INSIDE THE PANDEMICS: FAMILIAR LIFE CAN BE “FOREVER” CHANGED
“... So the
king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den ... A stone was brought and placed over the
mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the
rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed...” (Daniel 6:16-18 NIV).
“… [King] …Nebuchadnezzar full of fury ...commanded the most
mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast
them into the burning fiery furnace…”
(DANIEL 3).
“... a messenger came to Job and said, “The
oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and made off
with them...“The fire of God fell
from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants ...“The Chaldeans formed three
raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. ...“Your sons and daughters
were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a
mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house.
It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one
who has escaped to tell you!” (Job 1:13-20 NIV).
“...It
was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of
John, put to death with the sword
...he proceeded to seize Peter also ...Herod
intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. So Peter
was kept in prison...” (Acts
12:1-5 NIV).
*
As
mentioned before, a climate STORM is a violent disturbance of the atmosphere
that is usually accompanied by strong winds, rain, dust devils, whirlwinds,
blizzards, thunder, hail, ice, lightning, tornadoes, hurricanes, typhoons,
earthquakes, etc.
Climate
STORMS can last for a few moments, days, or weeks. However long a STORM lasts,
when it comes, it disturbs the ENVIRONMENT and DISRUPTS normal conditions.
ALL climate STORMS have
the potential to harm lives, destroy property, and change the environment. Climate
STORMS are a regular part of life and can change the conditions of people’s
lives.
Some Climate STORMS, can
and will damage or destroy something in the environment. The things that are
damaged or destroyed can be MAJOR and effect normal life spiritually,
physically, emotionally, financially, and mentally.
Some Climate STORMS can
actually cause a DIASPORA for some and change their home location forever.
Nonetheless, a real climate STORM can and will change the ATMOSPHERE and
NORMALCY!
Other STORMS OF LIFE, come
through the experiences people face unexpectantly. The TRIBULATIONS of the STORMS of LIFE, like
climate storms, disrupt peoples atmospheres and disturbs their normal conditions
through unexpected death, divorce, long-lasting sicknesses, stock market
crashes, lost jobs, injustices, sudden tragedies, fiery furnaces, lion dens,
prison, etc. “…But before very long there rushed down from the land a violent wind,
called Euraquilo ... we gave way to it
and let ourselves be driven along … ” (ACTS
27:14-19 NASB).
“... So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den ... A stone was
brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his
own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation
might not be changed...”
(Daniel 6:16-18 NIV).
“… [King]
…Nebuchadnezzar full of fury ...commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace…”
(DANIEL 3).
“...
a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were
grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them...“The fire
of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants ...“The Chaldeans
formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with
them. ...“Your sons and daughters were
feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when
suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of
the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has
escaped to tell you!” (Job 1:13-20 NIV).
“...It was about this time that King Herod
arrested some who belonged to the
church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword ...he proceeded to seize Peter also ...Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.
So Peter was kept in prison...” (Acts 12:1-5 NIV).
“Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of
thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe. And
said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands….Then came Jesus
forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto
them, Behold the man! When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him,
they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them,
Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. But they cried out, Away with him, away
with him, crucify him...” (John 19:28-30 KJV).
INSIDE the
above TRIBULATIONS or STORMS, Job faced tragedies, Daniel faced the lion’s den, the Hebrew Boys
faced the fiery furnace, Peter faced a dooming trial, and Jesus faced death
upon a cross. Their LIVES were seriously disturbed by a variety of situations
and nothing was NORMAL anymore.
“…But before very long there rushed down from the land a
violent wind, called Euraquilo ... we gave way to it
and let ourselves be driven along … ”
(ACTS 27:14-19 NASB).
“...they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den ......” (Daniel 6:16-18 NIV).
“… [Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego ...[WERE CASTED]... into
the burning fiery furnace…”
(DANIEL 3).
“...
a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were
grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them...“The
fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants ...“The Chaldeans
formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with
them. ...“Your sons and daughters were
feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when
suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of
the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has
escaped to tell you!” (Job 1:13-20 NIV).
“......he
proceeded to seize Peter also ...[and]... Peter was kept in prison...” (Acts 12:1-5 NIV).
“ ...[They]...took Jesus, and scourged
him. And
the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and
put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe. And
said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they
smote him with their hands…” (John
19:1-16 KJV).
Job, Peter,
the Hebrew Boys, Daniel, Jesus were POWERLESS against their STORMS and could
NOT deliver themselves. Each of them FACED and were INSIDE STORMS with
different circumstances, but each one had NO DELIVERER except God, the Holy Spirit.
“... Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of
Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard and said: “Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven?
You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.
Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land
before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham
your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it
a sanctuary for your Name, saying, ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the
sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that
bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save
us.’ “But now here are
men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel
to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not
destroy them. See how they are
repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an
inheritance. Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that
is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you...” (2 Chronicles
20:5-12 NIV).
“...God is ...a very present help in trouble...”
(Psalms 46:1 KJV). “…He helps me…”
(Psalms 28:7 NLT). “… The Sovereign Lord helps me…”
(Isaiah 50:7 NLT). “…You
are my helper…” (Psalms 40:17 NLT).
“…[God
is]…Your rock
and Your fortress, your deliverer, Your GOD, Your rock, in whom [you can] … take refuge…"
(Psalms 18:3 NASB).
In other words, “...No weapon that is formed against ...[God’s people]... shall
prosper…This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord…” (Isaiah 54:17
KJV). STORMS happen, but they won’t prosper over God’s people! “….All things work together for good to them that love
God, to
them who are the called according to his purpose…”
(Hebrews 13:5 & ROMANS 8:28 KJV).
“…ye (THE ENEMY) thought evil against me; but God meant it unto
good…” (Genesis
50:20 KJV). God, through Jesus, defeated the ENEMY, so his people could be
VICTORIOUS in the STORMS of LIFE. “...Who
will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “...The
answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “...overwhelming
victory is ours in christ ...” (Romans 8:37 NLT).
The ENEMY may bring FORTH
STORMS to disturb your atmosphere and disrupt normal conditions, in this FALLEN
world, but GOD'S people, are promised victory over the works of devil.
“... But the Son of God came to destroy the
works of the devil...” (1 John 3:8 NLT). Therefore,
“...No
weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper…”
(Isaiah 54:17 KJV). “...overwhelming
victory is ours in christ ...” (Romans 8:37 NLT).
INSIDE THE STORMS of LIFE, it is not
unusual for people, even the strongest warriors, to feel helpless, scared, vulnerable,
terrified, nervous, overly concerned with the outcome, naked, exposed, or weak. “
… he ...offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and
tears ...
and was heard in
that he feared…” (Hebrew 5:7-8-9 KJV). “…take this cup from Me..." (Luke 22:42-43 NIV).
“…Jehoshaphat was TERRIFIED by this news...” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).
“...We do not have a high priest who is unable
to empathize with our weaknesses,
but we have one who has been tempted (inside the storms) in every way, just as
we are--yet he did not sin...” (Hebrews 4:15 NIV).
However, “…God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly
quote, God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter
what. Who or what can get to me?”
(Hebrews 13:5 MSG).
“…After this, the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the
Meunites declared war on Jehoshaphat.
Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army from Edom
is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea. They are already at
Hazazon-tamar.” (This was another name for En-gedi.). Jehoshaphat was TERRIFIED by this news...”
(2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).
It is NOT necessarily a lack of faith to
experience “feelings” of FEAR when going through the STORMS of LIFE. “…Jehoshaphat was TERRIFIED by this news...” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).
When going through the STORMS of LIFE, God
will find a WAY to strengthen his people and empower them to submit to HIS
sovereign love and care. “…Great is his
love
toward us...”
(Psalms 117:2 KJV). “… “Never will I leave you; never
will I forsake you…”
(Hebrews 13:5 NIV). “…I am with you always, to the very end…"(Matthew 28:20 NIV). “…Behold, I
am with … [you] and will keep … [you]
whithersoever [you]… goest…I
will not leave [you] ..." (Genesis 28:15 ASV). “...He careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV). “…God is LOVE…” (1
John 4:4-8 KJV). “… “I AM WHO I AM
…”
(Exodus 3:14-15 NASB). “…I
change NOT…”
(Malachi 3:6 KJV). “… Jehoshaphat
was terrified by this news and BEGGED the Lord for guidance.” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).
“...God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help
in times of trouble. So we
will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains
crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam ...“Be still, and know that I am
God ... The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of
Israel is our fortress...” (Psalms 46 NLT).
God will FIGHT for his
people and TAKE CARE of the things that concern them. “…He helps me…”
(Psalms 28:7 NLT). . “…If God is
for us, who is against us? ... …”
(Romans 8:31-39 NASB). “...No weapon that is formed
against thee shall prosper...” (Isaiah 54:17 KJV). “…The LORD will accomplish (take care of)…that
which concerns [you]…” (John 14:31 NASB). “… THE LORD … is Your rock and Your
fortress, your deliverer…” (Psalms 18:3 NASB).
The events, situations, circumstances, or
STORMS OF LIFE that concern God’s people are ALL under God’s sovereign control.
“… No one can hold back his
hand or say to him: “What have you done?” (Daniel 4 NLT).
“... Here on earth you will have
many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the
world..." (John 16:44 NLT). “...Let
not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid...” (John 14:27
KJV). “...we must [go]...through much tribulation [to]...enter into the kingdom of God...” (Acts 14:22 KJV). “...despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved
us...” (Romans 8:37 NLT).
“...THE
NIGHT BEFORE HEROD WAS TO BRING HIM TO “TRIAL”, PETER WAS SLEEPING BETWEEN TWO SOLDIERS, BOUND WITH TWO CHAINS,
AND SENTRIES STOOD GUARD AT THE ENTRANCE. (ACTS 12:6 NIV).
Peter’s VICTORY from THE
STORM represents the FAVOR of God upon the lives of HIS PEOPLE. Peter’s victory
also REVEALS God’s love and desire to show his GLORY (presence, goodness, and
working power) to them! “…the Lord loves His people …” (2 Chronicles 2:11 NASB). “...Be still, and know that I am
God ... the God of
Israel is our fortress (defense, stronghold, place of protection, etc.).” (Psalms 46
NLT). “…BLESSINGS
are on the head of the righteous…”
(Proverbs 10:6 NASB). “…You
surround [your people] ... WITH
FAVOR as with a shield…”
(Psalms 5:12 NASB). “...overwhelming
victory is ours through Christ, who
loved us (and him)...” (Romans 8:37 NLT).
“…I’ve also
done it … so you will know that I am the Lord…” (Exodus 10:1-2 NLT). “…your deliverer…” (Psalms 18:3 NASB). Peter was
able to SEE, with his OWN eyes, the GLORY (God’s presence, goodness, and working power)
of God and his FAVOR upon his life, because of the GREAT THINGS he did for him.
“...The night before Herod was to bring him to
trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and
sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the
Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and
woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. Then the angel
said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your
cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Peter
followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was
doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate
leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went
through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel
left him. Then Peter came to
himself and said, “Now I know without a
doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches
and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen...” (Acts 12:6-11 NIV).
Peter witnessed and experienced, first
hand, the LOVE and FAVOR of God. God REVEALED his GLORY to Peter through his
presence in the angel (for you, this could
be a Christian Warrior), his goodness in directing his steps (for you, this is
experienced by following his Word), and his power to deliver him out of Herod’s
clutches (overwhelming victory came when he was miraculously delivered from
prison and walked right past his bondage & adversity to freedome)! “...Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel (this could be a Christian
Warrior) and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from
everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen...” (Acts 12:6-11 NIV).
“…I HAVE DONE IT,
declares the Lord…’”
(Ezekiel 37 NIV). “…the Father (the indwelling Holy Spirit) that
dwelleth in me (Jesus, the WORD), he doeth the works
(the Holy Spirit doeth the works) …” (John 14:10 KJV).
“… at God’s [miracle-performingWORD)
… what we now SEE (everything witnessed and experienced) did
not come from anything that
can be SEEN (it came from the WORK of the Holy Spirit)…” (Hebrews 11:3 NLT). “… He (Jesus) had a name written, that no man
knew … his name is called The
Word of God (the miracle-performing POWER of
God)…” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB).
“... When this had dawned on him ... [Peter realized] ... “he (God, the Holy Spirit)...hath done marvellous things…” (Acts 12:7 NIV & Psalms 98:1 KJV). “… Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done …” (Psalms 40:5 KJV).
“...the chains fell off
Peter’s wrists...They passed the
first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It
opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one
street, suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord
has ... rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish
people were hoping would happen...” (Acts 12:6-11 NIV).
REMEMBER: “...The night before Herod was to bring
him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance....” (Acts 12:6-11 NIV).
INSIDE THE STORMS, we face in life, such
as the death of a loved one, a divorce, the loss of a lucrative job, unexpected
diagnoses, fear of going to prison for a crime you didn’t commit, the loss of
material possessions, broken
relationships, unjust treatment, false accusations, and other sudden life
changes; however, follow Peter’s LEAD.
“...Peter was sleeping....” (Acts 12:6-11 NIV).
Like Peter, many of God’s people, are
FACING things that cause the heart to be flooded with troubling, stressful
“feelings” such as dread, anxiousness, discouragement, weariness, questions of
faith, depression, fear of the unknown, having no control of the situation or the outcome,
etc., BUT TRUST and DEPEND upon God ANYWAY. “...despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours (and Peter’s) through Christ, who loved us
(and him)...” (Romans 8:37 NLT). “...Let
not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid...” (John 14:27
KJV).
WHY should you SLEEP (at complete REST) during
these troubling TIMES? “...Peter
was sleeping....” (Acts 12:6-11
NIV). “...If God is
for ...[peter]... who...[or what could be]... against ...[you or peter]? ... …”
(Romans 8:31-39 NASB). “…Who...[or
what would]... separate ...[peter]... from the love of Christ?…”
(Romans 8:31-39 NASB). “....Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or
sword...[separate you or peter from god’s love]? …”
(Romans 8:31-39 NASB). “ ... [NO] … [NOTHING] …will be
able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus
our Lord…” (Romans 8:31-39 NASB).
“...For I know the thoughts that I think
toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not
of evil, to
give you an expected end”
(Jeremiah 29:11 KJV). “…Not
that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God…” (2
Corinthians 3:5 KJV). “… The
Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness…” (Romans 8:26 NLT). “...ALL THINGS work (PROCESS) together for good to them (the
redeemed) that love God, to them who are the called ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE…” (ROMANS
8:28 KJV).
“...Therefore [INSIDE the STORMS]... put on the
full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done
everything, to stand. Stand
firm...” (Ephesians 6:13-14 NIV).
“... Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil...” (Ephesians 6:11 NLT).
“…HE (the indwelling
Holy Spirit) “WILL” KEEP YOU STRONG to the end…” (1 Corinthians
1:8 NLT).
“…God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly
quote, God is there, ready to help...”
(Hebrews 13:5 MSG).
“…He said,
… Do not be
afraid or discouraged ...the Lord is with you!” (2
Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).
“…No weapon that is formed against [YOU]… shall prosper…” (Isaiah 54:17 KJV).
“…the battle is not yours, but God’s. …...”
(2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).
“…you will not even need to fight...” (2
Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).
“…Take your positions; then stand still..”
(2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).
“…watch the Lord’s victory...” (2
Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).
INSIDE THE STORMS, we face in life, such
as the death of a loved one, a divorce, the loss of a lucrative job, unexpected
diagnoses, fear of going to prison for a crime you didn’t commit, the loss of
material possessions, unjust treatment,
false accusations, and other sudden life changes; follow Peter’s LEAD. “...Peter was sleeping....” (Acts 12:6-11 NIV).
Like Peter, many of God’s people, are
FACING things that cause the heart to be flooded with troubling stresses such
as dread, anxiousness, discouragement, weariness, questions of faith, fear of
the unknown, having no control of the situation or the outcome, etc., BUT TRUST
and DEPEND upon God ANYWAY. “...despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours (and Peter’s) through Christ, who loved us
(and him)...” (Romans 8:37 NLT). “...Let
not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid...” (John 14:27
KJV).
Remember, “...Peter
was sleeping....” (Acts 12:6-11
NIV). “...If God is
for ...[you, inside the storm,]... who...[or what could be]... against ...[you]? ... …”
(Romans 8:31-39 NASB). “…Who...[or
what would]... separate ...[you]... from the love of Christ?…”
(Romans 8:31-39 NASB). “....Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or
sword...[separate you or peter from god’s love]? …”
(Romans 8:31-39 NASB). “ ... [NO] … [NOTHING] …will be
able to separate ...[you]...from the love of God, which is in Christ
Jesus our Lord…” (Romans 8:31-39 NASB).
“...For...[God, the Holy Spirit]... know the
thoughts that ...[he thinks]... toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not
of evil, to
give you an expected end”
(Jeremiah 29:11 KJV). “…Not
that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God…” (2
Corinthians 3:5 KJV).
“...he (God, the Holy Spirit)...hath done marvellous things…” ( Psalms 98:1 KJV). “… Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast
done …” (Psalms 40:5 KJV).
“… The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness…” (Romans 8:26 NLT). “...ALL
THINGS work together for good to them (God’s people) that love God,
to them who are the called (chosen by HIM) ACCORDING
TO HIS PURPOSE…” (ROMANS 8:28 KJV).
“…[God
is]... GOOD …”
(Psalm 119:68 KJV). “.…there is none good but one, that is,
God” (Nahum 1:7 & Mark 10:18 KJV). “… “I AM WHO I AM …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB). “…
he remains faithful [and good], for he cannot deny who
he is…” (2
Timothy 2:13 NLT).
“… [God,
the invisible Holy Spirit] … is Your rock and Your
fortress, your deliverer, Your GOD, Your rock ...[ YOUR goodness]… in whom [you] … take refuge...” (Psalms
18:3 NASB).
“...overwhelming victory is [y]ours ...” (Romans 8:37 NLT). IN THE STORM, “...Peter was sleeping....” (Acts 12:6-11 NIV).
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