of Christians:
(1) Either you’re discouraged by the DARKNESS of your circumstances –OR—(2) You’re basking in the Son-shine of His presence.