JUST PASSING THROUGH

Going through a storm right now? 

 

Are the winds blowing so hard that you're trying to hold onto anything that will keep you from going with the wind?

 

Are those waves rocking your boat so hard that your sick to your stomach?

 

Is the water your on ready to turn your boat over?

 

Are you drowning and feeling lonely on your ship?

 

Sometimes we often wonder why life has dealt us such a rocky sail on the sea.  We hold on, we swim, we fight, we try to look at the other side for a glimpse of hope. 

 Mark 4:35-41

³⁵ That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” ³⁶ Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. ³⁷ A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. ³⁸ Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
³⁹ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
⁴⁰ He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
⁴¹ They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Cross references:

1. Mark 4:35 : 4:35-41pp — Mt 8:18, 23-27; Lk 8:22-25
2. Mark 4:36 : ver 1; Mk 3:9; 5:2, 21; 6:32, 45
3. Mark 4:40 : Mt 14:31; Mk 16:14

 

The one good thing about being in a storm is that we know that we are not alone!  Have you ever thought about how you have made it this far, even in the midst of the storm?  Our all powerful God is Mighty, so Mighty that with one word He could calm the storms.  The Lord awaits for you to call out to Him in the good and bad times of life.  He will never separate Himself from you.

Deuteronomy 31:8

 

⁸ The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

 

God's hand is not to short to reach you.  Cry out to the Lord for help.  He will rescue you from all your fears, trials, and hurts.  When all is coming against you, take a stand and have faith in the Almighty God. 

 

Storms come but in due time, they cease.  This may be just a season, and perhaps at this moment it's a long season, just know that God will hold you strong through it all.  Continue to keep your eyes focused on Him. 

 

Tell your storm that you are "just passing through."  You are not staying on rough waters forever.  Claim and decree that you will not be stagnet , you will not drown but you will swim. 

Matthew 14:25-33

²⁵ Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
²⁹ “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

 

Although fear tries to trap us into believing we will sink, the Lord reminds us to have faith and hold on just a little longer.  Even if things look impossible, encourage yourself just as David did and know that He is God and all things will come together for the glory of God. 

 

1 Samuel 30:1-6

 

30 And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;

² And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way.

³ So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.

⁴ Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.

⁵ And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.

⁶ And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

 

No matter what is going on in your life right now, tell that storm that your "just passing through."  Although David was in distressed, he knew where his help would come from.  His hope was in Christ alone. 

 

God has called us to be Victorious.  How can you fight if your walking around defeated.?  NO!  Stand up and rise to the occasion.  God has equipped us with the proper tools to Fight, Swim, and hold on.  Do what is necessary to make it! 

Ephesians 6:10-18

 

¹⁰ A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. ¹² For we^[c] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

¹³ Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. ¹⁴ Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. ¹⁵ For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.^{[d] 16} In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.^{[e] 17} Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.^[f]

 

Put on the whole armor!  Don't let your boat sink!  If God is for you, Who can be against you?  Tell that storm your "just passing through!"  It can not keep you from where God is bringing you.  Have faith friends and believe that God is still working in the midst of it all.  Be encouraged today!

 

STRIPPED & SHAKEN......BUT GOD

Have you ever been stripped?  Whether stripped from loved ones, material things, hope, or needed things?  Have things ever gotten to the point that you just don't know if you could recover from it?  Has being stripped brought you to the point that it has shaken or rocked your world?  

I'm not to sure about you, but it has definitely happen to me.  You see, although I am a Christian and try to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord, I still get rocked.  Being a Christian doesn't necessarily mean that everything is smooth sailing and challenges will not exist.  That is far from the truth!  Truth be told, sometimes we are the ones that get the big hits.  

Many things have happened in my 39 years of life.  But the one thing that rocked me the most.......... The death of my three year old daughter.  Who would of thought?  Why me?  Lord I have been serving you faithfully, I love my kids, I have a strong family support system, and I live to worship you...... Why me?  The life of my three year old daughter gone, without reason, I just don't understand why me of all people to choose from. 

There came a point and time that I questioned God so much because I wanted answers!  I even told Him, "there are so many people that abuse their kids, and don't love them.  Why would you take mine?  I love my daughters and take very good care of them.  Why my little girl?"  

Julie was her name, Julie Yvette Gonzalez!  Our second daughter.  She was the funniest character.  She definitely was one to give me a run for my money.  She was a spit fire, observant, talkative, attitude (a good one, ha), and just plain real.  She impacted many people by simply being herself.  She would play with all the other kids and would act like little mother goose.  

One thing that I would say about Julie is that her worship for God was so pure. Every service, she would be the first one in the front dancing before the Lord. Giving honor to the King is what my baby girl would do continuously.  What a joy for me to see her honor God, I was a proud mom! :)

Julie, after she was about 1 year old, she would continually get sick.  Sick, as in cold symptoms.... runny nose, fever, some vomiting, puffy eyes, etc.  We would take her to the hospital and they would never find anything wrong with her.  "Oh she's fine, just give her some Tylenol, and pedia-lite."  But this went on for way to long.  It was getting so bad that doctors would check her and still "nothing is wrong."  Then they would check her veins.... and guess what?  Her veins would be collapsed due to the lack of liquids not being held down.  

One day, on August 18, 1997, our daughter, Julie Yvette Gonzalez, never made it through the night.  Julie was resting in my room because she didn't feel well,(mind you she had a doctor's appt in the morning).  I walked into my room and as she was laying down on my floor in my room, she was taking her last breath........... I started freaking out.... I ran out screaming my mothers name... MOMMMMMMM......  She was foaming at the mouth, my mother picked her up and brought her to the kitchen floor.  Our neighbor, Amy, who happened to be at our house, was on the phone with 911, and my mother was trying to revive her.  This had to be the longest hours of my life.  

Paramedics arrive..... I'm huddled in the corner sobbing, my father bust through the back door to try and help, and my husband had just gotten home from work.  The blank stare in her eyes...... No words!  We rushed to the hospital in the ambulance and as were both(my husband & I) were wondering if she was going to make it.  After at least 2 hours of the doctors trying to bring our Julie back, the doctors came in to our room to give us the news.  Mr. and Mrs. Gonzalez, we are truly sorry, but your daughter did not make it.  We did everything we could.  If you would like to see her and spend time with her, we will gladly provide a room for your family and friends.  
Wailing, hearts crushed, heavy and hollowed hearts, hurt, stripped and shaken!

Disbelief!  My heart is still heavy just writing about it.... my eyes are full of tears... Our little girl will not go to high school, college, marry, or give us grand children.  Our little girl has left us, how do we live without her?  I wanted to shout out to the WORLD....."EVERYBODY STOP TALKING, WALKING, GOING TO WORK, AND LIVING, OUR LITTLE GIRL HAS PASSED.  DON'T MOVE!!!!!!!"  My mind was everywhere...... Why me?  

I know that this is not everyone's story, but it is my story.  We never knew what happened?  We had an autopsy done and the results..... UNDETERMINED!  Why me Lord?  Everything came back normal in the autopsy.  I couldn't wrap my head around what had taken place.  My Lord, help me.  

I understand now that her mission in this life was accomplished and she is with the eternal Father.  When I think of what we went through during that time, I can't help but think of Job in the Bible.  Job lost everything, his family, his crops, his livestock, land, health, etc.  But even through all that, Job was a man of faith, patience and endurance.  Through his loss, he still believed in the Almighty God and trusted that the Lord would not forsake him, nor leave him.  Job suffered intense emotional and physical pain.  And he too, didn't know why he was suffering.  

In the end, God gave Job more and abundant.  Job was a blessed man, he stood faithful to God regardless of what had taken place and there was no answer.  

Often we suffer consequences for bad decisions and actions.  Job's willingness to repent and confess known wrongs is a good guideline for us.  Sometimes suffering shapes us for special service to others.  Sometimes suffering is an attack by satan on our lives.  And sometimes we don't know why we suffer.  At those times, are we willing to trust God in spite of unanswered questions? 

I know I am!  It was a hard, long process for our family.  But GOD!!!  He restored us, and although Julie can NEVER be replaced, He gave us a double portion.  The Lord granted us two more daughters, in which are 11 months apart.  They are now 13 and 12, and of course our oldest, which is 22 now. The Lord gave us the strength to carry on and fill us up again.  If it hadn't been for God..... I'm SO sure that I would have been stripped, shaken and destroyed!  BUT GOD!  

James 5:10,11
For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.  We give great honor to those who endure under suffering.  For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance.  You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.

This was rather big for our family..... What are you stripped and shaken about? Are you really trusting God to pull you through?  

Julie Yvette Gonzalez
2/10/94 - 8/18/97 RIP...... Until we meet again! Never forgotten!