Be Willing To Receive Him And Ask For Help

Sunday, August 9

John 6:21-22 (NKJV)

“Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going. On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except that one which His disciples had entered, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but His disciples had gone away alone—.”

Devoción

Pastor Franklin said in his message on Sunday that there are two kinds of storms believers go through. One is a storm of correction meant to correct us and turn us around when we lose our way, the other is a storm of perfection, when He's trying to perfect you and make you more like Him so that the fruits of the Spirit will be seen and you will glorify Him.

This means getting rid of anything that stands in the way, showing us through trials what is blocking our growth, such as defects of character that we need to get rid of or things we have put before Him. This is the only way we truly grow—when we go through hard times or storms in our lives, He opens our eyes to how we really are, and we surrender everything.

These storms aren't meant to punish you but to polish you like stones or gems. In 1 Peter 2:5, it says that we are living stones. In order to shine for Him, He has to polish off all the rough edges and the dullness—the dullness that comes from losing our desire and passion for Him. Then, after we go through the storm, we are once again brought closer to Him, and our faith is made stronger. Like 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, we are a new creation, and the old has passed away.

That means our old sinful nature is dead, and we have His Spirit living in us to help us. When we stop and ask, "What are You trying to teach me?" instead of, "Why?" we become more like Him.

Take the examples of Job and Joseph. Both were godly men, but one was sold into slavery and went to prison before becoming a ruler under Pharaoh, while the other lost all his livestock, possessions, and even his own children. Yet, in order for God to use them, they had to go through trials to strengthen their faith and purify them.

God knew what He was doing then, and He knows what He is doing now with each one of us. If you're running away like Jonah, He will bring you back. Or, if you're going through a storm of perfection, He will get you through it. So hold on and don't give up. He will finish what He has started.

Oración de hoy

Querido Padre Celestial,

I look to You to lead me through this storm. Where I have strayed, I ask for Your forgiveness and return to You. Where I need refining for the future things You have planned for me, I yield to You. Thank You for Your loving devotion and faithfulness to me. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Aplíquelo hoy mismo

Philippians 2:13 tells us that God is the One who works in us to will (desire) and to do His good pleasure. Whether you’re experiencing a storm of correction or a storm of perfection, obedience is key to getting to the other side. In your relationship with Christ, remember the last thing He told you to do and make sure it is done—even if it is only to wait on Him and “be still and know that He is God.”

Recursos

• When God steps in, everything can change. Watch, “God Can Reverse It” and be reminded that no situation is too far gone for His power.

• A new school year is here—let's cover it in prayer! Join us today for our special Back to School Prayer Service and a powerful message from Pastor Jentezen Franklin during our 9 & 11 AM services. Join us in person at a Free Chapel campus near you or online.