Showing posts with label know God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label know God. Show all posts

December 14, 2015

Three perfect storms in Bible (1) Prepared for Crisis


What are the three storms recorded in the Bible that still impact our lives today?  What are the common key(s) of overcoming the storms? Reading afresh the respective story of the storms encountered by Jonah, Jesus, and the apostle Paul (in chronological order), we shall find the amazing answers to overcoming the storm of FEAR. We shall read in three parts (in three days in chronological sequence). The first story is about the supernatural encounter of prophet Jonah.
JONAH’S STORM (quoted in parts from Jonah chapters 1-2; boldness of some verses added by this watchman; my notes are in italics).
THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME: in all three instances the Word of God is a significant deciding factor. In the case of Jonah and Paul they could hear God’s word (speaking to them in their spirit). God wants the ones who can hear Him to pay attention, believe and take action.  In the case of Jonah he chose not to listen even when he had heard clearly and specifically. He knew the consequences of his own decision against God’s decision about the lives of others at stake. He braved his own little body and soul (‘rightly’ constrained by his love and loyalty to his own nation, which had suffered thousands of years due to jealousy, hate, persecutions and oppression through recurring cruel conquests by enemy nations which surrounded her) against the foreseeable great personal storm to no avail. Why? Because God’s Word has spoken. God speaks of His mercy and wants to forgive and He gives an appointed time for them to repent, turn away from their wickedness and believe in the holy God, so that they may also be included in His Kingdom reserved for the Redeemed. God shows to even those who hate Him that He is a gracious and merciful God. But He has set a time frame for their repentance as shown in the case of the city of Nineveh.
ON THE QUESTION OF OVERCOMING FEAR: Jonah slept during the storm which threatened the lives of others as well as his on-board the same ship. Why? Was he oblivious of the big problem? From his conversation with others and with God, there was no question that he knew God. Knowing God is a key to overcoming fear. He was angry but fearless. The ship did not sink. God had not finished with him yet. Jonah knew it was a matter of time before he had to face God and not hide. From beginning to end of this episode Jonah was in the presence of a living God. And he knew this. 
KEY TO OVERCOME STORM: He prayed. And God heard his prayer.
After Jonah obeyed and preached to the city of Nineveh (modern-day Mosul, Iraq), because of the repentance of the king and all his people, it was given a respite from destruction. The Book of Jonah depicted events from the reign of the Hebrew King Jeroboam II (786-746 BC). While, in The Book of Jonah, the city is spared the wrath of God, other references to Nineveh in the Bible (The Books of Nahum and Zephaniah, among them) predict the destruction of the city by God’s will because they reverted to their wickedness against God’s people. In 612 BC the city of Nineveh was sacked and burned by the allied forces of the Persians, Medes, Babylonians, and others who then divided the region between them. The area was sparsely populated thereafter and, slowly, the ancient ruins became buried in earth.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Bible verses from Jonah chapters 1-2 (in parts)
1:1 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah …, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.” But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He …found a ship going to Tarshish; …to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. But the Lord sent out a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was about to be broken up. Then the mariners were afraid; and every man cried out to his god, [a]But Jonah had gone down into the lowest parts of the ship, had lain down, and was fast asleep. So the captain came to him, and said to him, “What do you mean, sleeper? Arise, call on your God; …” So he said to them, “I am a Hebrew; and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.

10 Then the men were exceedingly afraid, and said to him, “Why have you done this?” …What shall we do to you that the sea may be calm for us?”—for the sea was growing more tempestuous. 12 And he said to them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea; …” 15 .. and the sea ceased from its raging. ..
17 Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. 2:1 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly. And he said: “I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, And He answered me…Salvation is of the Lord.” 10 So the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

October 11, 2013

Journey to see God: see the Father in heaven as spoken by Jesus

Study on our heavenly 'Father' in the words spoken by Jesus, the Son of God
  1. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
    Matthew 5:15-17 (in Context) Matthew 5 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  2. so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
    Matthew 5:44-46 (in Context) Matthew 5 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  3. You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
    Matthew 5:47-48 (in Context) Matthew 5 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  4. so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
    Matthew 6:3-5 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  5. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
    Matthew 6:5-7 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  6. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
    Matthew 6:7-9 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  7. Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
    Matthew 6:8-10 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  8. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,
    Matthew 6:13-15 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  9. that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
    Matthew 6:17-19 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  10. Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
    Matthew 6:25-27 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  11. For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
    Matthew 6:31-33 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  12. If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
    Matthew 7:10-12 (in Context) Matthew 7 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  13. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
    Matthew 10:19-21 (in Context) Matthew 10 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  14. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.
    Matthew 10:28-30 (in Context) Matthew 10 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  15. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.
    Matthew 23:8-10 (in Context) Matthew 23 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  16. Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, Your will be done.”
    Matthew 26:41-43 (in Context) Matthew 26 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  17. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
    Luke 6:35-37 (in Context) Luke 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  18. [ Jesus Rejoices in the Father's Will ] In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was Your gracious will.
    Luke 10:20-22 (in Context) Luke 10 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  19. And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come.
    Luke 11:1-3 (in Context) Luke 11 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  20. If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
    Luke 11:12-14 (in Context) Luke 11 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  21. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.
    Luke 23:45-47 (in Context) Luke 23 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  22. Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope.
    John 5:44-46 (in Context) John 5 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  23. They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know My Father also.”
    John 8:18-20 (in Context) John 8 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  24. I speak of what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”
    John 8:37-39 (in Context) John 8 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  25. Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.
    John 8:41-43 (in Context) John 8 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  26. Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”
    John 12:27-29 (in Context) John 12 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  27. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
    John 14:25-27 (in Context) John 14 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  28. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
    John 15:15-17 (in Context) John 15 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  29. In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf;
    John 16:25-27 (in Context) John 16 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  30. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.
    John 17:10-12 (in Context) John 17 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
     

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