During this time of self-isolation I've learned a few truths about myself and this world.
1. That I, we, need to slow down and be still more often. Psalm 46:10a states for us us to "Be still, and know that I am God." In reference to Mark 4:35-41...At about the 27:30-29:30 mark in the following link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVBUOst9iiM&feature=youtu.be, JD Greear states that “there’s something more important then God keeping you from all storms, and that is God demonstrating to you His faithfulness in the storm. You see, there are certain things about God that you can only learn in a storm. So God sends these storms because storms are His laboratory where He teaches you about Himself…Everybody…wants to see miracles in their lives. I’ve never talked to a Christian who didn’t want to see a miracle. Never. But here’s the other side of that…Nobody wants to be in a position where they need a miracle. Right? But you see, until God puts you in a place where you need His sustaining power you’ll never really have a chance to experience it…Every miracle in Jesus’ ministry started with a problem, every one, which is really good news for those of us with problems. You are a candidate for a miracle. No problems, No miracles…If you have some problems [then] you are a candidate to experience the miraculous power of God. In a storm Jesus will always do one of two things, He’ll show off His power by delivering you from the storm, or He’ll show off His power by His ability to keep you in the storm. Sometimes He will look at the storm and He’ll say ‘peace, be still.’ Other times He’ll look at you and say “peace, be still.’ The peace that passes all understanding is not always, it is not even usually, His calming of the storm. The peace that passes all understanding is His sustaining presence in the storm. So when you go through a storm wake Him up through prayer. Rouse Him through bold desperate prayer, but be prepared for either answer. Again, discouragement in our lives, the storms of fear in our hearts, they come from either A. forgetting the power of Jesus over the storm, or B. doubting His commitment to us in the storm.” And 2. That God's been attempting to get me, us, to push the reset button in my, our, walk with Him. Getting Him back to number one in our lives. If we're not able to figure out how to, or are refusing to slow life down, then He'll intervene and make a way by pressing the button for us. This past weekend my family and I watched the following message https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB_jozALD-A. Loved it...so timely. What I found interesting is that it's from 2015, but very applicable to what we're experiencing in 2020 across the world. What is it that He's speaking directly to you about during this time of being still? Is He attempting to get you to push your spiritual reset button? What does that look like for you? Go to Him in prayer and He'll reveal that to you. Hope you enjoy the message and are finding ways to grow in Him each and every day. Practicing His Presence, Nate
0 Comments
Men,
For those of you who attended Van Harden's amazing challenge at Ox Strong, it is hard to imagine that it was last month already. Much has changed and all of us are witnessing an unforeseen issue. I believe the only way through this is together. Could our leaders have acted sooner? Well, I am not sure because imagine if our President said on Januaury, 31st that he was not only denying travel to and from China but we are shutting our country down. That would have been impossible and I would also submit doing this same thing three-weeks ago would have been equally impossible. It is not fair to blame our leaders for this happening. I believe that we would have seen this happen and now we must end it....together. Stories of frustration, greed, and evil will abound but they will not penetrate my heart of iron. Never will I lose my strength in my Lord, Jesus Christ. The world leaders are all saying the same thing and cannot keep up....regardless of the quality and quantity of health care resources. Making a million ventilators and storing them in a warehouse or having an extra quarter million hospital beds staffed and ready for a pandemic....etc. ...etc. would have been impossible. None of us can honestly look at what we know and say we could have done better. Especially now...this is here and we have to do what we are told. "There is trouble in the forest, there was trouble in the trees. For the maples want more sunlight and the oaks ignore their pleas." This is much the way man saw himself in the planet world pre-pandemic. So metaphorically, if we are the trees that once focused on receiving more sunlight, or things, or pride, this pandemic is a reminder that we are all made equal by hatchet, axe, and saw. Translation, humility. ..God made us equal and every man has a story about who they are and this moment is our clean slate. I am facing everything you are, men. Managing the emotions of my family, trying to keep my business open, my finances afloat, and keeping my faith. I am not going to freak out! Our families need our men and you are not going to freak out. For those who have turned on the TV, can you believe the utter silliness we let our minds digest? The Kardashians come to my mind in this post....can you say irrelevant? Death of the reality shows and rebirth of family, books and yes, Jesus Christ. So much good is going to come of this calamity....I promise you. Look beyond this time and how you responded. You will be asked to help in the near future from our leaders and make sacrifices you never imagined a month ago. Stand with me and we are activated. We have spent the past five years together working on building each other and finding our inner faith. Skip |
AuthorNate Smith is a husband, a father of 6 girls, grandpa to 3 granddaughters and one grandson, a police and fire chaplain, a pastor, and has a passion to see men grow in Christ. #girldad including granddaughter
Archives
April 2024
Categories |