Just a nugget before I go...

Authentic faith endures through the storm.

When you see a picture of a lighthouse in a storm, as a believer do you think the lighthouse represents God? I guess it could, technically, but I think there is a better representation. Let me explain.

We all know the parable of the wise man who built his house upon the rock and the foolish man who chose the beachfront condo. Both homes were hit by storms, but only one survived. This is an obvious illustration of building your life on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ, that will support you when the storms of life hit.

Move to the lighthouse picture now. If we take that parable of the foolish man and the wise man, the lighthouse isn't God, but the lighthouse is built on the Rock. Therefore, what emulates from the lighthouse comes because of its firm foundation.

So...that makes the lighthouse believers. During the storms of life, not only are we able to survive because our foundation is secure, but we are also able to be a beacon of hope and safety during the storm. Do you see it?

Jesus said that we are the light of the world. Who needs light if the sun is shining and all is well? The light is needed in the dead of night or in the midst of the storm. Jesus' statement implies that believers are in the middle of the storm as well, but we provide the answers, the hope, the way as we walk through it as well. What a high calling we have, to be the light of the world, just as Jesus was!

So, Kristen, how exactly can I be a lighthouse in the midst of a storm? Most of us hang on to the Lord for dear life during a storm and now you're telling me that I have to be beacon of hope rather than a victim trying to survive?

Yeah, I'm saying that should be your goal. Remember, authentic faith endures through the storm. This is a recurring theme of the scriptures - Joseph, Job, Jeremiah, Noah, Esther, Ruth, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, Daniel...and the list goes on and on.

Storms are inevitable but how strong is your faith? How does one strengthen their faith? Not to sound like a broken record, but the only way to strengthen your faith is to sit around and think good thoughts about God and how you think He works in this world. Then when the storms come, you can hopefully pull on those warm fuzzies to get you through.

Okay, that was a joke.

Unfortunately that's what people do.

The only way to strengthen your faith is to know God better. The better you know Him, the more confident you will be that He is faithful and true. That's why He has given us such a huge, written account of his faithfulness. So, bottom line - you need to be in the Word, looking to increase your knowledge and understanding of God, so that when the storms hit, what you have to stand on is the firm rock and so that light emulates from your very face showing others in the midst of the storm that there is hope and there is a way to survive in Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ alone. (gasp/big breath- Was that a run on sentence or what?)

Can I get an amen?

See you all next week...