Scripture:
Finally, believers, we ask and admonish you in the Lord Jesus, that you follow the instruction that you received from us about how you ought to walk and please God (just as you are actually doing) and that you excel even more and more [pursuing a life of purpose and living in a way that expressed gratitude to God for your salvation]. 1 Thessalonians 4:1 AMP

Scripture:
Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2 AMP

Scripture:
So Peter was kept in prison, but fervent and persistent prayer for him was being made to God by the church. Acts 12:5 AMP

Scripture:
He said to them, "You know that it is unlawful for a Jewish man to associate with or befriend a Gentile, or to visit him; yet God has shown me that I am not to call anyone common or [ceremonially] unclean. Acts 10:28 AMP

Scripture:
[it is this:] that the Gentiles are now joint heirs [with the Jews] and members of the same body, and joint partakers [sharing] in the [same divine] promise in Christ Jesus through [their faith in] the good news [of salvation]. Ephesians 3:6 AMP

Scripture:
The waters became mighty and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the waters. Genesis 7:18 AMP

Water or rainfall is good. It brings life and greenery to parched lands. However, it also has the ability to destroy everything in its wake. In the case of the Ark, there was a difference. The more the waters fell, the higher the ark rose. The verse above tells us that the ark floated on the surface of the waters. The very thing meant to destroy all life was making the ark float, making it rise above the turbulence beneath it. There's a message here for us. The next time everything seems to be crushing down on you, don't go down with it; not with your confessions and not with your attitude: rise above it. But how was the ark rising when everyone and everything was being destroyed? Because God was there with them. Because God was watching over them. Because God had promised to protect them. Have you received such a promise from God? Of course you have. It is written for you and I as a reference in the Bible. Everything Christ did on the cross and after is for you and I, to reap the full benefits. If he says he has overcome the world, then he has. If he says the waters will not swallow us, then surely no matter how hard the waters come down, we will rise above them. Christ provides the safety of the ark. While we cannot guarantee its comfort when we move through the storm, we know it is safe. The Ark is our safety zone, Christ is our covering and safety zone.

Let's pray: Jesus Christ, stay in the ark with me. Help me rise above the turbulence and bring me safely to land. Amen