The Ocean is God's Pulpit

“The men were amazed and asked,

“What kind of man is this

even the winds and the waves obey him!”

Matthew 8:27 NIV

Every so often God blesses me by allowing me to take a trip to the ocean. Outside of my garden there is no other setting that I would rather be near. I find the ocean extremely relaxing and there are always so many lessons I can learn as I tune into this marvelous piece of God’s creation.

When I am at the beach, alone with my thoughts, God teaches me from this massive body of water and all of the other complimenting works of nature that make this place so beautiful. The ocean has so much to say, it is indeed one of God’s holy pulpits. The sky, the water, the sand, the sun, the breeze and the birds all become messengers of God’s incredible love for me. Every day the ocean looks different and there are always new lessons to learn. It is true, even the wind and the waves obey him!

If I am not too lazy I can get up and see the sunrise. What a message of bright hope for today and tomorrow. The exquisite colors can be anything from pinks and blues to the brightest oranges and yellows. Each day has a unique surprise of its own. The early morning sunlight glistens on the water like a sea of glass. The sparking waters remind me that heaven also holds the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God. Revelation 21:1

As the tide comes in and the waves rush upon the sand, it seems that God is calling “follow me” as the waves wash back into the ocean. My heart pounds and I whisper, “Yes Lord, I will follow you all the days of my life.”

I am mesmerized on the days when the canopy over the beach is a cloudless sky. As I look to the heavens I see a million shades of blue stretching as far as my eyes can see. The Old World Master begins his masterpiece with the lightest hint of baby blue paint ending his final brush strokes in deep hues of cobalt. When my eyes feast on this miracle of color my soul always bubbles up with pleasure knowing that this gift of color is from the palette of the God of the universe.

The sandy beach with uncountable grains of sand strikes a chord of love within me. I remember that God’s Word tells me he thinks precious thoughts of me that outnumber the grains of sand and I feel lavishly loved. Sea Gulls soar peacefully and effortlessly in the sky reminding me that God’s peace is available to me in a heartbeat, if only I will trust him.

Just breathing in the salty air is a reminder that believers are “the salt of the earth”. I think about this and repurpose in my heart to try to be a better  witness for Jesus Christ. I also think of the many friendships that I enjoy with fellow believers. Yes, these salty people are the people who bring savor to my life. I thank you Lord for all of my many Christian friends.

The sandpipers run frantically on the beach always living close to the edge as they barely escape the waves of foam that tries to wash over them. These fast moving birds are looking for food to wash ashore. I smile when I realize that God does provide all that they need. I focus on the knowledge that if God cares for the birds of the air he will also take care of me.

Gentle warm breezes kiss my cheeks and I feel God’s hand as it brushes over my face. I search the horizon in hopes of finding its end but that endeavor proves to be impossible. So my eyes move closer to shore and God blesses me as I spot dolphins traveling in pairs. They shamelessly jump in joyful praise to their creator. Pelicans fly in perfect formation and I know that my God is a God of order and purpose.

Walking on the beach into the sunset is beautiful. The sunset is a perfect reminder of God’s faithfulness to me as I approach the end of my day. I enjoy walking on the beach at this time of day. I love sinking my feet into the cool sand and then letting the waves wash over them. The waves washing over my feet remind me that often in life the waves of adversity come but then Jesus shows up with his waves of sustaining grace washing over me. It is a precious thought when I realize that Jesus is still in the foot washing business as I enjoy His cool waves spilling over my tired sandy feet. As I end a day at the beach I am full of joy as I reflect on all of the simple messages my Savior has sent to me this day. I am at peace because of the order that God has established not only in the universe but in my life as well. Before I leave the beach I allow Him to wash my feet one more time. What a joy to know that Jesus carries me from day to day, step by step as I journey toward my heavenly home. Oh how I love the beach! What’s not to love? You see, the same God, who calmed the wind and the waves so many years ago is also here with me this day teaching me his life lessons from the pulpit of the ocean’s waves and all that surrounds this place of praise!

Questions:

1. Do you have a favorite place where God seems to speak volumes to you?

2. What have you experienced in that place?

3. Have you ever used nature to tell others about God?

Prayer:

Dear God,

How awesome are your marvelous works! Thank you that even though mankind was forced to leave your perfect garden, you still have been loving and merciful in providing the beautiful works of your hand for our daily enjoyment. God your creation amazes me! I confess that sometimes I wonder how heaven could be more beautiful. It must be that the gorgeous displays of creation on this earth have been designed to give us, your children, a tiny taste of what you have prepared in heaven for those who love you. It is clear that the ocean, the mountains, the woodlands, the desert, the rainforest, and your waterfalls are just a few of your many pulpits. God open my eyes to see and my ears to hear as you speak your message of love to mankind. Since the creation of the world, God your invisible qualities and your eternal power and divine nature have clearly been seen and understood from what you have made, leaving men and women without excuse. I thank you God for blessing mankind with your marvelous creation.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Shaking the Heavens and the Earth

“This is what the LORD Almighty says:
‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth,
the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations
and the desired of all nations (Jesus) will come,
and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the LORD Almighty.”
Haggai 2:6-7 NIV

All of nature obeys God, it is only people who continue to put their fingers in their ears and flippantly and sarcastically say, “La, la, la, la, I can’t hear you!” It is only people who try to negotiate with God for their will over his will. It is only people who walk away and pretend to believe that God does not exist. It is only people who hear but choose to disobey.

I am amazed at the enormous love of God. I am baffled by his patience with mankind, and I am in awe of God’s mighty power, yet gentle ways.

“The LORD said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.’ Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.”      1 Kings 19:11-12 NIV

The God of the universe, the Creator of all people in every nation, continues to cry out to all humanity. It seems that if I were god I would choose to trash this place and start over; BUT GOD chooses to redeem people and will someday restore this earth.

Sometimes it seems that when catastrophe strikes, these acts of God are not acts that would come from a loving God. It seems that he is an angry God. It appears that God is trying to teach mankind a lesson. It is often viewed as punishment for our sin. What if it is neither of the above mentioned scenarios? What if it is God loving mankind so lavishly that he uses natural disasters as an attempt to get our attention in a BIG way? Maybe we shouldn’t be looking at the storm but listening for his gentle whisper.

I believe that God whispers his love daily in our ears. Often we refuse to hear, believe, and obey until his still small whisper becomes louder. Sometimes the volume of our busy lifestyle is turned up to deafening levels that make it very hard for us to hear the whisper of God. It appears that God is often forced to pick up a megaphone and shout, “The great ‘I AM’ is here, in the wind, in the rain, in the earthquake, and in the waves. Now the question is…are you there?” In the devastating storms of nature and in personal storms within me I must find a quiet place so that I can hear God’s message of love that comes in a gentle whisper. The message is, “I love you, I will care for you, I will get you through this tragedy, all I want is for you to trust and love me.

Without a doubt, we are living in days when God is shaking the heavens and the earth. Yes, it is Biblical truth. “Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark 4:41b NIV God’s Word also tells us that, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All of theses are the beginning of birth pains.” Matthew 24:7-8 NIV. These visible birth pains are heavenly signs that our deliverance is near. A mother knows that birth pains only increase! After the birth pains comes the wonderful moment when we deliver our child. The first must usher in the last. God too, wants to deliver his children.

God loves humanity so much that he desperately wants to get our attention. He is shaking the heavens and the earth. Be still and know that he is God and that he loves you. Listen for his gentle whisper. The “desired of all nations” is coming again, but first he is shaking the heavens and the earth.

Questions:

Have you considered the fact that God is speaking to all of humanity through, tornados, hurricanes, volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, and other violent storms?

Do you see this as a divine act of God’s punishment or a divine act of his love?

How well are you listening to this very visual voice of God?

Have you asked God to allow you to hear his gentle whisper before he finds it necessary to send a turbulent storm into your life?

Prayer:

Dear God,

I know that not all of the storms that come into my life come because I am not listening. You told us that in this life we would have trouble. God, I am so thankful that no matter the reason there is a storm in my life you are with me and you do faithfully whisper words of comfort to my heart. Help me remember that you are NOT the storm, but that you lovingly use storms so I might hear your gentle whisper. Protect me from being so devastated by the storms in my life that I miss your whispers of love that come to sustain me during and after the storm. God, help me to remember that all of nature obeys your voice and so must I.

In your Son’s name I pray. Amen.

Teachable Moments

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 NIV

Very early this morning as I went to the garden, I gained access to the garden of my heart as I sat in my favorite spot on my screened in porch. It was dark and damp. The rain was falling in a simple, steady rhythm. It was a rain that was peaceful and comforting because there was no threat of a storm. It was the necessary rain that God provides for his creation. The air smelled fresh and clean. Slowly the darkness of the pre dawn sky changed from darkness into dawn. The birds began to sing a delightful song to God thanking him for the shower. My back yard looked refreshed as the sunlight hit the lush carpet of green grass and kissed the tree tops of my wooded sanctuary. As I sat there with my coffee, God and I began to chat.

I began to thank God for the rain and for a night of rest. I prayed for my family and for myself. Then God began to speak to me about the importance of teachable moments in the garden. I wondered what God was about to teach me this day in the garden.

Experiencing God’s teachable moments can be a little like doing your homework. I have found that it is important for me to do my spiritual homework now so that I will learn new facts, gain new information, and reflect and receive strength from what I already know to be true. In school homework is done in preparation for the test ahead. Spending time alone with God is so important. It not only gives me strength for the day but it also provides opportunity for God to teach me and prepare me for what he knows is up ahead.

I have found that in my teachable moment maybe only one word will come to my mind. It may be a word like trust, mercy, forgiveness, surrender, wait, simplicity, or grace. When this happens it is like God is giving me the first clue in the mystery that lies ahead. It is in the beginning of a teachable moment in time when God begins preparing my heart for the future. Other times God simply speaks the one word that my heart needs to hear for that day.

At this point I am completely clueless as to what is coming down the pike in my life, but God already knows. Because of his great love for me God goes ahead of me and prepares the way. When I become completely still and silent the teaching begins. It is important for me to pay attention and stay alert. For example, if God whispers the word “trust” to me I must listen for additional messages regarding “trust.”

So from that point on I may hear additional messages coming from everywhere regarding “trust”. I’m a little slow but I eventually begin to get it! The pastor speaks on trust. I turn on the car radio when I am out running errands the lyrics of the song I hear is about trusting God. A good friend calls me on the phone and tells me about an amazing speaker she heard and the things that he had to say about trust. I pick up my favorite devotional book and the theme for the day is – you guessed it, trust! Even when I pick up my Bible and begin to read from a collection of 66 books, 1,189 chapters, and 31,103 verses – who would have guessed the exact verse that I read is about trust. Is that not amazing? God intentionally speaks to us in themes. All we have to do is start listening and learning. When he does this he is without a doubt preparing me for the days ahead. God already knows that in the future there will be a situation that will require me to trust him completely.

So today in the garden, I am sensing a teachable moment is on the way. My mind whirls and I almost feel giddy with excitement. I wonder what word Jesus has for me today. I know that this is his way of teaching me incredible things. I know that no matter if I turn to the right or to the left, my ears will hear a voice behind me saying, “Paula, this is the way, walk in it.”

Questions:

Are you comforted to know that God goes before you to prepare the way for you according to your need?

In the past have you experienced a teachable moment from God?

Is God whispering a word that keep showing up everywhere you go?

Have you noticed that God is speaking to you in a theme?

What is that theme?

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

I am amazed that you speak to me in themes. Help me not to be afraid of what lies ahead but rather to trust you because of your great love for me. Help me to view my teachable moments as your protection on my life. I thank you that you are preparing me so that I may respond to the situation, the person or the test that may be in my future. Help me to stay alert to your loving teachings and to be an obedient learner. Help me to respond to your teaching just as you would have me respond.

In Your Name I pray. Amen.