Whisper in the Storm

Lord,

I pray for every person who reads this. May the words that are read from You be a ministry to each spirit to edify and give You glory.

Church Fam,

I am lonely, tired, and angry, much like we all are. I am lonely because I am geographically separated from my family during quarantine. I am tired because every day seems like a battle. I am angry for the ugliness, hurt and hate in the world. Sometimes amid the storms of life, it is easy to ask “where’s God” in all of this. When times are pleasant or things are going the way we expect them to, we soon forget God is the one who provides such blessings and increase. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17, NIV). Some of us only seek God when we are in trouble or things go awry. The prayer relationship between us and God is comparable to the communication between a husband and wife. Could you imagine if you only talked to your spouse when you needed something or to vent frustrations? That would be a one-sided and lonely conversation.

For those who are lonely, you are never alone unless you choose to be without God. Though I have been without my family for almost 2 years (military), God has been ever present with me. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6, NIV). He was with me in Korea. I joined a great church family, connected with a Men’s Bible Study, and joined the choir. He is with me now in Georgia, though I cannot be with my church family in Georgia or Ohio, He is still with me. We all need to follow Tasha Cobbs lyrics from the song Chasing After You and “praise my way through”. When we feel lonely, tired, angry and so much more, praise God. We do not praise Him that it is happening, we praise Him because He is our Deliverer.

You may be tired for myriad reasons, physically tired, mentally tired, or spiritually drained. You are not alone. The lockdowns, the loss, the change in procedures and the deviation from “normal life” has been an overwhelming factor which fatigues our psyche and can wear on us in so many ways. Did you know that being spiritually drained can cause physical fatigue? “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31, NIV). God can renew, invigorate, and produce vitality in our lives. Remember the “fruits of the Spirit”? God’s fruit can produce a joy to overcome any tiredness we may experience. Is it any wonder that as we get older, we may not feel older, if our spirit is fixed upon Him? This is because He renews us with vigor. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23, NIV). When you truly have God’s anointing Spirit indwelling, I dare you to try and keep it to yourself. The Spirit will flow out of you in everything you do, ergo the fruits of the Spirit are yielded.

Based upon plague, joblessness, uncertainty, etc. I would say 2020 has thus far been a trying year to say the least. But now we have an insidious, old foe that simply will not perish. Racism must be eradicated. This sin is based solely upon fear, lies and hatred. The Devil certainly likes to continue to cause division and pain. I am angry about this; righteously angry. Jesus was righteously angry when money collectors were extorting the people in the Lord’s House. “On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, ‘Is it not written: “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations”? but you have made it ‘a den of robbers’”(Mark 11:15-17, NIV). You may ask yourself, “what can I do to combat this?”. We can love one another. Which was God’s greatest command. We can be a godly example because after all Christian means, “Christ-like”. How can one truly be Christ-like and hold this hatred in their heart? The simple answer is the person cannot. “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand” (Mark 3:25, NIV). Additionally, this means that God cannot be good one instance and bad the next. God is good all the time, but we fall away from His path into sin, which is of the Devil. Let us strive to truly make the world a better place through love, which is God, because perfect love casts out fear. Jesus is the only catalyst who can foster true and lasting change. He is the only one who can vanquish the hate of racism through love and ultimately thwart the Devil’s cunning.

Your Brother in Christ,

Pastor Wally

I pray for each person who is hurting, tired, lonely, and angry. God grant them the perfect peace which only You can. Let them know that You love them. You are a gentleman knocking at the door of each heart waiting to enter and fellowship with each person. As this year as been so difficult, let us realize that we have an opportunity to draw closer to you. It may be trying and a struggle at times for some more than others, You know the needs of the heart. But with such a challenge, we realized You can overcome anything and through You we can be victors because You have already vanquished sin and darkness. We trust You Lord and we know that only You can make the needed changes in our lives and world. We commit ourselves to You in Jesus Name. Amen!