The Storm May NOT Be For You, It Is for Others

 It is for others. 

We are talking about storms. If you were here last time, you know that storms are inevitable. You just came out of one, in one now, or one is heading right for ya. Most of the time, no one likes the storm. We do not rejoice and say Hallelujah, there is a storm we must endure. just when we were getting bored. Don't ya just love storms? No, no one says this. Storms are bad. No one longs to go through a storm. But they ARE reality. They ARE going to come.

We talked about how you are not in the storm alone. Jesus is right there with you, that He may be so unconcerned with the storm He may be asleep. Now I know He never sleeps like He was in the boat. He has now come into His glory. But you get the point. You should be so unconcerned that YOU are asleep in the middle of the storm.

However, just because we are in the storm, doe not mean it is your storm. Read this passage with me again.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Now we are not going to go into the detail as we did last time, but notice the two words "so that." "So that" is used before the clause which indicates the purpose. Why am I going through this? "So that." or because. Look what it says.

"so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

The storm may very well be for no other reason than God wants us to go through it, "so that" when we do come through it, we can strengthen and comfort, maybe even guide someone else through it.

I want to share a quick story with you. It is a bit extreme, but follow along. There was a man that was born with no legs. His parents were distraught. The father had a hard time dealing with this. The baby grew and became a boy, and then became a man. Meanwhile, in a war, a soldier loses his legs when he stepped on an explosive. He was confused and depressed. Not knowing if it was worth it to go on. A former football player, now all he could see himself as is a cripple.

One day, the soldier was lying in bed, wishing he would have just died when the man with no legs came into the room. In time they became friends, and the man with no legs, taught the soldier that life is just fine without legs.

The point of the story is this. Neither the man nor his parents sinned against God. Remember the story of the blind man?

"As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him." John 9:1-3

Like the blind man, the man with no legs was born that way. He never cared about not having legs. He was born that way. To him that was normal. But because of him, this soldier and many other people in accidents, etc., have been helped, and perhaps even saved. Was it bad for the man to be born with no legs?

I know that is extreme. What about the rest of us. We are going through life and all of a sudden, we enter into a storm, trial, and or tribulation. Well? First, always know it is God who is in charge. ALWAYS.

"O Lord, you have searched me and known me!

You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

you discern my thoughts from afar.

You search out my path and my lying down

and are acquainted with all my ways.

Even before a word is on my tongue,

behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.

You hem me in, behind and before,

and lay your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

it is high; I cannot attain it." Psalm 139:1-6

I encourage you to read all of Psalm 139. God made you. He formed you the way you are. He set up a plan and a purpose for your life. He is in charge. He is with you always, as long as you are with Him.

In Ephesians 2:10 we read this.

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

Just because we were adopted into the family of God, and we are following what He asks us to do, does not mean we will not have storms and hardships to go through. Look at Peter. Here is a guy that was right there with Jesus. Knew Jesus was God. Had no fear when the mob came to arrest Jesus, he draw his sword and cut off Malchus's ear.

"And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear." Matthew 26:51

This man also walked on water with Jesus. This man became so righteous and holy that his shadow healed people. Look at this conversation between him and Jesus.

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat," Luke 22:31

Imagine this. The Lord of Lords, the King of Kings, the great I AM, looks you in the eye and says "the devil wants you." I can imagine Peter was thinking something like, "Well I so glad you are with me. Let him come. I got you. I walked on the water with you. I know you said forget you Satan." But did He?

"But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” John 22:32

In essence, He said "Yes." Satan asked Jesus to have Peter, and Jesus basically said yes. Much like when God said this to Satan about Job.

"And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.” Job 2:6

These are men loved dearly by God. However, it does not stop the storms from coming. But in these cases, and I submit to you many others, they were sent to the people God knew would stand the storm and endure, so that, they would then go on to strengthen others.

If that is not good enough for you to understand, look at Jesus Himself. A perfect man who was completely sinless. Did He deserve storms, trials, or tribulations?

"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds, you have been healed." 1 Peter 2:24

When the storms of life come, and they will come, we must face them this way.

1- Recognize that it is normal. It is coming, here, or another one is on its way.

2 - Remember God is in charge of this, and all things, always.

3- It may be happening to you "so that" you can grow in faith, strength, and wisdom, "so that" you can help others when the storms come on them. Like with so many things, it ain't about you.

Rejoice and count it as joy, or simply endure, learn, pray, and understand. When the clouds part, the sky clears, and the sun comes back, it will be a beautiful day. When the storm happens again, or it is storming on someone else, you will be able to help strengthen them and comfort them, because God comforted and strengthened you first.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature.

If you want to tell me, comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!