Cloudy with a Chance of Hope

Real Dudes,
A couple of weeks ago I was able to preach a message that’s been on my heart for a while. I recently read through the Book of Jude and a phrase stood out to me. In verse 12 it describes the apostates as such, “These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots.”
The phrase that stood out to me is “clouds without water.” It just made me think of our churches, communities, and homes. All around us we find people in desperate need of hope, but do they have anyone to bring it to them? On a personal level…do I have anything to bring to the table? People are seeking guidance and direction from me on a regular basis…what hope do I have to provide that they can leave with and hold on to?
Men…people need the hope of God in their lives. Ask yourself, “What kind of cloud am I? A cloud without water…no hope? Or a cloud that’s not only full of water (hope) and ready to pour out, but is actually dumping hope on those you come in contact with? Are you cloudy with a chance of hope…or cloudy with 100% certainty of hope? Allow God to fill you with hope, so you can be ready to share it with all those who God allows you to cross paths with while here on this earth. 
Practicing His Presence,
Nate

Here’s the link to the message I preached…on YouTube: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITjpfQt0wTs

A good friend of mine, Rick Radcliffe, added the following thoughts... "I often think about the dark rain clouds that dump the rain that makes things grow. Then I think about when my life resembles the dark clouds. God allows trials and problems to enter our lives and just like the dark clouds, we too can use our experiences to benefit others.  It is when the clouds are the darkest that they have the biggest impact. I will remember the cloud metaphor as I begin a new year of FCA in our schools with athletes and coaches."