Ralph: Have the storms of life ever rocked your boat?
I'm talking about those sudden crisises that come out of nowhere and they threaten to capsize your faith.
Well, my friends, let me start by saying you're not alone.
That's a topic for today.
So join me on this journey and I will share some ways to weather the storm.
I'm going to help you through that storm.
My friends.
Intro: Welcome to the Ask Ralph Podcast, where listening to an experienced financial professional with over 30 years of experience can help you make sense of confusing questions, current headlines, and industry trends about taxes, small business, financial decision making, investment strategies, and even the art of proper budgeting.
Ask Ralph makes the complex simple by sharing his real world knowledge from a Christian perspective with all things financial.
Now here's your host, Ralph Estep, Jr.
Ralph: Welcome to our spiritual Sunday show.
I'm so glad you chose to join us.
I just want to thank you for listening and more importantly, supporting the program.
I'm coming in today from the Estep Farm at the Saggio Accounting studio . It's a bit of a storm going on outside.
Let me put on my podcaster hat and put down those overalls and let's move that adding machine to the side this morning and let's get into some financial wisdom from a Christian perspective.
Don't forget to subscribe to the show and join our email list.
You do that at askralphpodcast.com . So you don't miss tomorrow show tomorrow is going to be a great show.
My friends we are going to be talking about balancing your business and your marriage.
That's a tough topic, but I've got some ideas that may just help you find a healthier balance.
So you don't want to miss tomorrow show.
We also just launched an insider's group on Facebook and I encourage each of our listeners to join the group, to continue the conversation from this show.
It's a great place to share ideas for the show.
Discuss your triumphs and your challenges.
I have a link to the Facebook group in the show notes.
Well, let's start with today's Bible verse and it comes to us from the book of mark chapter four, verse 39.
And it says this.
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves.
Quiet.
Be still then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
In mark four Jesus and his disciples encounter a fierce storm while crossing the sea of Galilee.
The wind is howling.
Waves are crashing over the sides of the boat.
And the disciples are terrified.
They cry out to Jesus teacher.
Don't you care if we drown?
Jesus stands up and rebukes the wind and the waves saying quiet.
Be still.
And just like that the storm stops.
Everything becomes completely calm.
What I love about this story is that Jesus is right there with the disciples in the storm.
And with just a word from Jesus the chaos and the fear.
Are replaced with peace and stillness.
No matter what storms you're facing today, Jesus is right there with you.
He has the power to speak peace into any crisis.
My prayer is that through exploring this passage together, we'll find renewed hope and confidence that Jesus can come any storm.
So let's dive right in.
Friendi of 2020 taught us anything it's that storms will inevitably come.
No one is immune to hardships in crisis.
At some point in all of our lives, the winds and the waves will threaten to overwhelm us.
But just like disciples.
We have a savior who is greater than any storm.
Jesus has a Supreme power over every force of nature and circumstance.
With just a word.
He can transform chaos into calm.
So what are some action steps?
We can take the weather life stars with Jesus.
How can we lean into his peace when trials come?
Here are three truths to remember.
Number one.
Storms reveal places where our faith needs to grow.
When a crisis hit it quickly exposes, cracks and weaknesses in our faith foundation.
Sudden storms test what we really believe about God's goodness and sovereignty.
The disciples had seen Jesus perform many miracles.
Yet these still panicked in the storm.
Saying don't you care?
If we drown, they cried out.
Clearly their faith had some room for growth.
But Jesus, wasn't mad at them for their doubt and fear.
He simply spoke peace into the chaos, then gently asked why are you so afraid?
Do you still have no faith?
God often allows storms for this very reason.
To reveal places where our faith needs to be refined.
And matured.
So don't beat yourself up when trials expose, fear or doubt.
Bring it to Jesus so he can replace it with deeper trust.
Number two.
Focus on the presence of Jesus in the storm.
Notice that Jesus was right there in the boat during the violent squall, he never left or abandoned his disciples though.
They accused them of not caring.
Jesus remained present.
Despite their lack of faith.
In the same way we can be confident that Jesus is always with us in our storms.
He promises to never leave us nor forsake us, no matter how high the waves or windy the night.
It's easy to think Jesus is distant or asleep when storms come.
But scripture says he is an ever present help in trouble.
As Psalm 46 1.
He promises to be with us to the end of the age.
That's Matthew 28, 20.
So focus on Jesus' presence when storms come, not the overwhelming waves.
Call out to him in your fear and uncertainty.
He is Immanuel.
That is God with us.
And number three.
Allow Jesus to speak peace into your storm.
The disciples had zero ability to calm the storm on their.
Own.
But with one divine word from Jesus, the winds and the waves became completely still.
It was that quick.
Friend only Jesus has the power to speak peace into the chaos you're facing today.
No storm is too big for the prince of peace.
So come to him in complete dependence.
Surrender your helplessness and ask him to quiet the storms in your heart and in your mind.
Listen for his gentle whisper saying peace.
Be still.
Allow his voice to drown out the howling winds of fear and doubt.
Jesus's words, bring supernatural, calm that transcends any circumstance.
As you continue to lean into his presence and power, he will give you grace to weather.
Any storm.
Allow me to ask a closing prayer.
Lord Jesus.
You are the prince of peace.
The one whom wind and waves obey.
Thank you for promising to be with us through every storm.
Forgive us for doubting your goodness in hard times.
Teach us to fix our eyes on you rather than the surrounding storms.
Remind us of your constant presence, even in our darkest night.
Still the winds of fear and anxiety raging within us.
Speak peace and calm into our chaos.
Surround us with your powerful love.
Give us unwavering confidence that you will lead us safely through storms now and forevermore.
Amen.
In this episode, we explored how to weather the storms of life and find peace in Jesus.
Through examining the story of Jesus calming the storm from mark four, we discussed how storms reveal places our faith needs to grow.
Keeping our focus on Jesus's presence in the chaos and surrendering to his power to speak supernatural peace into any circumstance.
No wind or wave is too big for our savior.
Call out to him in your time of need and allow his voice to quiet.
The storms within.
Friends.
I pray.
Today's message.
Encourage you to keep your eyes on Jesus.
In the midst of life's storms, he is indeed our shelter in the storm.
And will speak supernatural peace.
If we only call out to him.
Don't lose heart or give way to fear.
Our savior is greater than any force on heaven or on earth.
To dig deeper into God's word on this topic.
Visit askralphpodcast.com . And check out the show notes.
Be sure to share this episode with a friend or family member who needs reminding of Jesus's power and presence today.
And remember when storms come.
Fix your eyes on the prince of peace.
He is in your boat.
And he'll calm the wind and waves with just a word.
As I always say, stay financially savvy and may God bless you on this Sunday.
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And remember, financial issues don't have to be complicated.
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