Whether the weather is cold
Or whether the weather is hot
Whether the weather is wet
Or whether the weather is not
We'll weather the weather, whatever the weather
Whether we like it or not.
In the starting of any Vineyard or Ministry you will have to learn how to weather the storms that come: how to prepare for them and how to recognize them. Some are just natural disaster, some are preventable and some assignments of destruction. Do you know the difference? Do you know how to be prepared for these four storms?
Hailstorms
Freezing storms
High Winds or Hurricanes
Critics
Beings we can not always prevent storm in our lives we need to learn to plan for them
How to prepare for Hail Definition of hail: pellets of ice that fall like rain or a pouring down of something harmful: a barrage of something, for example, missiles or insults according to the WEB dictionary
Hail can attack any time and anywhere and can knock a vineyard out of production for a couple of years by destroying the fresh new buds. Many growers have built hail nets as protection. They look like little tents that are set up. The only way these will work is if the vinedresser is paying attention to the whether are prepared before the hail. They cover the fruit before the storm.
Psalm 27:5-6 - For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. - Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. -
How to prepare for a freeze.
Oil, Water and Wind.
Heaters: Oil heaters and fire are used to warm the vineyard and prevent frost from ruining the vine.
Sprinkler Irrigation: The principle of sprinklers is that relatively warm water gives up heat upon contact with the colder air and/or foliage.
Wind Machines: The principle of the system is to move heavy cold air to prevent a storm cloud and allow the warmer air to replace the colder air near the ground.
John answered, saying to all, "I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire - Luke 3:16 NKJV
The only Hebrew word I can find for frozen is lakad Meaning Seized
Proverbs 6:2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken (ceased Frozen) with the words of thy mouth.
We can destroy our own vineyard, our fields or our families with icy words of cruelty. Or we can build them, guard them, direct them warm them and protect them. The word is clear that fruit and our speech go together. Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. - Pro 18:21 KJV
Extra Reading on the tongue Proverbs 21:23 KJV James 3:6 -8 1Peter 3:10 KJV
Preparing for Wind storms
Fast growing vines are more prone to wind damage. Damage to new buds is common when the shoots are tender (green). Later in the season a wind storm can damage the leaves on a mature vine. However, constant winds can cause damage to fruit, by creating callused or scabbed areas where fruit has been rubbed by another plant part.
This is so key. Hear this. A storm can attack in three levels of our ministry. A newly growing ministry is subject to loosing its first growths. A storm can hit later and destroy the mature leaves. but a continuous wind can cause scabbing and calluses to our fruit where there has been a constant irritation.
For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones [is] as a storm [against] the wall. - Isa 25:4 KJV
Read Mark 4:36-41 God knows just the right amount of wind to allow in our lives and on our fields. Too much wind will destroy our fruit, leaves or new budding ministry. However, we need the wind to train us in faith and build strength to stand in it and against it.
Preparing for Criticism
One influential Critic can make or break a Vineyard. If that Critic is having an off day anybody in his path is in for a storm. We see this in food, movies, and consumer reports. Some we should heed to others, we must draw our own conclusions. If you have ever had a critic in your life you know the weight of trying to please the one who may be difficult if not impossible to please. The hoops you may jump through, the adjustments you make to please them. The sleepless night you lay awake wondering what task they have waiting for you to fail at.
You long for a word of praise or a word of affirmation. When they come you feel like you conquered the world and when they don’t come, you feel as if you are under it.
David knew what it was to have a Storm of Criticism. He was chased by this storm of jealousy and hate. He was hounded and troubled by a storm he could not stop, all he could do was run from it.
How does one escape the storm of criticism? Are we to escape it? It seems to me that critics can either pull the best from you or bring out the worst in you. Their demanding way or persnickety taste can either drive you to madness or pull out the courageous soul in you; to face the storm of criticism and stand strong against the wind. We see over and over in the word that God Did not rescue his people from the critics. No, instead he built his people up in front of their critics.
Noah faced it everyday. He was not rescued from the cruelty of men; he was rescued from the wrath of God.
Joseph faced it from his family. He was not rescued from their betrayal; instead it was the betrayal of the brothers that positioned him to save his family.
David wasn’t protected from it. It started with his brothers and continued on through Saul. But it was the pursuit of a mad man that formed the king in David.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced the storm; they were not spared from the furnace. No, instead they were graced with the presence of God in it.
Danielle was not saved from the Critics. He was sabotaged by them. And it was his den time that changed a wicked Kings heart.
Psalm 55:8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm [and] tempest.
Storm in Hebrew Caah Pronounced Sa.ah meaning to Rush or windy storm. This is the only time in the bible this Hebrew word is used in the Bible. It is when David is comparing the pursuit of Saul to a storm in his life.
Tempest in the Hebrew word ca`ar Pronounced Sa.ar Refers to a whirlwind or a rage or enraged. Hasten in this text could mean hurry, or enjoy or excited
Here it this way.
I would hurry and be excited to escape the enraged storm that rushes at me
Homework: What storm has been ripping away growth in your life? What storm has callused your heart? What storm has you frustrated with God? Are you words bringing a freeze to your field or fruit? Are you losing growth because of critics or insults? Are you hiding in the tabernacle?
If your heart is callused because of trouble, you need to allow Him to prune the damaged area of your heart. And if you are frustrated with God because of a storm, ask Him where your faith needs to grow. Maybe you need to put the buckets down and start lifting your hands up. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. - Psalm 107:29
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