June 29 2014 Confidence In The Storm

Confidence In The Storm

Three kinds of crises or storms:

1. Storms we bring on ourselves.

2. Storms that God allows to come our way.

3. Storms that other people cause.

Three responses to remember:

1. Trouble comes when we listen to the wrong people.

Verse 11 – But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot of the owner of the ship.

Proverbs 21:16 – A man who strays from the path of understanding comes to rest in the company of the dead.

2. Trouble comes listening to the popular crowd.

Verse 12 – The majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there.

Proverbs 18:24 – A man of many companions may come to ruin.

3. Trouble comes by relying on wrong circumstances.

Verse 13 – When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had obtained what they wanted.

Responses that are wrong in the storm:

1. We are tempted to drift.

Verse 17 – The sailors let the ship be driven along.

2. We start discarding important things.

Verse 18-19 – We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. On the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands.

Verse 43-44:

3. We’re tempted to give up hope.

Verse 20 – When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.

Responses that bring confidence in the storm:

Verse 29 – Fearing that we should be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight.

Psalm 125:1 – He who puts his trust in God is immovable like mount Zion.

1. You need to stand in the presence of God.

Verse 23 – Last night an angel of the God, whose I am and whom I serve, stood beside me.

Hebrews 13:5 – Never will I forsake you.

Matthew 28:28 – Surely I will be with you.

2. You can depend on God’s purpose.

Verse 24 – Do not be afraid Paul, you must stand trial before Caesar, and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.

3. God’s promise can become an anchor of confidence.

Verse 25 – Keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as He told me.

4. Learn to pray for daylight.

Verse 29 – Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight.

Abraham: DAYLIGHT WILL COME!

May 25 2014 Building Confidence From Loss

Building Confidence From Loss 

Ecclesiastes 8:14 – Sometimes something useless happens on earth. Bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people.

HOW TO RESPOND TO LIFE’S LOSSES

1. Release my grief.

Matthew 5:4 – Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Psalm 62:8 – Pour out your heart to God, for He is our refuge.

Psalm 34:18 – The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

2. Receive from others.

Galatians 6:2 – Carry each other’s burdens, by helping each other with your troubles, you obey the law of Christ.

Hebrews 12:15 – Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God’s best blessings.

3. Refuse to be bitter.

Job 21:25 – Some people have no happiness at all, they live and die with a bitter heart.

Hebrews 12:15 – Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, it causes deep trouble hurting many in their spiritual lives.

The Antidote:

Accept what cannot be changed.

Job 11:13, 16 – Reach out to God, then face the world again, firm and courageous.

Focus on what’s left, not what’s lost.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 – No matter what happens always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you.

4. Remember what’s important.

Luke 12:15 – Jesus said life is not measured by how much one owns.

1 Timothy 6:7 - We brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it.

5. Rely on Christ.

Philippians 4:13 – I have learned the secret of being happy at any time in everything that happens. I can do all things through Christ, because He give me strength.

HOW?

Lean on Christ for stability.

Psalm 125:1 – Those who trust in the Lord are steady as Mount Zion, unmoved by any circumstance.

Psalm 112:6-7 – Such a person will not be overthrown by evil circumstances. God’s constant care of him will make a deep impression on all who see it. He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen. For he is settled in his mind that God will take care of him.

Listen to Christ for direction.

Jeremiah 29:11 – I know what I am planning for you, says the Lord. I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.

Look to Christ for salvation.

Job 2:7 – When I have lost all hope, I once again turn my thoughts to the Lord.