Finding God When Its Storming

The greatest storm ever was the flood.

In the month of April on the 17 th ^day of the moon cycle it began to rain, it began to storm.  Genesis 7.  The Earth was about 1500 years old; and mankind was violent and evil.  God was starting over not with the nation of Israel, but with the all of humanity and Noah’s family and his sons.  It was the first storm and worst storm in all of history.  I was worse than Irma, Katrina, and Andrew and any other storm.   God intentionally opened the waters of the heavens, and underground causing a catastrophic flood to cover the whole earth.  GOD CAUSED IT. 

God in his wisdom saved the world by covering it and washing the violence of humanity away.  It was a new beginning.  To believe in a flood is to begin in a God who is willing to go a tremendous trouble to save mankind.   To believe in a good God is to find the good that a storm brings.  If you can find good in a storm and after a storm you have found God.  “Every good gift comes down to us from Heaven.”, James said.  GOODNESS IS EVIDENCE FOR GOD.  God saved the world by bringing the flood.  You and I are alive because of the flood and God’s goodness.  We are children of Noah, and then children of Adam.  All humans are made in God’s image regardless of where we find them or what they look like.  When you see people of different nationalities you should see the Grace of God.   The first storm was all about God saving the world, and the animals on a boat built by a faithful man who listened and obeyed God.  God always provides a way out of the storm for those that are faithful; always.  The door was open till the last day of the rain.  The flood was not a judgment; it was an act of grace for mankind. 

1. STORMS REVEAL THE GOODNESS, THE GRACE OF GOD, AND THE POWER OF GOD!

God isn’t punishing anyone when anyone could have got on the ark.  God didn’t need the ark to save the animals.  The animals on the ark just reveal the unwillingness of mankind to accept God’s salvation and existence. 

God sent a storm of Hail, lightning and thunder on Egypt it the worst storm since Egypt became a nation. (Ex. 9:24) The storm revealed how serious God was in loving his chosen people.  The storm revealed how much God loves freedom for his people.  The storm revealed the power of God over all mankind and goodness and patience toward mankind.   This storm takes place in the midst of the plagues God brought on Egypt to convince Pharaoh that God was real and that he was the power in the universe not any king or any man. 

2. STORMS REMIND US OR OUR NEED FOR GOD, AND THIS GOOD. 

STORMS REMIND US OF THE FRAILITY AND SHORTNESS OF OUR OWN LIVES.  We need God, and God will not be ignored.  Storms force us to see how small we are and how big He is.  The storm Irma is as large as some nations and God steers it and guides it.  God is all powerful.  God is all knowing.  God is omnipresent.  

Job 38:1  The Lord spoke to Job out of the storm!  God sends storms to teach us about Him. He is in the midst of the storm.  Every storm has a truth about God that He wants to teach us. 

3. GOD CAN BE FOUND IN THE STORM AND THIS COMFORTS ME. 

Psalm 107:29 He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.

Psalm 148:8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding,

4. STORMS ARE COMPLETELY UNDER THE CONTROL OF GOD. 

He controls the storm.  He can make Irma loud or quiet and all the storms do his bidding. This comforts me. 

Jonah 1:4  Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up.

5. GOD SENDS STORMS TO GET US BACK ON OUR MISSION. 

What God did with Jonah is use the storm to get him back on the mission He purposed for him.  God uses storms to redirect his called to the mission of the Gospel. 

6.  STORMS REVEAL GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY OVER MANKIND AND CREATION.

Nahum 1:3  The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet.

 Luke 8:24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 

If my God controls the storm than He is with me in it.  This truth comforts me.

7. STORMS ARE GOD’S WAY OF REVEALING HIMSELF THROUGH YOU AND I TO OTHERS IN THE STORM WITH US!

May others find God in the storm through you!  See Acts 27 Paul’s storm.  Your goodness, and love for others can’t be hidden, and others will see God in those moments.  Love your neighbor. 

I hope this helps you have comfort and to see the goodness, the greatness, and the glory of God in the storm. 

Thriving in the Wilderness of Life (Numbers)

1. Your only constant is God Almighty Sovereign provider make Him the center of life!

2. You have to keep your eyes on Him for when to move and when to camp.

3. There is no going back once you have been brought out of your slavery by God He isn’t letting you go back! Forget the past that is not who you are. 

4. God’s plan is for us is to follow Him and His chosen leaders. 

5. Grumbling about provision or against your leaders is detested by God 

6. Rocks are fountains 

7. Seas are pathways to promise and freedom

8. Mountains are place of truth receiving and worship

9. Camps are places for life and rest; enjoying God presence and provision

10. Pick up your manna daily. He is the bread of life. The ground you walk on is full of God’s provision. 

11. Do not take for granted God’s power, protection, and provision. Praise Him and thank Him. He is worthy!

12. Find the good each day because God is there! 

13. Recount the miracles of God continually to avoid a lack of gratitude attitude. 

14. Get your comfort from His presence and nothing else. He is with you. 

15. Stay Calm and do not let fear or emotions rule your life. God is bigger than any army, any giant, or any circumstance! 

16. Be sure in your mind and heart that you are headed somewhere good. God is a promise keeper, and you are headed for the Promised life, land, and love.

5 Tips for Thriving In A Stormy Marriage

1. Lift you anchor and get going... there aren't safe harbors for stormy marriages. Commitment heads into the storm determined to be made stronger because of it.  What you need is to cling to each other not the safety of the shore.  

2. Steer right into the middle of the storm. You can't run from the reality of emotional dysfunction, physical infidelity, or spiritual weakness. Commit to stick with each other and ride the storm out. 

3. Get rid of voices, things, and forsake everyone and everything for each other. Time to throw the baggage over board and just cling to each other. Those voices are causing you to list and roll. You don't need that crap or those crappy voices weighing you down and pulling your over board. 

4. Lash yourselves to the ship, "your marriage" and lash your captain to the mast. Your captain is the Holy Spirit. He is wiser than you both and you both need Him. Then lash yourselves to Him. You do recognize you are not the Captain of your ship right? 

5. When you come out of the storm and you will. Rejoice! The best rides are the stormy ones your Captain and your commitment to each other will take you through. What a ride! You can beat the odds!

A special thanks to Kindling Spirits. https://brainsonfire.com/…/5-sailing-tips-for-weathering-t…/

Love is the Legacy

"God is Love.", It is who He is … and you can’t love apart from knowing Him. Be like Him!

1. CHOICE: He chose to redeem & ransom us before the world began / Love is a choice to love even unloveables & deplorables.

2. SACRIFICE: He emptied Himself and became a body of flesh to be our sacrifice / Love is sacrificing one’s self for another. Humble yourself before others, your spouse, your children, and your friends. Don't assume your title or position, but rather love by serving.

3. BEAUTY: He created us for His own glory making us His masterpiece / Love makes others beautiful

4. GRACE: He gives us grace stacked up / Love forgives

5. ACCESS: God hears our prayers / Love listens first

6. PRESENCE: He gives us His Spirit and His presence / Love is present

7: PATIENCE: He doesn’t force Himself upon any even though he knows ultimately their choice / Love waits & is kind

8. COMMITMENT: He never leaves us or forgets us & He keeps His word / Love is committed to keeping its word. Being compatible is overated, and being committed is underrated.

9. LEGACY: Those who love God and love others can expect a thousand years of blessings / Love is the legacy!

Know Him and be crazy enough to leave love behind. May others say, "I know God because they know me!"