2. Mark 4:35-41 35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." 36 And leaving the crowd, they took Him with them in the boat, just as He was. And other boats were with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" 39 And He awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." 36 And leaving the crowd, they took Him with them in the boat, just as He was. And other boats were with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" 39 And He awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"

3. Chippie the Parrot

5. The recent images of “The Flood of 08’ ” are a reminder of the surge of troubles we can instantly undergo

8. Bible stories Hebrew children in the fiery furnace Daniel in the lions den Joseph and his adventures Sampson and his eye gouging Paul – shipwrecked/beaten/imprisoned John – exiled to Patmos James – beheaded David – fleeing for his life Peter – imprisoned

9. II Corinthians 4:8-10 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

10. Psalm 34:19 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all

11. “The road to success is always under construction. It seems that those who seem to have it hard always get more done.”

12. Story of Steve “The Storms of Life”

13. Had a beautiful wife, two wonderful children. Had a nice house on a quiet street. Had job most would envy. Cutting back at work/management Lost his job Bills piled up Led to stresses at home “The Storms of Life”

14. Have you ever experienced those storms? When you have more problems than faith? When you were afraid that you would be taken over by the storm? When things just don’t make sense anymore? To be honest I think we all have experienced those storms… even the apostles… as we read in Mark 4:35-41.

15. Mark 4:35-41 35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." 36And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" 41And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." 36And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" 41And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"

16. The Storms WILL Come

17. Even when things are going great, you need to have faith in Christ…because the stormsEven when things are going great, you need to have faith in Christ…because the storms will come. Sometimes the storm will be spiritual, other times it may be mental or physical, but they will come.Sometimes the storm will be spiritual, other times it may be mental or physical, but they will come. The question is how will you deal with them when they come? (Never give up! Realize it’s a test/trial/temptation.)The question is how will you deal with them when they come? (Never give up! Realize it’s a test/trial/temptation.) Keep focused. It’s easy to lose focus when Satan distracts usKeep focused. It’s easy to lose focus when Satan distracts us Finally we must remember. Remember to have faith in Christ! With faith in Christ, no matter how bad things get, we know the storm won’t stick around forever.Finally we must remember. Remember to have faith in Christ! With faith in Christ, no matter how bad things get, we know the storm won’t stick around forever.

18. The Storms WILL Go

19. I’ve never seen a storm that stuck around forever. No matter how bad things get, the storm will pass.I’ve never seen a storm that stuck around forever. No matter how bad things get, the storm will pass. The disciples saw the same when the Son came out and calmed the sea and the storm.The disciples saw the same when the Son came out and calmed the sea and the storm. When we get to the point when we remember we can’t do it alone and turn to Christ, He will strengthen us/comfort us and He will calm the storm.When we get to the point when we remember we can’t do it alone and turn to Christ, He will strengthen us/comfort us and He will calm the storm. But the question is, what do we do with Jesus after the storm is gone? We must put our faith in Him! He is there to lead us.But the question is, what do we do with Jesus after the storm is gone? We must put our faith in Him! He is there to lead us.

20. Jesus Always Remains

21. Just because He’s there in the storms, doesn’t mean you can’t look for Him in the good times.Just because He’s there in the storms, doesn’t mean you can’t look for Him in the good times. He wants to be there in the good times and bad.He wants to be there in the good times and bad. He wants to share your joys and sorrowsHe wants to share your joys and sorrows Even the disciples didn’t turn to Him until things were REALLY bad, which shows they too had a lot to learn.Even the disciples didn’t turn to Him until things were REALLY bad, which shows they too had a lot to learn.

22. Footprints poem

23. One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there were one set of footprints. This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints. I could see only one set of footprints.

24. So I said to the Lord, "You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?" The Lord replied, "The times when you have seen only one set of footprints in the sand, is when I carried you." Mary Stevenson Mary Stevenson

25. A Closer Look

26. I don’t think it’s so much the last verse but the main portion that says that there were two sets of footprints. Jesus was always there with us and we with Him. Jesus ALWAYS remains!

27. Steve revisited

28. “I thought I could do it on my own. I thought Jesus was only there to help in time of trouble. However when the storms hit my life, I began to read my Bible and I found out that Jesus always remains. He’s there in the good times and the bad. And all I had to do is remember to put my faith in Him.”

29. Ps 34:18-19 18The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. 19A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;

30. So if we are going to have storms, and they will go away, knowing that Jesus is always there for us… Why is God allowing these storms? Why me? What purpose do they serve? I’ve come up with a few good reasons

31. To Direct Us

32. Sometimes God must light a fire under us to get us moving. Problems often point us in a new direction and motivate us to change. So maybe it’s a way for God to get our attention

33. Proverbs 20:30 Blows and wounds cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being.

34. The world deceives us. It says, “If there is a God, then why do we have to suffer? Why do we have to go through this pain?” God could have kept Daniel from the lion’s den, David away from Saul, Paul and Silas from jail; but it was good for them to go through what they did. To mold them into what they would become through God.

35. To Inspect Us

36. People are like tea bags… If you want to find out what is inside of them, Drop ‘em in hot water Has God ever tested you? What did those test reveal about you?

37. James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

38. To Correct Us

39. Some lessons are learned the hard way. Like a child who after being told not to touch something, does anyways and gets hurt. Sometimes we only learn the value of something by losing it.

40. Psalm 119:71 It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees

41. To Connect Us

42. When someone is sick or dying, family comes in from all over to be together during their hard time. Trouble brings people together, It also brings people to the Lord. Then it draws people to the church. (families after a funeral) People attend church more, during troubled times.

43. To Protect Us

44. A problem can be a blessing when it protects you from something more harmful. A man was fired from his job in management when he refused to act unethically. His unemployment was a problem but it was better than spending time in jail with his boss who was later convicted of multiple crimes.

45. Genesis 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

46. To Perfect Us

47. Problems when handled correctly build character. God is more interested in your character than in your comfort. Your relationship with God and your character are the only two things you are going to take with you into eternity.

48. Romans 5:3-4 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope

49. Psalm 71:19-21 19 Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, you who have done great things. Who, O God, is like you? 20 Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. 21 You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.

50. Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

51. The graduate degree of spirituality comes from attending … the University of Hard Knocks

52. To Project Us

53. Philippians 1:12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel

54. When you get it you get it! It’s not about poor me, But praise be to God In all situations

55. A final lesson from the Eagle

56. The eagle knows the storm is approaching long before it hits. The eagle will fly to a high spot and wait for the storm’s winds to come. When the winds hit, the eagle will set it’s wings and allow the wind to pick it up and allow it to soar above the storm. While the storm rages below the eagle soars above. The eagle doesn’t escape the storm, it simply uses it to soar higher.

57. When the storms of life come upon us, We can rise above them by setting our minds on God. Then the storm will not overcome us. We can allow God to lift us up by His power. It’s not the burdens of this life that weigh us down…but rather how we handle them. Isaiah 40:31 “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not be faint.”