Sunday, February 17, 2019

Laugh Again

(Revelation 1:18 NKJV) “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” 


STORMS 


Acts 27:13-20) “When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had obtained what they wanted; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the "northeaster," swept down from the island. The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along…We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. On the third day, they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.” 


 Storms are inevitable. 



(John 16:33) “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” 


 Storms are unpredictable. 


(Jeremiah 4:20) “Disaster follows disaster; the whole land lies in ruins. In an instant my tents are destroyed, my shelter in a moment.”


 Storms are impartial. 


(Matthew 5:45) “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” 


 Storms are temporary. 



(Hebrews 10:35-37) “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.” 



LAUGH AGAIN 



(Psalm 126:1-6 MSG) “A pilgrim song It seemed like a dream, too good to be true, when God returned Zion's exiles. We laughed, we sang, we couldn't believe our good fortune. We were the talk of the nations— ‘God was wonderful to them!’ God was wonderful to us; we are one happy people. And now, God, do it again— bring rains to our drought-stricken lives So those who planted their crops in despair will shout hurrahs at the harvest. So those who went off with heavy hearts will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing.” 



1. Stop focusing on the past. 

(Philippians 1:12) “Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” 


2. Discover the new opportunities.


(Philippians 1:13-14) “As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.” 


3. Focus on what really matters. 


(Philippians 1:21) “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”


Video
https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/laugh-again

Chris Hodges, Church of the Highlands

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