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A Calm Crisis 1Pet 3:4 “But [let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, [even the ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” Sometimes we think we have more faith than we do until some crisis hits or something out of the ordinary happens to crush us. At that point something will happen – Will we trust the Lord or begin to question what is happening? The latter isn’t right. When that occurs it is because we are not operating out of faith but out of our minds. The faith from our hearts will arise only when our minds are focused on the truth of God’s Word. It is amazing how many Godly people who think they know it all get all bent out of shape when something happens. Don’t you know that is why God allows Satan to stay around for awhile – to see how we are going to react to every circumstance. God has said, “I am testing my people with their reactions to what happens.” That causes us to have a love-hate relationship. I love to see the results but I hate what I experience inwardly at the time I’m going through it. I have said and done things I never thought I was capable of saying or doing. But God is gracious through it all. He is my protector, my shield, my comfort, my fortress, my high tower --- as long as I keep turning to Him for help, trusting Him for the change to take place, and getting over my disappointments of why things like that have to happen. God is absolutely just and fair once we get past the experience of a crisis point in our life into a true revelation of the kind of God He is. And in it I really get to know Him and the power of His resurrection. I believe the outcome will be a victory over this darkness we are now experiencing so that we can bring others through. If we walk away from this thing now, we are going to be beaten back more than we ever thought possible. But if we keep going, we will look back and say it was worth the cost and commitment to keep going. In the verse above “hidden” means secret; “heart” is kardia meaning, feelings or thoughts; “not corruptible” means immortal influence; “spoil” is to ruin, to defile or destroy; “meek” is humbled; “quiet” means at peace without disturbance, the conditions that produce sickness and disease (‘ekho) {anything that affects the relation or condition of your heart}. Become steadfast, immovable. Anything, any crisis, any attack against your heart is to get you to be moved away from the fundamental truth of where God has brought you – the attack – Satan is the accuser of the brethren; the attitude – any word that causes your heart to sink into despair and disbelief – that which is still uncircumcised; the action – your response that flows out of your innermost being who you still are—either in Christ or still in the flesh. Jos 1:8 “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” So what? Does it work? Meditate = to imagine; speak out; ponder over and over and over (night & day) until it becomes a part of our heart so that the next crisis or attack cannot move our hearts. If this becomes the reality of your life: (Job 11:18) “You shall be secure and feel confident because there is hope.” (Amp) “You shall take your rest in safety.” SATURATE = to cause to be thoroughly soaked, imbued, penetrated; to cause to be filled, charged, supplied with the maximum that it can absorb. Soooo…SATURATE YOUR MIND WITH MEDITATION OF GOD’S WORD! How many of you have God in the forefront of your thoughts and mind? Pro 3:3 “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:” Bind – to make strong Neck – throat Write – tattoo Heart – feelings thoughts, understanding God’s Word has a calm effect in times of crisis or despair. If it is alive on our hearts, we won’t retreat or say the way is too hard or try to find an easier path. As we continue this process over a period of time, faith will rise up on the inside and conquer that attitude of defeat and despair. We will begin to react in calm, quiet, confident understanding that God is with us and is changing us and that He has not forsaken us, for us, because His Word will be a genuine living part of our being and makeup. When the problems of life become overwhelming, saturate your mind and heart with more of God’s Word. That is your medicine to make your heart merry. This medicine is the fruit that makes us trees of life placed on either side of the river, as in Ezekiel 47 & Revelation 22. This is what brings healing to the nations of people that are waiting even now for us. This is our inheritance as believers – the nations. This is the energy we need throughout the day when we need to be calm in the face of crisis - it is power: Pro 3:21-22 “My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. “ [life = strength] Here is what we are up against. The enemy is trying to sap our spiritual strength under the pressures of seemingly unceasing difficulties. Keep yourself in the Word of Truth so you may remain calm in the time of crisis. Persevere in the faith no matter what attack comes your way. We can seem to go through wrongs, but we will be comforted and encouraged if God’s Word fills our hearts, feelings, thoughts, and understanding. If we are filled with spiritual truth, we will remain spiritually strong in any circumstance. -Pr. Steve May Newsletter 2004 | A Calm Crisis | Identity Theft | Pastor's Journal May 2004 The Religious | Partakers: With Whom and Of What part 2 of 3 |
Biblical Counseling for Leaders
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