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It seems that many of us are encountering unusual circumstances. Everything
from relational tensions, challenges to hold on to what the Lord has promised, and
direction seems to be foggy at best.
This morning I felt the Lord speak to me and tell me that He has purposely allowed
these times to bring purification and wholeness to His Body. Only in these times
of testing are blind spots revealed, hidden motives and agendas exposed, and choices
are made to act or react to our circumstances.
Let's consider the story of the storm at sea from Luke 8:22-25.
FOLLOWING JESUS INTO A SCARY TIME
Luke 8:22
"Now it happened, on a certain day, that He
got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, 'Let us cross over to the
other side of the lake.' And they launched out."
The disciples were following Jesus, but failed to hear what the outcome of the journey
would be: to "cross over to the other side of the lake." Peter was with them, and
he was a fisherman by trade. He knew about water and compromising situations that
can arise on water. It could be likely that the other disciples felt pretty comfortable
with Peter being on board, and possibly in charge, while Jesus slept in the boat.
Luke 8:23
"But as they sailed, He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake,
and they were filling with water and were in jeopardy."
When the windstorm hit, it was not forgiving. It was most likely one of those storms
that came full force, taking everybody by surprise. Peter, the "fisherman," was
even shocked at its intensity. The disciples immediately began to bail water, and
in their own strength and energy try and gain control of the situation. It must
have gone on for a while or maybe just long enough for the lesson to be fully learned.
It was in that storm that Jesus wanted his friends
to remember His words above their circumstances. It was in that intense situation
that Jesus wanted to see them be strengthened in FAITH that pleases God. That storm
was part of the disciples training for future events...an unveiling of weakness,
doubt, unbelief, and realization of their own limitations in the flesh...when everything
was coming undone and the general thought was death. Possibly the conversations
under such extreme circumstances were, "our lives are over," "we have done the wrong
thing...we've made a mistake by getting in this boat," "we can't take it any longer,"
and then they woke Jesus.
COMING TO AN END OF OURSELVES
Luke 8:24
"And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, 'Master, Master, we are perishing!'
Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased,
and there was a calm."
It was at the "end of their rope" that Jesus was called. Now, Jesus was not unaware
of the storm. He was also a MAN, feeling everything men feel on the earth. But Jesus
was aware of a higher purpose, and He knew this kind of upheaval was necessary for
the ones He loved and were faithfully following Him. He knew that this kind of "storm"
would try their faith, their relationships with each other, would reveal the weaknesses
in their flesh, and would give them opportunities to choose between seen and unseen
things. It was NECESSARY for what they were going to find on the other side and
the rest of their lives.
REALITY CHECK
Luke 8:25
"But He said to them, 'Where is your faith?' And they were afraid, and marveled,
saying to one another, 'Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water,
and they obey Him!'"
The first thing Jesus was concerned about, after He calmed their circumstances,
was FAITH. It was of GREAT importance to Jesus. It was the focal point of His training
for them. Faith overcomes fear and moves mountains and without it, it's impossible
to please God. Pleasing God is Jesus' whole life. Jesus is perfect love and that
LOVE casts out fear. FAITH is the substance of unseen things.
The disciples were completely undone. Their reply to one another was, "Who can this
be?" They had never seen Jesus like this. Until now, they didn't know that the winds
and water obey Him. Until now, they had limited His power and authority in their
minds. Until now, they didn't see what He was trying to accomplish in their lives.
What a wake-up call. It is Jesus' purpose to make us like Him. NO WAY!!! It was
too marvelous, too huge, too unthinkable, too humbling...at last, everything was
out in the open. Nothing was hidden. They must have felt like their heads were in
blenders. Nothing made sense. Weaknesses, fear, doubt, anger, earth-bound expectations...it
was all very visible right in front of them. Nowhere to hide. Any of us would have
felt ashamed at ourselves with that kind of rebuke. But Jesus knew the higher plan.
This lack of faith in Him and the disciples' faith in themselves had to be revealed
or the coming days for the disciples would have been severely hindered and the kind
of authority that followed would have never been given to them.
ON THE OTHER SIDE
The disciples had made it through the storm and not very well, but the lesson was
learned. After that time, we continue to read about a demoniac being delivered,
a dead girl raised, and then Jesus gave them power and authority over all demons
and to cure diseases. He sent them out, and as they went through the towns, sick
people were healed and the gospel was preached.
After a storm, strength is added to us. It is not
just words any more, but a deposit from heaven has been made in us. Now, from experience,
we can say that when we are weak, He is strong. We see a side of Jesus that had
been hidden until that storm came. All of our wonderful abilities are truly worthless,
and supernatural power comes through the testing of our faith.
God is fully planning to accomplish all of His plans and promises in our lives,
but we need to learn from our storms. In the coming days, as the Lord strengthens
our faith, let's remember His initial words which are, "Let us cross over to the
other side."
Blessings,
Cindy McGill
www.hopefortheharvest.com
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"Restoring Your Shield of Faith"
by Chuck Pierce
$14.99 Book
For a limited time, we will include the audio cassette "Strength
to Turn the Battle at the Gate" at
No C-HARGE to you!
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How the Seven Dimensions of Faith Can Help You Fight Life's
Battles
Sometimes it's a battle to stay strong in our faith. Satan's repeated attacks, using
our own feelings of fear and doubt, can wear down our belief in the Lord's power
and goodness. False visions of God's failure to keep His promises, news reports,
and feelings of self-pity are all venues Satan uses to undermine the most important
part of our lives here on earth: faith. In Restoring Your Shield of Faith,
you will learn to be an overcomer, fighting and winning the daily battles against
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Word of God, praise and thankfulness in all situations, trust in Him, and obedience
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For a limited time, when you order "Restoring Your Shield of Faith," we will
include the audio cassette "Strength to Turn the Battle at the Gate" at No C-HARGE
to you!
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"Strength to Turn the Battle at the Gate"
by Chuck Pierce
In intercession, you will reach a point where your battle is "at the gate." The
fighting is the strongest and most intense, and the goal is in reach. At that very
moment, the victory is in sight and you are ready for the final "push," but unfortunately
it may also be the point where you are your weakest...and you still have to climb
over that wall! What do you do when you have nothing left to give?
In this featured cassette from the 4-tape series "Help Is on the Way," Chuck Pierce
offers insight to help equip you with "reserves" to call upon when the fighting
is the fiercest. You NEED these pearls of wisdom to achieve your victory.
Feel free to
order online
OR by phone (1-8.6.6-881-0477)
http://www.elijahshopper.com/detail.aspx?ID=1125
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"Faith"
by Jason Upton
$15.00 Music CD
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Jason and Rachel had just graduated from their Masters of Divinity Program at Regent
University, the Lord had just closed the door to an expected ministry opportunity,
they had no job, they had no place to live, and they just found out Rachel was pregnant...and
"Faith" was birthed.
Faith is not the greatest of gifts, but rather, love. But faith is the foundation
for worship because you give your all to what you cannot see. Faith is why Jesus
could have absolutely nothing in the eyes of the world, yet possess everything in
the eyes of God. In this album we see "Faith" enveloping "waiting" and "relationship"
and "freedom" and "honesty (not being ashamed)" to the point where, finally, one
comes to the ultimate place of Faith: where he/she truly desires to be like Him.
This CD was recorded "live" on three separate nights during times of worship and
ministry. The only changes that have been made to the original recordings have been
minor guitar over-dubs to correct sonic problems as well as replacing one word vocally.
What has been captured on this recording is what actually happened on these nights
of ministry.
During the live recordings, Jason received the song "Faith" spontaneously from the
Spirit, thereby confirming the CD’s title. These particular recordings were selected
because they represent songs given to Jason specifically about faith and the valleys
and victories that make up our faith.
Listen to Samples!
I Will Wait
mp3
wma
rmJust Like You
mp3
wma
rm
Feel free to
order online
OR by phone (1-8.6.6-881-0477)
http://www.elijahshopper.com/detail.aspx?ID=681
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"God Is Bigger Than You Think"
by Heidi Baker
$10.00 Teaching CD
- or -
$6.00 Audio Cassette |
Heidi's message will give you faith to believe God for more--MUCH
MORE! Why can't we all expect miracles and raisings of the dead? It happens often
in overseas Third World countries. Why not here? God is the same yesterday, today,
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consume you to be and do all that God wants to do through you. Heidi draws you in
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to settle for the way it has always been. He will consume you if you ask.
Feel free to order
online OR by phone (1-8.6.6-881-0477)
Teaching CD:
http://www.elijahshopper.com/detail.aspx?ID=996
Audio Cassette: http://www.elijahshopper.com/detail.aspx?ID=83
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"What To Do When Your 'Faith Bubble' Pops"
by Todd Bentley
$10.00 Teaching CD
- or - $6.00 Audio Cassette
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* from the Las Vegas Open Heaven's 2 Conference
Have you ever been standing in faith for the miracles needed in your life and things
just seem to be get worse? What do you do? Do you just give up and let the enemy
have the upper hand? Jairus, Martha, and the widow of Elijah's time experienced
the same things as well. Yet ultimately, they pressed in, stood their ground, and
received their miracle!
Todd Bentley sheds light on this issue like few others. His message will provide
encouragement and inspire faith for you to receive miraculous answers to your prayers
and emerge from your trials more victorious than you ever have before! Are you tired
of just standing and "taking it" from the enemy? Then this tape is definitely for
you!Feel free to
order online OR by phone (1-8.6.6-881-0477)
Teaching CD:
http://www.elijahshopper.com/detail.aspx?ID=1046
Audio Cassette: http://www.elijahshopper.com/detail.aspx?ID=245
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"Restoring
Your Shield of Faith"
"Faith"
"God
Is Bigger Than You Think"
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