1. Four storms

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake."  And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling with water. (Mark 4:35,37)

The boat trip had been started at the urging of the Lord Jesus. Suddenly, a severe storm broke out on the lake. Trials can come to a believer's life, even if he walks in God's will. 

Although Peter, Andrew, James and John were fishermen on that Lake of ​​Galilee, they did not control the situation. The disciples were afraid of drowning and they felt that Jesus did not care. In fact, Jesus did know why His Father had allowed this trial to the disciples. He also knew when and how He would help them.

Therefore, the most blessed thing is that Jesus is with us in our storm. Going through the the trial of faith with Jesus strengthens                                     ♥  patience and endurance                                                                                  ♥  trust in His care  (fear → faith)                                                                        ♥  longsuffering.

You know that the testing (trying) of your faith produces patience*). But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:3-4)

*) in Greek:  hypomenō = "staying under the burden quietly"

For you have need of endurance. (Heb 10:36) 

Jesus was raising disciples to be the foundation of His church. So, they needed complete trust in Jesus and dependence on Him. The trials trained them for their future ministry. 

This is how He works also with us: Storms in the life of a follower of Jesus are God's servants for his/her good.

But the Lord sent out a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty storm on the sea, so that the ship was about to be broken up. (Jonah 1:4)

Sometimes the purpose of a storm (proving, affliction) allowed by the Father is to restore a believer from his/her independence to the way of God's will. Jonah was unwilling to carry out the mission that God had planned for him. The distress that came into Jonah's life in the form of a storm and a whale renewed and turned his mind to obedience to the Lord. (Jonah 2:1-3:3)

If needed, you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold. (1 Pet 1:6-7)

The stormy wind removes the dried and fruitless parts from the olive branch (from believer; John 15:2). According to Heb 12:5-11, we can understand that purifying trials as well as the rebuke of the word come into our lives as loving discipline from our Heavenly Father. Their goal is to put to death (crucify) our carnality, which is against the mind of Christ in us.

God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing*) he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it. (1 Cor 10:13)

*) in Greek: peirasmos = a trial, temptation, proving, putting to the proof 

But not long after a very strong wind named the "northeaster" came from the island. And the storm was exceedinly violent on us. (Acts 27:14,18)

Paul was caught in a severe storm in the Mediterranean. But he did not fall into the affliction because of himself. In all there were two hundred and seventy six persons on the ship. When they had lost all hope of being saved, Paul could encourage them:

"But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, and he said, 'Don't be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What's more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.' So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said." (Acts 27:22-25)

The ship broke up on the reef, but they were all saved by swimming to the island of Melite. The inhabitants of the island lived under the influence of pagan beliefs.There, too, Paul had the opportunity to tell the gospel about Jesus and His power. 

So we note that the individual believer and the church may have to suffer in a storm (distress) in order to help others in the midst of the same storm. Especially in the "last days" before Jesus' return, God uses his church to help anxious and fearful people to find Christ. Like Paul, the church living through "difficult times" (2 Tim 3:1) is comforted by God's promises of care: 

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. (1 Pet 5:10)

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. (John 16:33) 

Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. (Rev 3:10)

As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.  People were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. (Matt 24:37,39)

The waters prevailed and greatly increased on the earth, and the ark moved about on the surface of the waters. (Gen 7:18)

The Bible teaches that sin will meet the wrath of God one day (Rome 1:18; Jer 23:19-20; Rev 6:15-16). God will judge sin in man (Acts 17:31; John 5:28-29). Noah's ark represents a spiritual type for salvation in Jesus Christ. God has reconciled us to Himself through the sacrificial death of Jesus. By believing in Jesus, we get our sins forgiven (Eph 1:7). He is the door into the ark of salvation - and the only way out of God's wrath.

Jesus said: "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved." (John 10:9) 

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. (Rom 8:1)

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. (1 Thess 5:9-10)

             2.  JOSEPH                   - a keeper of the vision 

Joseph was the beloved son of his parents, Rachel and Jacob (Gen 30:22-24; 33:1-2; 37:3). Thus, it can be assumed that the core of his self-image developed into a positive one. Quite young he began to understand that his life had a deeper meaning in God's plan. When Joseph was 17 years old God gave him a dream (vision) about his and his family's future. 

And Joseph told it to his brothers, "Please, hear this dream I had: There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf." (Gen 37:5-8)

Joseph had a special gift from the Lord: the interpretation of dreams (understanding of meaning and wisdom to act accordingly; Gen 41:39). However, Joseph's life did not begin to go according to his dream (vision). All his own chances of survival were stripped away. He was made dependent on the grace of God. Because of his father's shared love, he was hated by his brothers and separated from his family. The brothers sold Joseph as a slave to Egypt. There he blameless was put in prison, when he did not want to break the Lord's will and did not agree to the temptation set by the courtier's wife.  

Joseph told one of his fellow prisoners about his sufferings like this: "For indeed I was stolen away from the land of the Hebrews; and also I have done nothing here that they should put me into the prison." (Gen 40:15)

13 years of tribulation brought three great trials into Joseph's life. As a descendant of fallen Adam, he was as weak to sin as his brothers. Even those who believe in Jesus do not avoid experiencing similar temptations.

Joseph would not have endured the trials without God's powerful work in his heart (mind and spirit) and presence in his life. With the help of the Lord's grace, Joseph kept hope for the future without losing his calling that was intended for him even before his birth.   

1.  Joseph's mind remained pure of bitterness towards his brothers.                 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, shouting, and evil speaking be put               away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another,                         tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ                     forgave you. (Eph 4:31-32)  . . . looking carefully lest any root of                     bitterness growing up cause trouble. (Heb 12:15)

2. Joseph's heart (spirit) did not become offended with God.                         Jesus said to his disciples: "These things (tribulations in the world)                have I spoken to you, that you should not be offended (John 16:1;            KJV). But know this, that in the last days difficult times will come.                  Now the Spirit clearly says that in latter times some will depart                  from the faith. (1 Tim 4:1; 2 Tim 3:1)

3. Joseph did not give himself up to the temptation of sexual sin.             Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you,                       whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you                     were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body.                     (1 Cor 6:19-20)

God has given us a future and hope in Christ (Jer 29:11; Eph 1:12). Like Joseph, He wants to strengthen us to keep our vision and calling in Christ until the end - despite the tribulations. Therefore, as in the young Joseph, God does his gracious and purposeful work in us. The working of His Spirit creates and empowers ... 

a)  faith in the word of God                                                                                           When Joseph was 12-13 years old, Jacob-father received a word from God about                the Promised Land (Gen 35:11-12).  This word must have sunk deep into the young                boy's heart when Jacob told his family about the Lord's appearance.                         b)  understanding of the position as a child of God and in His will (plan)                          Joseph realized how his calling and his dream is related to the future of Jacob's                    family. (Gen 45:7-8)                                                                                                     c)  the desire to surrender to God's will and to bear my own cross                                   Joseph had to deal with the deep wounds in his mind that were caused by the                     rejection and anger from his brothers. Joseph saw that bending to God's plan                     (will) is much more valuable than bitterness and revenge against his brothers.                       (Gen 37:23-28; 45:5; 50:20-21; 1 Pet 3:9; Prov 19:11 )                                                         d)   power against temptations, faithfulness to God, spiritual fruits, gifts and                wisdom                                                                                                                                So Pharaoh asked them, "Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the                  Spirit of God?" Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this                         known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. (Gen 41:38-39)  

If this happened to an Old Covenant believer, how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Col 1:27) 

That good thing (e.g. faith, hope and love) which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. (2 Tim 1:14)

Therefore, brethren (and sisters), be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble (fall away). (2 Pet 1:10)

֎ Jesus is our hope. Dear reader of our website, by abiding in Christ we too can be keepers of our calling and bearers of good fruit. The devil could not extinguish our divine vision.  ֎ Jesus is also the propitia-tion* for our sins. It means that even if we have fallen into the "temptations of Joseph" (faultfinding, bitterness or unforgiveness; doubting the Lord's love; sin in sexual life) we can rise again in repentance, trusting in the cleansing grace of Jesus' sacrificial blood.  ֎ Jesus is our Lord. In Him we overcome the world (1 John 5:5). Therefore, let us seek His face in silence, praying for the fullness of His Spirit to endure our tribulations (1 Chron 16:11).

But if we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (Gal 5:16) 

3.  Take care of the soil       of your heart

Luke 8:15 says that                                                                                                                      the seeds (of the word of God) that were planted on good ground represent people who                                                                                                a) having heard the word with a honest and good heart,                                b) keep it, and                                                                                                      c) bear fruit with patience.

In this parable (Luke 8:4-15) Jesus explained in more detail what a good heart is like. The soil of the heart is favorable when the seed of the Lord's word is received in faith, it is allowed to germinate, and the weeds are not permitted to choke its growing.

In receiving the word, Jesus appreciated childlike faith (Matt 19:13-15). Therefore, for example, early Christian education in Sunday school and at home is the most valuable sowing work for a child's future. As for a young believer's rooting in Christ, there is some helpful practical advice:

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught. (Col 2:6-7)

Like a natural garden, the soil of the heart is also prone to weeds. It means that the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things entering in can burden our hearts (Matt 13:22).

Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go on their way and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity (Luke 8:14). 

Jesus did not list these thorns of spritual life. His Spirit does remind each of His followers of them personally. In our discussion, we found the following harmful weeds based on the Bible:     

The world, our fleshly mind, and the Devil work together to sow these seeds of thorns. They try to plant them first into our thoughts. Pressure applied to our thinking designed to create wrong emotions which will eventually lead to wrong actions and attitudes. Therefore Jesus taught us:

"Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted." (Matt 15:13)

Our Lord Jesus redeemed the ground of our hearts for Himself. In practice, His Spirit in us is the Gardener who helps us to stay free from thorns. When He cares for the soil of our hearts, He often works in the following ways:

a) Through the Word, He first proves to our understanding the existence of the foreign seed, so that we may reject it. If the thorn has already taken root or grown in our mind, He places restlessness or sorrow on our conscience. (2 Cor 7:10; 1 Tim 1:19)

b) At the same time, He heals, renews and strengthens our inner man (mind and spirit), working specifically with our will, to uproot the weed. (Eph 3:16; 4:22-24; Phil 2:13)

c) When our will is bent to "cooperate" with Him, He gives us the power to overcome temptation and lust and to put the thorn to death. (Rome 8:13; Gal 5:24-25)

As we see, we are completely dependent on Jesus' work in us to keep the soil of the heart pure. Thus, "being watchful and alert" (1 Cor 16:13), "holding a good conscience" (1 Tim 1:19), "having girded the loins of the mind with truth" (1 Pet 1:13; Eph 6:14) and "walking in the fear of the Lord" (Acts 9:31), as the Bible encourages, does not mean legalistic self-observation. It means surrender to Jesus that creates in us the desire to deny ourselves (Luke 9:23). It is submitting to be filled with the Spirit, reigned and guided by Him continually. All the ability and power to kill the fleshly thorns in our lives comes from Him, our Helper and Comforter (John 14:16; Gal 5:16).

They gave themselves first of all to the Lord (2 Cor 8:5).                        Present yourselves to God (Rom 6:13). Let yourselves be filled with the Spirit continually (Eph 5:18).    

Our heart is the Lord's garden and field. The parable of the soil of the heart teaches what Jesus' purpose is for it. He prepares it to produce good fruit to His glory:

You will be filled with the fruits of righteousness produced by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. (Phil 1:9-11)                                           

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Gal 5:22-23)

But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (Matt 13:23)

 4. The fellowship of faith      in assembling together

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another with all wisdom, with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God, and everything whatever you do in word or in deed, giving thanks for all things in the name of the Lord Jesus to God the Father through him. (Col 3:16-17)

 Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish (instruct) one another. (Rom 15:14)

Jesus has promised to be present wherever we believers gather together in His name (Matt 18:20). In those meetings His Spirit will lead us and use the gifts (practical, material, spiritual and mental gifts) He has given us to serve one another in love (Rom 1:11-12). In order for the body of Christ to be built up through us, we must not neglect two things: giving ourselves (our heart and quality time) to Jesus and the assembling of ourselves together (Rom 6:13; 12:1-8; Heb 10:25). 

Rooted in Christ through the Word and looking to Him in prayer, He will prepare us (cleanse, renew, raise us, equip us) for our place in the ministry of the church.

Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving (Col 2:7).

... for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Eph 4:12-13)