Jesus sent His disciples onto a sea He knew was about to explode in storm. Of course, He knew. He was conversant with the wind, master of the waves and His feet trod the uncertain water with confidence. From His rendezvous with His Father atop the rugged mountains of Jordan, He watched as they hoisted their sails and pulled away from the shore on a smooth and placid sea. But, clouds were building behind Him and as the first whispers of wind ruffled His hair He smiled. As the tempest burst over the mountain and spread out onto the sea, He walked quickly down the rocky escarpment, all the while keeping His eyes focused on the small boat beginning to battle the waves. Soon white caps danced in irresistible spray from crest to crest, drenching the men straining at the oars and ripping the sails from the mast head. Plunging through trough and crest the water pouring over gunwales soon threatened to submerge them all. It was then the Master arrived. It was there, with a back drop of lightening-flashes and booming thunder, He took the helm, stilled the waves and directed the boat to a safe harbor.
It was not the only time He had rescued them from disaster. It was not the only time He had mastered a storm for them. There was that other time when weary from a long day of preaching and pursuing demons, from healing the sick and the heartbroken, He had fallen asleep in the bottom of their boat and not even thundering surf and howling winds was sufficient to arouse Him. Faithless from fearing for their lives, the terrified fishermen, cried in defiance of the winds and He, the ever sufficient one, spoke the word and calmed the storm.
He made a water walker out of Peter. When brave men shed tears washed by tempestuous waves, He spoke peace to both the men and waves and hope was born in each of them. Even the most severe of storms were overcome as funeral processions and even tombs were emptied of their victims, and family, friends and onlookers watched as the grim reaper fled; carrying with him his storm clouds.
The pages of antiquity overlap with accounts of troublesome times but never has the storm towered so high or roared so loud that it could not be suppressed by a simple touch or command from Jesus. And now, with the world reeling from the impact of repeated and threatening storms, we have need of such touches and commands.
But then, not all storms are universal. Sometimes they pile, wave on wave; on me—on you! Sometimes it costs dollars, at others broken dreams. Sometimes they weigh too much to carry and at others are terrifyingly mysterious, attacking the mind or devouring the body. Some storms are very personal and despite our skill, determination or hope are more than capable of overwhelming us. Today we face such a storm.
An election looms on which the future of our world may very well hinge. On the one hand we have a globalist whose dream is to continue a long sought ambition who with others longs to form a one world government. On the other is a hopeless romantic who believes he is the answer to all our problems. I hear the distant thunder which sadly, grows closer each day. The small waves lapping our shores are becoming more deeply trenched, whose crests are beginning to spew foam.
But do not be afraid. The Master is fully aware of the coming storm. He knows our weariness as we bend against the oars. He sees us laboring against the odds, and smiles. For two thousand years the church of Jesus has anticipated this day and though the Dragon growls in his den and the whole world trembles before the approaching storm, our Lord remains in control. I hear the in-rushing water. I feel the wind increasing in velocity. I sense the deck tilting beneath my feet as our ship of state lists dangerously. The adverse winds and waves of persecution are rising. Our faith is resented. Our hope is mocked. Our Lord is hated and an imposter is doubtless waiting in the wings to assume the helm and crash us on the rocks. But the Lord reigns and when the governments of this world stand to shake their fists at the church and rage their storms, He will strike with a fierceness that makes the boasts of men seem but the whimpers of helpless children.
But do not fear. Though the coming storm will not be quelled, we shall rise above it and though the nations of the world meld together in a united front against our King, He will lift us safely out and deposit us on homely shores.
[Editor's Comment: God has given to us a prophetic voice in Ronald Gadberry. He is an ordained minister of the IPHC, and serves as an evangelist. and a member of the New Horizons Ministries Conference. He is offering his services as an evangelist and singer to pastors of churches who are now preparing their 2017 revival and preaching mission services.
You may contact Ronald Gadberry at the following address and/or telephone numbers:
The Rev. Mr. Ronald Gadberry
509 Cottage Park Lane
Shawnee, Oklahoma 74804
1-405-834-0479 / 1-405-808-2937
He will do your church good.]
It was not the only time He had rescued them from disaster. It was not the only time He had mastered a storm for them. There was that other time when weary from a long day of preaching and pursuing demons, from healing the sick and the heartbroken, He had fallen asleep in the bottom of their boat and not even thundering surf and howling winds was sufficient to arouse Him. Faithless from fearing for their lives, the terrified fishermen, cried in defiance of the winds and He, the ever sufficient one, spoke the word and calmed the storm.
He made a water walker out of Peter. When brave men shed tears washed by tempestuous waves, He spoke peace to both the men and waves and hope was born in each of them. Even the most severe of storms were overcome as funeral processions and even tombs were emptied of their victims, and family, friends and onlookers watched as the grim reaper fled; carrying with him his storm clouds.
The pages of antiquity overlap with accounts of troublesome times but never has the storm towered so high or roared so loud that it could not be suppressed by a simple touch or command from Jesus. And now, with the world reeling from the impact of repeated and threatening storms, we have need of such touches and commands.
But then, not all storms are universal. Sometimes they pile, wave on wave; on me—on you! Sometimes it costs dollars, at others broken dreams. Sometimes they weigh too much to carry and at others are terrifyingly mysterious, attacking the mind or devouring the body. Some storms are very personal and despite our skill, determination or hope are more than capable of overwhelming us. Today we face such a storm.
An election looms on which the future of our world may very well hinge. On the one hand we have a globalist whose dream is to continue a long sought ambition who with others longs to form a one world government. On the other is a hopeless romantic who believes he is the answer to all our problems. I hear the distant thunder which sadly, grows closer each day. The small waves lapping our shores are becoming more deeply trenched, whose crests are beginning to spew foam.
But do not be afraid. The Master is fully aware of the coming storm. He knows our weariness as we bend against the oars. He sees us laboring against the odds, and smiles. For two thousand years the church of Jesus has anticipated this day and though the Dragon growls in his den and the whole world trembles before the approaching storm, our Lord remains in control. I hear the in-rushing water. I feel the wind increasing in velocity. I sense the deck tilting beneath my feet as our ship of state lists dangerously. The adverse winds and waves of persecution are rising. Our faith is resented. Our hope is mocked. Our Lord is hated and an imposter is doubtless waiting in the wings to assume the helm and crash us on the rocks. But the Lord reigns and when the governments of this world stand to shake their fists at the church and rage their storms, He will strike with a fierceness that makes the boasts of men seem but the whimpers of helpless children.
But do not fear. Though the coming storm will not be quelled, we shall rise above it and though the nations of the world meld together in a united front against our King, He will lift us safely out and deposit us on homely shores.
[Editor's Comment: God has given to us a prophetic voice in Ronald Gadberry. He is an ordained minister of the IPHC, and serves as an evangelist. and a member of the New Horizons Ministries Conference. He is offering his services as an evangelist and singer to pastors of churches who are now preparing their 2017 revival and preaching mission services.
You may contact Ronald Gadberry at the following address and/or telephone numbers:
The Rev. Mr. Ronald Gadberry
509 Cottage Park Lane
Shawnee, Oklahoma 74804
1-405-834-0479 / 1-405-808-2937
He will do your church good.]