God In The Midst Of A Storm

April 3, 2019 Gracie

God in the midst of a storm

My husband and I laugh whenever we think of how our puppy acted during a severe storm we had a few years ago.

Tornadoes are nothing to take lightly so when the meteorologist predicted a big one was heading our way, we took cover at our house.

We gathered in our safe room with our dogs.

Our youngest one loved every minute of it.

I’m not kidding!

We could hear the tornadic winds racing outside and large hail pounding the roof.

Intense rain pelted all our windows.

It was loud and scary at the same time.

Mr. Contentment

Our puppy, however, liked this new “game.”

We reassured both our dogs over and over that we would be okay.

Our puppy’s look of contentment was priceless.

“I don’t know what we’re doing here, but I like this.”

He was so cute.

I, on the other hand, was a nervous wreck and doing some serious praying until it was over.

Even in the Storm God is There

When the storms of life hit, whether it’s a literal tornado barrelling through or something else like a health concern, “contentment” is not a first reaction.

But, once the initial shock has faded a little, do we let stress completely take over?

I do know that no matter what kind of storm you’re facing, God is there with you.

Peace in the Midst of the Storm

Do you remember hearing on the news about the ferocious winter storm that ravaged much of the Midwest back in late February?

Freelance writer, Lupe Riley, was in that storm.

I’ll let her describe for you the emotions she experienced as the strong winter blast roared through her state.

I hope her encouraging words give you comfort the next time that you face an overwhelming storm, or “storm of life.”

by Lupie Riley

03/20/19

Thought: Colorado was hit recently with what the weatherman called a bomb cyclone with 100 mile an hour winds, rain and snow. It caught many people unprepared for the damage it left behind. I was one of those off guard people. I live on 40 acres out in the country. I found myself alone without power and heat for two days, running out of water, a propane oven that didn’t work and three minutes of power left on my cell phone. In the meantime 85-90 mile an hour winds were howling outside my windows. The next morning I found myself blocked in with 7′ drifts along my driveway.

I can imagine how the apostle Paul felt on his 14 day journey through a northeaster on a ship that eventual fell apart as they neared the island shore of Malta. However, his faith was secure in the Lord and he ended up saving the lives of everyone on board. How do we face the storms that come in our lives? It could be the loss of a loved one, our children making bad decision, loss of income or divorce and any one of many things. Do we seek the Lord for comfort, wisdom and peace?

It reminds me of the story when Jesus was on the boat with his disciples asleep on a pillow. A sudden, violent storm came up. The disciples were beside themselves with fear as the waves grew higher then the boat. They awoke Jesus and he spoke three words “PEACE, BE STILL” and a calm settled upon the waters. He rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith. Little did they realize they had the creator of those waters on board who had the power to calm them.

When we pray in times of a crises do we really realize who were praying to? He is the God of all creation, the great I AM, who dwells in eternity and see’s the picture of our life completed. He knows the future and how it all will end, GOD IS IN CONTROL. I came through the storm without any major damage because the Lord was with me and I claimed the promise that he would never leave me alone. He is my strength, my shield and my heart will trust in him. Maranatha

Prayer:

Father God thank you for the calm you gave my spirit as I went through the storm. It was a threatening situation but I knew in my heart that no matter what the outcome your strength would see me through it. I praise you Jesus for this confidence I have in you. Amen.

Verse: Mark 4:39 “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.”

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*Faithwriters article shared courtesy url: https://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=185177

A Prayer of Thanks and Praise

April 19, 2017 Gracie

Hello, everyone!

Did you have a good Easter?

I thank God for the beautiful day that it was, for the blessed time of singing and worship at church, and most importantly that we serve a Risen Savior!

a blessed Easter

Hallelujah!

Every day we should thank God for His blessings.

We should also thank God for who He is.

Praising God for who He is, should be a priority in our lives as Christians, and yet sometimes it takes a back seat when daily responsibilities crowd out what’s most important.

Why is that?

Jesus prayed.

The one and only Son of Holy God prayed.

What in my, or your life, is so important that we sometimes put off our quiet time with Jesus until the next day or the next?

Regaining Time With God

Prayer of Thanks and Praise

With humility, and also because I’m the queen of “gotta do this, gotta do that,” I am purposefully sitting down to write a gratitude prayer to the Almighty.

There is no greater sacrifice than that of His Son, Jesus Christ.

A Prayer of Thanks and Praise

Heavenly Father, we don’t thank you enough for who You are – the Father of absolute truth in a world of confusion.

Your holiness is unmatched. We can never attain holiness on earth and yet, by the grace of Jesus Christ alone, we can approach Your throne with humility and ask for Your forgiveness.

There is nothing and no one more important than You.

You formed this big world out of nothingness.

It is Your masterpiece.

Because you are Good and Holy, You have blessed us with Your magnificent creation.

Gratitude can’t adequately describe the feeling of knowing that You care about us that much.

Even the most talented artist comes to Your throne empty-handed because the magnitude of Your perfect creation and design are beyond all human skill and comprehension.

We thank You, Lord, for Your infinite mercy and patience with us.

How many opportunities have we missed to tell You how much we love You?

Your love for us is perfect.

Nothing conceived in our imaginations can even come close to how big and powerful You are.

Countless times in Your providence You have protected us from unseen dangers. Thank You!

We deserve nothing, Father, and we know we can’t earn Your saving grace. That would diminish what happened to Your Son on the Cross.

You, our Most High God, are perfect.

Our lives are not perfect, no matter what we share on social media.

We are a broken people in need of more You.

There is nowhere we can hide from sunlight to sundown.

You are there.

Time is not a barrier to You, Eternal Father.

We praise you because You reign forever and ever.

Thank You, Father, for who You are – the Great I Am.

Amen!

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*Ole Hallesby quotation, pastor, and theologian (1879-1961, public domain/fair use and as quoted from Christian quotes.info

Our Exceptional God