Master of The Storm

John 6:16-21

This passaged encouraged me today and I want to share it with you. 

The disciples got into the boat to go to the other side and as they began their journey, they encountered a storm. 

They paddled hard to get away from the storm, but the harder they paddled the fiercer the storm. 

Jesus did not come with them on this trip, but set out later. He did not need a boat, he knew where they were and began walking on the water towards them. 

The bible tells us that they saw him, not that Jesus saw them. He knew where they where and headed to them by walking on the water. 

I think he may have started his journey before the storm began and he saw them before they saw him. He saw them struggled against the storm, roaring hard to get to shore. 

He knew where hey were and before they called out to him he had already started going to them.

Even though they were afraid and did not know what to do he knew they were safe and will come out alive. 

He was not going to let the storms kill his friends he was the master of the storm. 

Be encouraged today friends, before you call he already knows where you are. He’s the master and the ruler of the storms and he will come to you. 

He already sees you in that situation which threatens to destabilise your very existence. Trust that he’s right there calming and taking control.  

True Stories

On the 7 April 2008, up to three inches of snow fell in some parts of England and temperatures were below freezing in many places. It was reported as the worst snow in 20 years.

IN 1954 Roger Bannister made history by running a mile in less than 4 minutes . It was a feat never accomplished before, to run a mile was by far the most fascinating sports story of the day, it went down in the guinness book of records. Such stories were worth telling to future generations.

On a Sunday morning during a rural church service a vicar eat a daffodil to make a point. Afterwards he confessed that it tasted horrible and advised against it…

What's common with these stories? It was retold by witnesses. I was not there when they happened. Witnesses who were present at the time spread the news. 

Anyone can disbelief these stories, they can contend with the facts and details Of how it happened. They can argue that it was impossible for these events to have taken place because they were not there.
Regardless, their unbelief does not change history, it happened because there were witnesses.

Same thing with the Easter story. It was told by witnesses who were present as the events unfold. It was documented, told and retold and is still being retold today. Just like a Vicar Witness another Vicar eating a daffodil to prove a point and just as there were thousands of witnesses who watched a man run a mile for the very first time..

Fairy tales? Far from it, real events have presence, because people lived through it.
Jesus friends and community lived through his death. The saw it happened.
They watched him died, they hurdled across door ways whispering in the dark about the events that led to his death.
How he healed the sick, cleanse the possessed, fed the hungry and dined with the outcast- and raised the dead.
Some wished they believed him when he was with them. They cried inconsolable at the demise of one of them.

Then the really big news, how he got up from the grave, appeared to his friends, and how they touched his nailed pierced hands, feet and sides. How he brought joy and hope when he rose again and ascended into Heaven. 

Real events witness by real people retold from generation to generation.

The Easter story is real because not only did people see it happen, but because the Man Jesus, lives in everyone who believes and accepts him as Lord and Savior. He comes into their hearts and reveals himself to them again. He bears witness of himself. Now, that's real.

That's the real story of Easter, He himself coming to our hearts. If you do not know him already ask him into your heart and you too will experience him for yourself.

He is alive, it is not a fairy tale it happened and I am a witness.

Happy Easter

No Strings Attached Love

In a world where our love is conditional on what others do for us it isn’t often we find unconditional love. 

Every morning, as I get my kids ready for school or during the drive to school,  l try to set the tone for the day with encouraging and motivating words. After telling them they are, awesome, kind and so on… I tell them how much I love them.

At home one day , one of my daughters took me by surprised when she asked,  mummy, what if I don’t do kind things today will you still love me?. 

That came out of the blue. I have never thought about loving her because she cleans her room or does kind things I just know that I love her… even before she was born. 

But she has taken my love for her to be conditioned on doing my bidding. 

I hugged her and said. “I loved you from the day you were conceived”. I did not need to seen you but I loved you. And when you were born I loved you even more… So whether you do all I asked or not, (I may not love what you do, but I do love you), she gave me a big hug and said “I love you mummy”. 

My daughters did not do anything to deserve my love, when they were helpless little babies who caused us many sleepless nights, cried none stopped when left alone, we loved them no less than we do now. It was a No Strings Attached Love. It was pure, undefiled and deep.

My love for my kids grows each day and it is not conditional on anything they do or don’t do… I hope it stays that way because as humans as our kids grow we may not like the changes and things we see. 

This got me thinking, God's love never fails, it's as strong and intense from the moment he thought about us. However, it is sometimes tempting to misinterpret the instructions in the bible as the basis for God's love for us….

God's love is not conditional on anything you do or will ever do… It is a No Strings Attached Love. Simple and Pure Unconditional Love.

If his love was based on what we do or has done, we stood no chance, hence he made a choice to love us before we love him. He Loved us before we Loved him.... profound.

It was his love for us that brought him down to earth… we had gone away from our heavenly father that he wanted us back to himself. So he came in the form of a man to bring us back to himself. 

While we were still in sin, in our wicked ways, Christ died for us”, this is love, nothing is. That he loved us just the way we are. It never ceases to amaze me that it was “While” we were still sinners… we were dirty, downright untouchable… only the God kind of love will embrace us the way we are. 

Religion today has placed all kinds of conditions on God's love, but no: it is unconditional, with no strings attached.

His love is so pure, he had to born by a virgin.

His birth brought us hope, his life showed us the way to live. 

His death brought ransomed us 

his resurrection brought us life.. 

this Christmas we celebrate hope, a new way of life, 

reconciliation with the father 

and love so amazing so unconditional, so divine.

At Christmas, this is what I celebrate a love that keeps giving and loving.

As you celebrate, Reflect on this love and know that he loves you just the way you are.

Dear Father, thank you for the gift of Jesus, 

Thank you for loving me the way you do

Unconditionally, relentlessly and recklessly.

Thank you that this love is endless.

Amen.

Other post you may love: Jesus, The Key
He Came To Stay

Scary Future

We leave in unsettling times. No one is sure of what the future will bring. People are worried about their safety and that of their family all due to the recent referendum.

Political parties and Leaders are fighting for positions, the pound is at an all-time low, prices of goods are beginning to go up

Terrorist attack are on the increase nobody feels safe. In times like these what should we as Christians do?

I am reminded of the when the disciples too, faced an unsettling future. They had first hand knowledge of being with Jesus and knew what he can do, but now they are not so sure.

Jesus the promise one was taken violently in front of them and he did nothing, they were staggered at his response. Their future s didn't look so bright now.

What about Hannah, what future did she have of bearing her husband a child? Night and day she had cried to God to answer her plea for a child, yet nothing seem to be happening, what future did she have without kids? She wondered.

Joseph did not see his bright future when his wife to be became pregnant with a child who wasn't his. What future does he have, and who would believe this tale of an angel visiting them? Surely he should have done the honourable thing and left her privately, saving his family this disgrace.

David faced an uncertain future, time and time again. Everyone was after his life, Saul, his son and other kings. How can a King be living in caves and in hiding?

Of a truth man born of man, his days are filled with troubles. Though at present, it appears nothing good will come out of the future we can be assured that as we walk with our Lord he will turn around every bleak future for our good.

Presently the future certainly doesn’t seem good, what good is there to look forward to?

It’s either there is too many bad news or too much reporting of it.

I have resolved not to look at the future with trepidation, but to God, because:

He who looks at the future and fret is not one who looks to God.

Jesus did not stay dead, his life brought back hope to the disciples and the world.

Hanna later sang a song of victory because the God who works all things for the good of those who feared him, showed up with her request.

Joseph saw the demonstration of God’s power when the baby born by Mary became the resurrected king.

And David became the greatest king in Israel when God conquered all his enemies before him.

Uncertain times are times to be certain about the power of God to turn things around for our good. Trust in him at all times, for he owns your future.

Related post:

A Christmas Promise

A child was born and the world has never been the same. Babies are good news, they bring joy, happiness and hope into the world, babies also unify the family and signify new beginnings.
I have a few friends whose babies are due anytime soon, they are both excited and anxious. This wonderful gift of life brings so much joy. 

So it was on the night that Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph travelled miles, as they did, the anxiety of what was to come increased. Mary was with child, the Holy One, the angel had said. I am sure they were anxious to find out what he looked like.  Being told that there's no room at the inn.... was not what they expected, no room for the son of God? Surely the angel should have gone ahead and warned the inn keeper to expect them, a special child to be born in a stable where the animals lay? Isn’t one’s idea of how the son of God should begin his early days. 

It is somewhat compared to current day's labour ward, where mothers are turned away as a result of overcrowding. The shock, the pain and the confusion can result in unwanted complications, hence the anxiety. 

So being turned away is not good news for any parent to be. 

Mary and Joseph made on time to the stable where the Lord was born. Having welcomed the baby Jesus into the world, they received news that he was wanted dead.... His arrival was a threat to Harold. 

This Baby somehow made it to adulthood without being killed, but only just.
The promise of this baby was not just for him to be born, heal a few and help a few.
His birth was one that changed the course of human race for eternity and is
still changing lives.

Today, thousands of years after his birth, death and resurrection, he still brings hope, peace, love and freedom to all who welcome him into their lives.
Though He was eventually killed, years after the threat hung over his head, the grave could not hold him.

Even so, today his promise will be fulfilled in your life... Nothing can stop his promise of peace and freedom in your life.

You may be going through a tough time right now, wondering if that dream was really of God, you may even have had a supernatural visitation from God, regarding his promise to you, but now you are left perplexed as every inn seems full and favour seems to have frizzle out. You wonder, if this dream is of God, surely he should have made the way straight and smooth.

There was no space in the inn for the birth of The Holy One, yet that did not stop him from fulfilling God’s desires. God will fulfil his promises regardless of any set back. His promise doesn’t come wrapped in fine gift papers and sparkling silver roses, but they are sure. 

So do not look on the temporal situation, hang your hopes on the unfailing word of the master. He goes before us and makes our way prosper.

A baby brought hope and joy to the world, that baby is Jesus, no longer a baby but the King of kings and Lord of lords, the ruler of the ends of the earth, the ancient of days, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the one who turns water to wine and rolls away the stone from Lazarus’s grave. Christmas time reminds us of God who came in human flesh to personally bring us back to Himself… do not let your circumstances fill you with dread, rather let the peace of Christ’s birth fill you with hope, faith and Peace because he truly brings Joy to the world. 

Merry Christmas.

Light and darkness

 

My kids will do anything to avoid going down for the night. 

Often, after our nightly routine of reading, praying, singing, good nights and hugs, comes; Mummy I need to wee, mummy 

One more cuddle,

"Mummy, you did not give us water", 

"Mummy, you did not pray". 

I usually go back and to get them to sleep, do whatever it is they want, letting them know this is the last request I will honor.

So yesterday's line was. 

"I am scared" mummy, began my little girl. "Scared of what I asked?"

Ignoring my question, she carried on, it's too dark. 

"Are you scared of the dark"? 

"Yes" came the answer.

This is a room with a little light glowing in the  corner, so it isn't completely dark. This light comes on every night and stays on till the morning lights appear. Yet another stunt to avoid going down for the night. 

What should we do about the dark I asked, 

Put the light on, which light? I asked, the light is already on, I continued. 

"I want the big light" no darling, it's time to sleep... 

There's something about light that gives reassurance when it's dark, 

Light encourages happiness, hence summer months are filled with gaiety and smiles.

We avoid going through a dark alley, because we don't know what lurks in the dark. 

I don't like leaving my kids in the dark and also do not like the idea of sleeping in the dark. Whenever I am in an unfamiliar environment like hotel rooms, there has to be some form of light before I can fall asleep.

So you will understand when I say, I love the Christmas season because of the different array of lights in every major,  or minor street corner. Blue, red, yellow, green and lights of every colour adore our homes. 

Street lights are put up with so much celebration, some shopping malls go to great lengths to pay for celebrities to turn on the light. 

Halls are dressed for the occasion, with

Front pouch is singled out for out door display of sleigh, rains deer and more lights.

Light is beautiful. 

It cannot be hidden. Wherever there is light it glows, it does not matter how small the light, it always displaces darkness.

I do not know the origin of the Christmas display of lights. But I do know one who is the light of the
world. His light is not seasonal, but all year round. He takes the gloom and fills each heart with joy and glory. The stars celebrated his birth, his light drew kings to his presence. 

The heart of men was enlightened by his coming, peace was restored to a broken world. 

The best thing of all is that he lives in those who acknowledged him as Lord and saviour. And will be a light to them. He declared, ' I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12

So if we are light, as stated in Matthew 5:14, lets beam out for all to see. There is so much gloom and doom in our world today, man's hatred for each other depicted in grime acts of violence and terror
Causes People to run scared. 

As light, let's be the reassurance, the hope and comfort people seek,  let's shine bright for all to see, so that many will be drawn to His light. 

Jesus came to turn our darkness to light, our despair into hope. We are carriers of hope, so let's portray the light within us, let us live as people of light, igniting hope, purity and truth.

Throughout this season and always. 

 

Betrayal

Mathew 26:48-49

We know from the Bible that Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss, it was known to Jesus what Judas was going to do, yet he did not pull him up about it. In fact he sat down to super with Him and publicly spoke about it, without pointing a finger at Judas. 

While he prayed for the cup to be removed He knew about the betrayer. Yet pleaded with his father not to go through with the plan of his death. He knew his father could have chosen another route to rescue man from sin, so he prayed, father please take this up from me. Luke 22:41-44

He could have also called Judas to a quiet place and ask him not to go through with his betrayal, he could have asked Judas to stop and consider what he was about to do. But he did not. 

Why did he not stop Judas? The man who would give him away sat at the same room and ate from the same table with him daily yet he did nothing about it. 

He even called him friend and asked him to do what he must do!!! Shocking !!! . Mathew 26:50

He did not stop Judas because he knew It was not in Judas hands to stop what was destined by the Father to happen. He knew the father had given all things to him and that he was from God and went to God. John 13:3.

What can you grasp from this? Can you relate with this? We are often faced with choices of our own regarding whom or where to go during trying times, usually in such situations there are obvious answers, just like Judas seemed the obvious choice for Jesus to approach. 

Sometimes God appears so remote that we do not see him as the obvious one to approach. We may also not be ready to receive his answer to our request which may not be what we want to hear and just as he did with His only Son Jesus, our request may be met with silence. So we approach the obvious source or try to figure it out on our own. Because it's far more easier to seek solutions or answer from the obvious. 

Jesus did not do this because he knew what the father's will for him was and he was willing for it to be done, even though he knew it will be painful and would cost him his life. 

Just like Jesus, know the God's will for your situation, let him be your first recourse not your last resource after you've tried to sort it out your way. 

When we allow his will to be done and go through a painful experience we will come out victorious at the end. 

This is the story of Calvary, one of victory, of triumph and joy.  

He paved the way with his blood

The path of righteousness made clean by his death

So we travel life's journey on the road 

made ready for us

We endure difficult turns

And navigate rugged terrain, 

Knowing we walk in triumphant steps

Which will lead us to victory. 

Dying to Live

I love Denzel Wastington in J Q, the movie. The story of a father whose son was diagnose of a terminal illness and whose life dependent on a donor being found.   When his insurance company refused to cover the cost of the operation, Denzel an everyday working father, turned a hostage taker. He held the hospital staffs to ransom and demanded the operation be carried out.  In order for the procedure to go ahead a match was needed and in the time they had no match had been found. This is the part I love, the father decided to be tested and volunteered for his liver to be removed and given to his son. He was a match and was in the process of undergoing the operation when a match was found. 

He was willing to lay down his life for his son, so that his son might have a chance at life. 

Over 2000 years ago, a father actually gave up His son so that humanity can be found. Unlike Denzel, this father gave up his son to die. 

He went through with it, there was no 11th hour rescue mission to stop His son from dying, because His Son had to die so that Humanity can be saved. 

Here's why he did it, simply to free us from the bondage of sin. 

imagine if he didn't go through with it, just imagine for a second. Where would we be? 

Lost, still paying the penalty for every single unkind word said, 

Every glance of wrath and disdain, met with instant punishment

Every unpleasant thought towards another dished out to us,

Every act of evil and wickedness met with instant judgement, 

Just imagine, will you still be standing? 

His death bought our pardon, gave us a right to stand faultless before His father clothed in grace. 

Here's a song I love

But for grace where would I be, 

Helpless and hopeless

Lost without his mercy

But for love, we'll be lost in misery, 

But for your grace O Lord. 

So in dying we lived, no longer yoked under a clock if salvary, Calvary was the passage through which grace traveled in human form to reach us. 

In Dying,  he saved me, took my place.

In living, He gave me life, unmerited but deserved because of His grace. 

Happy Easter. 

No Ordinary Present

A present that changes things

It's no ordinary present 

However it did'n come wrapped in fine wrapping paper, 

none was it covered in fine tinsels, 

From the outside it looked plain, undeseriable, unattractive, 

It exteriors lacked any lure

It looks dull as a grey morning sky

This present is nonetheless important,

This present changes things; this present was a baby, born in a stable, where animals lay. 

Lives were taken on account of its birth

Kings trembled at the thought of its arrival

It's presence was announced to the world,

A star appeared when he was born, this star led many to him

An ordinary present? Think again.

Hope was kindled at his birth, 

Fears banished

Sorrow turned to joy. 

Wise men gave him gifts, odd as he was a gift himself.

This present was given to all, 

If accepted and unwrapped, it will become yours, 

it's light will brighten your life 

it brings joy which makes everything beautiful

It gives hope which gives a reason to live.

This present? JESUS. 

Merry Christmas. 

Love Came down

I love every season of every year, I also love the occasions we have to celebrate. We've just had Christmas with all its trimmings. Now it's Easter, with Easter eggs and hot cross buns, why not!!!!!

As we prepare to relax and celebrate the resurrection of our saviour Jesus I just can't help but look at my life and how he's blessed me. I am grateful for this and for the cross, because of the cross and his blood I am here today.

Jesus was born at Christmas, died at Easter (Good Friday) and Rose again on Easter Sunday.
Love brought him to earth, he had all of heaven but choose to come to die to save man from sin.

I love Easter, not just because of Easter eggs and hot cross buns, but because I am reminded of God's wonderful gift of love, His Son, Jesus.

As we remember his death and resurrection do not let it become same old time of the year of having a few days off work, pause and think and give thanks for love came down and saved us.


Happy Easter

Setback To Comeback

We've had one of the toughest winter in a 100 years. The effect of the winter months is evident in our garden, our once plush and beautiful patch looks like a drought land. Plants dead, those still alive are weak and would require a lot of work to get them back to life. 
Our gardener who is my hubby (oops)!  has already started planning for the recovery. 

So how do you recover after a set back. Do you sit back in misery and wish the set back never happened, do you go on a Blame game?  

 
Instead of doing all these, plan your come back. Yes disaster has struck, ask yourself what you can do to aid your come back. 
Who, where, can you get help from, what help is available? 
What can you do physically or otherwise to remedy the set back. 

As I watch my hubby tend the garden, I also observe the changes taking place. He dug up dead plants and replaced them with new ones, some old plants are springing back to life, he laid some bark, feed and watered. more is still needed to get it back to what it was or better. But the important thing is that there is beauty again as the garden makes a come back. 

You took can make a come back if you are willing to get to work regardless of the set back you've had. 

So on this resurrection day, remember Jesus made a come back from a set back, draw from the strength his resurrection brings,
 dig out and throw away old habits, replant néw seeds of love, tenacity and rekindle old and good traits.

A set back can be a spring board for a comeback, a lunch pad to hope again, dream again and believe in possibilities. 

So unless you are willing to do what it takes, you will not attain your desired end. 

When toss about by the waves of adversity, look within you, rekindle hope for there is a new dawn waiting to birth after the tide has receded. 

Taken (Part 1)

Some see the cross as a symbol of sadness, pain and shame, rightly so too. You see the event which led to his death was everything depicting sorrow, pain and shame.


Imagine it:
He was caught, handcuffed and lead away.
Taken before the judges of his day, he was accused of all manner of good deeds. Say, how can one be accused of doing good? Yes he was.

It was a sad day for the many that were with him, his disciples were full of sadness as they watched their saviour gave up himself without a struggle.
The road to the cross was littered with Jeers and snares from the angry crowd! Cries of “away with him! He’s a scum”

A saviour! No not on that day, for he couldn’t even save himself, rather he was "taken" without putting up a word in his defence.

How! How! How! Did we come to believe in this man? I imagine this was the thought going through the mind of his disciples. They were perplexed, angry, dismayed, amazed, ashamed and afraid to be identified with him, no wonder the denial!

The one whom they have come to believe in, was led as a lamb to be killed, a saviour? No not on that Friday Moring, he was anything but that!

Good Friday? Far from it!


I imagine it was a gloomy day. for his Disciples it far from being ‘Good’ their saviour and friend has been “TAKEN” and worse "killed"! What was good about that day? Surely nothing “Good” can come out of his death, they thought. They would never have guessed the event which unfolded in the days to come!



See part tomorrow!