High Above The Storm

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anxiety, fear, light, lightenings, loss, raging, storm, storms, worries

This week we’ve had some pretty bad storms.  So I thought it would be good to remind you that we’re living above the storms.

Ephesians 2:6 says “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” How wonderful it is to be seated together with Christ far above the storms of life, and far above the busyness, worries, anxieties and concerns of this world.  This of course doesn’t mean that we never experience storms or get busy or feel worried or anxious, what it means is that regardless of what’s going on in our lives we reign over it through Christ.

There is no situation or circumstance in life that can defeat us.  All it takes is for us to see ourselves as God sees us seated together with Christ high above every problem, worry and anxiety.

Right now you might be saying to yourself “Yeah that’s easier said than done.” Well, I want to agree with you that yes it is easy and yes it is done because Christ did it all at Calvary.  You see your unbelief will not change what God did for us when He raised Christ from the dead.  The scripture said, “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” This is an unchangeable truth.  However, it’s up to you what you do with it.  You can both believe what the word says and live above the storms of life, or you can not believe and continue to be pressed done by every problem, worry and anxiety that comes your way.

I John 4:5 says “…as He is so are we in this world.” He is above every principality, power, might and dominion and every name that is named and so are you in this world (Ephesians 1:21).  The thing for you to do is live like it. When the storms of life began to rage see yourself above them.  But don’t just see it say it. Tell yourself I am seated together with Christ and this storm cannot dominate me and it will not cause me to go under.

One thing I’ve learn that happens during a bad storm is that the power goes out. Although the power may go out on the outside, know that the power of God on the inside of you is strong and will never diminish.  And although the lights may be out on the outside, the Light inside shines brighter because Jesus will never leave you nor forsake you.  He is with you in the midst of the storm reminding you that you are living high above the storm.

Don’t Worry Be Thankful!

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anxiety, blessed, choice, choose, stress, thankfulness, worry anxiousness

Philippians 4:6-7

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

In a day when stress is among the top causes of early death, it would do us good to know how to avoid it if we want to live long and strong.Paul gives us the antidote in the above scripture, be careful or anxious for nothing.  That’s it.  It really doesn’t get more simpler than that, just don’t worry.  We have the power to worry or not to worry the choice is ours.  So if you don’t want to die an early death you’ll choose not to worry.  Deuteronomy 30:19 Moses is warning the children of Israel and he says, “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.”  You choose whether to live or die.

When you make the choose not to worry, you are releasing the outcome of the situation.  In other words you no longer concern yourself with will I have enough money to pay the mortgage this month, or will they cut my lights of today, or will this disease kill me.  You release the outcome to the hands of God.  The scripture says, “but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God.”   By taking every thing, to Jesus,  you are releasing it.  1 Peter 5:7  says, “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.”

Now, as you release your care to Jesus, your thanksgiving releases Him to take care of the care.  The more you thank Him, the more grace you are receiving from Him. Here’s why, the grace of God is a gift and when you receive a gift you say thank you.  Thanksgiving is our way of letting God know that we receive His gift.  We receive His grace for our cares.  As we do, the peace of God, who is Jesus Christ garrisons and guards our heart and minds so that the thoughts of worry and frustration find no resting place in us.  Therefore, choose not to worry and be thankful instead!