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The Treasury of Snow | Jentezen Franklin

Sunday, January 28



"You never know when you're sending up your last snowflake before an avalanche." – Jentezen Franklin


Introduction to the Session:

On Sunday, Pastor shared personal reflections on the impact of the fast and described it as a time of heightened connection with God. He even mentioned he felt like there was an ease in sermon preparation.

Central to the sermon was the metaphor of the 'treasury of snow,' likening accumulated prayers to snowflakes stored up for times of trouble. 

This concept is supported by scriptural references, underscoring the importance of persistent prayer and worship. Pastor Jentezen encouraged us, the congregation to continue praying and praising. This sermon served as an assurance to us of God's response to our persistent spiritual disciplines of worship, thanksgiving, praise, prayer and fasting, to name a few. 

He reflected on the collective power of prayer within the church, and anticipated deliverance and miracles from our Heavenly Father!

The sermon concluded with a recounting of the Brownsville Revival, highlighting the transformative impact of continuous prayer and worship.

  • What was your biggest takeaway from Sunday’s message?

The central message of the sermon is one of faith, persistence, and the collective strength of prayer. Let’s read another quote from the message:

"If you want snowflakes, you need some cold. So, that's the time to really pray - when it's tough and hard, not when you're seeing miracles everywhere." – Jentezen Franklin

 This emphasizes the importance of faith and prayer especially during difficult periods.

In today’s study, we will reflect on how the process of praying and worshiping builds a treasury in Heaven that releases blessings in our times of trouble, much like snow accumulating and then melting to bring nourishment.

Let’s take a look at some of the Scriptures and concepts we learned on Sunday.

Scripture Reading and Context:

The Lord's Arsenal:

In Job 38, God is giving Job a reminder that the Lord rules over the earth. He demonstrates to Job His sovereignty over all of creation.

Job 38:22-23 (NIV): "Have you entered the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of the hail, which I reserve for times of trouble, for days of war and battle?"

God mentioned that he keeps the snow and hail in storehouses for challenging times. This concept is exemplified in the biblical account where God aids Joshua and the Israelites in combat by employing hail (as seen in Joshua 10:11). This is akin to how armies store their weaponry in an armory, symbolizing that God commands all natural elements. Occasionally, He utilizes these forces to perplex or defeat those who stand against Him or His followers.

  • Can you think of other instances in the Bible where God uses natural elements to fulfill His purposes? How do these instances impact your faith?
  • Reflect on the account of Joshua 10:11. How does God's intervention with hailstones shape your view of divine assistance in times of conflict?
  • Discuss the analogy of God storing natural elements like an army stores weapons. What does this say about God’s preparedness and power?

Higher Than Our Ways:

Next, we’ll go to the book of Isaiah for a couple different Scripture passages.

Isaiah 55:8-11 emphasizes that God's plans and thoughts are beyond human comprehension, and His word will accomplish what He desires.

Isaiah 55:8-11 (NIV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish..."

This passage reminds us that God's ways and thoughts are incomparably higher than ours, much like the heavens surpass the earth. Trying to mold God to fit our expectations is unwise, as His plans do not always align with human desires. Like rain and snow nourishing the earth, God's word reliably brings spiritual abundance and eternal life. This assurance in God's word is a cornerstone for us as believers. 

  • Can you recall a moment in your life when God's plans for you were different from your own expectations? How did you feel initially, and what did you learn about trusting in God's wisdom over time?
  • When God's word or plan seems to conflict with your personal desires or understanding, how do you find the strength to trust in His wisdom?
  • What practical steps can you take to align your ways more closely with God's ways?

Hidden Treasures

Next, we’ll look at Isaiah 45:3. 

Isaiah 45:3 (NIV): "I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name."

This passage teaches us that God’s ways are often beyond our understanding. He can use anyone, regardless of their background, to fulfill His will. The 'hidden treasures' and 'secret riches' in Isaiah 45:3 symbolize the unexpected blessings and opportunities that God provides, often through unexpected sources.

  • What are some ‘secret riches’ or blessings in your life that you didn’t expect?
  • How can we become more aware of and grateful for God's work in our everyday experiences?

Faithful Offerings

The next Scripture passage will look at how our actions are remembered by God. The conversion of a Gentile soldier, Cornelius and his relatives and close friends is the longest narrative in Acts (10:1-48). For time, we’ll look at a small part of the story. In verse four, an angel of God comes to Cornelius in a vision.

Acts 10:4 (NIV): Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked.The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.

The “memorial offering” conveys that Cornelius’s faithful prayers had been noticed by God. God responds to sincere prayers by sending the right person or the right information precisely when needed.

The angel depicted Cornelius's deeds as gifts to God. This metaphor beautifully illustrates our acts of faith when they are driven by the right motives—they rise to God like the ascending smoke of a burnt offering, similar to how accumulating snowflakes eventually trigger an avalanche.

  • How do you interpret the angel’s description of Cornelius’s prayers and gifts to the poor as a “memorial offering” before God?
  • God answers sincere prayers by sending the right person or information at the right time. Can you share a time when you experienced this in your life?
  • Reflect on the analogy of our acts of faith ascending to God and stacking up like snowflakes do until an avalanche arises. How does this change your perspective on everyday acts of kindness and faithfulness?
  • How can we as a group support each other in making our lives a continuous offering to God?

God’s Sovereignty

In our last passage comes from Psalm 147. This Psalm praises God’s control over nature, including the weather, as a metaphor for His power in our lives.

Psalms 147:16-18 (NIV):"... He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes.

He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast?

He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.”

God controls all aspects of nature, including snow, frost, and ice, which, when melted, result in flowing waters. This control extends to providing peace and abundant blessings to His people. 

On Sunday, Pastor Jentezen said, “Do you know where the river of God comes from? The snow of God's people that they are praying. Jesus wouldn't have told us to pray if it didn't work!” This is reason for the faithful to praise the LORD!

  • Have you ever faithfully prayed through a cold season? How did God show up after you prayed? 

Practical Application

  • Encouragement: Share a time when you felt your prayers were like snowflakes accumulating, and how they eventually brought a blessing or breakthrough.
  • Group Action Step: Encourage each member to commit to a specific time of prayer and fasting, focusing on building their personal treasury of prayers.

Closing Thoughts

 None of your prayers are wasted. They are treasures in the sight of God, storing up blessings for future release. As you pray, you are storing up prayers like snow on a mountaintop. Don’t give up when it’s cold. Instead, pray even more, trusting that you are building a memorial before God. 

You shouldn’t be worried if there are prayers God hasn’t answered; you should be worried if there aren’t any. You might be one more snowflake of praise away from causing an avalanche! When you store up snowflakes of prayer, it will melt and release a flow of healing, deliverance, and revival. If there's no snow, there's no flow.

Closing Prayer

Focus on thanking God for His unseen work in our lives and ask for continued faith to trust in His higher ways.