Peace, be still, and speaking to them, why exist fearful? have you not yet taken hold of faith?2
Some call the trials of our life a wilderness, some a desert, I think it is best described as a storm. In the storms of life we are often blessed, if we trust and rest in Him, we find anchors for our soul. The disciples were literally in the midst of a storm, “a great storm in the sea, insomuch that the boat was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.” Jesus was present with them, but they were not fully convinced, their faith was little. The storms do not pass us by, no, they come with high waves, and fall upon the good and evil, but Jesus is there in the midst. Within the storm we learn to take refuge, to place our trust in Him. When we do, we find His rest, and anchors of our soul.
that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love,5Anchored in Love. This word for grounded means to lay a foundation; to make steadfast. This word rooted means to cause to take root; firmly rooted, strengthened with roots and it also means firm, constant, firmly fixed. We can say to be rooted is to be anchored, thus we see the child of God is anchored in love. The saints “know the love of Christ which passes knowledge," they are filled with all the fullness of God.6 In this fullness of the Father Christ exists, of grace and truth, of the Father's glory. In Him we receive from the riches of his grace and glory spiritual blessings. The wise build upon HIm, "And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock."6 Those who abide in faith, hope, these have a sure foundation built upon the Rock, and such a house will stand the storms of life. We best learn these lessons in the storm. In trials is our glorification, being transformed into the image of Christ, from glory to glory. To be filled with the fullness of Christ, to grow up in all things the full measure of Christ.
and hope does not put us to shame because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.6
Storms or trials accomplish perseverance, which accomplishes proof of genuineness, and this produces hope. Those who know such things rejoice in the storm, as a blessing is on the way. You see the process is for a purpose, because of the limitation of our carnal mind, it must be renewed and often it is the storm that is the catalyst. Thus a mind renewed is spiritual thus it can benefit from the spiritual things of God, like understanding into this love of God that has no bounds, such produces great hope. We find that His grace is sufficient in this as His power is being perfected in us and in order that grace might reign through righteousness and we walk in newnews of Life.
"But if you too endure by means of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear, the object of terror nor be troubled. But in your hearts sanctify the Lord Christ being ready always to give an answer to all who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you"10
You Are God Alone
that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love,5Anchored in Love. This word for grounded means to lay a foundation; to make steadfast. This word rooted means to cause to take root; firmly rooted, strengthened with roots and it also means firm, constant, firmly fixed. We can say to be rooted is to be anchored, thus we see the child of God is anchored in love. The saints “know the love of Christ which passes knowledge," they are filled with all the fullness of God.6 In this fullness of the Father Christ exists, of grace and truth, of the Father's glory. In Him we receive from the riches of his grace and glory spiritual blessings. The wise build upon HIm, "And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock."6 Those who abide in faith, hope, these have a sure foundation built upon the Rock, and such a house will stand the storms of life. We best learn these lessons in the storm. In trials is our glorification, being transformed into the image of Christ, from glory to glory. To be filled with the fullness of Christ, to grow up in all things the full measure of Christ.
and hope does not put us to shame because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.6
Storms or trials accomplish perseverance, which accomplishes proof of genuineness, and this produces hope. Those who know such things rejoice in the storm, as a blessing is on the way. You see the process is for a purpose, because of the limitation of our carnal mind, it must be renewed and often it is the storm that is the catalyst. Thus a mind renewed is spiritual thus it can benefit from the spiritual things of God, like understanding into this love of God that has no bounds, such produces great hope. We find that His grace is sufficient in this as His power is being perfected in us and in order that grace might reign through righteousness and we walk in newnews of Life.
he did not withdraw through unbelief, concerning the promise of God, but increased faith, offering glory to God, fully assured he was mightily capable to do which he promised.3
Anchored in faith. Faith is given as a measure when we hear and receive, and through understanding, revelation into the knowledge of the Son, it is grown, Jesus being the author and perfecter of faith. Abraham, “he did not withdraw through unbelief,” this doesn't mean he did not have his moment of doubt, it means he did not look back, he pressed on though the things seen were against him. He took hold of that which God said, he did not withdraw but persisted and he “increased faith.” It is a principle I have learned, you must press in, do not give up, take hold of what God has said. Abraham pressed on and God increased his faith until he became “fully assured” that God would do what he promised. Fully grown faith is powerful.
Now faith exists; assurance, hope, conviction, and things not seen.9
Faith exists as assurance. Abraham take your family and go to another land and I will bless you... Think of this, Abraham did not have a Bible, no commandment written on a tablet of stone, no ark of the covenant, no temple, no one to teach him in the ways of God, so how did he know it was God? Who is this talking to me? This is faith, first one must believe that God exists, and then faith increases until we fully assured He will do what is promised. When we press in we find our faith is increasing until we find He is trustworthy and faithful, being fully convinced of this. God never changes His word, promise, or oath, for it is impossible for God to lie. We have this hope set before us, it is based upon an oath. Persistence is a principle of the kingdom of God, I think it is because of our human limitation, of the carnal mind, so we must seek, ask, and knock, give me bread!
we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us, which we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast that enters into the inner place...5
Jesus dwells in our hearts, in the inner place we are born of Spirit, e have this hope which has entered into the inner place, behind the veil, the hostility of the flesh. The carnal mind is hostile toward God, so the problem for the child is he can't be fully convinced, he can't fully discern the will of God, nor can he accept it and be fully obedient. It is what comes forth from a man, this makes a man, not the outward appearance. We are strengthened in our inner man by the Spirit so that righteousness and newness of Life propels us into transformation by the renewing of the mind, it is what Paul calls working out our salvation. This victory comes in faith. By faith we believe in the promises, being fully convinced that what he said he would do, he will do. In the storm we do not withdraw through unbelief, but we press in to increase our faith, and we have this promise that if we lay hold of this set before us we have both a sure and steadfast anchor. Do not withdraw, lay hold.
in hope believed against hope, that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, So shall your seed be.6
God asks Abraham to sacrifice the very son given that would fulfill the very promise given, but Abraham believed against what was seen. Faith exists as hope, in things not seen. What is hope? Is it like a man who buys a lottery ticket, and hopes with expectation that he will receive it? Or maybe the fisherman who goes fishing with an expectation of a large catch. Though these have expectation this type of hope is not founded, it is like a wishing at a well, throw a coin in to make a wish, and maybe it will and maybe it won't come true. But faith exists as assurance, hope, conviction, thus we are being fully convinced of things not seen. Abraham was fully convinced that God would keep his word.
For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope.7
Jesus was asleep during the storm, it is not like He didn't have moments of humanity, we see this in the garden of Gethsemane. He is a High Priest that can sympathize with our weakness. Think about this, you are called, given a gift for God's people, then you find out you do not have much time to live. What will you believe? Will you hope against things seen? In the storm hope against what is seen and remember He is faithful and trustworthy.
that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.9
The new covenant is a ministry of righteousness sown in peace. The fruit of righteousness is quietness and confidence forever, thus what you get leads into sanctification and its end is Life. We can say this is a purpose of being subjected to the futility or the storm of life, it is in hope, that we are being set free, transformed into the glory of the only Son.
Anchored in faith. Faith is given as a measure when we hear and receive, and through understanding, revelation into the knowledge of the Son, it is grown, Jesus being the author and perfecter of faith. Abraham, “he did not withdraw through unbelief,” this doesn't mean he did not have his moment of doubt, it means he did not look back, he pressed on though the things seen were against him. He took hold of that which God said, he did not withdraw but persisted and he “increased faith.” It is a principle I have learned, you must press in, do not give up, take hold of what God has said. Abraham pressed on and God increased his faith until he became “fully assured” that God would do what he promised. Fully grown faith is powerful.
Now faith exists; assurance, hope, conviction, and things not seen.9
Faith exists as assurance. Abraham take your family and go to another land and I will bless you... Think of this, Abraham did not have a Bible, no commandment written on a tablet of stone, no ark of the covenant, no temple, no one to teach him in the ways of God, so how did he know it was God? Who is this talking to me? This is faith, first one must believe that God exists, and then faith increases until we fully assured He will do what is promised. When we press in we find our faith is increasing until we find He is trustworthy and faithful, being fully convinced of this. God never changes His word, promise, or oath, for it is impossible for God to lie. We have this hope set before us, it is based upon an oath. Persistence is a principle of the kingdom of God, I think it is because of our human limitation, of the carnal mind, so we must seek, ask, and knock, give me bread!
we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us, which we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast that enters into the inner place...5
Jesus dwells in our hearts, in the inner place we are born of Spirit, e have this hope which has entered into the inner place, behind the veil, the hostility of the flesh. The carnal mind is hostile toward God, so the problem for the child is he can't be fully convinced, he can't fully discern the will of God, nor can he accept it and be fully obedient. It is what comes forth from a man, this makes a man, not the outward appearance. We are strengthened in our inner man by the Spirit so that righteousness and newness of Life propels us into transformation by the renewing of the mind, it is what Paul calls working out our salvation. This victory comes in faith. By faith we believe in the promises, being fully convinced that what he said he would do, he will do. In the storm we do not withdraw through unbelief, but we press in to increase our faith, and we have this promise that if we lay hold of this set before us we have both a sure and steadfast anchor. Do not withdraw, lay hold.
in hope believed against hope, that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, So shall your seed be.6
God asks Abraham to sacrifice the very son given that would fulfill the very promise given, but Abraham believed against what was seen. Faith exists as hope, in things not seen. What is hope? Is it like a man who buys a lottery ticket, and hopes with expectation that he will receive it? Or maybe the fisherman who goes fishing with an expectation of a large catch. Though these have expectation this type of hope is not founded, it is like a wishing at a well, throw a coin in to make a wish, and maybe it will and maybe it won't come true. But faith exists as assurance, hope, conviction, thus we are being fully convinced of things not seen. Abraham was fully convinced that God would keep his word.
For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope.7
Jesus was asleep during the storm, it is not like He didn't have moments of humanity, we see this in the garden of Gethsemane. He is a High Priest that can sympathize with our weakness. Think about this, you are called, given a gift for God's people, then you find out you do not have much time to live. What will you believe? Will you hope against things seen? In the storm hope against what is seen and remember He is faithful and trustworthy.
that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.9
The new covenant is a ministry of righteousness sown in peace. The fruit of righteousness is quietness and confidence forever, thus what you get leads into sanctification and its end is Life. We can say this is a purpose of being subjected to the futility or the storm of life, it is in hope, that we are being set free, transformed into the glory of the only Son.
Through endurance, the fruit of righteousness, trust, and rest, leads us into a blessing, sanctification and its end, Life. We are being transformed into the image of His Son, we are a testimony in this, God is being glorified through us. We have this great cloud of witnesses, in the heavenlies and on earth, to our glorification. I have learned it is through these, when we abide in faith, hope, and love, that people ask why. Not only are we anchored but we help anchor others as they ask why do you have such hope within this storm? We have this testimony of Life within us, and while we have not been fully perfected we have this hope before us, that one day we will be fully like him in glory. This is so important for the child of God to understand, that our minds need to be renewed to the spiritual things of God, things that lead to life and godliness. In this we trust in God and enter into His rest, and even rejoice in the storms of life.