God Rules!

I've had trouble writing lately. Yet, trouble is what drives me to write in the first place. This same trouble is what drives me to my God. I’m not sure why life is designed this way. It just is. 

Trouble drives some to Jesus and some to Hell. Here is a strange thing. Saints are so similar to heathens, world-lings, sinners or whatever else they are labeled, yet one major difference exists: Jesus. I’m sure this isn't “nice” safe language for our times. Who wants to tell a friend, coworker or family member that they are a sinner? Probably no one wants to say this!

Yes, we might want to tell them that Jesus loves them and has a plan for their life (which is true). Then we get around to why they need Jesus, our sin. Nobody wants to think of sin. Because if we admit certain things are wrong, i.e., breaking a Sovereign Gods' rules, then we have to admit a Sovereign God rules. God Rules!

  Side Note:

         When I was about 20, I had a T shirt that said just that. “God Rules!”  It was from a Christian punk band and I wore it with pride! Not pride in the band that put out the T shirt. I don't even remember what their name was. The band that produced that shirt is long gone. This pride was not in or of me. No, that pride was in our God! Because I knew and know He really does rule.

     

       I had such boldness when I wore that T shirt. I felt invincible. With that invincibility of the Holy Spirit—His baptism—I went out into the night as a witness for Christ!

    

        Our city, way back then had a Friday and Saturday night “Cruise.” Hundreds of teenagers and young adults lined up on our main drag, just to hang out. It was perfect opportunity to tell people of Jesus love for them. And I had the privilege of doing just that.

    

       Do not give up an opportunity to share Christ, you'll never regret it and possibly never get that opportunity again. The city, Marysville CA. USA, soon outlawed that cruising and shut it down. And, it was right for the city to take such action, that cruise wasn't good; it brought problems of all kinds. You can just imagine.

     

       Now that opportunity is gone. My shirt finally died, still God Rules!—

I'll try and get this train back on its tracks. My point being, that if Jesus did not me redeem me, I would be going to hell to. And, if there were no God, I would see no point in staying around just to suffer (not all the time, just too much to stand and for far too long). I would say bye to this world. Maybe that seems extreme? Yeah, I'm kind of the extreme type. ( I really look forward to a new body.)

On the other hand, if I were too cowardly to end life, I would take enough of whatever was available  to relieve the pain. Sorry to say (more like ashamed to say) even believing in God and loving Jesus, I did just that. I took enough of whatever the doctor gave me and more, to numb myself. I wanted to feel as little as possible. 

A decade later, that numb Gordon had to resume a life. A life that dripped with pain. Sure not as much as some and more than others; it was just too much for me.

There were great costs in trying to run away from that nagging everyday pain—that I'm feeling even now. Running away cost me teaching in a youth ministry. It drove my son into a rebellion from God Himself (he has since come home, to Jesus. But the world took its toll.) Running away from this pain drove bitter roots into my marriage. Yet, by the grace of God, I still have a wife; a wife with whom there is no measure. She fits that Proverbs 31 wife more so than any I know. Still though, she’s not perfect; she has me as a husband. This is not even to mention the effects on all of this on my mind and memory.

Those cost and many more have plagued my life. I felt like Jonah running from God. I felt like a man with a twisted arm, with God being the one that twisted my arm; all the while God just waited for me to say “uncle.” I’ve heard a pastor say this, “ Don't you know that Gods' His hand is both on the time and temperature of YOUR storm or trial.” I think Pastor Bob was right!

I really believe this is true. Just read the book of Job or Jonah (That might take a while!) Meanwhile, God is always there in YOUR storm. It’s true. Do you remember in the book of Daniel—chapter 3—the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace?

Who was there with them? Who was the “fourth” in the fire when only three were thrown in? Who did the king think it was? Hint? He thought it was the son of God. Nebuchadnezzar didn't know it was Jesus the Son of God. He just knew someone looking like God was in there. I know it was Jesus. Jesus hangs out in the storm. He’s there comforting it’s victims of a fallen, broken world that is cursed and He is with me in my storm.

If you still might have a hard time believing this concept of God being in and ready to control your troubles. Look no further than Jesus. Look at how and who calmed the wind and waves. It wasn't some hidden event Jesus claimed with no witnesses. No! Jesus did this miracle right in front the disciples’ eyes.

Think of this non-fiction, true story below (Read ahead if you don’t know it. Out of Mark 4) Who told them—the disciples—to get in the boat? Then, who allowed Satan—the prince and power of the air—to whip up the wind and waves? More importantly who calmed those waves? Who stopped that wind from howling? It was Jesus. How did Jesus stop these forces of wind and wave? Jesus did it with a hand full of words. Remember, He is the one who spoke and the world formed!

Imagine speaking to the wind. Do you think it will listen and obey? Sure we spout off from time to time just beating air. Yep! If we speak to the air and ask it to stop moving, we are wasting our breath. Jesus just spoke and it ceased. The wind and wave turned to calm.

One miracle after another flooded the disciples’ eyes. They were overwhelmed, just as we would be. We would be in awe! "Who is this...?" Who can do these things but God? And, then you have Peters’ little water story also. It too is another time the disciples freaked and feared for life (Matt 14:22-36). Still, Jesus in both instances calmed the storm and the disciples fear. ( I BET IT MADE THE  miracles of the Exodus come alive.)

You know, I don't feel so troubled now. Grace walked into my life and peace settled on my soul. Yeah I hurt, I still blow it. Just, I have Jesus by my side and He reminds me He forgives and comforts. And, He is!

Read these verses and think about them.

^“On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

Mark 4:35-41 NKJV