Changed

Monday, March 29 2020

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18).
 

The storms of life disrupt the status quo. They also cause us to depend on the Holy Spirit in new and greater ways. Jesus told His disciples that His return would be preceded by times of great peril and turmoil. Our heavenly Father intends that every storm transforms us in ways that reflect the glory of Christ.

Jesus entered the storm of His life the night He was betrayed. “As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it and gave it to the disciples” (Matthew 26:26). His body was about to be broken and He shared that very meal with His enemy. Jesus knew, heading into the storm that was to culminate in pitched battle on a Roman cross, the redemptive plan of God was going to turn the broken cosmos upright again. He shared His bread that night with the very “friend” that would hand Him over. Judas and the men who came to arrest Jesus were emissaries of the plan of salvation for the whole world. In the same way, Paul, on the ship bound for Rome, saw his captors as delivering him to his desired destination which God had already shown him.

Storms will come. Storms do come. Storms have come. There are times to rebuke the devil. There are times to speak to the storm. There are times to lay down with Him in the bow of the ship while a fierce gale is blowing all around. But at all times, may we allow God to break in, break us, and share His glory with others. Fresh oil comes from pressing the olive; new wine from crushing a harvest of grapes. As Christ is formed in us, we can even smile at a betrayer as the “friend” of God’s greater purpose working everything for ultimate good. This is the message of the gospel.

From glory to glory, God seeks a people who offer themselves willingly in the day of His visitation. We have no guarantees for this temporal life, but we have His eternal, precious promises and total provision to live it and ride through the storms that come. He has promised, “Not a single hair of your head will be harmed” (Luke 21:18). Let us determine as storm warriors to head into the future together and welcome transformation that comes each time we come to the end of ourselves and our own strength and entrust all things to Him and His inevitable grace.

Lord God, our Father, we thank You for drawing each of us closer to Yourself and Your heart. We thank You for opportunity to return and reassess as our nation and our world takes on this battle against the coronavirus pandemic. We pray for America, President Trump, Vice President Pence, and their counsel from every sector. Let them hear Your voice to lead and direct them saying, “This is the way.” Lord, comfort and strengthen them. Like Aaron and Hur, we lift up their arms as they direct the national response. And we especially pray today for the men and women on the frontlines in our healthcare sector. We lift up the arms of the thousands of doctors, nurses, medical professionals, and national guard. We pray for divine protection and stamina. Give them supernatural grace as they work. Protect and provide for their families.

Heavenly Father, You promise that when darkness covers the earth, and deep darkness the nations, we will see Your glory rise. Rise up, Lord Jesus, with healing in Your wings. Rise up, Jehovah Nissi, our Banner of Victory! Shine the light of Your Presence on every heart and mind across the nations. Use this time of shaking to draw us each more fully, and all more surely, to Yourself. As You break in on the affairs of men, we look for the breaking out of the Gospel through the power of the cross where You gave us Yourself.

We are confident and covering you and yours. Send your prayer requests to us at hotline@chavdaministries.org. Join us online for the Watch of the Lord, and see you ONLINE this Sunday at 10 a.m.