This was delivered at our Mt Zion Chapel concert on June 7th 2026

Encouragement

1. Introduction
   1. In this lesson, I want to talk about the importance of encouragement and being encouraged.
   2. It’s so important to note the importance of one’s words to another. How important those words can be, to bring someone way up or very low.
   3. In the ups and downs, and challenges of life that we all go through, we need encouragement.
   4. We depend on it. When we don’t get it, we stay still, stuck in our own minds, trying to figure everything out that’s come upon us in everyday living that we all exist in.
   5. When encouragement doesn’t come from others around us, we must lean on our Lord and Savior. He’s the one that stays closer than any brother ever will.
   6. Proverbs 18:24: A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
   7. God’s word never changes for you and me. It is strength when we are weak. It’s the foundation of what God has made us to be through His Word.
   8. I want to encourage you to stay in God’s Word. Follow God’s Word. Study God’s Word, and you too will realize the secret that will be manifested to the light, which will in turn become the foundational truth of knowing how you can always be encouraged.
   9. Now let us look into our lesson

Encouragement.

2. What is Encouragement
3. ENCOUR’AGEMENT is the act of giving courage, or confidence of success; incitement to action or to practice; incentive.
4. Encouragement is the act of giving courage, or confidence of success; incitement to action or to practice; incentive.
5. It is that which serves to incite, support, promote or advance, as favor, countenance, rewards, profit. Hebrews 10:24: And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: When you are encouraged or given affirmation in regards to a job or anything that you do, it causes you to want to even be better at it.

3. Who did God encourage in the Bible
4. God encouraged Joshua after the death of Moses. God was raising him up to lead the nation of Israel into the Promised Land. Joshua 1:5-6: There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people, shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I swore unto their fathers to give them. God was giving Joshua a pep talk.

Moses had just passed, and God was passing the leadership on to Joshua, and Joshua needed to be encouraged in order to have the courage and confidence he needed for the task at hand.

1. Isaac had just been through a season where his herdsmen and the herdsmen of Gerar were striving over water from wells that were dug. When that season of striving was over, God appeared to him, reassuring him that He was with Isaac and would bless him.  Genesis 26:24: and the Lord appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham’s sake. When you are going through a hard time, remember God is with you and will bless you as you live for Him and do His Will.
2. God encouraged the nation of Israel in Isaiah 41:8-10: But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend. Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. He went on to say that those who had come against Israel would be dealt with. God is bigger than our problems. He will always be with us and lead us to victory.

4. Why do we need encouragement?
5. We need to be encouraged so we are not hardened by sin’s deceitfulness – Hebrews 3:13 – But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Encouragement helps us to constantly improve and endeavor to sin less and less, and live for God.
6. Encouragement helps us overcome trials, and the attacks of the enemy. John 16:33: In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Because Jesus has overcome the world, we can, and we will as we follow Him.
7. Encouragement helps us continue to have victory over the traps, trials and snares of the enemy. Ephesians 6:12: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. When trials come our way, many times they are from the enemy, who is always trying to trip us up, and derail us from God’s Plan, but encouragement helps us to keep on going and serve God, and overcome all of the devil’s attacks.

1. Jesus stressed the importance of loving one another. If we want the world to know we have something they need, we need to love and encourage one another. John 13:34-35: A new commandment I give unto you that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Jesus stressed this point time and time again. If the world sees Christians attacking and tearing down other Christians, they won’t want what we have. If they see us encouraging and loving one another, that will draw them.

5. How did Jesus encourage the disciples?
6. He encouraged them and us to come to him, and to give our burdens, our cares, and our sins to Him, and receive the abundant, purpose-filled, and eternal life He offers. Matthew 11:28-30 – Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. He wants you to come to Him, cast all of the baggage you carry at His Feet. He will give you rest. Then, take His Yoke upon you. His Yoke is easy and His Burden is light. Not heavy!
7. He encouraged and taught them to pray, using the pattern found in Matthe 6:9-13 – After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. It is important to note that at this time, the disciples were under the law. In the Age of Grace, we don’t need to recite this, but we can use it as a pattern. The pattern starts with worship, prayer for His Will to be done, prayer for our needs to be met, prayer for forgiveness, protection from evil, then worship again at the end.
8. He encouraged Peter to step out in faith: Matthew 14:29 Matthew 14:28-29: And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. We often remember that Peter took his eyes off Jesus and sank, but also remember that he is the only one that had enough faith to step out to begin with. Do you have faith to step out and be used mightily by God in your calling?

6. How can We Encourage Others?
7. We can encourage others in our conversation: always pointing the other person to Jesus, and having the conversation of Christ. Ephesians 4:29: Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. How are your conversations? Are they uplifting, or are they corrupt? Do you sound like the world, or is your conversation different? Is it the same on Sunday as it is throughout the rest of the week? Something to think about.
8. We can encourage others by spending time with them: This includes being in the House of the Lord, and also having regular fellowship. Hebrews 10:25 – Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. We were never meant to live the Christian life on our own. We need to spend time together for prayer, encouragement, and growth in our walk with God.
9. We can encourage others by reminding them of Jesus’ soon return: We are told to comfort or encourage one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 – 6 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. When someone is in the middle of a tough time, you can encourage them by reminding them that Jesus’ Return is fast approaching.

7. How Can You Encourage Yourself?
   1. Encourage yourself by singing songs of praise to the Lord:  Psalm 96:1: O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Put Christian music on or sing to the Lord yourself.

You’ll find as you do, that you will be encouraged and your faith and trust in Him will increase. What kind of music are you listening to? Is it mostly secular, or are you tuned into positive, encouraging worship music that lifts you up and gives you a good, godly prospective?

1. Remember your victories, times when God has helped you. There are many instances of God reminding His People of what He had done for them before as a way of encouragement. Exodus 6:3-5: And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name Jehovah was I not known to them. And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers. And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant. At this time, Moses had just come on the scene and God was starting to deal with Pharaoh, who in turn was making life harder for God’s People. God encouraged Moses’s faith by reminding him of what he had done and what he was about to do for His People.
2. You will be encouraged as you see things from God’s viewpoint. Romans 12:2-3: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. The more time you spend in the Word of God and in prayer, the more you will see things as God sees them.
3. Rekindle your passion for a closer walk with God: Revelation 2:4-5: Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Do you have the zeal for God that you had when you were first saved? Maybe you need to rededicate your life to Him. As you walk close to Him, you will find real, lasting encouragement. 

8. Story – The View from the Window.
   1. Two men were seriously ill. They occupied the same room in the hospital. One of them was lying in the bed near the only window in their room.
   2. Every day he was allowed to spend some time sitting up in his bed to help draining the fluid from his lungs. The other man was forced to spend all his days flat on his back.
   3. They talked a lot about their lives, families, jobs, and vacations.
   4. Every time, when the first man was sitting by the window, he described in details all that he saw outside the window.
   5. His roommate always looked for those moments, when his world was broadened and brightened up by the world outside.
   6. Amazing views of a park with a beautiful lake could be seen from the window of their room. Children delightfully played among ducks and swans.
   7. Couples walked arm in arm among colorful flowers. Also the stunning city skyline could be seen.
   8. While the man by the window thoroughly described all that was happening outside the window, his roommate would close his eyes and imagine all the beautiful scenes of life that were told to him.
   9. One night the man, whose bed was near the window, died peacefully during sleep and his roommate was very sad.
   10. After some time, when the nurse came to visit him, he asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse agreed and kindly made the switch.
   11. When she left, the man slowly and painfully propped himself up on one elbow and took the first look at the world outside. He was stunned. The window faced a blank wall.
   12. When the nurse came to visit him the next time, he told her about beautiful things outside the window that his roommate described him.
   13. The nurse replied that his roommate was a blind man. She said: „Probably he just wanted to encourage you.“
   14. If you are walking with God, spending time in the Word and in prayer, you will be encouraged, and see great blessings, even when faced with a blank wall.

9. Conclusion
   1. Are you encouraged today? I want to encourage you with these closing thoughts.
   2. He loves you. He is for you, not against you. When He is for you, no one else can be against you.
   3. You are God’s very own possession, bought and paid for with His shed Blood on the cross.

1. Introduction
   1. I’m giving this message as I feel it is important and crucial for this time. Too many pastors, churches and too many people are confused, mixed up, don’t know their places, with no concise leadership.
   2. It seems we are living in a time when ever y man is living for themselves rather than looking on the things of others more than themselves.
   3. I can’t express enough how important it is that when God gives you a vision that you are to adhere to the call and He will fuel the fire so you can succeed.
   4. We need to carry our bibles. IT’s the inspired word of God that bears witness to what we are saying and doing.
   5. Those that don’t know Christ as their own personal savior need to know that there is a savior but if you are just talking without showing, you don’t have a true witness.
   6. You just have words. God is the Word of God. He’s laid down his life as the word of God so we must live by His Word. We must trust in it wholeheartedly.
   7. We must not be persuaded or distracted but focused on achieving the same common goal which is filling Heaven with souls!
   8. If you’re not evangelizing or mentoring anyone or talking to anyone you may want to think about your own salvation.
   9. Why am I not doing these things that God’s Word calls and commands us to do? Why do I not feel the desire to step out and do something?
   10. Why do I seem to do everything else but never spend enough time with God? Answer: You may not truly know Him. If you do, you’re certainly not seeking him
   11. Because if you were you’d be allowing him to fuel the fire. Now let us look into our message

Fueling the Fire

2. What’s the first thing that comes to mind when I say are you fueling the fire with the vision and calling God’s given you?
   1. Have you written the vision down and shared it with people that can help you complete it? Habakkuk 2:2-3: And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. That vision is not going to get done if it’s just stuck in your head. You must share it and begin to run with it as God directs.
   2. Are you pressing on to the mark of your calling in Christ Jesus? Philippians 3:14: I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. We should live every day with the determination and motivation to fulfill the calling Christ has given us.  Is this you?
   3. Are you fueling the fire with prayer and having others pray with and for you? Psalm 6:9: The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer. Prayer is what moves the Hand of God, and no mission or vision for Him can make its desired impact without a lot of prayer.
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3. Do you even know your calling?
   1. Each of us have a calling from God. We are exhorted to be diligent with our calling and election. Let’s look at 2nd Peter 1:9-10: But he that lacketh these things (godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity) is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: Do you know your calling. Are you walking in it? Are you showing godliness, kindness, and charity in what you do? If these traits are emanating out of your life, you are most likely walking in your calling.
4. Have you let time pass by?
   1. Remember that we are only allotted a certain amount of time on this earth to fulfill the calling of God. James 4:14: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. If you let too much time go by, you will never accomplish the vision God has for you.
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5. Have you gone out of your way to try to lead someone to Christ?
   1. Everyone who is considered a Christian has one main job to do. No one is exempt. Let’s look at Luke 14:21-23: So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. What is our main goal? It is to make heaven crowded. If we are doing something that takes away or distracts us from that objective, we’re missing it. Have you shared the gospel recently?
6. Are you carrying your bible, studying and praying?
   1. We should not rely on our phone apps, PC or other digital bibles. We should carry the printed bible, read it and study it. Deutoronomy 11:18-Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. The phone battery will die or you’lll get a ton of notifications before you get to the bible, where the old fashioned print bible will always be right there and ready for you to show someone the gospel message.
   2. Before you can show it to someone else though, you must study it. Digest it. Get it into your system first. Jeremiah 15:16- Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts. God’s Word is the joy and rejoicing that those around you need. Let’s fuel the fire by getting refueled every day with God’s Word.
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7. Are you seeking every avenue God has for you?
   1. Remember that God rewards those that have faith, and that diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Se must seek God for every opportunity and avenue that He has for us to make an impact for Him.
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8. Are you allowing God to fuel your fire?
   1. God has given you gifts and talents to use for His Glory. He wants you to use them every day to reach people for Him, and we are not to live in fear, knowing He has given you power, love, and a sound mind. 2nd Timothy 1:6-7: Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. If we will surrender every day to God’s Will and Purpose, He will ignite and fuel a fire that will be unstoppable.
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9. IN the bible, there were many that started from nothing to become something & God fueled their fire. We see how God used Elijah, Moses, Abraham, Nehemiah, Micah, David, Caleb, Joshua to name a few in the Old Testament.
   1. Abraham was 40 when he was called to leave everything he’d known to go off & become the father of a great nation. Genesis 12:1-3: Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, & from thy kindred, & from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. Abraham obeyed the call of God, and the nation of Israel was born.
   2. Moses at first had every excuse in the book as to why he couldn’t fulfill the call of God, but He finally did go to Egypt. Exodus 4:12-14: Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart. Moses finally got done giving excuses, and God fueled a fire under his feet and he did finally bring the nation of Israel out of Egypt.
   3. Joshua had to finish the mission Moses started because Moses disobeyed God. Joshua 1:9-11: Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the Lord your God giveth you to possess it. Joshua was strong and courageous, and lead the nation into the Promised Land, crossing over the Jordan River, and overcoming the obstacles they would face. You too can posess the land that God has for you if you are strong and courageous, and let Him fuel the fire.
   4. Caleb was 85 years old, and God had fueled a vision and a fire in him to carry out at 85. Joshua 14:9-12: And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children’s for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the Lord my God. And now, behold, the Lord hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the Lord spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said. Joshua honored Caleb’s request and God restored to him at 85 what he had promised him at 45.
   5. Nehemiah had a burden for the city of Jerusalem that had been ransacked when the Israelites were taken into captivity. Nehemiah 2:2-3: Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid, And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire? Nehemiah went and rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, fighting off the enemy and building at the same time.

10. He used Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Peter, Paul, Simeon, Mary, Martha, the roman soldier. Etc.
    1. Matthew was a tax collector when Jesus called Him to be one of his disciples. Mark 2:14: And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. Matthew did follow Jesus, and later God fueld a fire in him to evangelize to his fellow tax collectors.
    2. Mark of course wrote the second of the gospels, but we first see him evangelizing in the book of Acts. Let’s look at Acts 12:25: And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark. We learned that Mark went home early and his choice caused a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas. Mark would travel with Barnabas,
    3. Paul would find him useful later on as we see in 2nd Timothy 4:11: Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
    4. Did you notice in the previous verse that only Luke was with Paul? Colossians 4:14: Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you. Luke was a physician and was with Paul all of the days of his life.
    5. Peter, James, and John were the three that were closest to Jesus during his earthly ministry. Matthew 17:1: And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, & John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, These 3 were present at his miracles including when he was on the Mount of Transfiguration.

11. The fuel that fuels the fire is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
    1. If you would seek Him and say Lord, fuel my fire today that whoever I come in contact with, I may have a word for them for such a time as this.
12. Story: Pass it on + Reflections on the movement Charlie Kirk Ignited.
    1. In honor of our theme of Fueling the Fire, I wanted to share with you the lyrics of a song we’ve all known and loved for years. It’s a song called “Pass it on.” It goes like this.
    2. It only takes a spark To get a fire going, And soon all those around Can warm up in its glowing.
    3. That’s how it is with God’s love. Once you’ve experienced it, You spread His love to ev’ryone. You want to pass it on.
    4. What a wondrous time is spring When all the trees are budding. The birds begin to sing. The flowers start their blooming.
    5. That’s how it is with God’s love. Once you’ve experienced it You want to sing it’s fresh like spring. You want to pass it on.
    6. I wish for you my friend This happiness that I’ve found. You can depend on Him. It matters not where you’re bound.
    7. I’ll shout it from the mountain top. I want my world to know. The Lord of love has come to me. I want to pass it on!
    8. As we get ready for the conclusion to our message on fueling the fire, I want to reflect on something. One week ago today, the nation memorialized a man who ignited a fire.
    9. A man named Charlie Kirk ignited a fire of revival in our land, and then abruptly passed the torch on to you and me.
    10. Let’s you and I pass on the message he exemplified, having open dialogue, and promoting the values of faith, family, and freedom.
    11. This man was just a spark. It’s now up to you and me to fuel the fire of revival and keep it burning brightly.
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13. Conclusion
    1. Where do you fit in to this message. Who are you? What are you? Is it just salvation or is it more?
    2. DO you feel lost, disarmed, disconnected, don’t know what to do, not serving, not praying
    3. Ask yourself this question: Who are you? If you’re not living for Christ and serving Him to the fullest, you’re not living.

9\13\26

Caught in the Eye of the Storm – Lord Help Me! Why does this always happen to me?

1. Introduction
   1. I start off by telling you a story of a friend of mine who was a good Christian. He was a strong Christian, very dedicated and devoted, serving the Lord.
   2. For some reason, he would always seem to get off course.
   3. He would go for a while, then all of a sudden, all hell would break loose and he’d be caught in the eye of the storm.
   4. Many times there were so many things I remember about this person. He was a believer. He would pray but there’d always seem to be something going wrong.
   5. He would be struggling, feeling temptation, cursing the devil and trying to press through.
   6. I remember sitting down and talking to my friend, and asking him what on earth is going on?
   7. It seems like you go for a while, and all of a sudden you’re in the eye of a big storm.As I began to probe in a little further and question my friend, he said to me
   8. “I seem to believe, and trust when all things are going well, but when things are going wrong, my faith becomes weak.
   9. “I start relying on my own strength, knowing that I should be relying on the Lord’s strength.I find it hard to pray because of the different situations and circumstances I would fall into. It was almost like I could never see out.”
   10. I remember saying to my friend “why don’t you make it a policy that no matter what, when things are going great, you’re praising the Lord, and when things are not going great you’re still praising the Lord.”
   11. It wasn’t long after that, that my friend got married, and got settled in with his new wife. It was the best thing that ever happened to him.
   12. His wife was there to encourage him and let him know that he was the leader of the home and the decisions he would make for the family soon to be, would be either godly or ungodly,.
   13. I remember coming to their house, having dinner with them. I saw a dramatic change in my friend.
   14. He was encouraging me of how important it was for me as a brother in the Lord to always be supportive, and committed.
   15. Even though he had made a lot of mistakes and gone through a lot of circumstances. He always thanked me for being his friend.
   16. He knew now the responsibility of being the leader of his home, providing for his family, and being a good husband and father for his wife and children.
   17. I remember one day, I was going through the eye of a storm. He seemed to call me out of nowhere and say “Brother Wayne, you’ve always been there for
   18. I feel you’re going through something.” I said that I was. He said to me “Let me encourage you to be prayerful, faithful, and press in to God’s Word”
   19. He rehearsed the same words to me that I had said to him over and over again. I thanked him for his prophetic discernment and the encouraging word.
   20. When two or more are gathered in God’s name there Christ will be in the midst. Matthew 18:20: For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
   21. He was that dxay. By the strength of both brothers, relying on the st rength of the Lord, we both came out of the eye of the storm.
   22. Now let’s begin with our study.

2. Are you a strong Christian? Are you committed and faithful to the Lord?
   1. If you are a strong, committed and faithful Christian, you are like the wise man in this parable. Matthew 7:24-25: Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. This person could go through the eye of the storm, and his house stood strong. This person is not only strong in the Lord for his own storms, but can be strong to encourage someone else who might not be a strong, wise Christian.
   2. If you are not a strong Christian, you are like the foolish man in the parable. Matthew 7:26-27: And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. There is an old hymn that you should keep in mind when the storms come.

It says “In times like these, we need a savior. In times like these, we need an anchor. Be very sure. Be very sure, your anchor holds and grips the solid Rock. The rock is Jesus.”

3. What do you do when you’re going through the eye of a storm? Do you falter, hibernate, or reject everyone’s thoughts of how to help you? Do you try to work it out on your own? Are you just a Christian when everything is going good? Are you still a strong Christian when everything is not?
   1. If you falter when a storm comes, you need to have more trust and confidence in who God is. You need the assurance we find in 2nd Timothy 1:12: For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Do you know whom you have believed? Are you persuaded that He will always help you and guide you through the storm, or do you falter?
   2. Do you reject the help that God sends through the people around you? Proverbs 1:6: A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

God often uses other people to help us navigate the storms of life. If we ignore the help they offer, we’ll be prone to be tossed to and fro by the storms of life.

1. When the storm comes, do you try to work it out on your own, and do what is right in your own eyes? Here’s what God’s Word says about this. Proverbs 12:15: The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. We were never meant to do life on our own. God sends people to help us, and He gives us His Word, which can help in every situation you might find yourself in.

4. When you’re going through the eye of a storm, or something’s not going the way you’d like it, there are some key things you may need to do to succeed through the twists and turns, rejection, and weakness that you feel at the time.
   1. Trust completely in the Lord, no matter what comes your way. Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. If the storm is blowing a lot of rain and snow across your path, and you can’t quite see which way to go, trust in God. He will be faithful to guide you down the right path, and out of the storm.
   2. Spend time in prayer and let others pray for you. James 5:16: Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Prayer is an important part of navigating the storms of life. Along with that, be in church. You need people praying with and for you when a storm is coming your way. Just because storm clouds are on the horizon is not a reason to skip church, but to press in!
   3. Along with praying, and making your requests known to God, remember thanksgiving and worship. Then, the peace that passes understanding seep into your heart. Philippians 4:6-7: Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. If you are having a hard day, and anxiety and trouble seems to be rolling in, pray and worship God, and you’ll feel a change in the atmosphere. It works every time.

5. There were many patriarchs of the Old and New Testament that experienced many twists, turns, trials, traps, snares, and storms. God was there every time they were faithful in good times and bad.
   1. God promised never to leave us or forsake us. We see this in Hebrews 13:5: Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. If you are in a storm and it seems like God is far away, He’s not. He’s right there. He will never leave, no matter what happens.
   2. He promised to walk closer than any brother would We see in Proverbs 18:24: A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. That friend is Jesus. When all other friends are far away, He never is. You can call on Him any time. Here are some examples of patriarchs who experienced storms, but also knew the favor of the Lord.
   3. Job experienced great loss, but he was faithful.. Job 1:21-22 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

It can be too easy to blame God when things don’t go our way, but Job didn’t do this. He stayed faithful and trusted God completely.

1. He was ultimately more blessed at the end than at the beginning. Job 42:12: So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. Job went through the eye of the storm for sure, but in the end, he was blessed abundantly.
2. In the Psalms, we see a lot of passages where King David had the enemy all around him but he cried out to the Lord. Psalm 3:2-4: Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. David had to deal with the naysayers and the doubters like we do today, but he kept his focus on the Lord and trusted in Him.
3. In the New Testament, Apostle Paul went through his storms but also kept his trust in the Lord. He sums it up nicely in this passage. 2nd COrinthians 4:8-9: We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed;
4. we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Can you confidently declare this in the midst of your storms? You can if your trust is in Him completely.

6. How did Jesus deal with storms in the midst of the disciples?
   1. Let’s look at a passage where Jesus is in the midst of a storm with his disciples, and then we’ll see how He reacted to the situation.
   2. In Matthew 8:24-26: And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
   3. Here is what we can take away from this situation. 1. A storm came up in the sea, and the water covered the ship.
   4. We see that Jesus is asleep! Don’t think for a minute that Jesus didn’t know what was happening. He did, but he knew who was in control. It was no big deal to Him. Surely the disciples can pray and the whole thing might be over. They didn’t do that.
   5. The disciples woke Him up in a panic. At least they knew who to call on, but they were afraid.
   6. He scolds them for their lack of faith, and simply rebukes the wind and waves, and there was a great calm . When a storm arises, do you remember who is in the boat with you? Do you call on Him and ask him to calm the storm?

7. Are you a person that forgets everything you’ve studied in God’s Word when life’s challenges are upon you?
   1. We are warned not to forget God’s Word in Deuteronomy 8:11: Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: When life’s challenges come upon you, God’s Word can guide you. If you’ve studied God’s Word, you can reflect back on what His Word had to say about those challenges.
   2. Here’s another passage in Psalms that speaks of remembering what God has done, and heeding His Word. Psalm 78:7: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: Remember how God has helped you before. Trust that He will answer again. Follow His Word, right on to the victory.
   3. Are you delighting in God’s Word? Are you meditating on it? Psalm 119:18: I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. If your delight is in Him, and not just in what He can do for you or give you, you will not forget His Word.
   4. Finally, when the storms come, we can make this our prayer. Psalm 119:153: Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law. When you read the bible, or when you come to church and hear a message, are you hungering and thirsting for God’s Word and taking it in, or are you sleeping and soon forgetting the Word He had for you? Something to think about.

8. Conclusion
   1. How can you relate yourself as being a Christian to the challenges life brings?
   2. What can you do, seeing through the eyes of this message, or what can you take away to help you from this moment on to change the course and direction when the storms of life are upon you.
   3. Are you willing to change?
   4. Are you willing to hear the ingredients that’ll bring you through the eye of the storm, or are you just hard hearted, stubborn in your own ways?
   5. Are you truly trusting in God or just saying you are?
   6. Let’s all work together to meet the everyday challenges and storms.
   7. Together with the Lord we can face anything.and be successful to come out of the eye of the storm.