9-A-Step-Of-Faith-Managing-Surprises

This Bible study episode is about managing surprises, both pleasant and unpleasant. Surprises can throw us off if we're not prepared for them. Pleasant surprises make us feel loved and valued, while unpleasant surprises can cause distress and setbacks. However, Jesus told us that we will face tribulations in this world, but we should be of good cheer because he has already overcome them. We should not let unpleasant surprises hinder us from taking a step of faith. The lesson from Matthew 8 is that if our mission is something Jesus approves of, he will be with us and help us overcome any storms. We can trust that if we take a step of faith with Jesus, we will be successful and not be drowned. The episode also discusses what to do when demons or devils show up during our journey of faith. Hello, we welcome you to join this chariot for a five-minute Bible study. This ninth episode on A Step of Faith is titled Managing Surprises, Part One. My name is Greg Alabi and I'm inviting you to come let us study the Bible together. Surprises are those events that happen that we do not see coming. Surprises are able to throw us off if we are not strong or ready for them. Surprises can sometimes come as a shock. If we are not watchful, they can actually do some damage. Pleasant surprises are great. Although we may not foresee pleasant surprises coming, but they are fun to experience. They make us feel loved, feel wanted, feel valued, feel appreciated, and feel a sense of belonging. But unpleasant surprises are just the very opposite. Unpleasant surprises can cause a lot of distress. Unpleasant surprises can cause some amount of loss, setback, heartbreaks, or even make us appear like as if we do not know what we are doing. Unpleasant surprises are not something we fully prepare for, nor something we have the skills or resources to manage. Unpleasant surprises have caused some people to outrightly abandon the mission or the project. Some people are quick to even conclude that unpleasant surprises are a sign from God that they should not proceed. But Jesus already told us in John 16, verse 33, that these things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In this world, ye shall have tribulations, but be of good cheers, and have overcome the world. The lesson here, tribulations and challenges should not come as a surprise. Jesus already told us that we would have them as long as we are in the world. But the good news is that Jesus himself said we should be of good cheers. We should cheer up and not be in shock or surprise because he has already overcome any potential unpleasant surprises. Unpleasant surprises should not hinder us or stop us from taking the step of faith. Rather, we should know how to manage them and we take that step of faith. Now, let's learn some valuable lessons on how to handle unforeseen unpleasant surprises. Matthew chapter 8, verse 23 to 34. It was Jesus himself that asked his disciples to come with him to sail by a boat across the lake or across the sea. His disciples followed him. Jesus slept off. Shortly after, there arose a stormy wind that almost drowned them. The disciples woke Jesus up to address the problem. Jesus rebuked the wind, and then in verse 26, there was a great calm. Everything and everywhere was peaceful. Verse 28, upon arrival on the other side, you will expect some important dignitaries to come welcome Jesus to town, but not so. Jesus and his disciples, having narrowly escaped being drowned in a sinking ship that almost killed them, instead, they were met by two men who were demon possessed coming straight from a burial ground, the cemetery, looking exceedingly fierce. Nobody ventured past that road. Now, let's stop at this point and learn some valuable lessons on managing surprises when we take the step of faith to accomplish something important. First lesson here is in verse 23. Let's be sure that our mission or our journey is a project that Jesus will be glad to be involved in. The lesson, if we intend to take a step of faith to do the wrong thing or go the wrong place, will Jesus come with us? My point here, are we sure that where we are going, what we are embarking upon, is something Jesus will proudly come along and be involved in gladly? Second lesson is in verse 24. There arose a stormy wind, but Jesus fixed the problem. The lesson, if what we embark upon is something Jesus will gladly be involved in, be sure, if any storm arises, Jesus will save us. Now, verse 28 is our third lesson. They arrived safely on the other side. Hallelujah! The lesson, we have an assurance that if we take a step of faith with Jesus on our side, we will cross over successfully, we will not be drowned. Fourth lesson is in verse 28. Two men who were demon-possessed, fierce-looking, came out of the graveyard to meet with them. The lesson, what should we do when demons or devils show up when we take a step of faith? Even when we are sure that God led us into this, we will discuss that in our next episode. Well, let us pray. Father, thank you for the lessons we are learning. Father, we pray that you give us the faith to trust you to take the step of faith, despite whatever is in our front. Give us the skills to manage them, in Jesus' name. Amen. You may request your subsequent copies by sending an email to gregalabee at gmail.com. Please visit our website, gregalabee.com. You will find the podcast of previous, current, and future episodes. God bless you.