Our Lord Jesus Christ said in this life we will have trouble, but we should take heart in the fact that He has overcome - this is what overcomes = our Faith!!

The Word declares many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him from all.

We (you & I) are either out of a storm, on our way to a storm or in one.
John Eldridge: "Nothing is always what it seems, we are constantly in a war!" The Word calls this the good fight of faith.

3 Types of Storms:
· God Ordained (by design - not above our capacity)
· God Allowed (sifting of the enemy)
· Enemy Invoked (devil bully, with legal right / opportunity)

Enemy Invoked Storm (Devil Bully)

Some storms are unnecessary and authored by the enemy so we may fear / loose heart / faith. He prowls on our allowing him a hold, access, right, opportunity, open door, inroad into areas of our lives.

- Adversary - Antidikos = legal opponent
- Opportunity - Satan left Christ after tempting Him until an opportune time again.

- Role of Christ: Establishing peace through His Words.
- Our Role: Winning fear (dealing with possible legal rights) - entering into faith = taking authority!
- Jesus shows us the way: Bring peace in the midst of the storm - 1st address the legal right and/or fear.
- Eliminate risk of legal right or opportunity for enemy.
- Receive & stay in peace by remaining in rest even in the eye of the storm
- Fear - our giving voice to it - empowers the enemy against us = energizes the storm.
- Jesus is looking for faith that rests in His ability - the ability of His WORD
- Fear has a voice, Faith has a voice

God Allowed Storm: (Sifting of the Enemy)

- Role of Christ- preceding intercessory prayer.
- Our Role: to stand in faith, not wavering - sure of His Word.
- Sometimes God allows our enemy a sifting opportunity where our faith in Him and who He is and who we are in Him is challenged.
- Our faith is backed-up with His prayers – he already presents the way out even if we would fail in a storm (sifting) = grace for grace.
- Losing a battle doesn’t mean you have lost the war.
- Faith is vital = faith atmosphere creates opportunity for miracles.
- The Peter before this storm differs drastically from the Peter after this storm. From self-righteous & self-confident to Christ-righteous & God-confident.
- Storms teaches endurance, creating Godly character.

God ordained storm (By design)

- Role of Christ: Intercessory prayer.
- Our role: hosting His presence = Praise (raising a Hallelujah)
- Result: Glory acceleration into God’s will / purpose / direction
- God ordained storms though hard & difficult - designed to accelerate us into our destiny !