02/01/2019 — Sometimes the wind will lift you when it's at your back, and at times it will hinder you when it is in your face. But we are called to praise God no matter which way the wind is blowing! Like a wind chime, which makes music no matter where the wind is coming from, and is louder when the wind is stronger, we need to praise God when the breeze is light and comfortable and praise Him more when the wind is bringing a storm!

Don't let the direction of the strength of the wind in your life determine how you will respond. Your purpose is not to impress your critics! It is to offer praises to God, no matter what is happening in your life. Stay faithful!

EDUCATION

Acts 27:9b-17
“Paul advised the frightened sailors that they should not put out to sea in such dangerous weather, saying, 'Men, I can see that our voyage would be disastrous for us and bring great loss, not only to our ship and cargo but also to our own lives. We should remain here.'
"But the officer in charge was persuaded more by the ship’s helmsman and captain than he was by Paul. So the majority decided to put out to sea, since Fair Haven was an exposed harbor and not suitable to winter in. They had hoped to somehow reach the Cretan port of Phineka, which was a more suitable port because it was facing south.
"When a gentle south breeze began to blow, they assumed they could make it, so they pulled up anchor and sailed close to Crete. But it wasn’t long before the weather abruptly worsened and a storm of hurricane force called the Nor’ easter tore across the island and blew us out to sea. The sailors weren’t able to turn the ship into the wind, so they gave up and let it be driven by the gale winds.
"As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were barely able to get the ship’s lifeboat under control, so the crew hoisted the dinghy aboard. The sailors used ropes and cables to undergird the ship, fearing they would run aground on the shoals of Syrtis. They lowered the drag anchor to slow its speed and let the ship be driven along" (TPT).

Matthew 14:22-33
"As soon as the people were fed, Jesus told his disciples to get into their boat and to go to the other side of the lake while he stayed behind to dismiss the people. After the crowds dispersed, Jesus went up into the hills to pray. And as night fell he was there praying alone with God.
"But the disciples, who were now in the middle of the lake, ran into trouble, for their boat was tossed about by the high winds and heavy seas.
"At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came to them, walking on the waves! When the disciples saw him walking on top of the water, they were terrified and screamed, 'A ghost!'
"Then Jesus said, 'Be brave and don’t be afraid. I am here!'
"Peter shouted out, 'Lord, if it’s really you, then have me join you on the water!'
“'Come and join me,' Jesus replied.
"So Peter stepped out onto the water and began to walk toward Jesus. But when he realized how high the waves were, he became frightened and started to sink. 'Save me, Lord!' he cried out.
"Jesus immediately stretched out his hand and lifted him up and said, 'What little faith you have! Why would you let doubt win?'
"And the very moment they both stepped into the boat, the raging wind ceased. Then all the disciples crouched down before him and worshiped Jesus. They said in adoration, You are truly the Son of God!'” (TPT).

APPLICATION

• Sometimes the wind is at your back, and at other times it's in your face. It's amazing how fast it can shift.
• During Paul's voyage to Rome, the ship's captain and crew were fooled by the light winds they experienced at a time when they should have pulled into a port for the winter. They ventured out where they should not have, with disastrous results. The ship was smashed to pieces and the cargo was lost; the passengers were saved only because of Paul's relationship with God.
• In the passage in Matthew, Jesus had recently learned of the beheading of his friend John the Baptist, and miraculously fed a multitude of people when he sent his disciples to go to the other side of a lake on a boat. But perilous winds whipped up, and Jesus eventually had to calm the storm for the disciples, who were afraid they were going to perish.
• The winds are constantly blowing in our lives. Sometimes they refresh us, and sometimes they threaten us. Our opportunity as believers is to praise God no matter how the winds are blowing in our lives as an example to those in our circles of influence, so they can see what He means to us and how our faith in Him gives us a peace that nobody understands.
• Stay faithful! Praise Him no matter which way and how hard the wind is blowing in your life today

IMPARTATION

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being the port in the storms of my life. Whether there is a gentle breeze at my back or a gale in my face, You are there! And my fate is dependent on how I praise You in all my circumstances. Order my steps that I may be faithful to You in every situation.

My desire is to glorify You at all times. Make me an example of faithfulness to my friends and family. Draw near to me as I draw near to You. Thank You for being with me when I get it right and even more when I get it wrong.

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ – Jehovah Joshua Messiah – I pray. Amen!