Ask Jonah

If we are WILLING & OBEDIENT, then we can eat the good of the land. If we refuse & rebel, we are devoured. (Isaiah 1:19-20)

Jonah refused to do what God had instructed him. He & the people whose boat he got on lost a lot in the process.

Not every storm we encounter is one that we cause. Sometimes God allows the storm. If you’re in one...check for any areas of disobedience. Rectify that & not only will the storm cease...your family & friends won’t lose everything they’ve worked hard for...trying to keep you afloat.
#NoShade

Victory is on the other side of our obedience.

“Take my heart and form it
Take my mind transform it
Take my will conform it
To Yours, to Yours, oh Lord”

Storms - Five Things

1. One WORD from Jesus can CALM even the most devastating storm! When He speaks storms don't last! #PeaceBeStill

2. Never let the storms OUTSIDE you overcome the peace INSIDE you! #PeaceBeStill

3. There are storms that impact your DESTINATION and storms that impact your PEACE. Discern the difference. #PeaceBeStill

4. By the Grace of God, we've all SURVIVED storms. Some were torna-woes & others were major life-quakes. What's your storm story? #PeaceBeStill

5. Some storms won't cease until you COMMAND them to. #PeaceBeStill

There's Always A Rainbow After The Storm

I'm prophesying this over someone RIGHT NOW...including myself:

The STORM clouds of your situation are ushering in the RAINBOW of your REVELATION! It's time to discern the difference between a SEASON and a STORM. Don't be fooled by a passing cloud! Regardless of the problem, storm, diagnosis, setback, failure, letdown, or pain--declare, "My GOD is BIGGER than this situation!"

When I was 10 years old, I used to sing this song in my local church, the Uniontown Church of God. I didn't know much about "storms" when I was 10. I hadn't really been through anything at 10. But what I sang back then is REAL to my SOUL today.

I dedicate this to anyone that may be facing something in your life.

THERE'S ALWAYS A RAINBOW AFTER THE STORM 
(Author Unknown)

The storm clouds may gather, some rain drops may fall.
There might be some heartaches & there might be some toil.
But I hear Jesus saying, “Child don't be alarmed.
For there’s always a rainbow right after a storm.”

Oh there’s always a rainbow right after a storm.
So there’s really no reason to be a all alarmed.
I can hear Jesus saying, “Child just lean on my arm.
For there’s always a rainbow, right after a storm."

When trouble surrounds you & your blessings seem few,
When it looks like that others are blessed more than you.
Just look up & praise Jesus, cause He really loves you.
Press on weary pilgrim & He’ll see you through!

Don't Be Swept Away With Fake News!

“Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.” 
Proverbs‬ ‭18:13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I know first hand how people, who have no clue, think they know so much. Truth is, they've never even talked face-to-face to the person(s) they apparently have an issue with & their fabricated information is not only ignorant it's flavored with someone else's offense.

The Scriptures teach how to handle such issues: Steer clear of these people, mark them & have no fellowship.

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭16:17-18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When it comes to Pastors in Houston, TX and churches who are working with their city to provide HELP, please don't sit in your lazy boy and form an opinion based off of social media or even the news channels that a particular church or leader isn't doing enough to help! Unless you're there FACE-TO-FACE...and can interview them & see it for yourself...your opinion doesn't matter.

On another note...why is it that people who aren't doing much constantly criticize people who are doing more! The point I'm making is, until you're actually accomplishing what they're doing for God...who are we to put our mouth on people? My parents taught me..."you keep your mouth & your hand off the man of God."

You may not like someone's methods or even their message (in the Kingdom of God), but WHO ARE YOU to even criticize? Before we speak to something we KNOW NOTHING ABOUT, let us humbly remind ourselves that we are NOTHING without the grace & mercy of God.

Those who are doing lofty things for God will always come under speculation & assumicide.

The peanut gallery will always have stones to throw & axes to grind. But those who are leading well...are looking through the windshield & not the rear view mirror.

Always remember...what goes around comes around. What you do to someone else will come back to you. It's called the law of reciprocity. If you've caused someone else severe hardship with your mouth or actions...watch out...It's just a matter of time.

If you're interested in helping some great churches in the Houston area, here's more valuable information concerning people we love & respect in God's Kingdom!

Let us continue to PRAY FOR TEXAS! We have many churches/friends that are severely affected by HURRICANE HARVEY.

Please consider DONATING to the following:

• Pastors Don Nordin & Susan Nordin | CT Church in Houston, TX:Donate Here: https://pushpay.com/pay/ctchurch/nAAx_-ri9e-QJ6KDKrC_gQ…
  
• Shawn Nelson Shannon Etdc Nelson | East Texas Dream Center in Conroe, TXDonate Here: http://easttexasdreamcenter.org/giving.html
  
• Pastors Aaron Jayne & Bobbie Jayne | Coastal Bend Family Worship Center in Aransas Pass, TexasDonate Here: https://www.gofundme.com/4c7qbrk
  
• PCG National Missions Disaster Relief Fund:
  Donate Here: https://secure-q.net/donations/PCG/670

Sincerely,

Russell & Beverly Hylton
Lead Pastors
bfwc.net

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The Things That Really Matter

We need a good rain in Indianapolis!  Unlike London or even Florida where it seemingly rains every day, we've been a little dry here in Central Indiana.  A storm blew through on Sunday and there was evidence of that storm from some of the trees that were uprooted.

The storm blows in and removes things that don't belong.  Maybe God has sent or allowed storms to come roaring into our lives so that He can remove what doesn't belong.  If it's true in nature, it's also true in our lives - the very thing you think is devastating can also be God's tool to cleanse and improve!

When I read Acts 27 I'm reminded of Paul's trip to Rome on that big cargo ship.  276 people are sailing with him and suddenly they get hit by a massive storm system that batters and threatens to destroy them!

The Bible says, "A wind of hurricane force...swept down from the island.  The ship was caught by the storm...We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard.  On the third day, they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands."

Eventually, Paul is visited by an angel.  After that encounter, Paul tells his fellow shipmates..."Keep up your courage...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.'"

Storms CLARIFY the things that really
matter and the things that really don't.  

In this case, they threw overboard cargo they thought they needed but they didn't really need.  That might be what God's trying to get you to do as the storm is battering you:

• Set some new priorities!
• Get rid of some cargo you've accumulated!
• Get rid of relationships that were hindering you!

Just as God clarified for Paul what really mattered and his LIFE MISSION, it could be that God wants to use your personal hurricane to get you to focus on what He's called you to do.

Sometimes we have a tendency to hang on to people and things that God is trying to cut out of our life for our own protection and purpose.  

Just like the storm that arose in Jonah chapter one - God allowed it to uproot what was wrong in the ship.  Sometimes, due to our own misjudgment of people's character we blindly allow Jonah's in our ship who are grossly in error through misconduct, character issues and rebellion.

If you give all your attention to Jonah, you'll neglect the PEOPLE God has called you to reach. 

Your LIFE MISSION is what matters - the things God has given you to do will survive the storm!

The hurricanes of life seem devastating some times, but He allows them to accomplish things that might not happen any other way.  Perhaps God is removing what has blocked the rays of sunshine in your life...so something beautiful can grow!

Paul encouraged his shipmates to stay in the ship during the storm.  They did.  All of them survived the storm.