Jesus Calms the Storm
October 20-2009
In Luke 8: 22 it says, ” Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. 23. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.24. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.”
Today God spoke this into my spirit, I don’t know if it’s to encourage me for what is ahead in which he’s trying to prepare me for. But I am thankful. I get so restless and start to worry right away that i’m not in his will, because things appear to be still and not going anywhere. And as I read this it encouraged me to not only have more faith in God. But to be anxious for nothing, but to remain calm. The spirit of nervousness or doubt I know is not of him.
Despite what I can see with my carnal eyes, I will imagine with my spiritual eyes the things of God. And I use the word imagine because as God helps me to see what he sees I will put my thoughts and desires to the things that pertain to who he is. So I will imagine my prize as I wait.
Isaiah 30:18 says,” And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto me, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon me; for the Lord is a God of judgment blessed are all they that wait for him.
This will encourage my patients and hopefully yours. If God is wanting to give us the best and if he waits just so that we will get every little bit that he wants for us which will bless us then I can wait for his timing as well.
When I hear the preacher ask what promises has God given you that u hold onto. I find myself having a hard time with this, I think and really I come up with nothing. As far as what he plans to do with me and how he plans to use me. But for my own growth and security in him he has given me a dream that says he is my rock, and a vision that he is my protector that can never be defeated. And I was once told by a man of God that I was a preacher, and then later said by my spiritual mother that I was a seed planter. But as I wait on the Lord to confirm all things in my life I will hold to the words written in Habakkuk .
Habakkuk 2:3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
If u are facing a storm, or in the season were it feels like nothing is happening, or wondering when God is going to fulfill his promises in your life.
I speak to you to wait, to be anxious for nothing, but allow God to work out the details. When he says move you will know for sure that nothing can get in your way or stop the plans of the Lord, because what he says he will do he will perform it. And wait with diligence, joy, patience, and Complete trust in your Creator.
U ARE SOMEBODY!
Feb 1-2009
Have you ever felt like a failure, unworthy, or forgotten!
Let me just say your were no mistake but God purposed and planned you and knows exactly were you are today.
Life in general, from the media and the way things have always been handled. Has left in impression in the minds of it’s listeners. What i’m saying is the world has lied to you and me for too long. And they have made it seem like they have all the answers.
This is not an insult on you but God and him alone is the one and only with all the answers. Because of him we have our being and are alive today.
I hear so many times Try and Try again and you can achieve, but have you noticed that once you have achieved your goal there is still that emptiness. So now men have created yoga, self motivated spirituality, and man made salvation.
All that is a lie, the devil has never been clever he only imitates and copies what God has already created and ordained. The devil just perverts it and try’s to make it his on. And men try to give credit to themselves, but what they don’t know is they can truly never be a successful with out Christ. For he said you must come through me to get to the father. Which means give me control, acknowledge me because in the end you will anyways. Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess I am Lord. He is the beginning and the end and by him all things are created and no man will ever be able to compare or even come close.
So STOP! and cloud your mind NO MORE with the garbage of this world. You are never a failure, alone, without, a mistake, or forgotten.
Because God assures us that he will never let us be. But in order to believe that and see it in your own life. You have to acknowledge GOD and who he is in all things. Don’t take matters, situations, problems, or even decisions into your own hands. But seek his kingdom first, and all other things shall be added unto you. The thing is, we do need Christ. We can not trust man but we can trust God and his word is true and everlasting. It has never failed.
Deuteronomy 31:6
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.”
(You come across others who appear to be bigger, better, never mind what your flesh feels or tells you, it is a liar as well, just keep your heart on Christ, his word does not lie.)
John 15:16
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. (God chose you to bear his good fruit, to share with you all that is his, which is the very best.)
Psalm 132:13
For the LORD has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling: (will you be Gods dwelling place and allow him to use you as he desires to)
Isaiah 58:11
The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. (God will make you to stand when you don’t have the strength, you can never fail when he is by your side).
Psalm 72:18
Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.
Psalm 83:18
Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD— that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.
Psalm 136:4
to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever.
Psalm 62:2
He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. (Allow him to be your great ambition, talent, and gift for they come from him anyways, so you might as well do them for his Glory).
Psalm 62:5
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. (He is our hope so never feel that you can’t, because with him you can).
SUCH A TIMES AS THIS!
10-01-2008
“…Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty who was, and is, and is to come.”
-Revelation 4:8
“For God Created all things and by his will we have being. Worthy is the lamb, Who was slain to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and praise.”
–Revelations 5:12
God is WORTHY and FAITHFUL to receive our praise. Worship Him while you can and seek Him while His mercy and grace is here for you.
I keep hearing ministers talk about “never giving up” and how we should “get ready to receive all which was stolen by the enemy”. Well I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to take back my faith (completely- with no room for doubt), my joy (that is unspeakable), my ministry (the reason why God gave me life), relationships (those who have walked out from under God’s covering or those simply who just don’t want to give their life completely to God because of their own selfish gain from this world). I can’t forget all the unspeakable blessings that God has in store for us to claim.
I hope there is someone out there feeling like me. I hope you are ready to see blessings manifested right before your eyes, and see God move in a way you’ve never seen before. If you are called by His name, it is an exciting time to know Christ and walk in his likeness. There’s no room to fear what’s going to happen to our economy, or who will become president. God is in control. Remember, God choose the 12 disciples knowing ahead of time that Judas would betray him. Never doubt, our God knows what He’s doing- even in the election. Get ready children of God- for the dry spout is over. Living water is going to flow and those who have gone astray will come back to their first love. Those playing church will be rooted up, and the dry bones stuck in religion- God’s going to awaken.
Stay rooted and grounded in Him. Revelation 11:18 mentions that many rewards- small and great await those who reverence his name.
SPIRITUAL PROGRESS!
12-2-2008
As I look back over my life I can see Gods hands shaping and molding me to his image. Like many I’m sure, he has brought me from a long, long way! And the person I am today is someone completely different from who I was last year. Emotionally, physically, and spiritually I have changed. God has played a role in all of it. From my victories, to my battles lost I have kept a record of my prayers, my falls, and my wins. Just to keep track of what God has done in my life as a proof of my testimonies.
Even my prayers have I written down and have taken them directly from Gods word so that I know I’m in his will. But keeping record of this has helped me to resist temptation and fight off the lies of the devil. I believe we need to be reminded of were God has brought us from and all what he has done. It’s not because we need it for anyone else but for ourselves. I know there were many of times when I allowed the lies of the devil to control my thoughts because I simply forgot what Gods word said. Everyday I pray over and over Gods word so that it’s fresh in my mind and then all day as things come up. I remember what I prayed earlier and then with out a doubt in Jesus Name devil you are defeated, is what I repeat. And then the peace of God and his joy fills me up again. My worries are gone and the foolish thoughts have disappeared.
I notice when I don’t pray Gods word for others or for my family the devil attacks my mind even more.
In Numbers 33:2 And Moses wrote their goings out according to their journeys by the commandment of the LORD: and these are their journeys according to their goings out.
I believe God did this not only for it to be found and recorded for our purpose today. But he knew that the children of Israel would start there complaining and murmuring and they would need to be reminded and encouraged that God was with them. Which is the same for us today? We in our attitudes are a lot like the children of Israel.
We cry out to God asking him for help. He answers our prayer and when it’s not what we thought it would be we complain, and loose faith that God is in control and simply knows best.
So remind your self, put your victories and what you want to overcome in your prayers and speak them into existence. Not only will this help you remember where God has brought you from but it will strengthen your faith to speak those things into your life that aren’t, as if they are.
MY LIFE!
10/01/2008
Being raised by my grandmother from the age of three years old until the day I got married, was very hard for me. Me and my grandmother did not have that bond that I see my own child and her grandmother experience. My mother couldn’t raise me, because of her drug use, and my father who I barely knew had other kids to worry about besides just me. So feeling abandoned and scared became my two best friends that were attached to me until the day I came to the Lord. As a young child God has always been real in my life, but I didn’t have the whole truth. I first was introduced to the church when a bus ministry came around to my neighborhood. Surprisingly my grandmother let me go, I ended up going to that church for probably a year or two, until one day I just didn’t want to go anymore.
But looking back I now know God’s hands were upon my life, and because of that seed which was planted in my heart and which would later grow, I know that is what lead me towards salvation and the truth of Jesus Christ. After High School my life would take a turn for the worst, I just really didn’t like who I was and anything around me. Not only was I abusing myself physically with drugs, drinking, and sex but I was mentally under a serious strong hold. Depression had gotten so bad that every time I missed up, taking my life just felt more and more like the right thing to do. I became irritable and very hard to be around. I would pray not really understanding who I was even praying to, but I would ask God to help me, to give me a family, to show me a new way of living. I felt that if I had been raised by a mother that loved me, then maybe I wouldn’t have been molested, which I felt had open the door for the enemy to come in and deceive me in all areas of my life. But praise God for his LOVE, an which I believe never stops knocking at our hearts.
So after feeling so horrible I decided to do something about it. I started to muster some strength on my own, thinking I need to get myself right so that I can be saved, and (those who know the Lord know it’s nothing we can do). But eventually I would get a revelation of what salvation really was,”hallelujah” which would which then ignited something in my spirit. I was tolled by a neighbor that in order for me to be saved I must receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, and then at a later time I was tolled by a high school friend that I needed to be baptised in Jesus Name. And after hearing this I thought I am going to find out if this was true. They never even tolled me how great it would be to have my sins washed away by the almighty God, or that Jesus was a God who loved me and would take me as I was, which was bruised, beat up, and damaged. All because he had a purpose for me and would use me for his glory.
So I started attending church services mainly on the north side and I would walk in and feel nothing, some churches would even do an altar call and would ask does anyone want to be saved. And I would go down thinking yes this is it, God’s going to set me free from all the hurt and pain that I feel. But all they did was say this five second prayer and have me sign a card now saying i was a member. I thought was this it, what’s so great about this. And after going to a few Churches I just decided to give up. (And isn’t that just like God to show up right on time after we’ve surrender and allowed him to be God). Well that’s when I got an invite to go to a church called Living Word, a friend of mine was invited to go by a co-worker of hers, and surprisingly she asked me if I wanted to go also, now she didn’t know that I desperately needed and wanted a change in my life and really how I felt on the inside. So not showing any eagerness to her I said sure why not I’m not doing any thing else. So I went, and because of my experience with the other churches I didn’t expect this one to be any better, I even gave it less of a chance to be any good because it was a white church. And at that time I thought all white churches were boring and real quite with no excitement that expressed how we felt for the Lord.
But much to my surprise this was definitely not a boring quite church but rather a very excited church that showed instant love to me from the minute I walked into the door. So when it came for the preacher to do a altar call of course i went down because of the awesome presence of God that was in that place I just felt remorse of all that I had done unto my self and allowed done unto me. I cried through out the whole singing and felt convicted during the preaching. And as a stood at the front of the church crying and begging god to please not let me leave the same, I heard Brother Macki who was the preacher that night tell me to repent and tell Jesus that I loved him. And that’s what I did, I just started saying everything I was sorry for and at first I said these things in my mind but as I felt more and more impressed to keep saying what I was sorry for I found my self saying them out loud and thinking oh this guy probably thinks I’m so dirty. But I didn’t care what he thought at that particular time I just wanted these feelings and thoughts that i had to be left right there. Then all of sudden as I was praying and thanking God I lost control of my words and my mouth started to move quickly and I all I remember was everyone around me saying that’s it, that’s it don’t stop praising him. After I had finished praying and to my knowledge I was tolled I had received the Gift of the Holy spirit. So now feeling liberated and confused, I was tolled that next I needed to be baptised and have my sins washed away, which I thought YES, I will never have to remember those wicked things or my past again. So I asked if I could be baptised the next day, and of course I was.
Though my walk with God didn’t take off full speed. I thank God for those two guys( who allowed God to use them) to shed some light in my darkness.
So thank you Lord for anybody that is reading this who has struggled with knowing who your are or sharing who you are to others. The most effective and still yet simplest thing you can tell someone is that Jesus Loves them and you, and show that love to everybody that you come into contact with. People are looking for someone or something to love them, so please don’t give them another reason to say there is no hope in this world.
Mark 16:15-18
15He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
Matthew 3:11
11“I baptize you with[a] water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
GOD IS COMPASSIONATE!
1-1-2009
Praise God that he looks out for the hurting, fatherless, widowed, poor, needy, and the homeless. If God wasn’t so loving, passionate, and kind, I don’t know were I would be today! We all should desire the righteousness of the Lord. We must choose each day to do the right thing according to Gods word. God has called each and every one of us to help the needy, homeless, and those less fortunate then are selves. And there is no excuse because we all know someone like this. It could be our neighbor, who just needs to know that God can heal them and that there is nothing to small or big for the Lord to handle. Or a friend who needs to know that Jesus came to set us all free and that includes all of our pain, hurts, frustrations, anger, let downs, short comings, and so on. We all can do something! God didn’t call us all to be pastors, teachers, or evangelist but we are all called to be lovers after his heart. And when we start to understand that it’s God who is working through us we won’t limit him or be in fear of failing. But we can just speak and perform in confidence and with faith in God for whatever it is he’s called us to do.
To be compassionate, means to have sympathy, to have sympathy means to to be infected by the same pains, and joys as someone else. And to be sympathetic means to have experienced the same circumstances.
And that’s what Christ did for us. God clothed himself in flesh and faced all what we would ever face and more. He knows rejection, pain, being left out, being made fun of, and even feeling lonely.
So never think your are alone. And the only one facing hard time’s. God not only dealt with what we do today but he took beating’s and whippings and died on the cross. So that one day we would be with him and would never have to feel pain again, battle diseases, or shed a tear. So rejoice, your not were you want to be but, and neither are you where you use to be. So allow God to use your past experience and were he’s brought you from for his Glory!!
Lamentations 3:22
It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
Psalm 86:15
But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
ABOUT ME
10-02-2008
Hello world, my name is Brandy Lee Nicole Vik, I am married to Andrew Vik, and we have a little girl name Alivia Vik. We attend Elim Tabernacle, which is located in the city of Greenfield. My husband who has gone here his whole life, is also the Music Director. Our Pastors are Steve and Cindy Rogers, and our Youth Pastors are Tim, and Armendina Vik. I serve as a Sunday School teacher in our Nursery along with my mother in-law Nancy Vik. We as a body at Elim love to worship and give praise to God. Elim is a lively church that recognizes Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we do invite all who are looking for a church and a relationship with Jesus Christ. We are not a religious church, but we pride ourselves in loving others as Christ loves them. We always having something going on. On Sundays we have Sunday School in the morning starting at 10am, then we have night service at 6pm. And for those who want to draw closer to God, during the week we can feed your spirit with a women’s bible study held at my mother in-laws House which is right next to the church at 7pm. Then on Wednesday we have bible study at the church at 7pm, so come prepared to learn more about your maker. Also, on Thursdays we have women’s prayer at the church at 6pm, and for our young people we have youth night on Fridays at 7pm which is never boring.
Church shouldn’t be a place of strict rules and religious practices. But rather a place were the bound can be freed, the sick can be healed, and were the lost can be found.
Matthew 18:11
For the Son of man came to save [[b]from the penalty of eternal death] that which was lost.
1 Peter 2:24
He personally bore our sins in His [own] body on the tree [a][as on an altar and offered Himself on it], that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.
DON’T RUSH IT!
12-02-2008
Sometimes in life especially after being born again you think things will take place over night. One day you’re bad, and you have all these problems. The next day you wake up and think your an angel and all the wrong in your life has vanished. But for those who having been walking with Christ for awhile know that change is not instantly but gradually. Example of a long victory:
Joshua 11:18
Joshua made war a long time with all those kings
Joshua was at war for many years until God delivered the children of Israel, and gave them victory. But Joshua did not give up even though he may have wanted to. He continued on fighting until God saved him like the Lord said he would.
We as Christians give up and don’t keep pursuing what God said is already ours. Peace of mind, strength, healing in our bodies, strong marriage, faithful children, good secure paying job, and so on. We put in work for a little while and quickly after no results we get tired, discourage and just give up.
Well, how many out there no that God is no jack-n- the box or a genie for that matter. He doesn’t work because we command him to. We work for him, we need him not that he needs us. So we must not give up, God is eternity and so must our change to become more like him and what he wants us to be. No one has arrived and fulfilled there purpose in just one thing, everyday we have a purpose. Just like the disciples needed training so do we today. We need God to teach us and equip us and then for a season send us out into the field and harvest the crop. And then come back in for more learning. Never is there a direct battle with out there being some type of training, and the same for a test we need to study before we take it.
So don’t give up! God is with you through all things and he is bigger then any problem you could ever face. Stay focus on him and keep your faith in him alone. Each year, look for growth and development as you seek and desire more of him.
Who’s on your battelfield?
PRAISE GOD, I had a revelation of what my problems were and why I couldn’t shake the spirit of fear and truly believe that God loved me. It happened when I started to read a book written by Joyce Meyer. That talked about our words mean something. It was like a light bulb went on in my head. I couldn’t believe it, that I had been missing this for so long. My entire Christian walk with the Lord had never been so powerful. Even though I had the Holy Ghost which the Lord said would give us power I still was powerless. Because I simply did not live what I believed in Gods word.
Acts 1:8 (King James Version)8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
So I started taking Joyce’s instructions on praying out loud and saying to my mountains I cast you down and take authority over you. You are under my feet and I claim you dead in Jesus name. Do you know how much victory I got, in my own spiritual growth? It brought me to a new place in the Lord. I gained a desire to learn more about him. I desired to study and take hold of the things of God. I got ambitious about going to school which has been great. Just everything has been turned around in my thought process. Simply by applying Gods words to my everyday prayer life.
I had never had a prayer life were I prayed everyday and if I did it was for only ten minutes or less. To be honest I really didn’t desire or find it pleasurable to sit in Gods presence. And now I love and can’t get enough of sitting in Gods presence for just who he is. It’s incredible how God works and when he delivers he truly sets you free. There’s no going back! So many people, who have the Holy Ghost, still don’t see the victory that is there’s. Like for me I really didn’t know how to address the issues I faced or that I even could. Really to win the battle you have to be aware of what you’re saying and thinking. Because our actions truly begin with what we think and how we feel. As soon as you give your mind over to God and realize that negativity, worrying, suspiciousness, doubt and any other words that fall in these categories is your worst enemy. Because for me it was mind blowing to realize how negative I talked which reflected what I was thinking.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (King James Version) 4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Every time you think of something that exalted itself against the knowledge of God cast it down immediately and do not entertain that thought. It’s is a lie!!!
God say’s we are to….
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
The book made me aware and made me think what is my thought process if this is what I’m saying and how I feel. Because Gods words tell us out of the heart the mouth speaks. Which meant my heart was filthy and perverted. I needed a renewing of my mind and of what I thought and said. After I started to speak and take authority over my problems no longer were they scary. In fact I thought to myself what was I so afraid of? I know for sure it didn’t come easy, but Hallelujah I did over come!!
Luke 6:45
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
Matthew 15:18
But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
I challenge everyone who reads this to speak out loud declaring Gods word not only to your self but to that problem as if you could see it standing right there in front of you. And start fighting the devil and the lies from your heart with the power and the most effective weapon ever given to man. If people knew how much healing and restoration and help there is in the Bible. Every therapist even doctor would be out of business and not needed. Don’t get me wrong I PRAISE God for doctors and those who feel they can help and most of the time they can.
And I don’t know about you, but I want a complete healing. Not just help for a few hours or years. And that’s what God can do; he takes care of the problem all together. And we all have that power if you are a believer, and you seek the Lord daily, and have been filled with his spirit. All you need is your faith in God alone and there’s nothing you can not do, or see done.
Going thru-for an opportunity
Job 10:1, 14:22
My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.
But his flesh upon him shall have pain, and his soul within him shall mourn.
Self -pity comes and goes, especially when were going through. And we say why me God? Lift this from me I can’t bear it anymore I need you!
So if this is really from God. If he has allowed this, what then are we suppose to be learning? What is God trying to show us about our self? Where do you need growth and to mature in. Trials and tribulation are not bad things. When you know you are in Gods will and you have hearkened unto the voice of the Lord, and yet still drama comes, pain is in your body, misfortunes, loss. Ask God not to take it away but to give you strength to bear it. And then ask what am I suppose to be learning God?
2 Corinthians 1:4
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God
Romans 5:3-5
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
It’s not always easy to deal with the pain and frustration that life brings. But it is easy to give it to God and lay it at his feet. Problems aren’t a bad thing. At least that’s what I’m learning, when were vulnerable and weak God is made strong and powerful. And he truly can do all things through us. So the next time your feeling pity, sad, upset, let down, or just plain mad. Give it to God, lay it all at his feet by simply just talking with him. Then speak out loud because there is power in our words. And declare your healing, restoration, and deliverance from the problem.
I Stand In Awe 