WHERE IS  JESUS CHRIST    IN THE MIDST OF YOUR "STORM"?

WHAT IS    JESUS CHRIST   DOING DURING YOUR "STORM"?


We all have "storms" in our lives.  (Yes, we have "weather" storms  (heavy rain, lightning, high winds, flash floods.....the potential of trees falling on houses or cars, etc.).

But we also have other types of "storms" in our lives.  "Financial storms", for example, if someone loses their job, or other source of income, then bills pile up - with not enough income to pay the bills-----that is certainly a storm.

Health problems can certainly bring "storms" into our lives.  If your wife, (or husband, father, etc.)
is struck by a heart attack, stroke, cancer. or other serious illness or injury; and with that can come hospital bills and doctor bills.....absolutely that qualifies as a storm in our lives!


Where is Jesus,  and what is He doing;..........and what are  we to do???


(Pause)...............


A few months ago at our home, God allowed a thunder storm.....with high winds.....which blew a tree down.....in order to demonstrate His character and His virtues.......All-knowing!!!  All powerful!!!  Intimately kind and merciful!!!

The tree that was blown down was a very tall tree, and if it had fallen in the wrong direction -----it would have fallen directly on our house!

Let me set the scene for you:     We have many trees near our house.  There was one specific tree that I have been concerned about for several months.  That tree had a single limb, which is approximately 10 feet above the ground; all of the tree that was above that limb.....was dead.

Many times I tried to figure a way to cut the tree above the limb - and make it fall.....away from our home!  I never could come up with a safe way to accomplish that.  (But I did continue to pray about it!).

So, when the storm came - (heavy rain, high winds).....I did not even think of that specific tree at that time; but as usual - in Jesus' name I prayed  "Come Your kingdom Oh God, be done Your will, on earth as it is in heaven"!!!  And "Lord, please protect us, and our home."

Indeed, just as He says in Psalm 23:4 ("...Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."). He did carry us through the storm with no injury to us nor damage to our home.

It was not until a few days later that I thought to check on that one specific tree.....

WOW!!!   WHAT A HOLY GOD!!!  ALL- KNOWING!!!  ALL POWERFUL!!!   EVERYWHERE PRESENT!!!   INTIMATELY KIND AND MERCIFUL!!!

Not only did He protect us, and the house,..........He did much, much more!!!

He caused the wind to break the tree -  just  above the limb, and He caused the tree to fall "sideways" - away from the house!

Also, He caused the tree to lodge between two other trees.....so that it did no harm - even to our other big trees, and..........when I went to cut the dead part of the tree into firewood.....it was in such a perfect position.....that I did not even need to bend over, in order to cut it!!!

He will carry us through the storms.  During the storms, He is also taking care of other things - that we are not thinking of as the storm is happening.


"Where is Jesus during our storms?"

On the throne!!! (Hebrews 12:2)

"What is Jesus doing?"

A. Fulfilling His kingdom purposes. (see rest of this message).
B. He is using all things in our lives - to "...change us into (His) very image.." (please read II Corinthians 2:17-18, and Philippians 1:6).


"Once Jesus spoke to a storm and stilled it  (Matthew 9:23-26), but on another occasion in the midst of a storm of the fears of His friends, He said simply, "I'm here. Take courage. Don't be afraid" (Matt. 14:27).  Then He commanded His friend Peter to walk toward Him right in the midst of the storm that tested his faith.  The point is this:  Jesus does not remove all the storms even of His friends, but He is present in them with us.  He comes walking on top of them to demonstrate to us that He has reasons for them, and to show us His greater glory.

Sometimes the footprints of His presence are not obvious.  Even then, the wind and the water are  under His feet.....................  feet that were nail-pierced on the cross for us!!!!!!!! (Acts 2:22-24)
(thefathersbusiness.com/On the Peace of His Presence)


(Back to the tree).....


As I stood looking at the tree lodged safely between two other trees........the word of God comes to mind.....................

"Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God,
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right
hand."
(Isaiah 41:10)

"...I am with you always..." (Matthew 28:20).


AMEN!!!



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