iBelin

Before All Things….

// March 9th, 2011 // 7 Comments » // LENT

By Julie S. Doar-Sinkfield
John 1:1-18
 
Before all that we know, before all that we have done, before our arrival on earth, there is a greater source than us; a greater source of science, math, art, nature, love, kindness, benevolence, forgiveness and grace.  There is a presence that made the universe, the galaxy, the planets and the stars and forever dwarfs us in its presence.  Though that force is so great, that it is God, it can somehow how get lost in the world in which we live.  We can’t see the stars for the city lights.  We can’t see the bounty for those who are without and we lose sight of the hand of God in the rhythm of the world.  

To read the news, the twitter feed, the news feed on Facebook and the headline news on cable – this is a God less world.  Where is kindness, where is humanity, where is forgiveness and where is selflessness?  Despots kill their own in the name of their own power.  Hate and discontent dominates the information that is aimed at us.  It becomes easy to succumb; to feel helpless and unhelped.  Without the aid of a guiding hand, without grace and so far from glory, all can feel lost.  It is easy to focus on the negative messages.  

But in every cloud isn’t there a silver lining?  After a storm isn’t there a rainbow?  After the pain of humanity isn’t there life everlasting?  Sundays are but one day a week.  As Christians, how do we carry faith with us throughout the other six days?

When God wanted to save humanity from itself he sent His Son – Jesus.  He was born in a barn the son of the blessed virgin and a carpenter.  He was not an emperor or a king.  He was not a politician or a rabbi.  But He was blessed with the same tools with which we are blessed.

In Tunisia, in Egypt and in Libya, people, with as little as our Savior, are creating change to the benefit of mankind – overthrowing bonds and oppression believing that tomorrow, next week, next month and next year will be worth all of their trouble.  In Harlem, reformers like Geoffrey Canada, commit themselves to humble lives of service not for the glory of money or fame but for the glory of more work.  In Congress, John Lewis, and in the White House, President and Mrs. Obama, stand day after day after day against an onslaught of injustice, trouble and conflict because they too believe that the world can be saved, can be beautiful and that they have the same power of our Savior to spread that message, one person at a time.  

“14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.”

I suppose, Jesus had the power of miracles and John before him as his publicist but again, aren’t we too living in an era of miracles and premonitions?  And Jesus had doubts too, didn’t He ask, when it was His hour of sacrifice to be relieved if it was possible?  What John and Jesus had in common was unwavering belief.  

We are not so different.  Born in the image of our Lord, with the power to make change happen, to communicate directly with God, to have a positive impact on the world the only difference between us and the Savior in his human form is our purpose.  “12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.”  Our challenge as Christians in this time of trial must be to strive to have in common with Jesus (and John too) unwavering belief – belief in the unseen and unheard – belief in the Word.

The Bible tells us – the Word existed before, during and after John and certainly our generation.  Jesus has already come before us as proof of John’s word.  

“14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.”  

And evidence of God’s grace continues to be all around us if we hear the Word and look for ourselves rather than take the word of the loudest mouths on the largest pulpits.  We cannot see Jesus as the Word anymore but we can see the Word in the children of God.  In the shadow of the Universe, the heavens, the stars, and the sky – isn’t anything possible with the help of the Lord?

“14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.”

If you really believe it, then live it.  

Resurrection Wounds*

// April 4th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // LENT, Lent Devotional

“When he had said this he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.”
John 20: 20

In the movie Madea’s Family Reunion a song sung by Rachael Ferrell, lyrics by J. Carlock goes something like this: “As time passes they begin to multiply adding up secretly like the rings of an old oak tree; there are wounds in the way; some old, some new all stifling debilitating and cruel and some are passed down from elder to youth – they don’t belong to you.

As time passes, they begin to accrue, a strange sort of value; some you don’t think that are worth holding on to; cause you don’t want to change who you are: there are wounds in the way”

There are times in our lives when we have allowed our wounding to get in the way of our living. Jesus did not allow his wounds to get in the way of the resurrection.

John’s gospel indicates that Jesus met with his disciples after the resurrection. Initially he had sent them news of the resurrection and now he comes himself
The disciples were locked behind closed doors perhaps to encourage each other, pray or develop a new strategy to do damage control of the horrific evens on that fateful Friday. Wounds tend to do two things. They will either cause you to hide or try to hurt someone. Hurt people can hurt other people.

Although the disciples were on lock down, Jesus appears to them and shows them his wounds. Some scholars in a majority opinion believe that Jesus showed his wounds to prove that he was the same Jesus that hung on the cross and rose from the grave. The wounds proved that he was who he said he was. He was the risen Christ and not an impostor.

The wounds were the evidence, the tell tale signs of the resurrection. They were validation of his life and teachings. The wounds spoke of the resurrection: Jesus is not just a good guy; another prophet or teacher but he is the Son of God who said he was going to suffer and die and said he would rise on the third day.

His wounds were the fulfillment of what Isaiah spoke as in he was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquity. Jesus bore the marks of his affliction and ours in his body.

Flora Slosson Wirellner writes that showing the wounds were acts of mercy- swift acts for friends who were confused; who misunderstood; those struggling to understand what was happening.

The resurrection did not blot out the wounds, erased the wounds, and reversed the wounds. Jesus rose from the grave in spite of the wounding with the scars and the sores that were produced by the hurt and pain of a brutal public crucifixion.

The wounds themselves are a sign of healing; scabs formed over the abrasions where his skin was scraped off as he stumbled along the apian way carrying the cross; wounds were a sign of healing – the lacerations where his flesh had been torn open by the leather whips; penetrating wounds from the spear in his side- the clots that had formed over the bleeding holes in his hands, and feet that indicated healing- like stretch marks on a woman’s belly show the at one time new life stretch the skin to its breaking point but now healed the scar remains.

Jesus showed his wounds. They identify him with the human condition. God fully entered into our daily life through his son; entered into the daily injustice and pain of exclusionary idioms– he passionately carries our wounds in his body and longs for our healing

The wounds remind us that God through his son Jesus Christ will never ignore or negate nor minimalize the human condition. He will never be beyond our reach or cry. Jesus suffered for us then and suffers for us now.

Jesus shows his wounds – they more than validate his resurrection he also demonstrates that in spite of all that happened to him on Calvary – he did not let his wounds get in the way.

The wounds of his descend did not prevent his assent; the wounds of his demise did not get in the way of his come back; the wounds of his downfall did not prevent his uprising. The wounds from his humiliation did not prevent his elevation; the wounds of he agitation did not get in the way of the wounds of his motivation; the wounds of his crucifixion did not get n the way of his glorification. The wounds did not get in the way.
It is an encouragement that as we celebrate another resurrection Sunday, to never let our wounds get in the way!

Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie
www.thisisyourwakeupcallonline.com
www.vashtimckenzie.blgospot.com
www.13thame.com

**During Lent and Holy Week, devotional writings will be posted by Facebook and Twitter friends who are praying and fasting together in a Daniel Fast. Read more about this “Journey to the Heart of God by clicking here.

Saturday, April 3rd – “Who Will Help to Bury Me?”

// April 3rd, 2010 // 2 Comments » // LENT, Lent Devotional

John 19:38-42 (KJV)
38 And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. 39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. 40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. 42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
One day in the year 2000, in my hometown, my infant son and I were riding in my recently purchased first car. I was so elated to have transportation I forgot one of the most important components: gas. I ran out of gas right down the street from the gas station. I looked around in dismay at the daunting task of how I would get to the gas station. With no phone and no other prospects, I got out of the car with my infant son and started walking. After 10 minutes, a young lady pulled up behind me and said, “I just couldn’t let you walk down this road with the baby.” She gave me a ride to the gas station and back to my car. In one of my vulnerable moments, I was cared for by someone whom I did not know.
I have learned that you will often be cared for in those vulnerable moments not by those whom you know, but by those who simply have compassion for you. Do not be deterred by the unavailability of those with whom you are familiar: God always places someone or something in our path to help to “bury” us. Joseph and Nicodemus were not the better known affiliates of Jesus, but they were there in Jesus’ most needful moment. Be confident that God always sees you and has those in place who will help to wrap you, preserve you, and bandage you in your time of need. The above scripture reference is not a story of doom and gloom, for we know that Jesus rose from the dead. The bandages and spices simply helped to preserve what would soon resurrect. You will resurrect soon. Until then, allow the linen and spices that are being applied to you to preserve you.

Prayer: Give us this day, our daily bread…

Terrance L. Culp, Associate Minister
The Life Cathedral
Orangeburg, SC
www.twitter.com/terrancelculp

**During Lent and Holy Week, devotional writings will be posted by Facebook and Twitter friends who are praying and fasting together in a Daniel Fast. Read more about this “Journey to the Heart of God by clicking here.

Friday, April 2nd – Against All Odds*

// April 2nd, 2010 // No Comments » // LENT, Lent Devotional

John 18:1 – 19:42
“If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.” Pilate tried to convince the Jews that their accusations of Jesus did not warrant a guilty verdict or a death sentence. According to the law at the time, there is no way Jesus should have made it t the cross. There was no evidence or any witnesses, yet Jesus was found guilty although He had committed no crime. However, He had a purpose and against all odds, Jesus made it to the cross.

I know that I should be dead. There have been some things that I have experienced in my life that could only lead to death, yet against all odds, I am alive. I have come to realize that I am alive to fulfill God’s purpose for me. I ran from it, I ignored it, I tried to hide from it but now I embrace it. As a third generation preacher’s kid, I would often get asked when I would be following in the footsteps of those before me and accept my calling. My answer was always the same: not me! I never imagined that God would birth in me a desire to help others know Him in a deep and intimate level. Against all odds!

Jesus had all power in his hands and at any moment could have decided that he was not willing to be sacrificed or crucified. Yet, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit (19:30). Jesus was the perfect example that when God has a plan for your life, you can make it against all odds.

Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt against all odds. Noah built an ark against all odds. Sarah had a baby against all odds. Daniel made it alive out of the lion’s den against all odds. Esther saved her people from destruction against all odds. David became king against all odds. Paul preached the gospel against all odds. Jesus was crucified against all odds.

God is calling us to live for Him against all odds.

LaNicia Williams
Seattle, WA
http://www.facebook.com/helpinghandsconnect

**During Lent and Holy Week, devotional writings will be posted by Facebook and Twitter friends who are praying and fasting together in a Daniel Fast. Read more about this “Journey to the Heart of God by clicking here.

Thursday, April 1st – Servant Leadership*

// April 1st, 2010 // 3 Comments » // LENT, Lent Devotional

John 13.1-17; 31-35 (NIV)
When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. 32If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.
33″My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.
34″A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

What is Servant Leadership? Google the phrase and you will find quotes, definitions, and models. The TV show, Undercover Boss, attempts to answer the question. In this show, the boss assumes a fake identity and works alongside the people who work for his company. At the end of just one week on the job, the boss reveals his true identity and pledges to improve working conditions. The process is supposed to teach him how to serve and lead his employees. Applause and fade to black…

On this last night with the disciples, Jesus has one final lesson for his close group of friends. Up to this point, Jesus has healed, fed multitudes and taught in the synagogue in full view of his disciples. He didn’t have to work undercover to learn how to lead and serve. He was the exemplar.

As he gets up from the table, he wraps a towel around his waist and performs the menial task of washing the disciples’ feet. He explains how they are to follow the example he has just set. As they are absorbing what has taken place, he explains that this is a new commandment. I’m asking you to live differently than you did before. He tells them and he tells us to show the world what we have learned from Him. Love as you have seen me love those I healed and fed. Love as you have seen me teach in love. Love as you have seen me interact with people who were denied love. Show the world how to lead and serve. Be an example to the world of how I have loved you and then, love one another.

Eternal God, Your Son came showing us a new way of living and being in the lives of our sisters and brothers. As we draw closer to the foot of the cross, instill in us the desire to live up to the example Jesus set for us on that dark night so long ago. Speak to our hearts and let us join our hands together so that the world will know we are one in the bond of love.

Minister Kymberly E. McNair
Antioch Baptist Church
Bedford Hills, NY

**During Lent and Holy Week, devotional writings will be posted by Facebook and Twitter friends who are praying and fasting together in a Daniel Fast. Read more about this “Journey to the Heart of God by clicking here.

Wednesday, March 31st – Betrayed: Are you Bitter or Better?*

// March 31st, 2010 // 1 Comment » // LENT, Lent Devotional

John 13:21-32
How do you handle hurt and disappointment? Do you become bitter or better? Does your disappointment cause you to become angry and irate? Anger has been compared to the combustible explosions in a car engine that produces the power to make the car move. When those explosions are under control, they will take the car safely to its destination. But, if instead of controlling the flow of gas producing these orderly explosions — we ignited all the gas in the tank at once — we’d blow both the car and ourselves up. So rather than combust and explode. . . or become bitter and harsh . . . we can learn from the Nazarene Carpenter, how to handle betrayal.

Judas had the opportunity to witness Jesus’ love first hand. Judas was one of them. . . Judas was one of the Disciples. Jesus and the others trusted him enough, to make him the treasurer. . . and steward over their resources. He was one of them! Judas had walked hundreds of miles with them; slept under the stars with them; sat around the campfires with them; listened to many of Jesus’ sermons with them! He was one of them!

Judas was part of the guest list at the wedding in Cana, where Jesus turned the water into wine, and he was there when the “Master Teacher” provided a full meal for the congregation, after the church service was over, with only five loaves of bread and two fish. Judas saw the lame man pick up his bed and walk; he watched the blind man’s eyes focus for the first time; he saw dead Lazarus come back to life; He was present in the upper room and had his feet washed by Jesus! He was one of them!

However, in Gethsemane’s Garden, one of “Them” betrayed Jesus with a kiss. His name was Judas. Betrayal from a perfect stranger is hard, very hard to swallow. Betrayal by the hands, or kiss, of a “Judas” is even worse. . . it destroys trust, it robs you of the past, and it can numb the heart towards ever trusting again. Oh. . . but Jesus has an answer!

When we are betrayed ─ instead of developing a ministry based on “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”; instead of slap for slap and curse for curse ─ Jesus said we must respond with HIS form of love! Jesus said this in John 13:34, 35 – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Show your enemy that you are “His Disciple” . . . show your enemy that you possess the love of Jesus in your heart!

Prayer: Lord, allow my actions to reflect YOUR love . . . in my speech, in my walk, and in my life. . .no matter what season I find myself in!

Reverend Kenneth J. Aveirls, Sr.
Fairfield AME Church
Jackson, Georgia

**During Lent and Holy Week, devotional writings will be posted by Facebook and Twitter friends who are praying and fasting together in a Daniel Fast. Read more about this “Journey to the Heart of God by clicking here.

Tuesday, March 30th – Creating Positive Energy*

// March 30th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // LENT, Lent Devotional

John 12:20-36 (NRSV)
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. 21They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ 22Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23Jesus answered them, ‘The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honour. 27 ‘Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—“Father, save me from this hour”? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. 28Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ 29The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, ‘An angel has spoken to him.’ 30Jesus answered, ‘This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. 31Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out. 32And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ 33He said this to indicate the kind of death he was to die. 34The crowd answered him, ‘We have heard from the law that the Messiah remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?’ 35Jesus said to them, ‘The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. 36While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.’ After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them.

At this point of Jesus’ journey, He has predicted His own death. Yes, the people who just 2 days ago were throwing palms in His path and yelling, “Hosanna!, Hosanna!” are the very same people plotting and scheming against His life. The beauty of this moment is that Jesus remains calm to even those who are planning to kill Him. He knows He has equipped everyone with all the teachings and examples needed for anyone to decide whether or not they choose to follow the ways of the Lord. For every decision we need to make, we need to weigh all consequences before reacting. Jesus didn’t react to the negative energy around Him with negativity but instead, stuck to His teachings and principals for living a life that pleased God.

Carefully deciding if our choices will take us out of God’s grace or keep us in His grace, will determine whether or not His blessings will fall on our lives. If we take the approach Jesus took towards our enemies, then like Jesus, some people who have negative feelings about you will soon turn from their wickedness and recognize Jesus in you. Today, remain positive even when negativity is around you. Your reaction will be what people remember, so always remain positive.

Prayer: Lord, help me to remain positive even when my surroundings are negative and seem hopeless to escape. Help me to manage my decisions so that they have fruitful outcomes, allowing others to see you in my life.

Rev. Orsella R. Cooper
Associate Minister
Bethel AME Church
110 Grove Street
Bridgeport, CT 06610

**During Lent and Holy Week, devotional writings will be posted by Facebook and Twitter friends who are praying and fasting together in a Daniel Fast. Read more about this “Journey to the Heart of God by clicking here.

Monday, March 29th – The True Cost of Your Praise*

// March 29th, 2010 // 4 Comments » // LENT, Lent Devotional

John 12:1-11
1Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
4But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5″Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7″Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. ” It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
9Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.

At some point after raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus visited Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha. Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with a luxurious perfume, and then wiped his feet with her hair. Mary’s act of worship went against culture and tradition; it broke some rules. First, using something valued at a year’s salary was indeed extravagant. Judas, the disciple who would eventually betray Jesus, chided Mary for what he deemed as a frivolous use of the expensive ointment. (But this past Christmas, some of us spent what amounted to a year’s salary for someone at the poverty level, especially once interest is added to our charges.) Second, a proper Jewish woman would never let down her hair in public. Yet, Mary did it anyway.

There are times when no one understands the true cost of your praise except you and Jesus. It is beyond explanation or understanding. The magnitude of your gratitude is too large to be contained in the normative liturgical order. In Mary’s case, Jesus was her friend, one who raised her brother from the dead. What is it for you? Today, meditate on something that Jesus has done for you that would make you worship against the rules. Don’t worry about people looking at you and assigning their own value to you and your circumstances, because they do so from their own limited perspective and limited faith. Yes, they want you to shut up, hurry up, sit down, and dry your tears. To see you worship in this way makes them uncomfortable, but you have to do it anyway. Just come to the comfort and contentment of knowing that only you and Jesus know the true cost of your praise.

Rev. Marcia Allen Owens
Tallahassee, Florida

**During Lent and Holy Week, devotional writings will be posted by Facebook and Twitter friends who are praying and fasting together in a Daniel Fast. Read more about this “Journey to the Heart of God by clicking here.

Sunday, March 28th – I Don’t Want No Rocks Crying Out for Me!

// March 28th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // LENT, Lent Devotional

Luke 19:28-40 (New Living Translation)
28 After telling this story, Jesus went on toward Jerusalem, walking ahead of his disciples. 29 As he came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany on the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples ahead. 30 “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks, ‘Why are you untying that colt?’ just say, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32 So they went and found the colt, just as Jesus had said. 33 And sure enough, as they were untying it, the owners asked them, “Why are you untying that colt?” 34 And the disciples simply replied, “The Lord needs it.” 35 So they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it for him to ride on.
36 As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him. 37 When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen. 38 “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!”[a] 39 But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!” 40 He replied, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!”

The scientific study of rocks known as petrology identifies three different types of rock formations: igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, and metamorphic rocks. Igneous rocks are formed when molten magma as hot as 2400 Fahrenheit cools once it reaches the earth’s surface. Sedimentary rocks are formed as particles are compacted and pressurized near the earth’s crust. Metamorphic rocks are formed by increases in temperature and pressure upon previous rock formations.

Rock formations are as beautiful as they are elaborate, and vary dramatically in their size, weight, and shape. They range from the towering mountain peaks of the Himalayas to microscopic pebbles along the seashore. Yet, despite all of its grandeur, the fact remains that rocks are inanimate objects, which by definition means that rocks are lifeless, spiritless, and breathless, unable to feel pain or relief, sorrow or joy.

Like rocks, we, too, have our own testimony of coming out of pressurized and heated situations that have made us uniquely who we are as individuals. But unlike rock formations, we are fully animated – gifted by God with life, spirit, and breath! Therefore, we are clearly better suited to praise God for His goodness and kindness towards us than any igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rock!

Regardless of any rebuke or scorn, heartache and pain you may experience, not praising God is not an option! Praise God in the midst of any and every situation! Since a rock cannot give your testimony, don’t give a rock your praise!

Michael W. Waters
Dallas, Texas
www.joytabernacleame.org

**During Lent and Holy Week, devotional writings will be posted by Facebook and Twitter friends who are praying and fasting together in a Daniel Fast. Read more about this “Journey to the Heart of God by clicking here.

Saturday, March 27th – Contrary Winds*

// March 27th, 2010 // 2 Comments » // LENT, Lent Devotional

Mark 6:47-56
“And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them…For they considered not the miracle of the loaves; for their heart was hardened.” Mark 6:48a, 52

After Jesus feeds the five thousand, he goes into the hills to pray. When evening comes the disciples set out in the boat without him, but they aren’t making much progress because they are rowing against the wind. About the fourth watch (i.e. just before dawn) Jesus comes to them, walking on the sea, intending to pass by. The disciples are frightened and cry out because they think they are seeing a ghost. Immediately Jesus speaks identifying himself, reassuring them.

Jesus gets into the boat and the wind ceases. The disciples are utterly amazed, because they had not understood the significance of the feeding of the five thousand. The boat lands at Gennesaret; when they get out of the boat, the people recognize Jesus and as the news quickly spreads, people from the surrounding area start bringing the sick to him to be healed. Wherever Jesus goes, those who are sick are brought to him. They beg him just to touch the fringe of his garment, for all who did so were healed.

The psalmist declares that “God is a very present help in the time of trouble.” Ironically, as a people of faith, we often forget in the midst of trouble or contrary winds in our lives, that God is still present. Although the disciples could not see Jesus in the midst of the “contrary winds” at night during the storm, He was present.

During these moments of “contrary winds”, we find ourselves surrounded by darkness, wind, rain, confusion, and fear. Oftentimes, just as the disciples, we are doing our best to follow Jesus’ command and fight against the “contrary winds” in our lives at the same time. These “contrary winds” can be relational, emotional, familial, physical, or spiritual. Even during our journey with Christ, the “contrary winds” can distract us from achieving our divine purpose and destiny. During these adverse situations, we ask God WHY. Why did Jesus ask the disciples to make this journey? And where was Jesus when they really needed Him? Why does Jesus ask us to make our journey? Where is Jesus during our difficult “contrary winds” of daily life that leaves us struggling?

Brothers and sisters, remember that God is still faithful and true to His Word. God will never leave us nor forsake us. The disciples experienced a brief season of what all Christians face at some point in life. This season is called “in the meantime.” This season is defined as the last time you heard from God and next time you will hear from God. And we, like the disciples, may think we are alone and abandoned. But in reality, they were under the watchful supervision of Jesus who came to them at the right time and calmed the storm. The Lord Jesus will do the same with us. We may not see, feel, or hear God, but just when we need God the most, the breakthrough will manifest!

We must trust God in the midst of our pain, helplessness, and barrenness. Remember God’s great mercies of the past in your and others’ life, and meditate on the promises of the Bible. Past healings. Past deliverances. Past restorations. If God did it yesterday, God is big enough to do it again and again and again. God is able!

We can rely on God’s power just as hymnologist John H. Sammis, who wrote the hymn “Trust and Obey.”
When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear,
not a sorrow we share,
but our toil he doth richly repay;
not a grief or a loss,
not a frown or a cross,
but is blest if we trust and obey.

Prayer: Wonderful Jesus, I worship you. Lord, you keep amazing me with your power and love. Keep me focused on your Word and purpose for my life. AMEN

The Reverend Fedrick A. Wilson, Pastor
Cedar Grove AME Church
Cope (Orangeburg County), SC

**During Lent and Holy Week, devotional writings will be posted by Facebook and Twitter friends who are praying and fasting together in a Daniel Fast. Read more about this “Journey to the Heart of God by clicking here.