Known by Christ or a Grapevine Experience

I remember in my younger days a lot of people knew who I was, but not because then knew me personally; they knew me by association-- they knew others who did know me... that were close to me. 

Even still with business I encounter similar situations. Many know who I am but aren't close enough to know me personally. I'm not into popularity. No, I share this because as I pondered these things the Lord spoke to my heart. 

He brought this passage to mind: 

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Matthew 7:21-23

Many know of Jesus yet very few know Him personally. Key question is: Does He know you?

He said, "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Matthew 7:14

Knowing Him is personal, a genuine relationship. Religion leads one to believe it's collective or a grapevine experience. It is not by customs, traditions nor through any other coattail experience that we are forgiven, redeemed, and set free... Come to know Christ, turn to Him. Only He has the power to save. 

Will you be a stranger saying unto Him, "Lord, Lord..." only to hear those dreaded words, "I never knew you" and be eternally cast away? I pray you are not rejected by Him.

Calming waters due to other's chaos

When Jonah fled the presence of the Lord, others were severely affected. Have you ever experienced this?

"Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous.

And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.

Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them." Jonah 1:11-13

Have you ever known someone that carried about their own stormy waters wherever they went? So much so that your life is or was affected by their choices? What did you do to bring peace to your world again? These men on the boat with him not only threw Jonah off the boat, but they also cried out unto the Lord God! 

Many of us have been on both sides of the Jonah experience, whether giving or receiving, however we can see that seeking the Lord and our obedience to Him is key to peace and reprieve! Can you see this 2-step solution? We must continually seek the Lord and willingly obey Him!

If you're going through tempestuous waters, are you seek the presence of the Lord with an obedient heart? 

Discernment is vital!

Notice too, after Jonah gave them instructions to cast him overboard, they refused? They did! They put more effort into rowing harder against the stormy waters. If the storm you're experiencing is due to someone else in your life, how long will you endure it before casting away the one who is responsible? There are times we have to heed the Lord, even when  we don't want to and walk away from these people. Are you willing to obey the Lord as He leads?