Have you ever been in a serious thunderstorm. . .or maybe even a hurricane or tornado?

I’ve never been in a tornado but I have been through a couple of hurricanes and many serious thunderstorms.

During our time in Texas. . .it was not unusual to have thunderstorms with 60-70 mile an hour winds and frequent lightning strikes.  I remember one storm where there were over 1,000 lighting strikes in an hour.

When serious storms come up. . .we’re looking for a safe place. 

How would you react if you were in the middle of the sea when a violent storm arose?

Mark 4:37 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

“And a furious storm of wind [of hurricane proportions] arose, and the waves kept beating into the boat, so that it was already becoming filled.”

The disciples and Jesus were crossing the Sea of Galilee when a violent storm began to rage.  The disciples were frightened, fearful and faithless in the midst of what they perceived to be a potentially, deadly situation.

“Father, in the name of Jesus, I command this Holy Spirit led-seed to go where I tell it to go. . .to do what I tell it to do. I speak that it will not return void.  In the strong name of Jesus, by the authority of the Word in Matthew 16:19 which says that whatever is bound on earth is bound in heaven. . .I bind any and every hindering spirit that would seek crop failure for the precious seed that I’m sowing.

"The Word says in John 16:23 that whatever I ask in your name. . .you will give it to me.  Father, just as a farmer expects a harvest from the seed he sows into the ground. . .I’m claiming my mega harvest over the seed that I’ve sown.  I’m standing in expectation for an immediate bumper crop harvest.  In the name of Jesus, I pray.  Amen.”

Are you discouraged today. . .for any reason?

Have you been fighting discouragement about your family, job, health or anything else?

If you have. . .take heart.

God is on your side even in your weakness.

He’s for you when you stumble.

He’s for you even when you grumble. . .though He doesn’t like that very much.

Are you so discouraged that it makes you want to quit?

The next two statements should make you shout and send glory bumps all over your body.

First, God not only loves you. . .but He wants to help you right now.

Hold your hands up. . .what do you see?

Something to cover your mouth when you yawn. . .something to eat with. . .something to comb your hair with. . .something to help you work . . .something to help you play.

When God looks at your hands, He sees unlimited potential for blessings, miracles, and prosperity.  We already have that authority as believers!

John 3:35 says:

“The Father loved the son and placed everything in his hands.”

When the soldiers came to take Jesus captive in the Garden of Gethsemane, the first thing they did was to bind his hands.  Why?

. . .those hands had made mud, placed it on the eyes of a blind man that allowed him to see instantly.

. . .those hands took the five loaves and two fishes from a young man and fed thousands of people.

. . .those hands had been laid upon a great host of people who found His healing touch brought instant relief to their sick and suffering bodies.

. . .those hands  stopped a funeral procession. . .touched the body of a young boy and gave his mother great joy and him a new life.

. . .those hands had resurrection power -- but so do yours.