CLARITY

“Clarity in the Storm”
Pastor Doug Heisel – October 23, 2022

What to do When Facing a “Storm”

1. TUNE IN TO HEAVEN: God wants to give you clarity, which involves TUNING OUT other competing voices.
   
   Acts 27:10-12 — Paul warned them, “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there.
   

2. TRUST GOD’S GOODNESS & SOVEREIGNTY: Difficulty is not evidence of God’s absence or lack of concern. It may be the TURNING POINT that propels you to the next place He wants to use you.
   
   Acts 27:21-26 — After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss.
   
   But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed.
   
   Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’
   
   So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.”
   
   What’s coming against you can be PREPARATION for where God wants to take you.
   

3. SHAKE OFF TOXIC THOUGHTS: The “storm” on the INSIDE can do more lasting damage than the storm on the outside.
   
   Acts 28:1-6 — Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold.
   
   Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.”
   
   But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.
   
   Acts 28:30-31 — For two whole years Paul stayed there (in Rome) in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!