storms of life, after typhoon ondoy (Philippines)

1. “ Storms of Life”

12. After the Storm

13. More storms are coming soon! More storms are coming soon! More storms are coming soon! Storms are coming!

14. In the Christian life we acquire much knowledge as we study the Bible, but true wisdom only comes as the principles are applied to real life. We can analyze, discuss, and debate the principles of God, but the word fails to take on real meaning until we experience it in the crucible of our existence.

15. The prophets of old, were great spokesmen for God because they first personally experienced God's principles as they weathered the storms of life. It is only possible to learn the deeper lessons of life as the Word comes to life in us. Job was a mature faithful follower of God before his trials and tribulation (Job 1:1), but he did not really know God, until he had weathered the storms of life. It was then that Job said, "My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.” (Job 42:5 NIV.) Storms have a way of revealing what is real and lasting. In times of our deepest crisis, we gain wisdom that enables us to discover who we really are, of what we are truly made, and what life is seriously about.

16. The storms of our lives will not likely be halted in such a dramatic way, yet the spiritual power that comes from trusting in God at such times should not be overlooked or underestimated. Verse 40: Where is our faith? How are we doing on our spiritual journeys? This is an important question, because there is such a thing as spiritual preparedness that can help us to weather the storms that come our way and to recover and rebuild in the aftermath of devastation. “ Trouble is simply the factory God is using to manufacture the right type of product in our lives.”

17. God is at work in your life – even when you do not recognize it or understand it. He’s in the storm with you. He’s calling you to rise above it “ It is not the burdens of life that weigh us down; it is how we handle them.”

18. God has great plans for us. He wants us to live the abundant life. He wants us to live in His Kingdom. But . . . Storms in Life?

19. Mark 4: 35 – 41 Jesus Calms the Storm “ The Sinking Ship & the Sleeping Savior”

20. Through adversity we learn enduring faith, deeper trust, and passionate obedience. In the midst of the coming storms, it will not be the words that you speak, or the prayers that you pray, that will make a difference to your survival, so much as the degree to which your character has been steeled.

21. What will matter is the extent to which your training has had any real effect upon your life and character. Your preservation in the midst of the coming storm will depend upon the extent to which you are ready and able to suffer reproach for Christ's sake, and whether you are able to put the principles of the gospel into effect in your everyday life. “ Seeing the Storm as God See It” Richard M. Riss, Union Bible Church, Old Bridge, NJ, 9/13/92

22. Life’s Applications

23. (1) Let’s remember that the disciples were led into this storm by following their Master. v. 35-37. They followed Him right into a storm.

24. Following Jesus does not exempt the Christian from storms. Some believe that storms come for the Christian only when they rebel or disobey God, but that’s not true. God’s will isn’t always smooth sailing.

25. (2) We can note that Jesus was in the boat with the disciples.

26. Having Jesus on board does not exempt the Christian from storms. God has not promised us that we will be protected from storms, only that we will not be alone in the midst of them. God has not promised to keep us safe from harm, but has promised to be with us in the midst of suffering.

27. (3) We can note that the disciples turned to Jesus in the face of adversity.

28. Jesus has resources to quiet every storm in life. We can reach out to the One who can give us strength to go on, even in the face of adversity.

30. STORMS ARE GOD'S MEANS OF TESTIMONY B. Storms Testify Of His Person When Jesus stilled the storm, the disciples knew that they were in the presence of God.

31. His power in the storms and over the storms of life testify of His person. They tell us that He is God and that He is in control of all the affairs of life. When the storms come, they are designed to bring us to the place the disciples found themselves in at the end: on our knees in worship before Him.

32. He’s There in it All – Our Storms He’s Seen it All - Our Struggles He’s Faced it All - Our Stumbling He’s Covered it All – Our Sins