Right Now Part 2: Storms and Stories

September 5, 2021   /   Bonita Valley Community Church

Big Idea: “No storm will ever have the last word with your story!”

 

Acts 8:1-3- Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.

 

Acts 9:1-2- Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest. He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains.

 

Acts 8:4- But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.”

 

2 things to do when the enemy is trying to hijack your story…

 

1. Don’t give the enemy a at your table

 

Psalm 23:5- “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”

 

4 ways to know when the enemy is at our table…

  • When we’re entertaining the idea that life is better at another table
  • When we’re thinking we’re not going to make it
  • When we’re hearing we’re not good enough
  • When we’re believing everyone is against us

 

1 Peter 5:8-9- 8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.”

 

2. Replace the lies from the enemy by God’s truth

 

Lie from the enemy

“I am weak and powerless”

 

Truth from God’s Word

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength”

Philippians 4:13

 

Lie from the enemy

“I am unlovable to God and others”

 

Truth from God’s Word

“God loves you with an everlasting love”

Jeremiah 31:3

 

Lie from the enemy

“I’ll never be free from my past”

 

Truth from God’s Word

“There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus”

Romans 8:1

 

Lie from the enemy

“I am worthless and irrelevant”

 

Truth from God’s Word

“I am God’s Masterpiece”

Ephesians 2:10

 

Lie from the enemy

“I am rejected and abandoned”

 

Truth from God’s Word

“God promised He’d never leave us or forsake us”

Hebrews 13:5

 

Lie from the enemy

“God doesn’t care about me”

 

Truth from God’s Word

“Cast all your cares on God because He cares for you”

1 Peter 5:7

 

Lie from the enemy

“I can’t win this battle I’m fighting”

 

Truth from God’s Word

“God is bigger than what I’m facing right now”

1 John 4:4

Save PDF Locally

Click to save a copy of the filled-in notes to a PDF file on your device

Save PDF to Google Drive

Click to save a copy of the filled-in notes to a PDF file on your Google Drive account

(For Apple devices, use Chrome browser or go to SETTINGS>SAFARI and uncheck BLOCK POPUPS.)