Month: April 2025

Lighthouse in a Storm

Peace after storms

If our minds are racing with anxiety, worry, or fear, it is hard to hear the Voice of God! Between our personal lives, news reels, community unrest, wars and conflict, we feel overwhelmed.

The enemy of our soul wants to keep us in racing thoughts, anxiety, worry and fear. When we stay in that mindset, we are like a gerbil on a wheel. Ruminating on those unhealthy emotions leads to being stuck and cycling like the gerbil into more distress.

Joshua 23:8-11 AMP
[8] But you are to cling to the LORD your God, just as you have done to this day. [9] For the LORD has driven out great and mighty nations from before you; and as for you, no man has been able to stand [in opposition] before you to this day. [10] One of your men puts to flight a thousand, for the LORD your God is He who is fighting for you, just as He promised you. [11] So be very careful and watchful of yourselves to love the LORD your God.

We must break the cycle of rumination, we can only accomplish this transformation when we submit to His authority. He awaits our step into relationship; clinging to the Lord who wants to renew our minds for a wonderful future.

Romans 12:1-2 NLT
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. [2] Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Life brings crashing waves of conflict, storm clouds build into a deluge of crushing rain that seems like a curtain of darkness. The oppression may be overwhelming and yet there is a Light in the darkness. Like a lighthouse on the rocky shore, Jesus is the beacon of hope, wisdom and peace.

An amazing scripture Mark 4:35-41, shares how the disciples ( Jesus chosen friends on earth) were on the boat with Jesus who fell asleep, as a storm rose. They became fearful and awakened Him. Even though they walked with Jesus on earth, they let fear rule over trust in Jesus.

Mark 4:39- 41 NLT
39] When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. [40] Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” [41] The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”

We serve an amazing God who equips His children for life including stormy times. If you don’t know Jesus yet, today change that mindset.

Because He wants to be in relationship with you and bring His supernatural peace and wisdom. No matter the storm, “Peace be still”! He brings the calm.

Mark 4:39 NKJV
Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

Proverbs 14:30 MSG
A sound mind makes for a robust body, but runaway emotions corrode the bones.

“Sound Mind”, by Melissa and Jonathon Helser, is my go-to worship song when I feel the cycle of worry or fear attempt to attach itself to my mind.

Sound Mind- Melissa Helser

Our Father God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, fights for us as He has promised in His Word. Cling to Him, our Lord and God! Be steadfast in seeking Him! The battle of the mind is escalating and yet those who are steadfast with Him will have victory, as will their children. Seek Him no other idol will save or bring peace. He is the God of all peace, Jehovah Shalom!

Do not become weary in doing good, He rewards those who keep His commandments. He is faithful and just to finish the work He started in us and in those we love. Glory to God!!!

Praise the Lord that he gives us a sound mind at these times! The sound mind over the spirit of fear. Go with God!

2 Thessalonians 3:13,16,18 NLT
As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good. [16] Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all. [18] May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

ARE YOU A FOLLOWER OF JESUS?

Have you invited Jesus into your heart? Now is the perfect time. Pray this sinner’s prayer found at Gotquestions.com. 

God, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I deserve the consequences of my sin. However, I am trusting in Jesus Christ as my Savior. I believe that His death and resurrection provided for my forgiveness. I trust in Jesus and Jesus alone as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you Lord, for saving me and forgiving me! Amen.”

This is a reblog from May2024. One year later, the words in this blog post are even more relevant. Stick to the Creator God who knows all things and awaits your voice in relationship. Jesus is the only way to truth, peace and hope.

Photo credit by Pexels.com

Three little pigs

I’ve been pondering the children’s story, “Three Little Pigs” in the past few weeks. Initially, I would think to myself, “it’s a children’s story so how could it affect me at my age”? But then I was thinking about the story within the story.

Here we have three little pigs, all trying to figure out how to build their houses in such a way that they are noticed and protected. Each pig chooses a certain material product to bring structure to their home.

One pig chooses straw to build his home and feels pretty proud about himself that it will be a solid place for him to live. The second pig built his house on sticks.

The third pig built his house from bricks and it took much longer for him to establish his home. The other two pigs thought he was pretty stupid and actually probably laughed at him for taking the time and putting in the extra effort for his home.

Then, we have the big bad wolf, a selfish, mean character who just wants to taunt and eat the pigs. Is this no different than the devil or the evil spirits that tend to try to direct our lives?

You see the big bad wolf is almost like those negative headspace words or those people are telling us that we should live like the world or, the idol that can entrap us whether or not it’s comparison trapping or whether it’s materialism, gets us so much in debt. The voice in our head that wants us to feel despair and hopeless.

The first two pigs freak out and their houses are destroyed as the big wolf ultimately blows down two houses. The third pig ends up being actually the one with a house built in bricks, kind of like the foundation of living our lives with God,the foundation in the rock.

There’s an amazing similarity between scripture:

Matthew 7:21-29 NLT
“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. [22] On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ [23] But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ [24] “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. [25] Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. [26] But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. [27] When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” [28] When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, [29] for he taught with real authority-quite unlike their teachers of religious law.

We can establish ourselves with a relationship with Jesus, who is the rock can take time because we have to put our own selfish thoughts aside while we take time to get to know the one who made us. And in the end, the foundation established on the rock Jesus ends up being the most solid foundation we could ever find.

The third pig actually is the wisest because he use the tools of wisdom and strength to make his fortress strong. We need to choose Jesus for the same future.

So today when you’re pondering about life and choices and where you place your trust and who you get your wisdom from, it’s my hope that maybe you reconsider the story of the three little pigs. It’s relevant story for people of any age.

Build your home and your heart and your mind and your soul on the solid foundation of the rock of Jesus. The time and effort you put into that will affect the steps of your life. And in the end, just like that third pig, it will be worth it. You’ll be living, with more peace, more wisdom, and the rock, Jesus, will give you the wisdom for every step you take.

I hope you enjoy this song from Lauren Daigle, Love Like This, it’s been a song that has impacted me years ago. And today when I heard it again, it reminded me of the importance of the love we get from our Father God. We haven’t done anything to deserve His love, and yet Jesus freely gives unconditional love, wisdom for life, and grace in the midst of our messes. May God richly bless your day.

Love like this— Lauren Daigle

Pexels photo credit