Theme: Unconditional Faithfulness in God (Revelation 2:10) Text: Acts 8:1-4; 2 Corinthians 4:8–9 Introduction I became a Christian when I was thirteen years old. Before my conversion, I was a Muslim. I had memorized a huge portion of the Quran and led public prayers at the Mosque. After studying the Bible with World Bible School and learning about God’s plan of salvation, I was baptized, though unknown to my family. I knew if they found out that I was baptized that I would suffer for this decision. Every Sunday, I went to meet with the church without permission. I would wait until no one was around and literally escaped to worship. Every time, I would return to a fine spanking from my eldest brother. This continued for two years. I remembered one Sunday my brother stood behind the gate and waited for me to return. As soon as I entered the yard, he clutched me by the collar and gave me a slap to the face. One slap was all it took to throw me onto the dirt floor. As I lay there, I saw him lift his right foot to kick me. What made him hold back is still unknown to me, but I was glad that he didn’t kick me. However, after two years, my family and the Muslim community were convinced that I was determined to follow Christ, and the persecution was withdrawn. I couldn’t understand back then why God would allow me to suffer even though I was

On April 27, 2014, I was in Clarksville, Arkansas along with my daughter Shenay Maria when devastating tornados struck and destroyed the cities of Mayflower and Vilonia. It was unexpected and tragic. Although we were safe, we were only about an hour’s drive from the city of Mayflower. A few days after the storm, we were able to view firsthand the wreckage and ruins left behind in the storm’s path. Lives were lost, many were injured and millions of dollars in properties was destroyed. Storms are catastrophic, especially when people are not prepared. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus described an impending storm. Even though it is spiritual in nature, Jesus said that it is inevitable. Listen to His words. Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house upon the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.(Matthew 7:24-27 NIV) Jesus said that a storm is coming. The house represents life – yours and mine. Rain is going to fall, indicating pressure from above.