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“Then the
sea arose because a great wind was blowing.” May 2010 Dear Friend, Trusting that all is well with you and your loved ones. All is well here, and we are pressing in to what God has called us to. It is such a privilege and a joy to minister to people all over the world! So much is going on right now, and people are reaching out by calling our prayer line hoping to find answers. There certainly is a “storm” blowing over the land, but the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is going forth bringing hope where there is no hope. Recently our area had a huge storm. The day started out pretty quiet; my daughter was able to take her plane to visit with my grandson who is away at college. As the day progressed, the winds blew up and the rain began to come down heavier. By evening, the newscasters were all talking about it, saying that hurricane force winds and rain were beginning to take place in the New York area. I live in a flood zone, so I began to pray, and even put out a prayer request on the Internet. As the day went on, the winds picked up and before we knew it, we had winds at 75 miles an hour, with heavy rain coming down. I looked out of my windows and could see the trees fiercely blowing, and every now and then heard a crash. The outside wires were coming down, and on the Internet on Facebook, I learned that our Music Minister and her husband, also a Pastor, were almost hit with a TV Satellite Dish as they were walking home. We all asked, “Is this Kansas?” Soon one of my daughters reported that she had no electricity because transformers were bursting in her area, and there were fires all around her neighborhood. She was able to communicate because of her blackberry phone. However, my son in law went out to bring home pizza for his family through this. Don’t ask.. (laughing) My other daughter who was visiting my grandson found out that a huge evergreen tree crashed into her home right through the front door! Thank God her husband and son, who were home at the time, were fine. All night the wind howled and I have to admit, it was scary. But my heavenly Bridegroom gave me peace, and I ended up sleeping well. I found my lawn furniture all toppled over that morning, but other than that, I was fine and so was my home. Praise God! So many times we go through storms in life. Not the kind in the natural, but the kind that knocks the wind out of us, and causes us to become fearful. One day we are fine, all is well with the world, and then suddenly the wind picks up and twirls us around! We see possible disasters coming, and there seems to be nothing we can do to prevent them. We end up becoming spectators as we watch our world tattered and torn all around us. The winds blew and we could not hold them back no matter how hard we tried. My son in law could not hold back the wind that blew the tree into his home. It suddenly happened and then he had to clean up and pick up the pieces. My other daughter and her husband ended up making it an exciting night playing with their dogs who were frightened, and enjoying a candlelight pizza dinner. How do we handle the storms in our life? They do come. When the disciples were in the boat and the wind picked up fiercely, they had to fight for survival. (Jn. 6:16-19) They were sure that they were going to die! They rowed for three or four miles with the wind playing havoc with their boat twisting and turning it and pushing it in all kinds of directions. Just imagine the strong waves coming up and splashing water against them as they struggled to get control of the boat! It was dark out, and they had no vision of where they were, or where they were going. They simply fought for their life not knowing what the outcome would be. How many times do we find ourselves in a situation like that, where we are fighting with every breath that is within us, trying to survive? We lose our job, the mortgage has to be paid, we need food on the table, and there is none. We battle illness, fighting with all our might to get well. We suddenly become caregivers for elderly parents who live in another state! A child goes by the wayside, hanging out with the wrong crowd. A death in the family tears it apart as siblings fight over what is left. A marriage breaks up, and a family is torn apart. I could go on and on.... Jesus tells us...”These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (Jn.16:33) Praise God! There is hope! We are overcomers because of Jesus who comes to our rescue, and gives us hope and help. While the men were in the boat, they faced tribulation! And this is what happens...”So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. But He said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’ Then they willingly received Him into the boat and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.”(Jn. 6:20,21) Praise God! When we are in that position, where we feel there is no hope, let us willingly receive Him as He comes by to help! Sometimes we feel like we have to do it all, but NO! Jesus comes in all His power and glory, extending His hand to ours, to help us out of the boat. Let us take hold of His hand, and as He firmly grips ours, let us extend our other hand to hug Him and thank Him for Who He is! Let us soak in His Word and let it become a part of our DNA so that when the trials come, His Word will speak life and hope and healing to our soul. Let us know that He is in the storm! And where He is, Life is! He will take us through and we will be victorious. Let us pray... Father, in Jesus Name, we come before You and worship You in Spirit and in Truth. Lord, You are Faithful! We thank You Jesus that You are always with us in both the good times and bad, and that nothing can separate us from Your love and care. We thank You that in any of the storms of life, You are there, and You will see us through. We have the victory in You and we will not be afraid. Our strength is in You. Praise You Lord! Amen! Rev. Barbara Anne Yovino, Ph.D.
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