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safe and secure in Christ

Safe from the Storm

by Esther Griggs March 29, 2024

During a storm we look for shelter, a place of protection and warmth. We button down the hatches. In Noah’s day, a storm was coming. Because Noah walked with God, he knew of its coming, and also how to prepare for it. Those around him were too distracted by day to day events. They had no refuge when the storm hit.

No matter who we are or where we live, there are storms coming our way. The story of Noah is for our instruction. God offers a place of safety to those who trust Him. He offers the invitation, provides protection, and delivers His children.

The Invitation

In Genesis 7:1, God speaks to Noah. “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.” In Matthew 11:28, Jesus also extends an invitation. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Both invitations call us to safety and require a response.

Protection

As Noah did, we find our protection in our response to God. “You are my hiding place,” says the Psalmist. “I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Jesus said, “Follow Me.” He also said, “I am the way, the truth and the life: No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John records additional words of Jesus, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our home with him.”

Deliverance

God delivered Noah, and his family, from the flood. He delivers us because Jesus died and rose from the grave.

Paul received severe persecution as he obeyed God’s word yet hear his words, “But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me. … I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom.”

Peter tells us He will deliver us out of temptation. In Proverbs we read that deliverance is of the LORD.

Jesus says, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, … to preach deliverance to the captives.”

Hear these words from “Master the Tempest is Raging.”

“Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea, or demons, or men, or whatever it be, No water can swallow the ship where lies, the master of ocean and earth and sky They all shall sweetly obey Thy will Peace, Peace, be still.”

The story of Noah and his ark symbolizes the safety we find in the Christ of the Easter story. Jesus went into the ultimate storm, defeated the enemy, and rose from the dead, bringing the gift of eternal life for all who put their trust in Him. God is a place of safety to any who believe in Him. He offers the invitation. provides protection and delivers His children, in this life, and the one to come.

March 29, 2024 0 comment

bold, confident and unafraid Christ's Return Confidence Followers of Jesus Heaven safe and secure in Christ

Our Inheritance

by Esther Griggs September 15, 2023

written by Esther Griggs

One day when Jesus observed the anxiety on the face of His disciples, He made them a promise. “I am going to prepare a place for you. Then I am coming back to get you so we can be together.” The cross and the resurrection still lay ahead of them. Their finite minds grappled with His words. Here, beyond the cross, the resurrection of Jesus, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Peter writes a letter in which he describes what awaits those who believe in Jesus. He writes of an inheritance, where it is, and who will receive it.

The Inheritance

God has not only begotten us to a living hope but also to an inheritance. Unlike the things of this world, it cannot be corrupted or resisted. Neither can it fade away. It brings to mind the words of Jesus when He says to lay up our treasures where you have no worries about thieves, rust or moths.

Where It Is

Peter writes that it is being reserved for us in heaven. In Mark’s gospel we read that Jesus was received up into heaven where He sat down at the Father’s right hand. In John 6:38 Jesus told His listeners that He came down from heaven. When Jesus spoke, it was of the things He knew about heaven. The writer of Hebrews tells us Jesus hasn’t entered a holy place made by men but rather the true heaven where God resides. Our inheritance is with God the Father and Jesus.

Who Will Receive It

Peter writes it is for those who “are kept by the power of God.” It is through faith for salvation and it is ready to be revealed in the last time. As followers of Jesus, we are born again and begin a process of working our our salvation with fear and trembling until the day when all of the enemies of God, the last one being death, lie beneath His feet. We who search for that city whose builder and maker is God, will receive an unshakeable kingdom. Hear the words of Jude, “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. To God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty dominion and power, both now and forever.”

September 15, 2023 0 comment

Followers of Jesus Jesus' Teaching last words of Jesus peace safe and secure in Christ

Speaking Plainly

by Esther Griggs November 11, 2022

written by Esther Griggs

In John 16: 25-33, Jesus, who has spoken in parables and stories, tells His disciples he won’t be doing so from now on. In these final moments of His life on earth, He wants to speak plainly. He would no longer be using figurative language, but rather speaking plainly to them about the Father and then He spoke forth truth.

Figurative Language

Jesus often used veiled speech. In Matthew 13, after He told the Parable of the Sower, He explained to His disciples that the mysteries of heaven were not for everyone to understand. The scriptures foretold some would hear and yet not understand. This phenomenon would actually be the fulfillment of prophecy.

Speaking Plainly

Here, however, Jesus tells them that from now on, He will speak plainly to them about the Father. When that happens, they will pray using His name, He won’t need to be the go between anymore. God the Father, because of their love for and belief in Jesus as His son, loves them directly. Then He adds, “I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.” Afterwards, John records the response of the disciples, “See now You are speaking plainly. We are sure You know all things. Now we believe.”

Truth

Jesus, then spoke to their self-confidence and pride, showcasing their weakness and inability. “You will all abandon Me. Just like the sheep when the wolves come, you will all run and hide.” Next, He tells them that despite their abandoning Him, the Father will never leave Him alone. Even in His human cry, “My God, my God why have you forsaken Me?” the Father was there.

Jesus wanted His disciples to know the world was a tough place. There would be various trials and troubles from which they will want to flee, but in each and every one of those times, they could have peace and good cheer because He had overcome the world. He would be their hiding place, their fortress, their dwelling, their high tower, the place to run in every one of those times.

He would no longer be using figurative language, but rather speaking plainly to them about the Father and then He spoke forth truth. “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

November 11, 2022 0 comment

Life in Christ safe and secure in Christ

To Be One of His Sheep

by Esther Griggs May 27, 2022

written by Esther Griggs

The Jews continue to ask Jesus for His true identity. They ask Him, “How long do you keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answers, “I told you, and you do not believe.” He further explains, how His works done in His Father’s name, show who He is. The problem lies in their not being His sheep. Then Jesus explains what it means to be one of His sheep. To be within His sheepfold as one of His sheep, implies hearing His voice, being known of the Father and to follow Him.

One of His Sheep: Hearing His Voice

“My sheep hear My voice,” Jesus tells them. He had already told the story of the sheepfold and how the sheep recognize the shepherd. “Deep calls unto deep” the Psalmist writes. The Spirit of God awakens and calls to life the spirit within man. No one can forget that voice which calls them out of death’s cold darkness, not only to live, but to live abundantly!

Known of the Father

The Father knows His own. He is the creator. Who better to understand our weakness, our needs, than the One who calls us into being at conception and then draws us into His fold? Jesus, One with the Father, through His own life and death, sympathizes with our weakness. The all-seeing, all-knowing God of the universe sees us, entirely.

Follow Him

It is easy to follow when you know the voice. For this voice, the voice of the Almighty calls to life, eternal life. There is no death nor destruction in this path. It offers nourishment and security. ” He is able to keep” the scripture tells us. “No one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” Jesus said, and He said it twice!!

Amongst the rabble of boisterous voices, the still small voice of the Saviour says, “Follow Me”, “He who comes to Me I will not cast out!” And as Paul in His letter to the Romans (8: 38,39 KJV) writes, “For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life….. shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” To be within His sheepfold as one of His sheep, implies hearing His voice, being known of the Father and to follow Him.

May 27, 2022 1 comment

safe and secure in Christ When in trouble

Jesus Shows Up

by Esther Griggs January 14, 2022

written by Esther Griggs

Matthew, Mark and John record the story of the disciple’s encounter with Jesus on the stormy sea. Over the centuries of Christendom, the saints have found the truths of the story to remind us that we can rest secure in Christ Jesus. We need these comforting stories. They remind us that challenging times come, difficulties threaten our security, but in them Jesus shows up.

Challenging Times

After feeding the crowd of about 5,000, the Jews, their stomachs full, want to make Jesus their king. Jesus, however sends the disciples on their way, and withdraws to pray. Meanwhile, the disciples travelled across the sea, and experienced their deepest fears.

We also can relate to stormy times. Stories of broken families, lost finances, ill health and various trials surround us. Barbs of fear taunt us. Challenging times confront us. Our security is threatened.

Security Threatened

When their security was threatened, all the trust the disciples placed in their skills as fishermen and the structure of their boat was tested. Would the winds tear it apart? They feared flailing about in the tempestuous sea as their end.

We also rely on our schedules and routines. We depend on the people around us. Our reliance on certain doctrines and ways of thinking have brought us this far. Nevertheless, storms disrupt all these things. A loved one gets ill or dies, new and strange ideas, or an unexpected economic shift cause us to tremble. Where can we turn in times of turmoil?

Jesus Shows Up

In times of turmoil we need Jesus. When Jesus saw His disciples in trouble, He chose not to stop the wind. Instead He let them experience the storm. Then He gave it perspective. His word to them? “It is I; do not be afraid.” He showed up in the storm. This Man who had fed the crowd, claimed to be God’s Son, healed the Nobleman’s son, and the man at the pool of Bethsaida, could He could rescue them? Did He have power even above the reality of their deepest fears? How about our own lives? Do we believe He can rescue us? Can He lead us into all truth? Will He show up when we need Him the most? Believer, He showed up and through the ages by His Spirit, He shows up. Hear His word to your heart today, “It is I; Do not be afraid.”

This story reminds us that challenging times come, difficulties threaten our security, but in them Jesus shows up.

January 14, 2022 1 comment