I was talking with my friend Marvin yesterday, and I started to tell him about a story that has been on my heart a lot lately. I was discussing with him about the story found in Mark 35:41. The Jesus and the disciples are in a boat and a bad storm hits. The disciples are really scared and Jesus is sleeping. The men are worried this is the end, and Jesus is asleep. so of course they wake Him up and say Hey don't you care if we die?! and Jesus calms the wind and sea and says to them "Why were you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"... and they amazed. Wow, even the winds obey him!
That is and AMAZING story in itself, but the part that follows it next is whats been getting to me lately.
they simply finish their trip across the lake. When they get to the other side a demon possessed man approaches them. He starts to shout (or well,the demons in him) at Jesus... and they know who He is, and they know why he is there. Jesus demands they come out of the man. There is more to the story, and I suggest you read it, but here is my point:
Before every mighty move of the Lord, there is resistance from the enemy.
he tries to instill fear. (2 Timothy 1:7)
he tries to distract.(Colossians 3:2)
he tries to condemn (Romans 8:1)
Fear is a perceived loss of control. Perceived. Therein lies the problem. Brothers and Sisters, give up on the notion that you have any control. God is on the Throne for a reason, He has all the control. Lets all be honest with ourselves... it would be horrible if we had control. Rely on the sovereignty of God. Remember Jeremiah 29:11, and Romans 8:28. Probably two of the most quoted verses in the Bible. God's plans are GOOD, he wants good things for us, all things work together for good to those who love Him. Don't allow fear in, we were not given a spirit of fear. God cares for us, and He alone is in control.
Then there is distraction. Honestly one of satan's deadliest tools. He distracts us with things that are obviously sinful to us and then also things that seem okay to us. (there is a way that seems right to a man and at the end of that road is death, read your Proverbs!) So maybe its too much tv, the friends you hang out with, facebook...Its different for everyone, but be vigilant, when the Lord is about to move in your life the distractions will come. Jesus was tempted and distracted by the devil in the desert, while he was fasting, just before he was crucified. He knew the scripture and denied satan. Know what is written.
For many people condemnation will come. Satan will war with your spirit and tell you that you're hopeless, youre not good enough, youve made to many mistakes, God doesn't like you or even love you. let me tell you there is no condemnation in Christ, and those are all lies. But theyre lies we buy into and they hurt, a lot. A friend of mine once said "God loves you so much, and guess what? He doesn't just love you... He likes you, God likes you. He delights in you" The word love appears over 300 times in scripture. Your creator LOVES you. He died for you, and if you're saying "God couldn't and doesn't love me and there is no way he would ever forgive my sins" Then you're calling Him and His son liars.
.... so before there is about to be a mighty work of God in your life often there is this storm of fear, raging winds of distraction and a sea of hopelessness, and condemnation. If you are a vessel for the Lord, allow Him to calm your seas. Pray, stay focused on the Lord.
"Submit yourselves to God, Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7
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