sunday's scuds (july 1, 2007)

We kicked off the Miracles series...and what an incredible way to begin the month (see the post below this one). Our first miracle: Calming the storm. Here are the scuds:

• "I know a lot of Christians who would say, 'You know what? I became a Christian and life got hard." Just because you are a Christ-follower does not mean that you are exempt from the storms of life."
• "God knew before you were born what was going to be happening during this season of your life. You're in the storm by his appointment."
• "You might be some place you wish you weren't. And God may be taking you some place that he really wants you to go."
• "God is a good enough God to bring about good in all things...to those who love him and are called according to his purpose."

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. Romans 8:28

• "Do you realize that God never calls an emergency meeting? God never panics. In the middle of the storm, think about this: though unseen, he is there."
• "Not only (through the storm) were the disciples able to face their greatest fear (death), they would later willingly surrender to death saying, 'I would never deny the One who gave it all for me.'"
• "The thing that had the biggest stronghold on them--they became free of."
• "God did more than just the miracle of calming the storm. He did a miracle right there in their hearts."
• "In storms, we want God to do a removing job. But he wants to do an improving job."
• "Maybe he wants to improve something in us that he couldn't do any other way."

There are those of you who are going to have God speak to your storm. He's going to heal you...he's going to restore your marriage...he's going to miraculously provide for you financially...he's going to answer your prayer...he's going to say to your storm, "Be still."

Others of you, your storm will continue to rage on and he will say to your heart, "Be still." And it will. And both will be miracles. Maybe the one where you have peace while all hell is breaking loose is the more impressive one.