We now understand what a Dark Horse is. They come out of nowhere and no one has ever heard of them. When they win the race, it is big news! What about Dark Horses that don’t win the race? In fact, just the opposite. Instead of making a big splash, they make a big mess! Ananias and Sapphira came out of obscurity and ran straight into infamy!

Synopsis: When a Dark Horse wins a race, it’s a really big surprise because nobody saw it coming! The same is true of Dark Horse characters in the Bible. We don’t expect much from those we know nothing about. Those who can’t demonstrate the right “pedigree” to perform at high levels. But God is never surprised. He chooses, grooms and cheers them on to victory.

A Dark Horse in the horse racing world means a horse that is unknown. There is not enough background information on it to be able to create the odds for betting. So when it comes from behind to win the race - no one saw it coming. There are many such characters in the Bible. We didn’t have enough background information to expect much from them, but God saw something in them. We may be surprised by their success, but God never is!

We live in an easily offended world. As the pressure of modern life increases, our ability to just let things roll off of our backs decreases. Our patience with each other is wearing thin. Today’s Bible story about a wise woman, an impulsive young man and an old fool help us learn 7n ways to survive in an easily offended world.

We have been studying God’s Word for weeks to prepare for Life in a Hurricane. What about Life After a Hurricane? Huge, life-altering experiences have a way of bringing clarity in our otherwise fast paced and chaotic lives. This week Jesus’ words from the Sermon on the Mount give us direction for this next phase of our lives.

An important part of storm preparation is packing a “Go Bag.” In it is stored what you need to take along if you have to leave your house suddenly in the face of a storm or flooding. It would be easy to carry and only contain the most important documents and valuables… What did you put in your bag? Documents…Valuables… Photos??? If you had to flee from a storm, which treasurers could you not live without?

Jesus commands us not to judge others, yet the Bible also says we are to “test everything and hold on to what is good.” So which is it? Join us this week as we dig into what Jesus said about judging others, judging ourselves and using good judgement.

Worry. It sneaks up on us all, but Jesus gives us a way to beat it for good!

Where do hurricanes come from? The easy answer is; “ Off the coast of Africa.” That is true, but some of our hurricanes begin much closer to home!Join us this week as we discover how God’s Word helps us defuse the storms of our own making before the destruction begins.

The key to surviving a hurricane is to have plenty of advanced warning. Before there was Doppler radar and the Weather Channel, ships and coastal towns used large flags to warn of approaching storms. In His mercy and grace, God has provided a system today to warn of impending eternal destruction.  Every believer is to be a living, breathing “Hurricane Flag” warning of the coming storm and pointing towards “safe ground."