There are 3 storms you will encounter- The storm God sends, the storm that bad decisions create and the storm the enemy sends!
Each storm is navigated differently.
Storm #1
The Storm GOD SENDS is intense but designed to get you to the other side larger and more liberated than you ever would have been if you avoided the sea and played it safe. God sent a storm to chase Jonah out of resistance and into the perfect will of God- in Nineveh- the place he was avoiding.
(Jonah 1:4)
From the belly of the great fish Jonah cried “those who regard worthless IDOLS forsake their own mercy” (and the fish spat him up – on location). An idol is something keeping you from Gods greater thing- His mercy. His undeserved blessing. An idol is anything you love more than God. Many a storm is sent to break a hidden attachment from your life. It may be the fear of man, an addiction or a person or influence that does not belong there. The idol is almost always seeking something more than what pleases the Lord. Jonah made his own agenda greater than God's. He was delivered when he yielded, and the entire time he was in distress, the fish was taking him to his destiny.
Storm #2
The storm of BAD DECISIONS may be choices you made or other's made that effected you. Paul was nearly drowned in a decision made by others to sail when they should have stayed in harbor. Many Christian's are downright frustrated with the choices of leaders in Government because they know the end result will be loss of cargo (economic) and the very ship of state (shipwreck.) Paul however prayed and fasted till an angel got involved and the ship was rerouted to an island where Paul took over…and made it safe to Rome. Adding new territory that wasn't even in the original plan. (Acts 27:9)
God will overrule bad decisions to bring forth wisdom and get you where you need to be. Look at how Solomon the wisdom child of David came forth out of the disastrous decision David made to sleep with Bathsheba.
The storm you create becomes a storm God is in once you let Him take over the ship.
Storm #3
The storm the devil sends is an ATTACK that is designed to stop you, overthrow you and destroy God's purpose for your life. When Jesus was with the disciples a great storm arose that threatened their lives. As experienced fishermen this was a type of storm they had never encountered before. Jesus arose and REBUKED the manifestation in the wind and the sea and there was an immediate calm. (Mt 8:26) Disease, financial attack, theft, violence are all works of Hell.
Jesus challenged his disciples “where is your FAITH?” The thought of their ship sinking while Christ was on board provoked Him to challenge what they were focusing on. He told them “lets go to the other side.” His Word was sufficient to give them leverage over the devil. Find the Word God is giving you in your Satanic assault and speak to the situation- Jesus talked to the wind and waves. He talked to things, to tree's that did not produce and to spirit's invisible to the human eye. Thoughts are “things” when they take on the power of fear. Speak what God says and watch heaven back up your utterance.
GOD IS ON BOARD IN EVERY STORM and each storm will BE MADE TO fulfill God's Word over your life! “Fire, and hail; snow, and vapor; stormy wind fulfilling his word” (Ps 148:8) The Holy Spirit knows the way thru every storm- and He is on the inside of you. Hence God WILL NEVER LEAVE you or forsake you to the stormy elements.
All 3 storms are common to man – but you my friend are an uncommon vessel. What you come thru becomes a testimony to others. You are a STORM RIDING CHILD of the Most High God.
good word lance, I can relate to that.
Thanks Lance. Right on. God is with us through all of this, even when we feel we are alone, He is there. He is mighty to save!
Thanks for the thoughts on storms. I appreciate remembering that God is always with us.
Excellent teaching Lance! Concise and precise. As a storm rider helping others get through storms, I am passing this around to strengthen them. – As One!
Thank you Lance
I find all your posts very insightful. What I have discovered in my studies that G-d’s Kingdom is not linear and operates in a cyclical fashion, for all characters in the Bible.
1. Crisis produces opportunity.
2. Opportunity produces ministry and anointing.
3. Ministry produces favor.
4. Favor produces promotion.
5. Promotion produces increase.
6. Increase multiplies responsibility.
7. Responsibility produces rewards.
8. Rewards attract attacks.
9. Attack creates crisis ……… And the cycle begins.
As overcomers, the above allows me to understand what is happening to me in any situation while climbing my mountain.
Thank you for your great teachings
Thank you Lance!
I need this. It is a NOW Word! Riding through storms in all three areas described. Victory is secure when Trust is in God, Blessed assurance!
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels, descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
THANK YOU! A timely word with which to rise up and break through! I take it!
Good job Lance. Praying for you. Your’e a gift to all of us in the Kingdom
This is timely as well as helpful… I believe we miss the storm that we create at times thinking it’s the enemy when it’s actually from a bad choice or decision we have made… but the Lord is so faithful to His own and does get right in the middle of the storm to walk us out once we acknowledge, repent, and obey Him….