God is With You in the Storm

I took notes and present a digested message by our Pastor Allan.

 

Storms Will Come - But Do Not Fear

I see God moving and He has great things for you today.  I want to encourage you to use your gifts.  There is a five fold ministry available.  Allow God to operate through you as He wills.  One person can’t do the whole job. 

There was a town meeting this week.  Raise your hand if you were there.  (Many hands went up,)  Our Christian mayor reminded us to “Follow the Money.”  It had been proposed for Oroville to accept the recreational use of Marijuana.  The church spoke up and it was voted down.  It is time to speak up on issues. The truth shall prevail,  I encourage you to stand for what is right and to show up and speak up. 

 

It is required of us to live righteously and shun those things that are harmful to us and to be good examples for our children. 

How was your week?  We had some trying times this week.  Our church electrical system went berserk, but God sent us help. A storm is sometimes powerful and wants to wash us away.  When storms come, keep your emotions in place.  Do Not fear, because God is in control.

Acts 27 tells us the story when Paul as a prisoner was being transported by ship to Italy.  When they arrived at a place called; The fair havens; Paul warned the Centurion to stay there and not venture out again, because sailing now could cause the loss of ship and maybe lives.  The owner of the ship convinced the Centurion to go on. 

 

Eventually they were caught in a bad storm and it was necessary to unload all the cargo.  When they ran into rocks the ship was broken up and the guards considered killing the prisoners, but Paul spoke up and said, that an angel appeared to him, and said no life will be lost if they waited until day break and used boards to float on and swim to shore. 

The storms of life are inevitable.  You think you are going ahead just find and bam.  At times we have failed to listen to the still small voice warning us to change course. 

 

However God can still deliver.  It is time to unload and throw out those things that hinder.  They might be good things, but they need to go.  What ever you are holding on to that you think you need, may instead need to be released and let go.

Every one of us needs encouraging to be willing to give up what God puts His finger on.

Guard your heart.  Ephesians 4:31, 32  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

It is time to stop being offended about every little thing.  That is of the flesh.  It is so easy to take offense at careless words spoken.  But we should not be so touchy and resentful. 

Deal with your personal sensitivity.

Here at our town meeting were some supposed to be leaders and pastors that were voting for unrighteousness.  God was saying; “I am exposing “false ministers.”  Oh me, oh my, I must find it in my heart not to judge, but to forgive and allow God to deal with them. 

Repentance and forgiveness should become a lifestyle.  Forgiveness will set you free. 

God does not want you to be abused.  We are not to lock our doors and hide from the world, and we must be willing to mix and take a stand.  However we are not to be best buddies with evil persons. 

 

I Corinthians 15:33 Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." 

 

Proverbs 12:26 The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

There are some people you just may need to avoid. 

Don’t walk in fear over the “News broadcast.”  If they say, “We are in a recession.” You can say, God is my source and He is my provision.”

A motion light will turn on if you go near it, so it is best to keep away from it.  It is human nature to fear, but take your Spiritual position to NOT be afraid but to be bold and courageous.  Change your perception -  ‘I can go forward  - -  I can accomplish this.

Fear will keep you from doing stuff.  Of course there is healthy fear of danger, and use your common sense not to do foolish things.  The fear of God is actually awe and respect.

The culture of today is to accept and to be tolerant of evil and say it is okay.

The question is;  Who are you going to be?  Can you step up and be a God fearing believer?  God will help you through the storms of life.  You may need to set your sails in another direction, to break free of the way you are now going and make a new chart for your course.  Listen to God and not your friends, who are not really your friend.

As believers we need to learn to go deeper and begin to walk in the Glory of God.  Allow the Holy Spirit to be your guide.  Make a decision to show up for church, to set aside time for personal quiet time of Bible reading and prayer.  It is essential make that quality decision to encounter God; To be obedient and your relationship with God will flourish.

Keep a gentle spirit so you can freely enter into God’s presence and call Him Abba Father.