Imagine a world without wind. Lakes would be calm. Falling leaves wouldn't blow in the streets.
But in still air, who would expect trees to suddenly fall over?
That's what happened in a three-acre glass dome built in the Arizona desert. (Three-acre glass dome in Arizona Desert, Google image)
Trees growing inside a huge windless bubble called Biosphere 2 grew faster than normal until suddenly collapsing under their own weight.
Project researchers eventually came up with an explanation. These trees needed wind stress to grow strong.
Jesus let His disciples experience gale-force winds to strengthen their faith (Mark 4:36-41). During a night crossing of familiar waters, a sudden storm proved too much even for these seasoned fishermen.
Wind and waves were swamping their boat while an exhausted Jesus slept in the stern. In panic they woke Him Didn't it bother their Teacher that they were about to die? What was He thinking?
Then they began to find out. Jesus told the wind and waves to be quiet—and asked His friends why they still had no faith in Him.
If the wind had not blown, these disciples would never have asked, "Who is this? Even the winds and waves obey him! (Mark 4:41).
Today, life in a protective bubble might sound good. But how strong would our faith be if we couldn't discover for ourselves His reassuring "be still" when the winds of circumstance howl?
"Father in heaven, please help us to remember that
anything that frightens us comes with an invitation to
find the strength of knowing and trusting You."
God never sleeps.
ODB 1/14/17
Today's Bible verses-
(Job 28:28 KJV) And to man He said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding."
(Ps. 25:2 KJV) "Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee."
Today's quotes-
Max Lucado- "God’s word to Joshua is God’s word to us. “Be strong and of good courage” (Joshua 1:6). Do not cower before your woes. Take the land God has given you to possess. “And the Lord said to Joshua, “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor” (Joshua 6:2). God did not say, Joshua, take the city. God said, Joshua, receive the city I have taken. Joshua didn’t go forth hoping to win. He knew that God had already won." (From God is With You Every Day
George Muller- "If we desire our faith to be strengthened, we should not shrink from opportunities where our faith may be tried. The more I am in a position to be tried in faith, the more I will have the opportunity of seeing God's help and deliverance.
Every fresh instance in which He helps and delivers me will increase my faith. The believer should not shrink from situations, positions, or circumstances in which his faith may be tried, but he should cheerfully embrace them as opportunities to see the hand of God stretched out in help and deliverance. Thus his faith will be strengthened." (p. 159 in his book, The Autobiography of GEORGE MULLER.Max Lucado- "God’s word to Joshua is God’s word to us. “Be strong and of good courage” (Joshua 1:6). Do not cower before your woes. Take the land God has given you to possess. “And the Lord said to Joshua, “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor” (Joshua 6:2). God did not say, Joshua, take the city. God said, Joshua, receive the city I have taken. Joshua didn’t go forth hoping to win. He knew that God had already won." (From God is With You Every Day
Listen to UpWords with Max Lucado at OnePlace.com)
Upcoming posts-
#95 God's Will and Prevailing Prayer
28th Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
#96 Make God's Priorities Your Priorities
3/2 Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
Why It's too Soon to Give Up
4th- Saturday's post by Ron Hutchcraft
#97 The Dynamic of Praise- Part 1
7th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of recent posts)
Below, you have an opportunity to leave a comment.
Or email me at jowildflowers@gmail.com
31-day Devotional
+ Jean's testimony
[Maybe just choose a title each
day that interests you]
+ Jean's testimony
[Maybe just choose a title each
day that interests you]
Sample verses from p.70-
When Troubles
Come into Your Life
"When troubles come into your life
You will want to know why.
The Lord will help you as a wife
To see it by and by.
Advice you will desire to give
That you feel is needed.
But it depends on how you live
Whether it is heeded."
You will want to know why.
The Lord will help you as a wife
To see it by and by.
Advice you will desire to give
That you feel is needed.
But it depends on how you live
Whether it is heeded."
of the Carolinas. Used by permission).
A great gift for someone who may need help
to prepare for marriage, and for those in a
to prepare for marriage, and for those in a
marriage, wanting some helpful advice.
I really like the "Growing in the Wind". It reminds me that I need opposition and difficulties to grow and develop and to remind me that I cannot manage without my heavenly Father.
ReplyDelete