Maybe it's time to talk to Him!

As I continue to share what our Lord taught me from a wonderful message by one of God’s servants concerning, Why God allows storms into our lives that we cannot handle unless we depend on Him, I want to begin with an aspect of this story that really encouraged my heart. The two hail storms that took place here in Wylie, Texas damaged 80% of the buildings in the city! One that was damaged very much was the building of the Church I attended. Many windows shattered, holes in the roof, in fact the chapel building they have, has been closed due to danger from the damage. Their front entrance for their main building cannot be used due to “structural” damage to the main pillars! What filled my heart with joy was the first Sunday after the storm, which is when I attended, the Pastor shared with his family here that they should not waste any of their time focused on repairing their facility…not now, that can happen later. 
Right now they were to focus on how to help their community and model the love of Christ. This local family of God mobilized with such fervor, that major stores, which if I named you would recognize, have donated wood, nails, tarps, plastics, rooms of food; all to this local Body, because they are witnessing how they are giving all they have to help their community recover! They are becoming “Jesus in the flesh” to people that do not know Him, some that may not even care about Him. They are helping with no strings attached because they love their neighbors…Because Jesus loves their neighbors! This is what “Christian” means! Representing Christ to everyone, even those that may not like Him.

To review: Remember we are in, 2 Corinthians 12:7–17. We are discovering why God allows difficult times into the lives of those He loves. 
The first fruit is:

·      1. To develop humility!

Don’t ever underestimate how beautify a humble spirit is to the Lord. God loves when we recognize what sin has done to us. Humility opens the door to allow God to lift you up. Most times I have found when I am lifting myself up…I am standing on someone else’s head that I stepped on in my desire to be noticed. When God lifts you up, you are standing in the palm of His hand, there…because your Creator is honoring you!

Another reason our Lord allows “life” to happen to us just like it happens to all that live in a fallen world is:

2. To drive you to pray.

v. 8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.

Paul had a continual issue that caused suffering in his life and he did what Christ commanded all of us to do, Pray!

* John 14:13–14 “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ “If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.

* John 16:24 You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.

Sadly, due to the pollution of the “health, wealth & prosperity” movement this verse has been so prostituted that many believe this means they can demand from God what they want…and then if they sprinkle the name Jesus into the mix, He will be forced to give it to them. Nothing is further from the Truth or more disgusting!

What Jesus said was not, “I am the genie, now just rub the bottle (ask) and it will be done for you!” He was inviting us to have the joy and confidence to never fear any obstacle, any task, need…anything, ever again, because now we have a direct line to the One Who possesses all power. If we desire to see Him move in any situation, we can ask Him to lead and supply. He promised to do so, however it is clear from Scripture, He will do it His way and to the outcome He desires. That is because He is perfect, sinless and knows all. We are influenced by our sin nature and it desires things that will destroy us! 

Not only does God desire us to learn to pray led by His Spirit, when we experience difficult times with others, He will help us lead others to prayer and even model how to approach our Creator!

The Scriptures are full examples of individuals, due to a storm in their life, have come to the end of themselves, and God has placed one of His children their to be able to help them approach the Throne of grace!

One of my favorite examples is the Philippian jailer. He was just doing his job when his whole world crashed in…literally! The jail crumbled as God shook the earth, and when he saw it, he knew his life would pay for it.

Acts 16:27–30 The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. ²⁸ But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!” ²⁹ The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. ³⁰ Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

In Acts 20, Paul was saying goodbye to individuals he had poured his life into, they were very distressed. What did he do?

Acts 20:36–38  When he had finished speaking, he knelt and prayed with them. ³⁷ They all cried as they embraced and kissed him good-bye. ³⁸ They were sad most of all because he had said that they would never see him again. Then they escorted him down to the ship.

You say, but Nate they were still sad! Yes, God never said He would deliver us FROM the pain and emotion. He promised to deliver us THROUGH it! These very same disciples of Paul stood firm in their faith and passed the Truth of God’s message on to the next generation. How many times during suffering they must have returned to that time that their mentor took them to the Throne of grace and in one accord they committed to finish the race to the end!.

God wants you to learn to pray authentically…in the will and desires of Jesus Christ! That’s what it means to pray in His name! Not this self-sovereign, egocentric dribble that shouts constantly on the airways from men and women that have fallen into the trap that Paul warned Timothy of:

1 Timothy 6:5 These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.

When we know how to approach Him, we can help others do the same.

Meditation: When a storm appears, what do you do? Why? Do you commune with God on a regular basis? If you don’t, what difference would that make in your life, before a storm hits? How about in the middle of the storm? When the damage of the storm is in your face, do you sense concern for others, or self only?