Word for the day “Leaders facing storms at a spiritual level.”
Mark 4 (NKJV) 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, [g] be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How[h] is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
Beloved leaders,
In this amazing story of the calming of the storm at sea, we witness some of the spiritual challenges we all will experience in fear and trust. The disciples stand symbolically and literally for all of us journeying through life within the narrow confines of making the decision to either rely on themselves or Jesus in this moment.
WE WILL ALL HAVE TO DECIDE HOW WE WILL FACE THE STORMS IN OUR LIVES.
When they confront the storm and the mighty waves, they are immediately filled with fear. Similarly, when the trials and anxieties of life confront our self-reliance, the first reaction is fear, since there is no power beyond itself upon which it can rely. In the midst of this out-of-control storm, this inner and outer tension, Jesus symbolizes that divine superpower that remains unaffected by the fear storms generated by self-reliance. We can rely on Jesus always, and we will make it through any storm this life sends our way.
FACING THE STORMS IN OUR LIVES AT A SPIRITUAL LEVEL WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOREVER.
Continuing to read the story at a spiritual level, we see that it is none other than this divine superpower that successfully calms the waves: he “rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.” This beautiful narrative seems to suggest that if we awaken to the presence of God within us, if we learn to live and to see at a deeper level, if we live in basic trust rather than fear, then we can withstand even the most frightening storms in our lives.
Perhaps this is a great time to be reading today’s message, especially the part about facing storms at a spiritual level.
POINT TO PONDER
Whenever you are faced with a storm in your life, learn to ask for help. I’ve discovered we must learn to ask the Lord for help. We have a propensity to try and figure things out on our own. Whether it be your marriage, finances, education, careers, business, learn to ask for help, the Lord will show up either through people or Himself.
Special thanks!
Chief Encouragement Officer (CEO) James Baker, Jr. and our leadership team are especially thankful for those of you who provided financial donations and support in July 2023, by partnering with us in efforts to advance the kingdom of God in this 21st century season: Special thanks to Ms. Annette Straker, Mr. David Straker, Mr. Kenneth Washington, Ms. Itholear Abbott, Mrs. Barbara Mason, Mr. Brent Mason, Ms. Jeanette Grant, Ms. Cynthia Artis-Waiters, Ms. Michelle Winder Branch, Mr. William Buchanan Ms. Angie Scraders-Murphy, Mr. Calvin Jackson, Mr. Calvin Griffith, Mr. William Jones, Ms. Jennifer Sanchez, Mr. William Wilson, Mrs. Lola Moore, Ms. Mable Bazemore, Mr. Calvin Griffith, and, . Ms. Gertrude Scott, Pastor Raymond, and Mrs. Ranghill-Philip.
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Kingdom Blessings,