Peace, Be Still

How often have we come back to this passage, especially in the midst of a fierce storm that we may be going through, and the very message of the Gospel that speaks to us is this, "Have Faith in God". We may not find ourselves in a ship being tossed back and forth by great winds, but we certainly find ourselves in similar situations where we are doing all that we can do, just to keep from going under.

Our faith has been put to the test, and sorely tried. Maybe we have exhausted all the strength that we have doing everything we know how to do, yet it's not enough. It looks like there is none to help, and we begin to cry out, "Master, carest thou not that we perish".

What I want to speak today with you about, is the part of this passage that we seem to overlook, and that is where Jesus was in the back part of the ship, fast asleep on a pillow. In the very midst of the wind blowing and the waves knocking the boat back and forth until it was full of water, Jesus was fast sleep. What Peace He was able to have right in the midst of such desperation.

You may be someone today who is right there in the middle of a great storm in your life. You find yourself struggling against all that has come against you. The waters are over flowing around you and there seems to be no way of escape. Maybe you feel as though there is no hope, or maybe you have held on as long as you could and you just don't know how much longer you can hold on.  Hold on......to the Promises of God.

Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee:  when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Jesus is not moved by fears or doubts.  And He doesn't want us to be either. He speaks to us today and ask, Why are you so fearful? He desires for you and I to have the same Peace that passes human understanding. A Peace that stills the fears and torments and reaches beyond the boundaries of our desperation, to a place where our trust is in God and in His Holy Word. A resting place in Christ, where we quit our struggles and relinquish control, and place our life in His hands, and under His protection.

He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.

Have you ever considered why Jesus was not with His disciples up on the deck of the boat?  Rowing and toiling, trying to get it under control?  Why was the Master in the back part of the boat asleep on a pillow?  He was at peace and at rest. And I believe that is the very place He wants us to be in times like these.

I should think the storm the disciples went through, as well as the things we go through today are to teach us not to loose our confidence in the Lord.  Especially when opposition and fears are in the way.  We will encounter many things in this life, some of them will be hard to pass through, but Christ example to us was to keep our faith in these hard times, and to be at Peace even during the storm.

Has He spoken to your heart today, and revealed to you in confidence His Word of promise?  Let faith rise up in your soul. With assurance and confidence in the One who is with you, stand up, and rebuke the winds, and say to the fears and doubts that are raging against your soul and mind, "Peace, Be Still!

In quietness and in confidence, shall be your strength

                                                  Rev. James A. Lewis      Word of Life Ministry

    Hand in Hand Publications November 2007

It is our joy to welcome back to Hand in Hand Publications this month as our Guest Writers, our dear friends from London, Ben and Anna Soon. Ben and Anna are missionaries who love the Lord and have dedicated their lives to reaching the lost for Christ, by bringing the Good News of Salvation to every corner of the world through their email ministry, Yielded to Christ Mission Ministry.

They continue to build up the body of Christ with Bible teaching, Pastoral support, Prayer partnerships and articles to help, encourage and strengthen the Christian in their walk with Jesus.

This month, Ben and Anna share with us their heart in a message entitled, Risen And Returning For You.  A revelation of the transforming and translating Power of the Risen Christ which He has purchased for each one of us on Calvary's cross.  Because we are now born again, born of the Spirit and joint heirs with Christ, God has indwelled within us of His Spirit which enables us to live a Powerful and Victorious life here on this earth for His Glory. Their message and their witness is going all around this world proclaiming that Jesus Christ is Lord!

I invite each one of you to take some time and visit Ben and Anna's message this month.  I know it will strengthen your spirit as you begin to mediate on these words.  You can visit this months Publication by clicking on this link....

http://www.wordoflifeministry.us/November2007.html