Storms Are Coming

   Hurricane season is definitely here and Dorian has already brought damage and chaos to many in its path.
   Hurricane Dorian isn't the only thing bringing in storms. Life brings its own storms and it may seem at times we are surrounded with no way out. The storms of life can be destructive and leave damage that seems unrepairable.
   Proverbs 1:27 says it well: "When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you..."
   Yes, that's the feeling. It's the kind of destruction and terror that can't be kept out by boarding up openings or putting down sandbags, nor can you escape the storm by running away. Many will use their own worldly wisdom and strength to no avail.
   There is only one shelter that provides safety and calm from the destruction these storms can cause. That shelter is found in Jesus. It's a place of peace and rest. It's where Jesus provides healing and repair from the damage that seems so unrepairable.
   Yes, the storms are upon us, the waves are high, the winds are strong and the darkness that wants to surround us seems ominous. Listen, for there is a voice calling through the darkness of the storm. A voice that calms the winds, stills the waves and brings peace to the soul.
   Listen for the voice of the Savior and trust His calling. He will take you through the storm and out the other side to a place of safety, peace and healing.

Matthew 8: 23-26 KJV (each verse followed with paraphrase by Marie Levy)

v. 23 "And when He was entered into a ship, His disciples followed Him."
And when He entered our lives we followed Him.

v. 24 "And behold there arose a great tempest in the sea, in so much the ship was covered with the waves: but He was asleep."
And there arose a great hardship and stress in our lives; it was so bad that it covered our life with darkness and fear. God seemed so far away.

v.25 And His disciples came to HIm and awoke Him, saying, "Lord, save us, we perish."
And we cried out to God and cast our fears before Him and He heard us.

v. 26 And He saith unto them, "Why are ye fearful O ye of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
Then He reached down to remind us that He is in control, to not be afraid and to give us more faith. He set aside our fears and gave us peace. 

Our Power or God's?

   Why do we as Christians insist on putting a magic wand in the hand of Jesus? Why do we assume or believe we have one in ours?
   So many times I've seen on social media and in messages sent to me, (others receive them too), that try to make the blessings of God into a magic spell that you make happen by some ritual you're told to do. You see postings such as, "If you send this message to twenty people within four minutes you'll receive so much money or God will send you a special blessing. Then you have another one that states, "If you love Jesus you'll copy and paste this message" or "Let's see how many people repost this if they care about..." whatever the situation is.
   Really!! Where did Jesus ever say in His word we were to follow such advice? When you read such things does it cause a twinge of guilt, even just for a moment if you don't comply? God's word says, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."
   I get so tired and fed up with messages that contain the "must dos" to show we care or we have faith. It doesn't matter if it concerns God's blessings, an illness of someone or our faith. We don't show we care or receive from God anything by sharing or sending chain letters. We are only showing how superstitious we are or how little we trust and know the Lord.
   Be careful what you let in and how you live out the Christian life. Don't let superstition or good luck charms lead you astray. Get rid of the objects in your life that lead you to believe such things and can bind you to the dark side. Even do away with sayings such as, 'knock on wood", "good luck" and please throw away the rabbits' foot, etc.
   Our blessings depend solely on God and His promises. He is all the supernatural we need.

1st Timothy 4:1 NKJV "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons;..."

Leviticus 19:31 KJV "Regard them not that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God."

Claim God's Full Restoration

   As Christians it's easier to think about how healthy we are spiritually. We go to church, read God's word, we may teach or in some way give to others. Then we cross it off "our list." We often fail to realize we need to be healthy physically, mentally and emotionally also. In neglecting this part of our lives it does have an effect on where we may be spiritually or rather where we could be.
   We live in a world of busyness and everyone is always in a hurry. It may be our jobs, school activities with the kids, church or appointments, etc. but life is going just too fast. Unfortunately this sometimes means fast food or quick to fix meals with little or no quality time with the family. We hop into bed at night asking ourselves, "Where did the time go?"
   Many of us need to start asking, "Where did my health and vibrancy go?" Well, it got up and went taking with it incentives, energy, self-worth, goals, dreams and everything else God intended for you. It may have left some baggage behind such as fatigue, brain fog, health issues, lost dreams, forgotten goals and that realization that hits you like a ton of bricks the day you decide to step on the scales. I'll speak for myself on this one.
   Jesus never meant for us to live unhealthy lives. He knew that if our bodies were overtired, in bad shape and our minds so clogged with "stuff" that we wouldn't be able to carry out His plan for our life nor would we portray a complete witness for His glory.
   Self-care is not being selfish. You cannot love others if you do not love yourself. Leviticus 19:18 (KJV) says, "...but thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself." Also even Jesus took time to rest and pray. He knew it was vital to His ministry. Matthew 14:23 (NKJV) says, "And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray..."
   It's time to get rid of that baggage left behind. It's time to realize the physical and spiritual go hand in hand; they are connected. We cannot do our best or be God's best if we are exhausted or have health issues holding us back. I'm not talking about handicaps you're born with or something beyond your control. God's grace, purpose and strength covers that. There are so many things we bring on ourselves because of the way we live, what we eat, (and how much) and not walking in God's will in every area of our life.
   Give God charge of your daily plans, your eating habits and your body. Take your rest and pray as Jesus did. He will restore you, not only spiritually but in body and mind also. Let us move forward to full and complete restoration.

1st Corinthians 10:3 KJV "Whether therefore you eat or drink or whatsoever ye do, do it all to the glory of God."
Jeremiah 30:17 KJV "For I will restore health unto thee and I will heal thee of thy wounds..."

God's Light in the Darkness

"Are you willing to say no to something you want and wait for God to give you something better?" - Marie Levy

   Searching for a light in the darkness, looking for a door, any door that will open and shed light on the situation you're facing. Hoping and desperately seeking answers that you need or want "right now." We've all been there and waiting on the Lord isn't exactly what most of us want to do.
   Depending on your situation you may become anxious for the answers you think you need. You grasp at solutions you think will give you relief to the problems you face, whether it be financial, a health crisis, or a relationship in trouble. It may seem your desperate cry for help has gone unheeded and you might become discouraged.
   Don't let fear or disappointment cause you to make decisions that only give temporary relief or may very well make your situation worse in the long run.
   God's light will shine through with the answers He knows is best. We often reach for a solution that may seem good but often regret our decision later. Trust only in prayer and God's timing for the best outcome you need. I have often looked back at situations and I can see both sides of decisions I've made. When I've chosen to wait and trust the Lord, I could clearly see the outcome and purpose of it all.
   In 1st Samuel 16, even though David was chosen to be king, it didn't happen right away. While he waited, he would face Goliath and go through many trials including being hunted down by Saul. Two times in 1st Samuel 24: 4 and 1st Samuel 26: 8-11, David waited patiently in the darkness; not taking advantage of the opportunity but trusted God's timing. He didn't let the hardship of what he was going through cause him to make an unwise decision. He waited and trusted God for His light to show the way.
   Desperateness and discouragement can cause you to make unwise choices that only lead further into the dark. Trust and wait on the Lord. His light of hope will come through as He promised.

Galatians 6:9 KJV
  "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not."
John 8:12 NKJV
  … Jesus spoke..."I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

*Photo taken by Marie Levy

An Urgent Call for Truth

   "God has not called us to stand quietly on the truth but to be loud and clear in proclaiming it."
     - Marie Levy

   I'm repeating some of what I wrote a few weeks ago but I feel such an urgency to do so while the time is right or rather because time is getting shorter.

   We are living in a world that is descending more and more into darkness. This cloud is starting to widen over our own country where once it shown light to the world.

   While some in America are starting to feel the sting of persecution for being a Christian, most sit in their comfortable pews, smile, go about "their" own lives and never think about spreading the word of Christ outside their church. They have no idea what it means to face persecution such as the baker in Colorado or the florist in Washington State who were taken to court for refusing to use their God given gifts for a homosexual wedding.

   How do we not only live out the Christian life but how do we spread the gospel of Christ in truth? Being a Christian, a true disciple is not just being nice, staying out of trouble or having a "picture perfect" family.

   In 2nd Timothy 4: v. 2 Paul charged Timothy (and us) to "Preach the word,...Convince, rebuke, exhort..." Are we really doing this? There are those around and even in our midst who will and are distorting the word of God, forming it into a "fit all" religion that caters to the whims of anyone. You see no change in those who profess to have Jesus. There is only the gospel of Jesus without repentance. This cannot be.

   I have a son who has had a chemical imbalance since he was young. He has struggled for years, sometimes being suicidal. For a number of years I coaxed, pleaded and handled him gently or with what I thought was love. Then one day I realized I wasn't helping him but was closer to losing him instead. I took off the gloves and told him that if he ended his life he would spend eternity in hell, never to escape the torture he was going through. You see, my son had never accepted Christ, had never known the deliverance Christ could offer and I feared for his soul. He told me later that what I'd said to him was enough to keep him from making a fatal mistake. It also gave me more time to pray for him to make that decision for Christ that is still ongoing.

   Do we fear enough for our loved ones or others to tell them the truth? The true Gospel of Christ is not told because we are so perfect but because of the change He has made in our lives. It's a testimony of the power of Christ within us, not to stay the same but to become more of what He intended us to be.

   Christ didn't die on that cross to make us feel good but to save us "from our sins" and give us eternal life. The disciples died delivering this truth to others.

   Presenting "all" of God's truth is not judging if given with our testimony of how He wrought a change in us that is ongoing. We don't stand in front of those we are trying to reach in self-righteousness because we have none.

   We do present the truth with an urgency of love and concern for those who need His salvation. If we allow God's Spirit to lead He will do so with grace in our words without softening the gospel to no effect.

   The disciples didn't hold back. In Acts 2: v.38 Peter says, "Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin..."

   In Acts 4: v. 12, Peter says, "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given by which we must be saved." He didn't say, "This is my personal belief" nor did he apologize. That would have weakened the truth.

   We are so scared of offending someone we turn the gospel into our own version of what should be told.

   No, we don't beat someone over the head with it. We present it in the way Jesus meant for it to be heard. We do not change the truth of God's word; we change the "tone" in our voice and attitude from self-righteousness to one that reflects His grace and love.

Deuteronomy 4: v. 2 KJV

2"Ye shall not add unto the word I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it..."

Connections Through God's Spirit

   Connection - a relationship in which a person, thing or idea is linked or associated with something else. It can also be described as a bond or attachment.
   Have you ever met someone and instantly felt a connection or bond with that person? I have been so amazed over the years how this type of connection is made between Christians.
   Not long after I had received Christ I was at Kings Dominion with my children. I met this young college student who was also a new Christian and was in charge of the ride my children were on. I don't remember how the conversation got started but I remember the joy of meeting another Christian and the instant bond between us because we both shared the love of Christ and His Spirit.
   I've also made that same observation with many in my church over the years. God's Spirit intertwines each of our hearts and spirits in love, peace and unity. It's not just a connection because we say we are Christians but a supernatural bonding that is truly felt and experienced throughout the body of Christ. I've also had that same bonding with other Christians on Facebook and social media even though I've never met them in person. It's a friendship that goes deep and is shared through prayers, our joys, our accomplishments and care for each other.
   When we as Christians are Christ centered in our lives His Spirit makes that connection possible no matter the distance between us. I have often physically and spiritually felt the prayers of others offered up for me or a loved one. That's the bonding power of God's Spirit in our lives.
   As His children we have access to this connection. 1st John 5: 6, "...And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth..." Praise God! I have that connection. Do you?

Colossians 2:2 KJV
"That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love..."
Philippians 1:27 KJV
"...that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together..."

"Won" Battle At A Time

   "You did it again, you can't get it right, you'll never get ahead, you're stuck where you are, you're finished now, you're a failure, you're going to lose it all," etc., etc., etc.
   Those words are screamed over and over in your mind as the fears paralyze your very being, so much that your thoughts, relationships and your emotions are in chaos. There is no hope in the midst of it, no where to turn and you feel you can't live like this any longer.
   You cry out to God for deliverance for some sign of relief or peace in the midst of it all. A mountain of anxiety looms before you and dark valleys fall deep on each side. There is no where to run and no where to hide. You feel tormented and helpless. You wish the earth would open up and swallow you.
   Then you hear a voice coming in through the darkness. It is faint at first but slowly makes its way through the loud shouts of disparity and the downward spiral of depression.
   The voice of God does not shout but is sharp and distinct yet gentle and encouraging. "Trust me and seek My face. I will deliver you." A calmness and peace unwinds your jumbled thoughts. A place of safety is opened before you and you enter in, but not alone. This place has always been here for you. Jesus has walked with you up to and through it many times. He will do so again and again as needed. For now this battle is won.

Psalm 34: v. 4 KJV
4"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."
Psalm 55: vs. 17-18 KJV
17 "...I will pray and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice." 18 "He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me..."