Believing God in the Storms Matthew 14:22-33: And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. Jesus promised us He would never leave us or forsake us, for He said in Hebrews 13:5,... I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. With those words alone, it s enough to know He ll always take care of us, just as He did during the storm. Though we do not see Him physically, we can rest assured that He s with us in the storms of life. He never fails to come through; all we have to do is put our trust in Him and Him alone. The best way to do that is by meditating on God s Word, as we see in Philippians 4:6-8: Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Meditating on the Word helps calm us down in storms; it reassures us that God will see us through. Proverbs 3: 5-6 says, Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
The enemy, which is the devil, brings all kinds of imaginations to our mind, producing fear, doubt and unbelief. The pressure can seem severe at times, as though one can t take anymore. That s where speaking and meditating on the Word becomes invaluable. Many dear believers lose the battle of faith, because they become persuaded and succumb to the thoughts of their mind. The scriptures say in 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; James 1:1-8: James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. We are spirit beings, but we do have a mind, as well as a body. Satan is going to do all he can to get us to walk by sight and to go by what we see, think or feel, in order to get us in discouragement and despondency. At times like that, the only way out of the attack that comes against us is God s Word. If we back off of the Word, we immediately begin to sink lower into doubt, fear and unbelief, just as Peter did. Fear is a real spiritual force that comes to all of us. It is a weapon of Satan used to destroy us. Like any other weapon, or anything else from Satan, it s our responsibility to resist, rebuke and refuse it. A way that this can be done is by saying: "Satan, it s written, God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind; greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. In Jesus Name, I cannot be defeated, for I am standing on the Word, and the Word never fails!" Some attacks are more severe than others, but God has promised us in His Word, according to 1 Corinthians 10:13 that He s provided a way of escape: There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may
be able to bear it. And He won t allow anything to come to us that we cannot overcome with His Word, the Name of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. Though at the time, if you go by your feelings and the way things look, you d say there s no way! We have to remember: With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible (Mark 10:27). We must keep standing and fighting the good fight of faith and bear hardness as a good soldier. Sooner or later, Satan will have to flee, because he s no match for the Word or the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God spoken out of a believer s mouth in faith, in the Name of Jesus. I want to encourage you to take a promise of God --a verse of scripture-- and begin to apply it to the problem that you re faced with. Just keep saying, "Satan is written," then quote a verse of scripture and then say, "In the Name of Jesus." For example, if it is a financial problem, say: "Satan, it is written, my God shall supply all of my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus, and Jesus said I can have what I say, and I say my bills are paid, in Jesus Name." As long as the attack is on, keep that verse coming out of your mouth, along with the Name of Jesus. Once you win one battle in faith, you can win any battle with the same principles. Is it easy to do? No, but it sure is rewarding. I m giving you verses to use in the area of your finances. Mark them in your Bible and read them to yourself as many times daily as the need be. Proverbs 3:9,10: Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. Proverbs 11:24-25: There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. Ecclesiastes 11:1: Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
Malachi 3:10-12 10Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 11And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. 12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts. Mark 10:29,30 29And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel s, 30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. 2 Corinthians 9:6-11: But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. Galatians 6:7-9: Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Ephesians 4:28: Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Philippians 4:13-14;16-19: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. 15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I
desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Colossians 3:17: And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. 1 Timothy 6:17-18: But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well. Hebrews7:8: And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. Remember, God wishes above all things that you prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers (3 John 2). Your Word of faith pastor, Pastor Jesse Rich Jesse Rich Ministries P.O. Box 237170 New York, NY 10023 PHONE: (212) 501-7999 Email: www.jesserichministries.com/contact.htm To be REMOVED from this list - Click contact link above - send REMOVE message Website: www.jesserichministries.com