Storms of Life Can’t Knock the Real Power Out

by rebekahbeene

It was another stormy night in Arkansas. Having been through a cold and rainy winter, we’ve all been looking forward to spring. But Arkansas springs bring storms and those are not fun. Some places in the state were under tornado warnings off and on all night. I was awake several times checking the weather map. We were awakened to thunder and lightning and even a power outage. But it’s morning andwe have made it through again.

God speaks to my heart: Storms in your life are inevitable. But you don’t have to let them knock the power out of you. I AM with you in the peaceful sunny days and I AM with you when the storms are raging. Storms may knock you to your knees, but always know that when you are praying is when you are at your strongest. No mere words said to hope the talisman protects you. No, you are calling on Me and I AM the Great I AM. I AM the One Who calms the storm and answers your prayers. Your power for living is greatest when your natural power is weakest. You are more than the storms in your life. You are invincible and every time you pray the powers of the storm and the powers of hell are rendered useless. You may be in a storm today but because you come to Me with your needs during the storm and let Me speak to your storm, you can know that your future will be sunny and your damage will be null.

Oh beloved, are you hiding in a corner? Do you hear the rage of life storming over your head? Arise and know that you don’t have to be in fear. No storm lasts forever and no child of God has to fear. You may feel powerless but you are not. You may think it has all gone dark but you are walking in the light. You may be concerned of the damage being done, but as long as you take your storms to Jesus and face them with faith, the winds and the howling and the trouble has to stop. You can rejoice even in the midst of it all because by faith you know that God is working it all out for your good and His glory. Don’t stare at the weather, beloved, and don’t let what the natural eye sees knock you to the ground. Don’t worry about the bad reports and the damage around you. Instead rejoice in the midst, thank God for your opportunity to release your faith and be blessed as you know you will see the morning and the Son will shine again.

God loves you so much that He didn’t just create you to live by your wits. He gave you life to live close to Him, in His power and by His Spirit. He’s for you so even when the storm is raging, you can have peace and faith to endure it all and be more than a conqueror.

Proverbs 10:25 When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation. 

Mark 4:39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.

Habakkuk 3:19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.

2 Corinthians 6:7 We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense.

Ephesians 6:18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

I Peter 5:6-7 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.

You Can Walk in Freedom No Matter What

This morning I decided I needed to go out and enjoy the snow with “the young’uns”. Donning the heaviest clothes I could move around in I stepped out onto the snow and gingerly made my way across the cement at our front door. It was great! After walking around and throwing snowballs I noticed that my left foot was hurting. Looking down to see what was wrong I saw that I had gathered a huge ball of snow and leaves on the sole of my shoe. I knocked it loose and walked some more. But both feet were gathering these piles of snow and leaves. It impeded my ability to walk freely about. It was a lot of trouble to stop every few moments and knock snow from the instep of my shoes.

Finally, cold and weary of the constant removal of shoe from beneath my shoes, I went back inside to wait to help warm the first grandchild who got too cold. It just wasn’t worth the trouble and I realized that although the shoes were comfortable for regular walking, they weren’t meant for the snow. I should have picked a different pair, one with a different tread and sturdier ankles. I also realized that had I needed to walk a long way in the snow I would have been in trouble with the shoes I had on. Preparation is important. Without it I didn’t have as much freedom to enjoy the trek outdoors.

When we are born again we come into a kingdom where God has provided everything we’ll ever need for life and godliness. Yet we often find ourselves ill prepared for the situations that come our way.  We tend to want to wear house shoes everywhere. We prefer comfort. We like it. We’re God’s kids and we want it easy. Sometimes we prefer ballet slippers. We want to pirouette through life as though we’re all little princesses and princes. We are in fact God’s kids and since He is the King we are in a sense royalty. But we’re meant to traverse through hard times, rough times and rugged weather. We have to be prepared. Neither house shoes nor ballet slippers will get us through when we need our feet shod with rugged boots.

Thankfully we are blessed. We have an entire wardrobe standing ready for us. We don’t have to go unprepared. We have every need for every situation we find ourselves in. Others only have what they find for themselves, but we have the entire council of God’s Word to choose from. He speaks from Genesis to Revelation for our journey through life. All we have to do is get prepared. And we become prepared by taking in the Word and keeping it handy. We don’t know what we will encounter in the days ahead, but God does. So He has provided us with just the right Word for just the right weather. If all we insist on wearing is flip flops we’ll have a hard time in the winter of life. We may know that we have been saved, but we need to know more. We need to know that God will get us through. We can’t wait until times get hard to try to find the right Words to help us through. We must prepare ahead.

Oh beloved, are you struggling with the situation you are in? Did you find yourself in the midst of adversity and see that you are ill prepared to walk it out in faith? Are you wondering why it has happened? Did you fail to hear the weather report that all will have to walk through tough times and blustery weather? It’s not too late! You can still make it. Just stop in to God’s Wonderful Shop of Truth and let Him fit you with the proper Word for this time in your life. If you will come aside and spend some time with the Lord, reading His Word, searching for the right fit, He will lead you into all truth.  And the truth you put on for your present circumstances will get you there and you will walk through in freedom and grace.  You are not meant to stumble or be hobbled in life, but you are called to walk freely in His Word fully prepared for whatever you may encounter.

God loves you and He’s for you. That’s why you can trust Him to lead you into all truth so that, even when the going gets tough, you will walk in the freedom of His truth. There will be better days of flip flops, house shoes and slippers. But it’s wonderful for you to know that you don’t have to walk hampered as you live in the light of His Word.

Psalm 119:45 And I will walk at liberty, For I seek Your precepts. NLT

Habakkuk 3:19 The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]! Amplified Bible

Psalm 86:11 Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. NLT

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.  God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work. NLT

Is Your Walk Wearing Thin?

I have a pair of tennis shoes I really love. They have always been very comfortable. Problem is they are starting to wear thin. I didn’t realize how thin they were until I was walking down my driveway to the mailbox. Between the drive and the street there are rocks. As soon as I stepped on those rocks it felt as though I had no shoes on at all! It hurt! And it was hard to walk! I found myself gingerly trying to avoid some of the bigger jagged rocks and feeling as though I might stumble or fall.

When shoes begin to wear out, their foundation – the sole – gets thin. Without a good solid foundation to walk on, you feel every little irritation and even thorns may shoot through to your tender feet. If not taken care of you can become injured and unable to walk. Ask a hiker or a biker – the shoes you have on make all the difference when you’re sidestepping boulders or avoiding road hazards.

Just like our natural bodies need a good set of shoes to walk without danger, our spiritual life must have a great foundation as well. Without the proper basis for our faith, we just might walk in anything, or find ourselves completely barefoot. There’s no way for us to be secure without our lives having strong protection.

There are many salespeople out in the world who will sell you a poorly made pair of shoes without any qualms.  There are many in the world who will sell you a poor imitation gospel as well.  For whatever reason, they’ve gotten hold of something that was never intended to fit you and most certainly will not protect you. It may make you feel good, it may look fashionable, it may be the right style, color and something everyone else has. But when the test of walking out your faith comes – it will not hold up.

Often we want to go around in faith sandals. We don’t want to do anything but stroll with God and tiptoe in the tulips of life. Then we wonder why things feel so bad. We wonder why we’re falling or stumbling or hurting in our faith walk. It may be time to check your shoes and make sure you have the right pair for the life God has asked you to walk.

Oh beloved, do you have your foundation secure? Are you walking out your faith, able to leap troubles, climb trials, overcome obstacles and face all your responsibilities? Rejoice that you are dressed by the best – the Lord Himself! He has provided exactly what you need for life and godliness so that you can travel wherever He sends you and endure. Yes, He will let you walk some easier roads, but this life of faith is full of pitfalls and jagged rocks. Thank Him today that you are His beloved and that because you are His beloved, He gave the ultimate price to give you a real faith that you can walk out all the days of your life! Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and have a wonderful walk with Him forever!

God loves you and He’s for you and that’s why you can trust His fit!

Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Habakkuk 3:19 The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]! (AMP)

Isaiah 33:6 In that day He will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the Lord will be your treasure.

Ephesians 6:15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.

Proverbs 10:25 When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation.