Didn't See It Coming: Jesus Is The Answer

“Miracles are not a contradiction to nature. They are only in contradiction with what we know about nature.” St. Augustine

Miracles aren’t God’s way of making things right that He couldn’t keep from happening. Miracles are God stepping into the messes sin has created to reveal His power, authority and love for His creation.

Mark 4:35-41 AMP 35 On that [same] day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side [of the Sea of Galilee].” 36 So leaving the crowd, they took Him with them, just as He was, in the boat. And other boats were with Him. 37 And a fierce windstorm began to blow, and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already being swamped. 38 But Jesus was in the stern, asleep [with His head] on the [sailor’s leather] cushion. And they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are about to die?” 39 And He got up and [sternly] rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still (muzzled)!” And the wind died down [as if it had grown weary] and there was [at once] a great calm [a perfect peacefulness]. 40 Jesus said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith and confidence [in Me]?” 41 They were filled with great fear, and said to each other, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

Jesus’ Silence Is Not Absence

Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

 “Close” is His proximity and “save” is His activity.

God’s DO is encapsulated in His I AM.

Effective Prayer contains…

“Our Father in Heaven… (Relationship)

hallowed be your name… (Worship)

Your Kingdom come Your will be done on Earth and it is in Heaven (Submission).”

Jesus Has Complete Authority Over Every Circumstance

39 And He got up and [sternly] rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still (muzzled)!” And the wind died down [as if it had grown weary] and there was [at once] a great calm [a perfect peacefulness]. 

Satan is the prince and power of the air.

Ephesians 2:1-2 “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.”

Fear Can Mature into Faith if You Will Keep Following

2 Timothy 1:7 AMP “7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].

Matthew 18:18-20 AMP 18 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth shall have [already] been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [permit, declare lawful] on earth shall have [already] been loosed in heaven. 19 “Again I say to you, that if two believers on earth agree [that is, are of one mind, in harmony] about anything that they ask [within the will of God], it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in My name [meeting together as My followers], I am there among them.”  “There among them!”

Prayer Is Not A Passive Response to Storms

·      Prayer moves the heart of God.

·      Prayer softens my heart to hear from God.

·      Prayer links His presence & power to my situation.

·      There are no miracles without prayer.

·      Prayer is a weapon in spiritual warfare.

·      Worship and Praise is a weapon in spiritual warfare.

·      The Word of God is a weapon in spiritual warfare.

·      Speaking a prophetic word is a weapon of spiritual warfare.

·      Tears of lament and humility are weapons of spiritual warfare.