Calming the Storm

Alright, so here we go...my attempt at sermon notes without having actually taken any notes.

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" 
Mark 4:35-38

Possible causes of storms in our lives:

•  Bad decisions
• The enemy
• Living in a broken world

Things to remember when you are in a storm:

• You are in the storm by God's appointment.
  It was Jesus' idea for the disciples to get in the boat that day.  He know the storm would come.  He had them there for a reason. 
  
  
• You are in the storm with His presence.
  During the storm, the disciples feared for their lives, but Jesus was there with them the entire time.  Being in the stern, He may not have been visible, but he was present.
  
  "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."  Hebrews 13:5
  
  
• You are in the storm for His purpose.
  Remember, it was Jesus' idea for the disciples to be in that boat.  It was his idea for them to go through the storm.  But, there was something to be gained from it.  When we face storms in our lives, perhaps God will intervene on our behalf, or maybe He won't, but he has our best interests at heart.
  
  "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be made mature and complete, not lacking in anything."  James 1:2-4
  

"He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet!  Be still.'  Then the wind died down and it was completely calm."  Mark 4:39

Sometimes Jesus will calm the storm in our lives.  Sometimes, He calms us instead.  Either way, He says "Quiet!  Be still." 

"He said to his disciples, 'Why are you so afraid?  Do you still have no faith?'"  Mark 4:40