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The Storm

Paul’s journey to Rome, In the book of Acts chapter 27.

In verses 6, the Centurion found a ship of Alexandria, and put Paul and others on board the ship. Verse 9, Paul admonishing those on board and in verse 11, the Centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than the things which were spoken of by Paul. Verse 14, But not long after there arose again it a tempest wind.

Before continuing in the scripture, the world faced the covid19 virus, people losing their jobs, dying from the virus, being at home then the death of G, Floyd. Followed by other events. In addition the USA election in November and if you are from the UK, Brexit is happening in December.

Please continue reading the next few verses that follows through to verses 19. In verse 20, And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then away. Verse 21, But after long…Paul stood forth in the mist of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.

At the start of the virus, I made an appeal for all of us to see the Lord. In verse 22, And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.

Pray or talk with him for, forgiveness (relating to how God sees us, and wanting us to come to Him). At the crucifixion Jesus says to the Father forgive them for they know not what they have done. Not knowing that the event which took place after my appeal, to ask for forgiveness was going to happen, happened. The times appears uncertain which can cause all of one’s emotion to rise for example anxiety, stress and confusion; but here in Acts verse 27, you see God’s mercies and grace. Verses 24, fear not…! Verse 25, Wherefore, Sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. My question is, are we going to believe God? May I ask another question what choice have you and I got? Well I can speak for myself, no other choice.

In verses 29 please read for yourselves. You could be the men that were in the ship unconvinced, and because they were making preparations to abandon the ship, as you keep reading through to verse 30. Verse 31, Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, except these abide in the ship, ye can not be saved, so they listened. Praise God!

Verse 33 and 34 Paul encourages the men to take meat for they had not ate, he also comforted them by saying ‘for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you’. Verse 35 Paul took bread, gave thanks then broke and eat. 36, the men were of good cheers and ate.

I am guessing, I should be hearing from the Lord encouraging and comforting others, especially who, may not know the Lord. The numbers in the ship were huge so many lives were saved. Continuing on, there was another preparation made, seen in verse 38.

In verse 39 God provided because it reads there was a certain creek with a shore. Verse 41,…they ran the ship aground; and the forepart struck fast, and remained unmoved. How awesome is God’s provision so let’s us look to the Lord in faith and trust.

There is a saying trust brings love. God already loves us, it is more the question do we love Him? Well let us learn to trust Him and see, how our love for Him will grow.

By Kerri-Ann

Part 2- of Mini Devotion On Faith

Mark 4:39 “And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm”.

This morning I had my devotional as usual prayed then read the word, came across a writing from Charles Spurgeon saying “Faith and calm go together”. Who wouldn’t want calm specially at this time!

In going to bed the night before I had a left pain in my chest, woke up not really feeling myself but when I read what I am sharing with you, I felt an unexplainable release and thought this is good, I need it and others too.

The writing goes on “if you believe, you will rest; …”. My mind immediately went to the first devotional I called ‘Mini Devotion On Faith’.

Here is a recap: However one true story that inspired me that my mother placed on her Facebook page was a man, whom I will call (P). P works within the health profession. The people he works with are tends and nervous. P’s respond by saying “he will trust the Lord and is doing the necessary precautions he needs to. His colleague said to him “you are not tends”. His response “can I ask you a question, if I cannot trust the Lord to protect and shield me from the infection of the virus”. How can I trust Him to give me the salvation that He has promised me”. P went on to say the atmosphere changed and the Presence of the Holy Spirit came.

It hit me meaning I better understood what (P) was saying. In Isa. 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee (Him): because he trusteth in thee (Him)”.

Charles Spurgeon “Oh, to get into that calm and remain in it until we come to that world where there is no more raging sea!.

Another quote “He gives sleep to His beloved”. The Word of God tells me to hold onto my faith, that is the first part then the second is to trust Him. I am convinced that faith brings trust and trust takes you and I to that place of calm, where we no longer fight; and peace will be present because we know.

In all of this, surrendering to Him is essential. I just love connecting the dots that’s me; 😊

By Kerri-Ann

Mini Devotional on Faith

Yesterday morning as I opened my eyes, the thought came; have we (laid down) accepted the virus! I am not ignorant to the virus and I do feel bad knowing that I no longer work in the hospitals (healthcare settings). In not working in health care and being at home, I know I am shield to an extent from the virus.

However one true story that inspired me that my mother placed on her Facebook page was a man, whom I will call (P). P works within the health profession. The people he works with are tense and nervous. P’s respond by saying “he will trust the Lord and is doing the necessary precautions he needs to. His colleague said to him “you are not tense”. His response “can I ask you a question, if I cannot trust the Lord to protect and shield me from the infection of the virus”. How can I trust Him to give me the salvation that He has promised me”. P went on to say the atmosphere changed and the Presence of the Holy Spirit came. I will re-share P’s video.

Mark 4:37-40 there was a storm.

39) And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

40) And he said unto them, why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?

Second line in St John 3:16 ….,that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Mustard seed is a the plant referred to here is generally considered to be black mustard, a large annual plant up to 9 feet (2.7 m) tall, but growing from a proverbially small seed (Wikipedia).

By Kerri-Ann

Regarding the Kingdom of God

HEART OF THE MATTER

Jesus in Matthew 17:20 spoke on the subject of unbelief/doubt. There is no shame preferring to use the word doubt because at some point in all our lives we have had doubt.

The good news is we can ask for an increase in faith for example Mark 9:22 tells the story of Jesus who heals a boy possessed, in this verse the father ask for compassion. In verse 24 “And straight-way the father child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe help thou mine unbelief”.

The Word of God says we can ask, the apostle asked my Lord to increase their faith in Luke 17:5.

Mark 4 beginning in verse 26 talks about the Kingdom of God. Moving on to verse 30 “..where unto shall we liken the Kingdom of God? Or with what comparison shall we compare it?” I can just hear Jesus saying these words.

Verse 31 “It is like a grain of mustard seed, which when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth”.

Verse 32 “….when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; paraphrases (and provides shade)”. This reminds me of the two fish and five loaves.

What brought my attention to the above? I was drawn to because of a verse I read few weeks back that talks about having faith, while I spoke about the woman at the well.

The verse is Mark 11:22-23. In 23) For….I say….that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass: he shall have whatsoever he saith.

We can ask for faith!

In addition we give Him what we have and see how He works.

By Kerri-Ann

Thinking on the Season we are in.

Heart of the Matter

Mark 2:18-22

In verses 22) “And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine spilled, and the bottles will be marred but new wine must be put into new bottles”.

I have read this then as I was listening to a teaching I was questioning what I had read but not in disbelieve just wanting to know.

I went back and read it. The first question I asked myself was who was Jesus talking to, who were His audience?

In verses 16) the scribes and Pharisees were questioning Jesus disciples, He heard and in verse 17) address them, by saying …..to bring sinners to repentance.

The questions did not end there, in verse 18) the disciples of John and of the Pharisee wanted to know more so they asked Him a question regarding fasting. Jesus answered in verse 19). I won’t quote but He answered brilliantly.

However I love verses 20) “Even more but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days”. Well aren’t we in this time now! Here He is telling them about His crucifixion.

In addition to that He was referring to the religious leaders. One sticking point for them was the day of rest which is the Sabbath.

I am going to think outside of the box here, to say Jesus was saying to them that they many need to change the way some things were being done. Also to not let or allow (a term I like) legalism get in the way of ministering and or helping others.

What I am not saying is Christian core values shouldn’t be changed but the way in which we do things can be different in regards to the need at the time. If you continue to read the rest of the chapter you will see just that.

I see this very clearly! Recently listened to Myles Munroe teaching on the mystery of the Kingdom of God. Interestingly one of his point we need to be innovative. Mark 4:11 Jesus mentioned to His disciples the mystery of the Kingdom of God, I believe there is a link to Myles teaching and my Lords’ right here. End

By Kerri-Ann

Who is Jesus

UK PM prayed for

Heart of the Matter

Song: You are awesome in this place might God.

God is in the small things too. I woke up this morning wanting some encouragement and received two messages. One was an Easter message and the other message was with a hug. Again I received this message, meaning twice in the same morning.

I remember the Lord had done this before, I felt a little down, though no one knew and I didn’t say anything to anyone. The next thing I knew some one invited me to have coffee with them.

Thought for today is who is Jesus, a continuation of previous broadcast. According to Mark 1, it’s first reference regarding Jesus is, as the Son of God; capital (S)!

Jesus is acknowledge in verse 11 “A voice from heaven say, Thou art my beloved son, in who I am well pleased.

Then the scripture goes on to talk about His ministry, He healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils in verse 34.

Verses 39 through to 41 goes on to more healing and in verse 41 “And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touch him, and said unto him. I (Jesus) will; be thou clean”.

In verses 42) said the man was healed and in verse 43) He (Jesus) straitly charge him, and forthwith sent him away ….44) and see thou say nothing.

There are other references to Jesus such as King, Ho-san-na, Lord, Saviour and Messiah (the lady at the well made reference to) etc.

As time goes by I may continue to share on each of these references.

By Kerri-Ann

Heart Of The Matter

Isaiah 54:1-10

Numbers are verses

The word Barren is not necessarily without children, it can be barren in other areas of your life for example it may seem like one is not able to achieve, excel or be good at something in life like a job or school etc.

1) the word in my Holy Bible KJV says “didst” as if, it is in the past tends then it goes on to say break forth into singing.

Present tense Singing lightens the heart which gives room into what the Lord wants to do internally.

And cry aloud;- I heard that tears washes and purifies our soul (Don Potter).

The passage goes on to the word desolate, I believe it is saying there are others like you and I.

2) In this verse it encourages us to enlarge the place of thy tent. Again I believe that place is an internal space (inside you and I). I see that the Lord has made that space internal already with our tears.

The word stretch in this context could mean a step of faith once the above has been done. Just had a thought about the woman who Elisha told to go borrow vessels for oil 2 Kings 4:3.

3) Then comes the promises for thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left (in other words big) Now it talks about seed, could this be from what now arises from the inside! It goes on -”and make the desolate cities to be inhabited”, in other words go be a blessing. In addition to that I see multiplication; things multipling.

4) Fear not for “we shall not be ashamed, neither confounded”. I looked up the word confound, with the meaning in mind it is saying we will not be troubled. The passage goes further we will not remember the past (youth) and also not be lonely again (widowhood)

5) For God is our husband (the church the bride) meaning he will take care of us. He is the God of the whole world too; take a leap of faith and come to him.

6) “For he had called thee…and a wife of her youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God”. I find this interesting but before racing ahead of myself is there someone or something else in your life like an idol? If so this has consequences. And I see Jesus is inviting you in.

7) The Lord was great in mercies in…. with everlasting kindness and He redeems.

10) My (His) kindness shall not depart from us neither shall his covenant of peace be removed.

By Kerri-Ann

THE WOMAN AT THE WELL

Author: Kerri-Ann Pradere-Johnson

First of all humanity consist of the human body, the soul (thoughts and emotions) and spirit.

I believe Jesus tapped into these areas with the woman at the well St John 4. He broke the first set of barriers, her being from Samaria, a woman; and no doubt an element of religion. If you look closer you can see prejudices for examples geography/region and how women were viewed (even in some places still).

Her response, I get the feeling she was in no mood for too long of a conversation when she said in verse 11) “you have nothing to draw with” but she was still interested by saying “and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water”?

Jesus digging deeper in verse 16) “go, call thy husband and come hither.” Her response was verse 17) “I have no husband…” verses 18) “for thou hast had five; and he whom thou now hast is not thy in that saidst thou truly.”

In verses 20) You can see she is still testing him by saying “our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship”. Jerusalem is significant here but I won’t into that at this time. However you can see Jesus touching the her spirit at that moment.

In verse 23) Jesus gets to the core of the matter or root to her soul. Just before going into verses 23) do you remember earlier in the conversation she used the word perceived (suggest her senses seeing and hearing were in motion) in talking to Jesus? And now Jesus say to her verse 23) “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

In verses 25) I know the Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. I believe this verse deals with either her mind was blinded in 2 Corinthians chapter 4 verses 4 “The god of this age has blinded the minds of …”, or in other words doubt. This saddens me and I guess this is how the Lord feels. He does not want us to have doubt. In saying all of this He meets us where we are, that is how tender his hearts is towards us for example in Matthew 17 verse 20. He says “if ye have faith as a grain of a mustard seed, ye shall say to this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Wow how great is our God!

Verse 26) Jesus said “I am He”. The woman got a revelation straight away because verse 28) tells us “the woman then left the water pot, and went to her city”.

Jesus did not end it there, for he did not eat any meat for he could see the harvest, verse 35 and 37.

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