Storms are part of life in this wicked evil wilderness that we call home, so in times of storms I always focus on Jesus, fix my eyes on Him, and in much prayer for storms will surely come but I take courage, and not lose hope.
In The Gospel of Matthew the 14th chapter, Jesus tells His disciples, “Take courage, for it is I, do not be afraid.” Jesus was walking on water in the middle of the storm and when His disciples saw Him, they were afraid because they thought He was a ghost.
The disciples were in the middle of a storm and are wondering what the purpose of the storm was, but Jesus’ words demonstrate the purpose of the storm is to strengthen the disciples. (to build courage and help them not feel fear).
One will imagine how the disciples felt hearing the voice of Jesus in the middle of the storm. However, they had spent much time with Jesus to distinguish His voice from the noise of the storm.
Elijah also struggled to hear God’s voice amid being persecuted, It was only when he spent “the calm holy hour” in the cave that he was able to hear God’s voice in the whisper. His quiet time in the cave helped him to identify God’s voice. Also, the disciples time with Jesus, “their years of training” helped them separate Jesus’ voice from other voices.
Jesus commanded Peter to walk on water and Peter did, but as Peter took his focus off Jesus and looked at the waves of the sea, fear gripped him, and he began to sink. The hands of Jesus are stretched out towards you and I; will you be able to take hold of His hands? Our Precious Savior.
I have learned to always fix my eyes on Jesus and not doubt, for God says when we focus on Him, and acknowledge Him, He will deliver us. “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges My name. He will call on Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.” (Psalm 91:14-15) (NIV). What a great promise.
The Lord will do as He has said, because He is very faithful, He will protect and deliver you.
We are required to “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-2) (NIV). Brothers and sisters, the moment our focus is off Jesus, we will go astray because of Satan and his agents. Romans 8:5 tells us, “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”
The world is changing, more wickedness, evil desires, and much more, but God remains the same, His Word also remains the same. Yes, God looks at the heart, so He said Amba, have a more compassionate heart, a heart of humility and be more patient with mankind. For He says, “you will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13) (NIV).
We must let go of the old man, the old man that is corrupt, full of lies and deceit, and put on the new man that is Christ-like and be transformed daily into the new man and focus on our Lord. (Ephesians 4:22-24; John 6:63; Romans 8:9; 2 Corinthians 5:17). (NKJV). Christianity is change.
The key is prayer, the Lord commanded me to pray more, and I have, as the Lord says. A dear brother advised me to increase the temperature of my prayer to 100% degrees, I did. Something happened, something wonderful. Our Lord is loving and faithful. Apostle Matthew tells us “Jesus prayed till dawn.” (14:23-24). Most things will not come to us easily without many prayers, and that is because of enemies, known and unknown. Amen!