SOUNDING OUT DURING THE STORM
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
CAN YOU DISCERN THE WEATHER BUT NOT DISCERN THE STORMS?
Matthew 16:1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. 3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign
There are several parts to any storm. There are signs a storm approaches. There is the beginning of the storm. Have we learned that by FAITH EVERY STORM HAS AN END? We have to learn to hang on until the storm passes over.
We have 3 LEVELS OF COMING STORMS.
*WATCH: The conditions are right, THE POTENTIAL EXISTS that conditions could worsen.
*ADVISORY: hazardous conditions could worsen, use caution and be on the lookout for bad storm conditions.
*WARNING: CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO WORSEN, an imminent danger is occurring now. Storms are known to be in your area.
PHYSICAL VS MENTAL AND SPIRITUAL STORMS…
A storm is a common phenomenon. Many have developed a terrible fear about storms. Storms can expose how mean Mother Nature can be.
There are people called STORM CHASERS… THEY LOVE TO FOLLOW AND STUDY STORMS. Storms can have a way to enlarge the energy and cause life and or destruction on earth.
We know several storms that can be from moderate to destructive. RAIN, FLOOD-FLASH FLOOD, THUNDER STORMS, FIRE STORMS, HURRICANE, TORNADO, CYCLONE, ICE STORMS, HAIL STORMS, SNOW STORMS, WIND STORMS, DUST STORMS. WE MAY COUNT TSUNAMI --- TIDAL WAVE.
WHY DOES THE BOOK OF REVELATION LIST THE 7 NO MORES?
One of the “NO MORES” is there will be NO MORE SEAS… Why? Seas separate nations and keep us apart. But if we understand THE SEAS (OCEANS) ARE WHERE TERRIBLE STORMS SPAWN AND THE STORMS GROW IN INTENSITY WHILE OVER WATER.
SPIRITUAL STORMS CAN TAKE MANY FORMS…
Hebrews 12:12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Spiritual storms can take the form of trials, temptations, depression, moodiness, bitterness, hurt, loneliness, fear and worry are all birthed out of the LACK OF FAITH and NOT KNOWING THE POWER OF THE WORD OF GOD.
Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
God I need to know and understand your words and your promises. It is by the word of God that I can see GOD HAS A PLAN OF STORMS. I can understand this storm IS A PROCESS THAT I CAN SEE WHERE I AM AND WHERE GOD IS LEADING. God turn the HIGH BEAM of light across the PATH OF THE STORM.
HAVE WE LEARNED THE LESSONS OF THE TESTINGS OF STORMS? DO YOU HONESTLY BELIEVE JESUS DID NOT KNOW OF THE INCOMING STORM…DO WE HAVE JESUS IN OUR BOAT? DO WE KNOW WHERE THE LIGHT IS? DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE POWER IS OUT TO KNOW IN THE STORM KEEP THE LIGHT READY.
In our house we place candles, matches, batteries and flashlights where we can trust we can find the light during the storms.
Matthew 8:23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. 24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
Mark 4:38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
Mark 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
God will use this storm to stretch our faith. Could anyone in that sinking boat have stood and calmed the storm? STORMS BOTH TEST YOUR FAITH, YOUR FAITHFULNESS, YOUR PERSISTENCE AND YOUR ENDURANCE.
SHOULD WE LISTEN TO THE PREACHER? CONTRARY WINDS WILL COME AND GO --- STORMS, WHO ARE YOU GOING TO BELIEVE THE CAPTAIN OF THE SHIP WITH MANY YEARS OF SAILING EXPERIENCE? THE CENTURIAN (OVER 100 MEN) THAT HAS HAD MANY PROMOTIONS? OR AN INLAND, PREACHER THAT DOES NOT UNDERSTAND WEATHER?
Sometimes it is easy to lose sight of what you have here, searching for a BETTER PLACE there?
Acts 27:10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. 11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.
Storms can cause people to lose control of their situation and have to learn to trust GOD IS IN CONTROL BY FAITH. WHAT DO WE DO WHEN THE STORM CAUSES US TO LOSE ALL HOPE?
Acts 27:20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
YOU SHOULD HAVE LISTENED TO ME…
Acts 27:21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
WE HAVE TO LEARN ABSOLUTE TRUST IN GOD’S PLAN IN THE STORM… GOD BLESSES EVEN WHEN THEY REFUSED TO TRUST THE PREACHER’S WORDS.
Acts 27:23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, 24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. 25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
SOUND OUT: EVALUATE, MEASURE, and BE ACCOUNTABLE… ASSESS WHERE YOU ARE… WHAT IS RIGHT? WHAT IS WRONG? CHECK OUT YOUR VALUE SYSTEM… IS THIS STORM GOING TO KILL ME OR BUILD ME? PAUL WAS LEARNING GOD USES STORMS TO ACCOMPLISH HIS PLAN…
Acts 27:28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.
THE STORM COULD GET US TO TRUST THE LIFE BOAT NOT THE SHIP? WHY CAN’T WE DO OUR OWN THING?
Acts 27:31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.
CONCLUSION: GOD USES STORMS TO TEACH US TOTAL TRUST. QUIT SEEKING THAT YOU WILL NEVER HAVE ANOTHER STORM. God handles storms in several ways: GOD CAN SAY: PEACE BE STILL AND CALM THE STORM. SOMETIMES GOD JUST KEEPS THE BELIEVER CALM DURING THE STORM.
IT MATTERS NOT, NO ONE IS EXEMPT FROM SPIRITUAL STORMS. Nothing causes more deep seated anxieties than the false teaching and false assumptions that life should be FREE FROM STORMS, FROM FEAR and FROM WORRY. Why should we fear today’s storms? We survived all the storms of the past, we can overcome any storm that comes our way.
LET US STUDY THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SINGING SONG BIRD: THE THRUSH SPARROW. The THRUSH SPARROW SINGS MANY BEAUTIFUL SONGS. There is one song the Thrush sings that is amazing. THE ONLY TIME THE THRUSH SPARROW IS KNOWN TO SING HER MOST BEAUTIFUL SONG IS WHEN IT IS IN A TERRIBLE, DANGEROUS STORM OR WHEN IT IS WOUNDED OR HURT REAL BAD. The storm can never stop the song. The Thrush sparrow sings louder the more the storm rages high.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
My friend trust God. This storm shall pass.
