DONT GET DISTRACTED BY THE STORMS!!!!

[Pastor Donna]

As children and servants of the Lord, especially those of us in ministry, we are often entangled in the needs and ministry to others that we forget about the storms that will catch us off guard. It was after Jesus had ministered to the people about the sower and the seeds that are planted. He told them about the seeds falling on good soil and taking root, bad soil and not taking root, the seed that would be snatched up after it was planted and even the seed that would be caught up in the cares of life. And just after the Prince of Peace tells his disciples to hold on to the word that is planted in them, hold on to the anointing to persevere, just after He rendered this word He tells His disciples " come let us go to the other side", get into the boat, at night time, when He knew a storm was coming!!! Only God would do that.

Even when the Lord knows there are storms coming he will tell us to go forth because He knows what is in you and what you have been prepared to do. We have been prepared to go through the storms.... There are many different types of storms,

* There are wind storms that come to blow everything out of place, you will look up and find your life has been blown everywhere and nothing is as it was.

Remember this: wind storms will make you gather your life up and identify what is important and what you really can live without. They come out of no where but you learn not to be caught off guard again. You find out how to get rid of the old to make room for the new.

* Thunder storms make a lot of noise, have buckets of rain, and can last for what seems a long time.

Just remember this: rain symbolizes the issues of life, where there is no water there is no life, but be encouraged Jesus told us he has overcome the world. And when the storm is over God has established a covenant - look for the rainbow.

* There are hail storms, hail is rain water frozen hard. Sometimes it appears as large as a fist. And often these are the storms that will knock the wind out of you, those tragedies that seem to take your breath away.

Remember this: hail storms only last a moment, and when the sun (Son) comes out to shine the hail melts away.

*There are snow storms, they cover everything, you forget where you are, where you are going, and this storm will cover even what you have. You are operating in the blind.....

Remember this: These storms may seem to come to take you out, but underneath there is something new growing. The very storm you thought could take you out will preserve you for a new season.

The word of God assures us in Mark there are 4 things to remember about the storms when they come -

* YOU HAVE A PROMISE - Jesus said let us go to the other side. No matter what it feels like or looks like God promises you will get to the other side.

* YOU HAVE A PURPOSE - Every storm has a purpose, to test you or to try you. Each storm prepares us for the next.

*YOU HAVE A PASSENGER ON BOARD - Jesus got into the boat with the disciples. So when you think you can outrun the storm and find yourself in the eye of it, you have a passenger on board who controls the wind and the rain.

*YOU HAVE TO HOLD ON TO YOUR PRAISE - In the presence of the storms God is not concerned what you are going through as much as how you go through. Are you one of those who pulls over to the side of the road when the storm comes, do you run for cover? God is looking for those who will turn the flashers on, keep driving and stay focused looking for the prize of the high calling in Christ, there are clear skies ahead. We have to praise Him for the strength He gives us to press toward the mark, praise to the promise and position ourselves for promotion.

DONT GET DISTRACTED BY THE STORMS!!!!!