Surviving the storm.
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Read Luke 8:22-25
The waves of the storm we are facing are surging (Spa. “embravecidas”). The number of contagious has grown to alarming proportions; the number of deaths is great; the hospitals and available equipment are not enough.
Millions have lost their jobs! The number of unemployed in our country has reached 10 million (in only two days: 3.4 million on day and 6.6 million the following day). We had only 3.5% unemployment rate in February. Some are predicting it may reach 15% by June.
The economy is sinking and the retirement savings of many are gone. The storm is fierce! The country is being swamped by the waves of this crisis.
Life is not normal during storms. You cannot to maintain your lifestyle or normal and usual activities. You must make changes, adjust to the stormy times.
If you want to survive this storm, there are few things you remember:
Every storm has a purpose.
Every storm has a purpose.
If we think in terms of physical storms, they serve a purpose: They replenish the earth, drag the accumulated debris, and clean the air.
- They drag the accumulated debris.
“Quiet seas never made a good sailor.” Storms make us better navigators.
Every storm is an attention-getter.
Every storm is an attention-getter.
In desperation they cried out, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” (NLT)
As the storm on that day caught the attention of the disciples to the point that they thought it was their last day, this storm has caught the attention of the entire world.
Presidents are declaring days of prayer and fasting; more people than ever are listening to the proclamation of God’s Word online, people are constantly watching the news expecting new developments, and we all are realizing how difficult life is when we face a storm like this one.
Definitively, the virus and its consequences have caught our attention!
Every storm is a reminder of our fragility.
Every storm is a reminder of our fragility.
“And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up.” Mar 4:37
The boat was tossed from here to there by the wind. In a matter of minutes, the water was filling up the boat, in a twinkle of an eye they could have died.
The actual storm reminds us how fragile we are. As a comedian used to say “We are nothing!”
What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him?
We’re like a piece of straw that wind easily blows away.
Many healthy people who caught the virus died in a matter of days or hours.
Storms force us to do something new to us.
Storms force us to do something new to us.
Among the disciples only the four fishermen were used to problems like that. I imagine that Matthew, a tax collector, Simon, a zealot, and the others did not know what to do.
I also imagine 4 fishermen of the group saying, “Matt, get a bucket and get the water out of the boat!” and “Simon, move the oars!” And them responding, “Hey, I have never done that. I am not used to that kind of work.” “I do not know how to swim!” “I do not know how to oar!”
What would you say to them? LEARN!
Every storm is an opportunity to learn something. If you want to keep the boat afloat, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.
Illust. Digging trenches/ Selling Ice cream
Every storm brings renewal….. Maybe is time for you to learn a new trade, change occupation, or go to school online.
Storms remind us of God’s power.
Storms remind us of God’s power.
“He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” and the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.. they said to one another, Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” , 41
Wow! The disciples were amazed at Jesus’ power.
We have not believed in a saint, but in the Almighty God! Only the Creator, Jesus Christ, can rebuke and make the storms still. He made it, He brought it, or allowed it to happen, and only He can make it disappear!
Only the Creator, Jesus Christ, can rebuke and make the storms still. He made it, He brought it, and only He can make it disappear!
If He can mute the waters, He can stop the virus, heal illnesses, pour abundant blessings, and solve your impossible problems.-
As the Creator, there’s no illness so grave He cannot cure, there’s no financial need so big He cannot supply, and there’s no emotional wound He cannot heal.
Illust. How great is our God ♫
Remember that you are not alone.
Remember that you are not alone.
We are sailing together.
We are sailing together.
All the disciples were in the boat, all were affected by the storm. Without exception, this trial we’re going through is common to all.
As brethren in Christ, we have the opportunity to help each other, to pray for one another, to encourage one another.
Jesus is in the boat.
Jesus is in the boat.
See that Jesus never left his disciples during the entire storm. he could have walked over the water and get to the shore, but no! He was there with them! He was always accessible to them.
Just as He promised to them not to leave them alone, He has promised to us “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
If you know Him, Christ is in your boat! Let Him steer it and control it!
Even if others do not help you oaring, or if others jump out of the boat, Jesus never will.
Do not forget that God is in control.
Do not forget that God is in control.
The disciples made the mistake everybody does: they depended on their abilities first, and to go to Jesus at last.
Maybe they did not want to bother Him! He never gets bothered when we seek His help. He’s always available.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.
;
Then Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat down with His disciples.
Jesus rebuked them, not because they woke Him up, but for not having or not using their faith.
Jesus rebuked them, not because they woke Him up, but for not having or using their faith. In storms in when you must believe more. What are the main fears during a storm? Not having what we need and dying .
It is in the midst of storms when you must believe more!
What are the main fears during a storm? Not having what we need and dying .
- You will sink if you do not hold onto him.
“But [Peter] seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”"
God will provide your food.
God will provide your food.
“For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content."
For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.
But Jesus, aware of this, said, “You men of little faith, why do you discuss among yourselves that you have no bread? “Do you not yet understand or remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets full you picked up?
:8-9
“But Jesus, aware of this, said, “You men of little faith, why do you discuss among yourselves that you have no bread? “Do you not yet understand or remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets full you picked up?"
God will provide the clothe you need.
God will provide the clothe you need.
“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!
“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!"
Expect that God will use you.
Expect that God will use you.
Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not drive it out?” And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.
“Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not drive it out?” And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you."
God will not let your boat sink.
God will not let your boat sink.
You will sink if you do not hold onto him.
That’s what happened to Peter when Jesus commanded him to walk on the water:
But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Mat 14:30-31
Mat 14:30-31
Fear not, despair not, God is in control. He will get us through this!
“But [Peter] seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”"