Strength in the Midst of Storms

Isaiah 40:31 ESV

31 but they who wait for 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 faint.

Welcome

Thank you all for coming out today to hear a message that I believe will bring you hope and encouragement today.

Introduction

Introduce myself and things about.

I am one of the Lead Pastor alongside my husband Keith at Celebration Church in Orlando, Florida. I am the mother of 3 wonderful children. Keith Jr., De’Nira, and Caleb. I love to dance, sing at home or in the car. My husband and I have been married for 19 years. I am most passionate about encouraging people and offering the hope in Jesus. I have 2 wonderful granddaughters that I adore very much.I was raised in a Christian household; raised by my Jamaican parents. Though I was raised in church and never lost faith in God, I remember the moment that changed everything for me. It was almost 20 years ago. I was sitting in a service much like this one and God did something profound in my life. He called me into ministry alongside my husband. I knew I wasn’t going back. I knew something had shifted. Since that time, my life hasn’t been the same. I have had my highs and lows, but God has been with me every step of the way.

Honor

Thank you Pastors Dixon and Chipo Dixon. We love and honor you today. Thank you for way you, how your treat others and your dedication to the Lord. Since my family and I joined the Celebration family, my husband and I wanted to visit this amazing church. Additionally, being a part of Shine has changed my life so to be able to be here for Shine is a prayer come true.

I want to thank each of you for coming out today. The best thing you can do is create space and invest in your spiritual growth. I truly believe God is going to do something powerful today.

Thank the people

Prayer helps to reach God,

I love that our theme is STRONG. There is a scripture that Pastor Chipo shared yesterday and it confirmed what God had already spoken to me a couple of weeks ago week ago as my message today. I want to explore that today. In Isaiah 40:31, it says

Isaiah 40:31 ESV

31 but they who wait for 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 faint.

Message Title

Today, I want to talk about the power of God and how it has the ability to redeem our past, bless your present, for a better future. I have entitled this message: Strength In the Midst of the Storms.

Prayer

Jesus, I pray that you continue to allow your grace in areas of our lives that needed and that each and every person will leave here today encouraged to get back up if they have fallen and that change is never too late, and that better days are ahead for them. Speak to our hearts and our minds and help us not to lose sight of your love for us no matter what we have done. You are the one who gives us strength into hard times. Your mercies are new every morning. We thank you for that and it’s in Jesus name that we pray. Amen!

Backgound of Isaiah

Isaiah was a powerful prophet that God chose to challenge and encourage His people. This passage was inspired by the fact that God’s people were discouraged. They were in bondage and lost hope in ever being restored to their homes. Because they struggled to trust God, they took matters into their own hands and it only got worse which led to storms in their life. We can all relate to that. Moments when we fail to trust God and as a result, we find ourselves stuck and losing hope as a result of the storms that occur in our lives. However, God has an amazing way to encourage us in our most desperate moments.

English Standard Version Introduction

Isaiah lived during the decline of Israel in the shadow of Assyria. He spoke the word of God to a people who were “deaf and blind” (see 6:10), who refused to listen to his warnings of looming disaster. He warned that the sin of the people of Judah would bring God’s judgment, yet he also declared that God is sovereign and would use Cyrus the Persian to return them from exile. The book speaks of a “servant,” a “man of sorrows,” who would be “pierced for our transgressions,” accomplishing God’s purposes of salvation (52:13–53:12). The final chapters give a beautiful description of a new creation in which God will rule as King, judging the wicked and establishing eternal peace. Isaiah prophesied about 740–700 B.C. (possibly till the 680s).

However, God has an amazing way to encourage us in our most desperate moments.

I’ve learned that storms are created when a center of low pressure develops with the system of high pressure surrounding it. This combination of opposing forces can create winds and result in the formation of storm clouds. Sometimes, you will go through times where the storms in your life will have low pressures or low impact in your life. Then, all of a sudden, trials come into our lives that create high pressures or situations to cause in storms in your life. We can often get to a place where we give up, and stop believing things will get better. The first part of the scripture says we are to wait on the Lord.

Observations

But those that wait on the Lord

There are many times when we feel like our prayers have not been answered . we have been waiting for something that we have prayed and we need an immediate response. What if he had given us every thing that we prayed for? Would we even need faith to trust in him? Would immediate answered prayers require dependence on him? I don’t believe so! Can this sometimes lead to an entitlement mentality? In the waiting, we have the choice of being patient, while knowing that Jesus is working things out for the good. Or we have the choice of being inpatient, and trying to fix our own problems. Sometimes, waiting is good for us. Resurrection can happen in the waiting, miracles happen in the waiting. Peace and joy can happen in the waiting, freedom can happen in the waiting. Your delayed prayers does not mean that your prayers are denied.

Pastor Keith spoke of Lazarus yesterday, Jesus did not to respond immediately to heal Lazarus who was sick, In the process, he died. The sisters Mary and Martha had to wait for Jesus to show up. I believe some of us are waiting for Jesus to move, in your situation. Please don’t give up. Help is on the way.

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength

The Bible says in

Storms are created when a center of low pressure develops with the system of high pressure surrounding it. This combination of opposing forces can create winds and result in the formation of storm clouds. Sometimes, you will go through times where the storms in your life will have low pressures or low impact in your l

Isaiah 40:31 ESV

31 but they who wait for 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 faint.

(ESV)

31  but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;

10  fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. He will renew your strength, but this is upon you have to be willing to submit themselves to him with patience in the waiting.

they shall mount up with wings like eagles;

they shall run and not be weary;

they shall walk and not faint.  

Storms are created when a center of low pressure develops with the system of high pressure surrounding it. This combination of opposing forces can create winds and result in the formation of storm clouds. Sometimes, you will go through times where the storms in your life will have low pressures or low impact in your life. Then, all of a sudden, trials create high pressures or situations to cause in storms in your life.

The shall mount up with wings as eagles

Eagles love a the storm. When clouds gather, the eagles get excited. The eagle uses the storm s winds to lift it higher. Once it finds the wing of the storm, the eagle uses

Did you know that Eagles are the only birds that love storms. When all other birds try to flee from the storm and hide its fierceness, eagles fly into it and will use the wind of the storm to rise higher in a matter of seconds. They use the pressure of the storm to glide higher without having to use their own energy. They are able to do this because God has created them uniquely with an ability to lock their wings in a fixed position in the midst of the fierce storm winds. Challenges in the life can seem like too much to bare are. These storms we must face to rise to greater heights. Like an eagle, we can only rise to greater heights if we facechallenges head on without running away from it.

They shall run and not be weary. Weary means to be exhausted, tired of, fed up, exhausted, worn out. We can often feel like this from time to time. says, Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He doesn’t grow weary so when we when give him our burdens, he gives us strength to go on. You’re strengthened when you give him the things too heavy to carry. The Bible says some to me all who are wear and and heavy laden and I shall give you rest.

28  Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He doesn’t grow weary so when we when give him our burdens, he gives us strength to go. You’re strengthened when you give him the things too heavy to carry.

God will strengthen you

have you ever ran a race and eventually stared q

They shall walk and not faint

You will continue press through the storms and not give up. I attended college and had one of the hardest classes. I starteded to get weary, it felt like a storm I was going through. I didn’t wait to fail I cried sometimes and was very frustrated. I began to ask the Holy Spirit for direction and wisdom, I wanted to give up, but didn’t want to be defeated. The Holy Spirit guided me and I was able to pass with an A. we cannot give up or lose hope when things get difficult we must draw closer to the Holy Spirit.

We spoke of storms earlier. There are three things I believe that storms do:

·     Storms can change the environment. Storms can cause damage by bringing elements such as hail, thunder, lightning, wind, and tornados and heavy rain. These things are unpredictable, and cause disruptions in your life.

·     Storms can also bring unexpected emotions. These elements that can change the environment can bring pain…..can cause fear, worry, anxiety. These emotions can often paralyze you and prevent you from moving forward. Again in Isaiah 41:10 it says fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.

The Bible says in Isaiah 41:10

10  fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God

·     Lastly, Storms can test your faith. Many times we can feel like, God where are you? In your mind, your can doubt that things may never change. In your heart you lose hope. The Bible say’s look to the hills for which cometh your help. Point to your eyes solely on Jesus. Faith and trust have to work hand in hand. You have to trust that the Lord does not want to see you suffer and that he wants the best for you, and have faith that he will work things out for the good for those that are called according to his purpose. Faith requires action and action requires faith. That even though you do not see how to get out of the storm, you know that God wants the best for you . Without faith it’s impossible to please God.

I

In the midst of the storms, it says in Isaiah 4:6,

6 There will be a booth for shade by day from the heat, and for a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain. He protects you, he wants you safe.

6 There will be a booth for shade by day from the heat, and for a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain. 1

1 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Let me pose a question, is anyone today exexpt from going through storms?

No one is exempt from unexpected storms, not even the disciples who walked with Jesus. Jesus calms the storm when his disciples were sleeping on the boat, In it says 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” Even though Jesus was with them and they had seen the miracles that he has done, the disciples still did not believe that Jesus would rescue them. He waited to calms the storms. He didn’t respond right away. Sometimes that will be the case for us. He calms the storms of your life in the waiting with faith and trust. Sometimes we will have to walk through the storms, sometimes we will fly above the storms, sometimes we will have to face the storms head on, but we cannont let the storms destroy us. The enemy is roaming the land seeking to create choas in our lives. He’s afraid of the mighty things we will do in his name, he’s afraid of the wonderful testimonies that will come from our lives. He’s afraid that when get we through ours storms that we will not look what we have been through. He’s afraid of how STRONG we will become with Jesus leading us and being by our side every step of the way side.

1 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

There were other instances in the bible where where the winds

Sometimes we will have to walk through the storms, sometimes we will fly above the storms, but we cannont let the storms bury us. The enemy is trying to seek who he will devour and bury.

We prepare for a storms by:

How do we prepare for a storm?

We prepare for a storms by

Seeking the word of God everyday

·     Always be ready by keeping the word of God written on your hearts. The Bible speaks of being ready in season and out of season. The only way is to have a consistent relationship with God when seasons are by reading our Bibles consistentl. The word of God will strengthen you.Isaiah 40:8 - The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. The word sustains us when areas in our life start to fall apart.

Another way is by giving praise to God everyday. In Psalms 34:1-10

Evegive praise to Jesus

1 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.2 I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.3 Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together 4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant;their faces are never covered with shame.6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. 8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. 9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. 10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Praying to God everyday.

8  The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.

Prayer helps to reach God, cast our cares to him

How we strengthened in storms?

Notes:

, says pray continually

Job’s name means persecuted one

Strength to walk in faith through difficult seasons

Jesus gives you the strength to overcome, but we need the strength faith, patience, word of God, prayer and praise to get us through storms.

God not only had strength, but he distributed that strength to his people. The criterion for receiving God’s strength was not youth but trust. Those who trusted God would have an unlimited source of strength..

10  fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Jump to reference »

28  Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.

Change your mindset to what strength looks like: It says that:

He will do everything in order to restore his people to himself. The verbs (“I will make … I will turn … I will put … I will set …”) express some of the many ways in which Yahweh shows concrete concern for his people. He will not forsake them in their need. Instead, he will provide the thirsty with water and will change conditions so that his people will see the evidences of his love.

Change your mindset to what strength looks like: It says that:

There

May the God of Hagar bring you comfort in the desert

May the God of Eve teach you to dance

May the God of Hagar bring you comfort in the desert

May the God of Miriam bring companions to you when you struggle

May the God of Deborah teach you courage for your battles

May Jesus who knew Mary and Martha show you the way of balance

May Jesus who healed the women with issue of blood heal your pain

May Jesus

in the Name of Jesus, remember whzt

Change your mindset to what strength looks like: It says that:

·     You’re an overcomer

·     You’re victorious

·     You’re beautiful

·     You’re not your past and your past does not define you

·     You’re a mighty woman of God

·     You’re blessed

·     You’re the head and not the tail

·     You’re not alone

·     You’re a daughter of Jesus of Christ

You are strong