God’s power over the tempests of this life
Posted by Edison Macusi on Friday, May 13, 2011
Under: Word for the week
“The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it…” Psalm 24:1
In one of the most prophetic songs I have ever heard, Michael W. Smith’s Above All declares the majesty and power of God over the creation and dominion of man and all created beings. God’s power is really above all authority, above all powers, above all kings, above all thrones and dominions-He truly is the epitome, the one above all things. If Jesus is then King above all, what is the question? This is the struggle of all believers during times of crisis and during trials. Can God be truly above all the storms that seem to surpass His glory? While doing the thesis of my wife in Kalinga Province, North of the Philippines during last September 2009, Typhoon Ondoy and Peping (Ketsana and Parma developed to become almost a twin typhoon) formed to devastate most of Metro Manila and Northern Luzon. As we were praying that God will stop these typhoons the Lord told me that, “He is above all things, above all powers, above all created things.” These two typhoons caused around 1,247 fatalities and more than 1.6 billion dollars trail of devastation.
Even the power of the strongest fury of nature from typhoons, tsunami and earthquakes is no match to the weightiest power and the enormous weapon of heaven that is at hand in every believer’s, prayer! We have been given access to the Highest authority of all, we are the King’s children, and if children, can’t we not ask our Father to stop the forces of nature that tries to destroy us? Do we leave our fate to the reasoning of climate change? If we do, we are the most miserable of all, for though this world perishes, God speaks that we are to live in the world that will not. We do that by living our lives every day in the Kingdom of God. In His Kingdom, there is no lack and there is no climate change, because the Son of God, the Son of Glory gives light and powers all our being for by “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy” (Colossians 1:16-18).
The King is above the storm
One thing that we need to understand is that no matter what happens on earth, the earth is but a small speck of dust before the ocean of the universe. Yet it is also a matter of great controversy that this small planet that we are in is the seat of clash between light and darkness between the powers of hell and the powers of heaven. Nature though it is created and functions to be as thus, and must maintain a delicate balance for both living and non-living things, yet we must never forget that in this fallen world, the creation also travails because of the bondage of sin (Romans 3:23; Romans 8:19-20; I Corinthians 15:22). This is why Paul said that even nature cries for the manifestation of the sons of God because as we are redeemed and freed from the bondage of sin and death, even the creation will.
Man is the greatest creation of God. We were created in His image, but because of sin, this marred the whole creation and when sin entered the world, it destroyed the harmony, balance and intricate functioning of a perfect environment that the Lord gave over man to rule. Because of this, we cannot expect nature to function as the perfect created thing that God made it originally. Until man will be completely redeemed and transformed into His image by being born again and living with Him in intimacy, nature will revolt of the sin that continue to mar the face of the earth.
We can call the anomalies that we observe on earth today as climate change, loss of biodiversity, pollution and extinction, but in essence, all of these are still the consequence of our disobedience. Man’s pride is to do things apart from the Lord and we are reaping the consequences of our actions. Even so, we cannot allow corporations, companies and even governments to continue to allow the destruction of the earth on our watch. It is foolish to understand and simply watch things unfold without doing something to save the environment, clean up our cities, replant our bare hills and shaved mountains and dredge polluted waterways. Jesus is indeed practical, and if we abide by Him, the King above all powers, we too can be used to do much on the earth, to reclaim the land and proclaim the King over the lives of others too.
Regardless of the circumstances that are coming, I have resolved to do all that I can do to help build our community, adopt church groups and organizations that can also help many others find their dreams and callings in this life. It is also my resolution in this life to do all that I can to help warn others so that they can be saved and come into His light and become a productive part of their local churches. All the sufferings that we are going through now, no matter how painful they are, no matter how much anguish and sufferings have struck us will not measure to the pain and sufferings that Jesus had gone through so that in the end, all the earth and the universe will be redeemed.
He is above all creation
Because the Lord created all things both in heaven and on earth whether visible or invisible, whether “whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities,” God made all things for one thing and that is for His Son. Three times the Lord mentioned while in the process of creating the earth, that it is good; but on the last day, He called it “very good” (Genesis 1:31). This is to tell us that nature was not designed to hurt or destroy any living things nor was it designed to take the lives of man. This too tells us that indeed the Lord has made the creation to be enjoyed by the people of the earth for themselves because He gave them authority over the earth saying, “ God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground” (Genesis 1:28).
What then are we supposed to do in the coming disasters that shall struck the earth as was prophesied? There is no escape in what is coming and it is true that great “tribulations” or sufferings are still to come despite the cry of many for “peace and safety.” But one thing that the Lord has spoken to me, if we will walk with Him, if we will draw close to Him, then our lives will be built on the mighty fortress of His Rock that not even the storms of the earth will be able to destroy. As we brace ourselves for what is coming, let us peg our lives and anchor it deep in Christ. Let us continue to put our hopes in the Savior who alone can save us in what is coming because, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God”( Acts 14:22 NASB).
All trials that are coming upon this world is just a means through which our lives can be driven more into His bosom and Kingdom. Let us return to the Bishop and Apostle of our souls, let us call upon His name that He would have mercy and grace upon us. For with God there is nothing impossible. In one blow, in one command Jesus can quickly declare Peace be still and the creation will calm down.
Until now, it amazes me that many people refuse to believe the word of God, that Jesus is far above all authorities and dominions of the earth. They continue in their double-mindedness whether to believe if we can really pray that God will stop typhoons or earthquakes or tsunamis or tumults of the seas or revolts of men. Let us continue to believe Him anyway and be watchful in prayer, always praying with thanksgiving to God who is worthy for all our praise and offerings that we may live in peace.
It is true that satan wants to accomplish as much destruction through these “natural events” and have men simply “leave it by fate” what happens to them but we have been called to live in the highest realms of all, to whether the storms of this world. Satan wants to bring chaos and disorder in every one of these natural events to make men’s heart limp for what they see. But the greatest promise to live by is to live by faith because through faith we can access His grace and His grace is enough to counter the powers of hell or nature.
The Scriptures clearly tells us that He is “far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church” (Ephesians 1:21-22). God has placed all rule and authority through Him so that all things, events, created things and beings are under His feet. There is really nothing that happens that He did not allow. “The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to man” (Psalm 115:16).
Because the Lord has given the earth as man’s dominion, He can only intervene whenever we ask Him to. This is the reason we need to have faith and to daily come boldly to His throne of grace so that we may receive His help upon us. As we brace for what is coming let us pray and pray hard that God’s grace will cover and protect us during these hard times. Let us not fear but stand boldly in prayer against all that is coming. Let it sound in every house top that Jesus is Lord and King over the storm and flood!
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” I Timothy 2:1-4
In one of the most prophetic songs I have ever heard, Michael W. Smith’s Above All declares the majesty and power of God over the creation and dominion of man and all created beings. God’s power is really above all authority, above all powers, above all kings, above all thrones and dominions-He truly is the epitome, the one above all things. If Jesus is then King above all, what is the question? This is the struggle of all believers during times of crisis and during trials. Can God be truly above all the storms that seem to surpass His glory? While doing the thesis of my wife in Kalinga Province, North of the Philippines during last September 2009, Typhoon Ondoy and Peping (Ketsana and Parma developed to become almost a twin typhoon) formed to devastate most of Metro Manila and Northern Luzon. As we were praying that God will stop these typhoons the Lord told me that, “He is above all things, above all powers, above all created things.” These two typhoons caused around 1,247 fatalities and more than 1.6 billion dollars trail of devastation.
Even the power of the strongest fury of nature from typhoons, tsunami and earthquakes is no match to the weightiest power and the enormous weapon of heaven that is at hand in every believer’s, prayer! We have been given access to the Highest authority of all, we are the King’s children, and if children, can’t we not ask our Father to stop the forces of nature that tries to destroy us? Do we leave our fate to the reasoning of climate change? If we do, we are the most miserable of all, for though this world perishes, God speaks that we are to live in the world that will not. We do that by living our lives every day in the Kingdom of God. In His Kingdom, there is no lack and there is no climate change, because the Son of God, the Son of Glory gives light and powers all our being for by “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy” (Colossians 1:16-18).
The King is above the storm
One thing that we need to understand is that no matter what happens on earth, the earth is but a small speck of dust before the ocean of the universe. Yet it is also a matter of great controversy that this small planet that we are in is the seat of clash between light and darkness between the powers of hell and the powers of heaven. Nature though it is created and functions to be as thus, and must maintain a delicate balance for both living and non-living things, yet we must never forget that in this fallen world, the creation also travails because of the bondage of sin (Romans 3:23; Romans 8:19-20; I Corinthians 15:22). This is why Paul said that even nature cries for the manifestation of the sons of God because as we are redeemed and freed from the bondage of sin and death, even the creation will.
Man is the greatest creation of God. We were created in His image, but because of sin, this marred the whole creation and when sin entered the world, it destroyed the harmony, balance and intricate functioning of a perfect environment that the Lord gave over man to rule. Because of this, we cannot expect nature to function as the perfect created thing that God made it originally. Until man will be completely redeemed and transformed into His image by being born again and living with Him in intimacy, nature will revolt of the sin that continue to mar the face of the earth.
We can call the anomalies that we observe on earth today as climate change, loss of biodiversity, pollution and extinction, but in essence, all of these are still the consequence of our disobedience. Man’s pride is to do things apart from the Lord and we are reaping the consequences of our actions. Even so, we cannot allow corporations, companies and even governments to continue to allow the destruction of the earth on our watch. It is foolish to understand and simply watch things unfold without doing something to save the environment, clean up our cities, replant our bare hills and shaved mountains and dredge polluted waterways. Jesus is indeed practical, and if we abide by Him, the King above all powers, we too can be used to do much on the earth, to reclaim the land and proclaim the King over the lives of others too.
Regardless of the circumstances that are coming, I have resolved to do all that I can do to help build our community, adopt church groups and organizations that can also help many others find their dreams and callings in this life. It is also my resolution in this life to do all that I can to help warn others so that they can be saved and come into His light and become a productive part of their local churches. All the sufferings that we are going through now, no matter how painful they are, no matter how much anguish and sufferings have struck us will not measure to the pain and sufferings that Jesus had gone through so that in the end, all the earth and the universe will be redeemed.
He is above all creation
Because the Lord created all things both in heaven and on earth whether visible or invisible, whether “whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities,” God made all things for one thing and that is for His Son. Three times the Lord mentioned while in the process of creating the earth, that it is good; but on the last day, He called it “very good” (Genesis 1:31). This is to tell us that nature was not designed to hurt or destroy any living things nor was it designed to take the lives of man. This too tells us that indeed the Lord has made the creation to be enjoyed by the people of the earth for themselves because He gave them authority over the earth saying, “ God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground” (Genesis 1:28).
What then are we supposed to do in the coming disasters that shall struck the earth as was prophesied? There is no escape in what is coming and it is true that great “tribulations” or sufferings are still to come despite the cry of many for “peace and safety.” But one thing that the Lord has spoken to me, if we will walk with Him, if we will draw close to Him, then our lives will be built on the mighty fortress of His Rock that not even the storms of the earth will be able to destroy. As we brace ourselves for what is coming, let us peg our lives and anchor it deep in Christ. Let us continue to put our hopes in the Savior who alone can save us in what is coming because, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God”( Acts 14:22 NASB).
All trials that are coming upon this world is just a means through which our lives can be driven more into His bosom and Kingdom. Let us return to the Bishop and Apostle of our souls, let us call upon His name that He would have mercy and grace upon us. For with God there is nothing impossible. In one blow, in one command Jesus can quickly declare Peace be still and the creation will calm down.
Until now, it amazes me that many people refuse to believe the word of God, that Jesus is far above all authorities and dominions of the earth. They continue in their double-mindedness whether to believe if we can really pray that God will stop typhoons or earthquakes or tsunamis or tumults of the seas or revolts of men. Let us continue to believe Him anyway and be watchful in prayer, always praying with thanksgiving to God who is worthy for all our praise and offerings that we may live in peace.
It is true that satan wants to accomplish as much destruction through these “natural events” and have men simply “leave it by fate” what happens to them but we have been called to live in the highest realms of all, to whether the storms of this world. Satan wants to bring chaos and disorder in every one of these natural events to make men’s heart limp for what they see. But the greatest promise to live by is to live by faith because through faith we can access His grace and His grace is enough to counter the powers of hell or nature.
The Scriptures clearly tells us that He is “far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church” (Ephesians 1:21-22). God has placed all rule and authority through Him so that all things, events, created things and beings are under His feet. There is really nothing that happens that He did not allow. “The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to man” (Psalm 115:16).
Because the Lord has given the earth as man’s dominion, He can only intervene whenever we ask Him to. This is the reason we need to have faith and to daily come boldly to His throne of grace so that we may receive His help upon us. As we brace for what is coming let us pray and pray hard that God’s grace will cover and protect us during these hard times. Let us not fear but stand boldly in prayer against all that is coming. Let it sound in every house top that Jesus is Lord and King over the storm and flood!
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” I Timothy 2:1-4
In : Word for the week
Tags: god’s power over the tempests of this life
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