Calming the Storm

Written by Christina Calvache

As I was listening to the Christian Radio the other day, the question was raised “why did God take what one man and woman did (Adam and Eve) and make everyone else suffer the consequences?” It seems as if many people wonder this as they are seeking to know the Lord. I don’t fully understand the answer to this but it has to do with sin and death entering the world, and everyone being born into sin. I do know that because of this we all suffer. Jesus said it himself, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:13). My co-worker Jackie and I have gone back and forth questioning “But why?” when trying to understand various trials and tribulations, and each time she exclaims, “We live in a fallen world Chrissy” which is her explanation for every kind of suffering.

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. (1Peter 4:12)

The first few months following the tragic death of my brother-in-law seemed surreal. We couldn’t seem to grasp the reality of what we were experiencing while trying to help my widowed sister and her three young children. As a family of faith, no one could understand how God could allow this to happen. I remember feeling as though something strange were happening to me. Like many of you may feel when something devastating happens in your life, I have been despondent, depressed, confused and angry. Something strange was indeed happening to me. My faith was being put to the test.

As a child of God we all go through trials of faith. As a matter of fact, on the day Michael died, the title of my devotional for the day was “Trial of Faith”. I wish I had taken the time to read it and meditate on it that morning. According to my daily devotional, My Utmost For His Highest, faith must be tested and tried, in hope that we would “Remain true to God’s character whatever He may do.” Furthermore, stating the greatest expression of faith being “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15). Had I read it that morning, I may have trusted in Him. I couldn’t accept this from Him. Many Christians face this kind of trial. Would you be able to trust God and remain faithful to Him, even in death?

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:

Having the Word of God hidden in your heart is so important when going through trials and tribulations, especially when faith is tested. During this unbearable and trying time, I felt as if the enemy had a whirlwind of lies spinning around me making it difficult to trust God. But when my little sister removed her hands from her saturated face and looked up at me and said, “God doesn’t love me, how can I believe God loves me?” The truth hidden in my heart echoed in my mind and the Truth hidden in my heart began to whirlwind around me for many days to follow.

I have loved you with an everlasting love, my plans are to give you hope and a future, the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, my will is that none should perish, I am a mighty warrior who saves, cast all your anxiety on me because I care for you, nothing can separate my love for you, I give you a rich and abundant life, I am the provider of all your needs, I work all things together for your good. This life is like a blink of an eye, a vapor in the wind, a stepping stone, I give you everlasting life. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace, My ways are not your ways and my thoughts are not your thoughts, I would never leave you or forsake you, In the world you will have tribulation, but I have overcome the world. Be still and know that I am God.

As the storm calms, I have inner peace because of the Word hidden in my heart. It helps me trust in the Lord, even in death.

Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. (John 16:20)

L.O.V.E. by Louisa Guzman

Valentine's Day...

hearts, cupid, blown kisses, chocolate, flowers, couples holding hands, romantic dinners,

These are the images that come to mind because society has imposed them on us. These days, even as early as the day after New Year's stores are decorated and filled with pink and red hearts of every size. But has Valentine's day ever brought images to your mind of a man or woman sitting at home alone eating dinner in front of the TV?

Do you ever think about the divorced or widowed man or woman who doesn't receive flowers or candy on Valentine's day anymore because their spouse is gone? Have you ever thought to send a Valentine's day card to the single person who prays each morning that this may be the day Mr. or Mrs.

walks right into their life?

And what about the man or woman who has made the choice to remain single in order to serve God better? - don't all of them still deserve love and affection on Valentine's day and every day?

Valentine's day is just one day, but ironically and unfortunately, it is a day on which many feel anything but love. Valentine's day isn't just for couples. Valentine's day is for everyone. Love is for everyone. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son" [John 3:16].

God loves us all, and so we must love everyone as well.

Jesus tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:13 that "the greatest of these is love". Matthew 22:39 reminds us to "love your neighbor as yourself". So why is it so difficult to love one another sometimes? After all, doesn't love conquer all, as we are reminded in 1 Peter 4:8, that we are to "love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins"?

1 Corinthians 13:4 says that "love is kind". On Valentine's day and every day, be kind to one another - to everyone - not just those you love or who love you back. That's easy! But when you love and are kind to those who don't always reciprocate, now that's demonstrating the love that Jesus asks of us in Luke 6:32, "for if you love those who love you, then what credit is that to you?" It isn't even as difficult as you may think, because if you love Jesus, then you have the Spirit in you, and "the fruit of the Spirit is love" [Galatians 5:22].

Like most people, I too, am guilty of selecting the only the ones I love from a box of Valentines chocolates. Long after the holiday those few pieces are left in the box,

sitting there, waiting for someone to love them too.

This Valentine’s day, "let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds" [Hebrews 10:24]. This Valentine’s day pick that chocolate no one loves, give it a taste, and see if you can find something about it to love. In the same manner, connect with that "unloved" person and consider how you can love them, the way Jesus loves you.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Pregnant With the Possible

Just imagine, that no matter how long it’s been since we’ve known Jesus, every Christmas we have an opportunity to experience two births? That’s right, we get to celebrate Christ’s birth, and experience a personal new birth in the process.

I love the story Luke tells us in Chapter 1 about how two people responded to declarations of miraculous births during the very first Christmas.

Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth were righteous before God, obedient to Him, but elderly and had no children. The angel Gabriel was sent from God to announce that their prayers had been answered. Elizabeth would bear a child.

Although he was a priest, at this point, Zacharias had given up on ever having a child. Gabriel’s declaration failed to stir Zacharias faith. He questioned the angel’s announcement and stuck with what he knew. He and Elizabeth were old and this was impossible.

Zacharias did not rest in the promise. Because of his lack of faith, the angel seized Zacharias ability to speak. Zacharias temporarily blew his opportunity to rest in the promise and to declare God’s goodness to others. Nevertheless, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant, though her pregnancy in the natural was impossible.

Gabriel told Mary, a young faith filled girl, that she would experience a miraculous virgin - birth. Mary believed, and asked how this birth would come to pass? Gabriel explained that the Holy Ghost would come upon Mary and the Highest would overshadow her resulting in the birth of the Son of God.

“Mary said, behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me according to your word.”

Of course Mary was aware that she would be ostracized for a pregnancy out of wedlock. She also knew that the possibility of pregnancy without a man was impossible. Nevertheless, Mary overlooked the norm, choosing to gladly receive God’s promise of the possible.

Here’s where you come in. Father God would love to impregnate you with the possible, despite the natural odds that are against you. Like Zacharias, maybe you’ve given up on a specific prayer, thinking it’s impossible at this point. Or maybe you’re like Mary, open to the miraculous despite what others may say.

The miracles Zacharias and Mary received were for them, but they were also for the world. Through John, Zacharias’ son, many came to repentance. Through Jesus, Mary’s Son, the world can receive forgiveness. What God wants to do for you will bless you and others too.

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32)

This Christmas give birth to the joy, the peace, and the possibility of the King of Heaven doing something new in you, for you, and through you today. With God, all things are possible. Are you ready to give birth?