Through the storms

“God is still on the throne and prayer changes things!” said the voice on the radio. Harold thought about that for a moment as he drove to work. He had had a fight with his wife the night before and left the house early the next morning without saying goodbye. While cruising down the freeway Harold didn’t close his eyes but connected with his Creator through a short prayer.

“Lord please soften my heart and help me to show my wife more kindness” immediately his cell phone rang. The voice on the other end of the line was that of his wife’s. She had called to let him know she was sorry for last night’s argument and asked for forgiveness. Harold said “No, I’m the one who should be apologizing to you!”

Cheryl had to drive downtown for a doctor’s appointment and try to find a parking space three blocks away during the morning rush. She circled the block several times before praying “God please don’t let me be late for my appointment”  suddenly a car put on its turn signal and pulled out from the curb allowing Cheryl to signal and take advantage of the large open space.

Nick fell onto the sidewalk as he left work at Harrah’s Casino. He convulsed as several people stopped to give him first aid. One woman passing by knelt down and while putting her hand on his chest said a prayer “Heavenly Father please help this poor soul. Heal him and bring him back to life”

Within seconds Nick’s eyes opened wide and he sat up right as several people were shocked and frightened at what they had just witnessed. Nick asked the woman what had happened to him to him as the woman replied “Why God just performed a miracle and healed you son” 

Prayer is our connection to God and His unlimited resources and potential. Unfortunately, for many of us, it is has become only a vain hope or last ditch effort. Seeking God in times of trouble should be our first response. We sometimes put too much trust in ourselves when we should take a moment to go to God in prayer.

There are three pillars to a healthy Christian life; prayer, study-meditation of God’s Word and the empowerment-refilling of the Holy Spirit. These three pillars work together like the legs of a three legged stool. If you lose one leg the stool becomes out of balance and will topple over.

To keep His balance, Jesus spent time getting alone and praying to the Father. He often withdrew into the wilderness to seek out the Father’s will. He also filled many hours of his life by studying the Hebrew Scriptures. The Lord modeled for us the healthy way to grow in the grace and knowledge of God.

However, it wasn’t until the Holy Spirit descended upon Him that He was ready for His ministry. When John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River the scriptures say that the Holy Spirit descended upon Him and the Heavenly Father spoke “This is my Son in whom I am well pleased!”

The storms of life will continue to crash around us, over us and knock us down if we are not connected to the rock. We must spend time reading God’s Word for instruction and then meditate on it. Then through our regular prayer time God can move and work on our hearts and minds.

However, it is not until the third pillar is constructed that we gain our total stability and potential as Christians. When we empty ourselves and allow God to re-fill us with His Holy Spirit then we are complete and ready to stand firm in our faith.

Picture a lighthouse that has been built out at sea along the coastline. The waves continually build and crash against the structure. As the waves grow larger more pressure and force is being exerted onto the walls. However, this lighthouse’s foundation has been drilled deep into the ocean’s bedrock and it is not moved by the force of the waves.

Our life in Christ is just like that. We must first be connected, attached to the firm foundation of Jesus Christ. We must then spend time studying His Word and meditating on it. Then as we withdraw to spend time alone in prayer God can work on our lives and speak to us, communicate to us through this relationship.

However, it is not until we ask God to help us through the process of empting ourselves that we can make room for the filling of the Holy Spirit. Surviving any storm depends upon being empowered by the Holy Spirit. Our power, our victory comes from God above. He is our Rock, our firm foundation and shelter from the storm.