PREPARING FOR THE STORMS OF SIN, SATAN, AND SELF!
First I want to talk about the flesh and how we prepare for a great storm. There are a lot of different ways to prepare. Most have seen some type of storm that we needed to prepare for. When people are preparing they start out with a list. So let us make a list to prepare for a storm.
(1) Pack up some supplies. Water, food, blankets, flashlight, bathroom necessities, maybe some books, a battery powered radio, maybe some activities a communication device a some kind.
(2) Then we need some where to put those things. A shelter, maybe an under ground bunker, a cellar, a safe house.
(3) Then we may need to do a few practice drills.
In much the same way we need to prepare for the storm of sin, Satan, and self.
Let’s take a look at God’s word to see how we can prepare. We care be prepared for those hard time when the money is tight. We can be prepared for those trials that come against us and make us doubt our salvation. We can be prepared for those stumbling blocks that the devil throws in front of us. We can be prepared for that season when a loved one has died. You say well how preacher? How can I possible be prepared for all those things? Well let me show you. First turn to John chapter 3.
John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
John 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
You must be born of the spirit unto Christ your sins forgiven. That is the beginning of how we prepare without salvation we can never be prepared. Then we need to talk with the master and get a list of things we will need. Well preacher how do I do that? Well you pray. Oh’ here it comes again pray, pray, and pray yes you need to pray.
I want to give you some insight to that. I have read a lot of different prayer out lines I like this one a lot.
Principle #1 We are instructed to approach Him with tenderness.
We are approaching the very Father of all creation.
Principle #2 We are instructed to approach Him with reverence.
"Hallowed be Your name" God is sanctified, we must approach him sanctified.
Principle #3 We are instructed to approach Him with respect.
"Your kingdom come"
Principle #4 We are instructed to approach Him with devotion.
"Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven"
Principle #5 We are instructed to approach Him with humbleness.
"Give us today our daily bread"
Principle #6 We are instructed to approach Him with thankfulness.
Principle #7 We are instructed to approach Him with forgiveness.
"Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors"
Principle #8 We are instructed to approach Him with an Awareness.
"Lead us not into temptation"
Principle #9 We are instructed to approach Him with helplessness.
"Deliver us from the evil one"
Principle #10 We are instructed to approach Him with genuineness.
"Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever"
Prayer is how you get your instructions.
You need to pray for God to help you prepare for the storms of your future.
Luke 10:25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
Luke 10:26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
Luke 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
Luke 10:28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
Luke 10:29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
Luke 10:30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
Luke 10:31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
Luke 10:32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
Luke 10:33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
Luke 10:34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
Luke 10:35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
Luke 10:36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
Luke 10:37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
You must have mercy and be willing to make sacrifices. But preacher how does this help me prepare for my storm? You need to lay up some supplies of mercy with God the Almighty Creator of the universe.
You need a helper. Someone who will walk with you, comfort you, and guide you in your storm.
You need the Holy Ghost.
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
John 16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
John 16:10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
John 16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
John 16:12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
John 16:14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
The Holy Ghost will help you board up your heart so that the devil can’t come against you.
When we are prepared for sin, Satan, and self we can weather the storm, we can over come the obstacles, and we can survive the heart break and heartache that life throws at us.
Through God we can be prepared. We must pray, read the inspired word of God, have mercy and kindness for others.
My prayer is that this message has been a blessing to you. God Bless You!!
