003-jesus-alive

 

Maybe, I am the only one that ever gets’s alarmed at times, Maybe not. I have been so disturbed and frightened at times that I have paced the floors so much, that I am sure my floors will never be the same again. There are times when I needed to be alarmed because my seven-year-old son just flipped his dirt bike. As his Mom, I just knew in my heart, that he has just broken every bone in his small precious body. I have been foolishly alarmed before causing myself to look like a floundering fool. I have been so alarmed that I isolated myself from feeling, thinking, speaking. Removing myself completely and retreating into myself deeply. So thick, that people would get caught up in the maze, lost forever, only to be blocked off and held captive. I am good at blocking and creating barriers that no human being could ever penetrate. Being alarmed is distress. You are sending a signal to those around you and sending an S.O.S for help. Being alarmed is human nature it is not our spiritual life. It suspends us helpless and in a pit of distress.Usually, this leads to two things honor or dishonor. In my experiences, honor or dishonor can follow these two powerful emotion’s, because of our reaction, not God’s. I want to give you the definition of alarmed and distress. I want you to understand the mindset that happens when these two emotions are present.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alarmed

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distress

 

Definition of alarmed

  1. :  feeling a sense of danger or alarm:  very worried or frightened <I was alarmed to see how sick she looked.>

Definition of distress

  1. 1lawa:  seizure and detention of the goods of another as pledge (see 1pledge 1) or to obtain satisfaction of a claim by the sale of the goods seizedb:  something that is distrained

  2. 2a:  pain or suffering affecting the body, a bodily part, or the mind :trouble<gastric distress><The patient showed no obvious signs of distress.><severe emotional distress><voiced their distress over the delays>b:  a painful situation :misfortune

  3. 3:  a state of danger or desperate need <a ship in distress>

Now, that you see these two words I want to introduce you to the scripture that I want to talk about. I want you to understand every single human being living and breathing on this planet deals with being alarmed and being in distress. As you see in the scripture, I want you to see even in the midst of our greatest fear and our cries of difficulty. There is One that answers our distress calls and calms our alarmed flesh down. Tender with mercies and great love, full of compassion in and through His name and presence, the name of Jesus Christ. He is risen!

Mark Chapter 16:5

And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.

First, I want to explain who they are referring to. Here the scripture is referring to Mary Magdalene, Mary Mother of James, and Salome. They were bringing spices to anoint Jesus’ body (Mark 16:1).

So after, seeing a colossal stone that was set over the tomb of Jesus had been rolled away (Mark 16:4), they enter the tomb. This brings us to Mark 16:5 they looked around for a body, but all they saw was a young man standing there in a long white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed or anxious and frightened.

I don’t know about you, but if I am expecting to see a dead body and I see a young man standing there I would be alarmed too! I trying to picture both Mary’s and Salome slack-jawed and trembling. Possibly, even their faces as white as the young man’s robe. Scripture doesn’t give us that detail, but I think we all have been that frightened before we were speechless, pale-faced, and paralyzed frozen or as I like to say “Scared Stiff” (Ha). I can’t help, but to go over that verse over and over today. They entered into the tomb ready to pay their last respects to a man who they had hoped was the Messiah. A man, yet fully God dwelling in the flesh that was coming to restore Israel and was their Savior. They had lost hope (ridden with distress) that He was not who He said He was. The Lamb of God, The Son of God, The Messiah. Little did they know, God was going to alarm them straight back into believing! I just giggle when God does these types of things. When I see these times of distress, then great faith is birthed in scripture because at the moment of great pain. I see Jesus point these women’s lives back to faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God. God, divinely alarmed them straight back to faith. Sometimes we need a real alarming for God to show us He is True and Faithful. It is not fun, but it is precisely what we need. He means what He says, and He does what He says always.

Let’s go on to Mark 16:6

But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is Risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.

The angel announced to the three witnesses that they were not to be filled with fear but to seek Jesus and see that He is risen and alive. This is my favorite part in their sorrow and despair. God sent heavenly host’s to comfort and reassure them. There is no need to be frightened by their distress because He has Risen! He is alive!!

Today may be a day filled with anxiety, fear, worry, and you are in distress today. To be in trouble, or danger, maybe you are consumed with sorrow and grief. I love that being alarmed and distressed is always addressed with perfect comfort. There is just something that makes my heart skip a beat thinking about my ever-present help coming in to bring justice, righteousness, and honor for us. The enemy has many tactics, he is cunning and deceitful. He is the father of all lies (John 8:44).

 Genuine and faithful delivered a fatal fate to our enemy and defeated our foe for once and for all. Our enemy time is short, and he is desperate. You know what they say ” Desperate times calls for Desperate measures.” Satan wants nothing more for you to be distracted and dismayed by what he devises against you. There is nothing that dirty thing won’t touch. I honestly hate him with all I have. I hate him to the core. I hate him because he steals, robs, and kills. I hate him because in our great distress he tries to come in to devour us like a roaring lion. I hate him because he is death, sin, and rebellion. Even when we are alarmed or in distress at times. The Risen Savior empowers us to overcome. That’s what Jesus did for us. Oh, He gave us life eternally, but He gave us the Holy Spirit of Christ Jesus to defeat our enemy face to face. What will you choose? Will you allow your enemy to keep you alarmed and distressed or Will you rise with the Holy Spirit and the word of God and make your enemy a footstool? The choice is yours. We get to choose who we don’t wanna be. We get the choice to pursue God without limits through the Holy Spirit ( John 3:34)! How awesome is our God!!

What a Beautiful Name By Hillsong

Friend, I am praying today that you will take hold of the word of God and be renewed by the transformation of your mind, heart, and soul!  In Jesus Mighty and Glorious name Amen!