Part 2
We all have problems, difficulties, and challenges but I want you to know that when life gives you lemons, you can overcome them every single time.
(James 1:2-4 NKJV) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, [3] knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. [4] But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (AMP: fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.)
(Matthew 7:24-27 NKJV) “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: (25) and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. (26) “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: (27) and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
(Luke 6:48 NKJV) … And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.
- Jesus taught us that the storms of life come to everybody – even good people!
- Jesus taught us that you can come through the storm “undamaged”.
Three types of storms that come into our lives:
- The storm of disobedience – Jonah and his disobedience.
(Jonah 1:8-10 NLT) “Why has this awful storm come down on us?” they demanded. “Who are you? What is your line of work? What country are you from? What is your nationality?” (9) Jonah answered, “I am a Hebrew, and I worship the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land.” (10) The sailors were terrified when they heard this, for he had already told them he was running away from the LORD. “Oh, why did you do it?” they groaned.
- The way out of this storm is to repent.
When we repent of our disobedience, it opens the door for God to be able to step in and do something about the storm.
(Jonah 2:2 NLT) He said, “I cried out to the LORD in my great trouble, and He answered me…
(Jonah 2:9-10 NLT) But I will offer sacrifices to You with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the LORD alone.” (10) Then the LORD ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach.
Just because you repent does not exempt you from whatever it was that you were faced with that led to the disobedience. Jonah still had to go to Nineveh.
(Jonah 3:1-3 NLT) Then the LORD spoke to Jonah a second time: (2) “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you.” (3) This time Jonah obeyed the LORD’s command and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to see it all.
- The storm of association arises because of the people you are with.
Paul encountered a storm and hardship because of the people he was with.
(Acts 27:9-11 NKJV) Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, (10) saying, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.” (11) Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul.
(Acts 27:21-25 NKJV) But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. (22) And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. (23) For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, (24) saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ (25) Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.
(Acts 27:44 NKJV) and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.
- The way out of this storm is to simply endure.
Three things that you can count on while you endure:
- You can have supernatural help while you endure.
(Acts 27:23 NKJV) For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,
- You can still flourish while you are enduring and God will use you.
Paul was bitten by a snake and it did not harm him, he laid hands on the owner of an estate on the island and God healed him, they had great favor with the people on the island.
(Acts 28:10 NKJV) They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.
- God will still get you to your destiny.
(Acts 28:16 NKJV) Now. when we got to Rome…
- The storm of obedience arises because you follow what the Lord has told you.
(Mark 4:35-41 NKJV) On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” (36) Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. (37) And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. (38) But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” (39) Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. (40) But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” (41) And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
The disciples encountered a storm when they did as Jesus commanded and were going to the other side.
There is a misconception that when you are walking in the will of God, everything always goes smooth with no difficulties.
- The command of faith stills the storm.
(Mark 11:23 NKJV) For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.