IN THE STORM OUR ANCHOR IS CHRIST
2/27/2022
Throughout our lives we are often subjected to the concept and reality of being caught up in a storm. It just seems to be a natural part of our lives as humans. As I woke up today and sought a place of Peace and Hope, the reality of our world today kept crashing into my thoughts. As I looked outward, I found myself looking at a world being surrounded with dark clouds and ominous lightening and thunder. A world full of anger. A world full of fear. A world in Chaos as mankind spends so much time trying to establish dominion over each other. A world of people constantly focused on self. A world where Truth is constantly spun, and re-spun to meet whatever narrative needs to be pushed in the moment. It is in times like these that I am SO THANKFUL THAT JESUS IS MY ANCHOR. Jesus is the ONLY PLACE where real TRUTH AND LOVE RESIDE. Jesus is where I can take my questions and concerns and know that HE HAS THE ANSWERS. IN HIM, I FIND PEACE AND HOPE because I KNOW THAT MY LIFE IS ETERNALLY HIS ! In Christ I have found the strength and resolve to face any and all storms because HE IS WITH ME, WITHIN ME, AND I WITH AND WITHIN HIM AS WELL. Despite the strength of the storms, I am anchored into Him as my LORD, SAVIOR, AND KING. My mind moves to recall when the simple men that Jesus had chosen as His Disciples found themselves in the midst of a violent storm on the sea. They were terrified, and yet, Jesus was right there with them, asleep ! “Lord save us ! We’re going to drown !” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid ?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. ( Matthew 8: 23-27 ). The Disciples knew that Jesus was truly special, but they were still growing to know exactly who He was. “What kind of a man could control a storm with this power ? Just WHO IS THIS JESUS ? God’s word makes it clear :) WHO ARE YOU JESUS ?
IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD, AND THE WORD WAS WITH GOD, AND THE WORD WAS GOD. John 1:1
AND THE WORD BECAME FLESH AND DWELT AMONG US, AND WE HAVE SEEN HIS GLORY, GLORY AS OF THE ONLY SON OF FROM THE FATHER, FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH. John 1:14
JESUS SAID TO HIM, “ I AM THE WAY AND THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME. “ John 14:6
BUT HE WAS WOUNDED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS; HE WAS CRUSHED FOR OUR INIQUITIES; UPON HIM WAS THE CHASTISEMENT THAT BROUGHT US PEACE, AND WITH HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED. Isaiah 53:5
FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON , THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. John 3:16
For each of us, life holds many storms. In fact, life is full of them. Though they may vary in degree of intensity and width, they are all very real to us individually. The important thing about our life is how we deal with these storms. Will they whip us about, leaving us trembling, confused….fearful and overcome….swept about and lost in the winds and crashing waves ? Will we rely on ourselves and our own strength and power to overcome what cannot be overcome ? Or WILL WE ANCHOR OURSELVES TO CHRIST ? I made the decision long ago to make Jesus my Lord, Savior, and King. It has been a JOURNEY. I have sinned, repented, struggled, wrestled to understand, wept, flushed with anger….so many emotions and storms, but I HELD ONTO JESUS THROUGH EVERY MOMENT ! HE HELD ONTO ME AND CONTINUES TO THROUGH EVERY CHALLENGE I HAVE FACED ! HE has brought me Salvation and Grace. HE has brought me indescribable Peace and Hope; Joy and Happiness, Path and Purpose; Identity and Foundation. HE has taught me Obedience and Humility; Faith and Forgiveness; Relationship and LOVE ! JESUS CAME TO SAVE AND RENEW EVERYONE ! That means YOU, ME, EVERYONE. IF you place your life in Him, IF you believe that He died for You, IF you confess your sin and seek His Gift Of Forgiveness and Salvation, IF you are reborn a new creation in Him….you have only taken your first step ! NOW you learn to Abide in Him, and HE in you. NOW you learn to walk in His Ways. NOW you seek HIS KINGDOM and strive to become consecrated through Him into Righteousness. NOW you mature, and You bear fruit for His Kingdom.
I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST. IT IS NO LONGER I WHO LIVE, BUT CHRIST WHO LIVES IN ME. AND THE LIFE I NOW LIVE IN THE FLESH I LIVE BY FAITH IN THE SON OF GOD, WHO LOVED ME AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME. Galatians 2:20
AND I WILL GIVE YOU A NEW HEART, AND A NEW SPIRIT I WILL PUT WITHIN YOU. AND I WILL REMOVE THE HEART OF STONE FROM YOUR FLESH AND GIVE YOU A HEART OF FLESH. AND I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT WITHIN YOU, AND CAUSE YOU TO WALK IN MY STATUTES AND BE CAREFUL TO OBEY MY RULES. Ezekiel 36: 26-27
AND THIS IS THE PROMISE THAT HE MADE FOR TO US-ETERNAL LIFE. 1 John 2:25
We know that each and every day there will be storms in our lives. The key question is How Will We Deal With Them ? Go it alone and hope to not drown or be overwhelmed ? Or, WILL YOU MAKE JESUS CHRIST YOUR ANCHOR ? The choice is always yours. God gave you FREE WILL to decide. The road to life in Christ is narrow and requires commitment and faith….but once you are on it, THERE IS TRULY NOTHING SWEETER :) My prayer is for your heart to answer His call and seek Him as your Savior, Your Lord, Your King….and always YOUR ANCHOR ! EVER CLOSE TO HIM/JAA
BEHOLD, GOD IS MY SALVATION, I WILL TRUST AND NOT BE AFRAID; FOR THE LORD GOD IS MY STRENGTH AND MY SONG, AND HE HAS BECOME MY SALVATION. Isaiah 12: 2