
After they finished their song for the team in order to clear the schoolroom, I asked the children if they wanted to hear a story. With big smiles they all said, “yes!”
So I took them outside to the sidewalk in front of the adjacent classroom and I began this story…
“How many of you were frightened or sorry that the storm came?
Hands went up…did you cry? Heads shook yes…
Well there once was a little girl and like you she got sad and scared at times…her father would drink alcohol and get angry. She felt sad and did not know what to do…when she was ten years old she met a lady who told her about God who created the world and he was a Holy God. Do you know what Holy is?” Their faces looked with eagerness to know the answer…”Holy is something that is so good, so very, very good and it is separate from what is wrong or bad.
Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (NIV)
I love the way the Messages puts it…
Matthew 5:8, “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right.
Then you can see God in the outside world.” (MSG)
I continued, “And God who is Holy and good…loves you and you (as I gestured to the different children) and me so very much that he gave his Son to us and his name is Jesus…do you know who he is?”
John 3:36, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.” NIV
John 5:24, “I tell you the truth: eternal life belongs to those who hear My voice and believe in the One who sent Me. These people have no reason to fear judgment because they have already left death and entered life.” (VOICE)
All together they replied, “Jesus is God”; they are taught the principles of good character as a result of who God is in public school, but not that you can have a personal relationship with Him by asking Jesus into your heart. To just have the knowledge and then lack the belief…does result in relationship with God.
1 Peter 3:18, “Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.” (NLT)
Do you know God? Do you truly know…that you know God and his love?
We all experience storms in one way or another in our lives;
Some of the storms are a result of our surroundings and others…
Those storms...are the ones we create...we can become the "Storm Makers"
If the truth be known we bring them on our selves.
Yes, it is true if we would be honest…not everything in this world is good and we are included in this.
Have you ever disliked someone…Hated so deeply that it caused pain in someone’s life?
Taken something that didn’t belong to you…as to benefit your own needs casting theirs aside?
It is referred to as stealing
Caused another person to hurt…so you could feel better about yourself?
How about the simplicity of casting yourself in a positive light…when really none of what you said is true?
Or maybe you are a fantastic person...and for sure...you are always available to boast about it!
Have you ever just past something by…not showing kindness when you were capable of making a difference?
Do you stuff alcohol, drugs, food, your job, who you "think" the world wants you to be...
In the number one place in your life as a safety net...
Instead of a relationship with God?
We have all allowed the winds of destruction to howl around us, because of the choices we make.
These storms that rage, come in many different forms, don't they?
Well why not change course?
Instead of you taking control…let God carry you through...by putting your life into his hands!
Trust me…no...Trust God…you will never...ever...regret it!
Caprice <><
Acts 3:19, “So now you need to rethink everything
and turn to God so your sins will be forgiven and a new day can dawn,
days of refreshing times flowing from the Lord.”
(VOICE)