Reflections: Remember When...?
Sunday, May 17th, 2009
Scripture reading for this week: Mark 6, and Matthew 26.
"And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened." Mark 6:51,52
Remember the first time you prayed and you received an answer to that prayer? Do you recall the last time God did something phenomenal, miraculous in your life? Do you remember what it first felt like to believe in Jesus Christ? To begin to know and serve God, and walk with Him? How many answered prayers and miracles have you witnessed through out the years?
I'm apt to believe that there will be many that will say that they haven't seen a miracle in a long time. Even some that may say their prayers have not been answered for quite sometime. Yet, here we are in the land of the living; breathing, eating, conversing, and we say we have not experienced a miracle or answered prayer in quite sometime. You are alive and breathing; that's a miracle. The miracle of life. And the fact is, someone has been praying for you.
It is my sincerest prayer that this week's Reflection will bring encouragement and peace to your heart and mind. May your soul and spirit be in remembrance of all that our heavenly Father has done for you. And may you rejoice in that reality, and your hearts kept from becoming hardened.
The Father has done so many things in our lives. He has proven the loving, caring and attentive Father that He is. But just as a parent with spoiled children, He knows that there are times when we will forget what has been done in the past, and only see what we may be facing right now, and expect God to fix the situation straightway.
Sometimes what we are going through or experiencing in the present, can and often will overshadow what God has brought us through in the past. When we are faced with difficult situations and threatening circumstances, some of us will develop a temporary case of amnesia-forgetting about everything that the Father has brought us through and delivered us out of.
How soon we forget how the Lord provided and met our needs. How soon the praise and worship dissipates from our hearts and mouths when we are faced with the harshness of the perils of this current day and age. We become overwhelmed with fear and grief. Our minds and hearts become befuddled and stagnated in the realms of what we are presently facing. And we cannot seem to remember what God has brought us through in the past. Some, recently.
Can you honestly say that you have not been there? I know I have. I can identify with the disciples. Because at times, in that moment of crisis, we can truly forget the awesome power and love that God had demonstrated so many times before. Our human frailty and emotions have a tendency to kick in, and we began to walk and live by sight, rather than by faith and what God has spoken to our hearts.
Can you imagine the expression on Jesus' face when he approached the boat, and the disciples became troubled and afraid? They had been walking with Jesus for three years now; witnessing countless of miracles. In fact, just earlier that day they had witnessed the miracle of the five loves and two fish. So why should it be astonishing that Jesus could be walking on the sea, and once entering the boat had the power to calm the wind?
Mark 6:47-50
"And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And he saw the toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, ‘Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid'."
Yes, many of us are facing some very harrowing times. Many are feeling overwhelmed and defeated, and as tough we were abandoned by God. But the Word of God says that: "...I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." (Psalm 37:25)
When we consciously remember what God has done for us, in our lives, and has delivered us many of time, and answered prayers, and we saw ourselves make it when we thought for sure we were going under; we can ride the storms of life with the assurance that god has already made a way for us even if we cannot see it right away.
There is power in remembering and staying mindful of what God has already done for us. We overcome by the power of the blood of Christ and our testimony. (Revelation 12:11) We defeat the taunts of the enemy by the words of our testimony. When we remember and celebrate and share what others what God has already done for us; it keeps us mindful of the God that we serve, and that all things are possible with God (Matthew 19:26), and for them that believe (Mark 9:23).
Times are hard, yes. It seems that each day things are getting worse. But this is not anything new under the sun. Yet for those that would believe in the Word of God; for those that would remember what God has done already; you will and can see the hand of God move upon your life. What He has brought you trough before, He has the same power to bring you through again. We just have to stay mindful of that fact. Allow your reality to be rooted in the things and ways of God. Allow your faith to be stirred up by remembering what God has already done.
I bet that if we were to speak to most grandparents, and great grandparents that they would say that they have seen worse than what we are experiencing now. I venture to say that they could share stories with you about how they struggled, and their parents struggled and almost lost faith; but how they held on and made it through.
I remember having a conversation with a great aunt after my Nana passed. She told me a story about how things were real bad during the depression and World War two. She told how my Nana and her mother would pull their resources together and would go to get what they could. My Nana only had one child, but her sister had a house-full. So she would help her out. My great aunt said how things were so hard, but they managed to always have food on the table...even if it were a stew made with chicken feet and macaroni noodles (which she hated!) But a belly full, was a belly filled.
There are times in our life when we will face things that seem so insurmountable. We will feel as though morning will never come; that darkness will always cover us. That our sorrows last forever. But the devil is a liar! Because we know that joy comes in the morning! (Psalm 30:5)
Understand this: because of what Jesus endured for us, we can make it. Because He chose to take the road ahead of him, and drink from that bitter cup, we can make it. (Matthew 26:38,39) Because He didn't give up, and went to the cross in our stead, we can make it.
John 16:33
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
Because Jesus did, so can we. He said there would be days like this! J But in Him, we have peace and the ability to ride out every storm. How? In Him. Because in Him, there is peace, power, love, safety, and endurance. We just have to stay in remembrance of who we are in Christ, and who He is, and what He has already done.
Be encouraged this week. Because Christ did, you can! It is that simple. I pray that the spirit of peace and prosperity find rest in your: spiritual, physical, emotional, mental, social and financial lives. Stay in remembrance of the Father, and what He has already done in your life. And know that because He lives in you, you can face tomorrow and whatever comes with it. Be Blessed.
©2009. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.
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Comments: 40
Thank you, Jodi!
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Thank you, Deb.
You remain in my thoughts and prayers. Be encouraged.
Hi Mariana.
Thank you.
Thank you, Nancy!
Blessings to you, as well, dear Kathryn.
You are right!
I can identify!!
He know well that we are only human.
Thank you, Lena.
Thank you, Holly.
God Bless You.
God bless you, too, Adele.
That is so true, Jan.
Thanks for stopping by. It's always a pleasure hearing from you.
All I can add is that He knows our hearts. All of us. His glory is so emmense, that I am awed almost daily.
Since my last "miracle", I have been filled with so much joy, that I just can't begin to explain, in such a short format. Perhaps one day, I'll write about it. Probably just to be ridiculed, here on Gather, by the many non-believers that love to hound Christians.
God Bless ya Ruthe. And that goes for everyone who comes to read your inspirational messages, each week. Peace be within all your hearts.
I love ya, Dale! God bless you and your candidness!
I don't care what any person may think: I would love to hear about what God has done in your life. It would be a blessing to hear your testimony. It just may be what someone is waiting to hear!!
Thanks Ruthe!
Well, to tell the truth, I don't know how many will believe this is what I think it may have been, but it's not important how many believe it. As long as I remember it and believe it, then it was as real as it gets.
We usually don't remember dreams for very long. Even the most scary or profound, eventually fade away. Unless, it's one we have over and over. Nobody likes them, usually.
One night, about a month or so back. I was in bed asleep. I don't remember if I'd been dreaming before this happened. I don't even remember if I dreamed afterwards. But I remember the experience as clearly as if it happened last night.
I remember becoming aware and that first realization was remembering taking my last breath and letting it slip away. Suddenly, I felt nothing but joy and peace. All my worries, cares and concerns for all my loved ones were gone. Especially, the worries about leaving them behind. I remember the darkness, but in that darkness there was a light from above. The light seemed to be drawing me to it. It was the purest white light... so bright, so completely pure that it didn't bother me to look at it. I felt myself rising up toward the light and the closer I got to the light, the happier, more joyous I felt. The feelings going through me were so real and so pure.
Then I took a deep breath .... and awoke. I could still feel the happiness and pure peace that was within me. So, afterwards and before going back to sleep, my mind was filled with such awe and wonder. What had just happened?
Did I try to really die? Do I possibly have sleep apnea and had a near death experience? I don't know. But I do know this!
Any doubt I had. Any fears of death I may have held. Any fear of leaving my loved ones behind... who would take care of them? Will they be OK without me? All those fears are gone. I know for a fact, now, that when we die, our souls DO rise up to the light. It may be the light of judgement or the light from Jesus' never ending love. I don't know. But I do know this.
Believe in Jesus with all your heart. Give your heart to Him. Speak with Him often. For one day, we will meet Him. There is no doubt in my mind. He is as pure as the light, that made me feel so filled with joy. The closer I got to that light, the more joy I felt.
But, evidently, He decided that it is not yet my time to "come home". Was He showing me His truth?? What happened to me? I know it was real, for I will never forget that night and that experience.
He raised me up! If only for an instant, I was on the way to His house.
Is this what we will all go through, one day? I don't know. I know that if you truly believe in Him, you will eventually get to see Him. Whether He has already judged us, at death, I am unable to say. But if I were destined for Hell, I can't imagine feeling the awesome power of His love, as I did that night.
He raised me up!! Then sent me home. It wasn't my time. But He IS waiting.
Thank you for sharing, Dale. How awesome! I can believe what you have said. But as you said; it really doesn't matter what anyone else believes, because you experienced this revelation for yourself.
What a gift you were given. To feel and understand the all encompassing love of our heavenly Father. This is what God wants His children to feel and know each and every day! Because, when we are in the presence of God, there ia always peace--even in the midst of storms. There is always power--even in our most severe weakness. There is always love--even when we are in the grips of fear. There is always hope--even when despair is knocking at our door.
What a great gift you were given. Some of us must "die" inorder to be raised up to the truth of what God haolds for us. The truth of what we can have here on earth. We have to die to our flesh--our human way of thinking--and rise up in the knowledge, wisdom and mind of Christ. And it is that mindset--the mind of Christ-- that gives us the strength to hold on, and triumph through whatever life happens to throw at us.
Thank you again, dear Dale, for sharing this. it has encouraged me, and given me another reason to give our God the glory and praise! Amen!
God leaves us record that man has allways forgets what He does. The children of Israel saw the plauges that was sent upon Egypt. They lived the passover and celebrate it. They saw the waters part and flow from a rock. When they were hungry bread fell from heaven. When they complaind, God sent meat. The list goes on an on thru out the bible and after each mircale they soon forgot. The great men of God was not exempt from this, they to was created human.
All this simply becouse we were not created to depend upon ourselves. God even showed us how big of a job it would be for us to do our own sacrafice and how filthy it still was befor Him (old covenant).
Then the greatest mircale of all, His name was and still is JESUS. The bible is a record of before and after salvation, boy aint that a mircale, that God would love us enugh to leave us written example and direction to every thing we need. It is just the things we want that most of the time block our view of all the miracles in our lives. Remember Psalm 37:25?
If we would count the things God gives us each day, then our miricals would be endless.
Sorry, these old fingers got hung up agin but I was able to stop. Aint that a mircale?
Ruthe you are a blessing and a mircale in many lives. God bless you and we all love you.
Samuel, never apologize for sharing about the goodness of the Lord.
Thank you for just taking the time to read, and the thoughtfulness to comment. It is very much appreciated.
Thank you, Charity.
....and I can hardly wait to hear about the many other miracles God has done for you, Renee. Because you are in for some bountiful blessings coming your way.
Thank you, Angela.
Thank you, Renda!
miracles are wherever you choose to see them
...And hopefully we choose wisely!
Yes, hopefully we all do; we just have to want to. :-)