Preparing For The Storm

Greetings!!!

What did you do to prepare for the blizzard across Pennsylvania this week? The news media made a lot of good suggestions like charge your cellphone, have plenty of batteries available, use flashlights instead of candles, do not use a gas stove as a source of heat, have food and water stored and ready, along with many others. All of these suggestions are things to do in preparation for a storm before it strikes.

Our family did not experience a power outage during this storm. We just had the joy of digging ourselves out of the piles of snow, but we were prepared. While preparing for the storm, I thought about preparing for the storms of life... the difficulties and challenges that catch us off guard and seem to leave us flat on our backs gasping for air.

Two things came to mind. First, all of Psalm 46, but I will only include 1-3, 10-11 here: "God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. 'Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.' The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold."

The second is an old song by Steve Camp called "Hiding Place".

In the distance I can see the storm clouds coming my way,

And I need to find a shelter before it starts to rain.

So I turn and run to You Lord, You're the only place to go

where unfailing love surrounds me when I need it most.

You're my hiding place.

Safe in Your embrace, I'm protected from the storm that rages.

When the water's high and I run to hide, In You I find my hiding place.

Once again, it is difficult to be ready for the storms of life if you do not prepare for them before they hit. Do you know how to prepare for the coming storms? Well, the most important thing is to have an ongoing relationship with Jesus Christ. Without that, any difficulty in life can be tougher to bear. To maintain that relationship, as with any relationship, you must spend time getting to know Him. Take time to read His word-the Bible, and find out His plans and desires for your life. This might sound hard, but it does not have to be. Start off small. Everyday set aside fifteen minutes to be alone with Jesus. Spend five minutes reading in the Bible (the gospel of John is a good place to start), five minutes praying, and five minutes being still and listening. If you find that you need more time, increase the time. Whatever you do, start today. Do not wait for the storm to hit. If you do not have a flashlight ready and available with the electric goes out, you could be in the dark. It can be the same with the storms of life.

The LORD bless you with wonderful times of refreshing as you develop your relationship with Him.

I love you,

Ruth

Forgiveness And Cleansing

Greetings!!!

How hard were you hit by the storm yesterday? Here in McAlisterville, unofficially, we got a foot of snow!! Some of the drifts around my house are between three and four feet! The piles of snow are getting higher and higher! I love the snow and being out in it... whether it is to clean off my driveway or just walk in it and observe God's handiwork.

Why do I love the snow? I love the snow because it always reminds me of Isaiah 1:18:

"Come now, and let us reason together", Says the LORD,

"Though your sins are as scarlet,

They will be as white as snow;

Though they are red like crimson,

They will be like wool."

Can you imagine it? It does not matter what sin you are trying to hide or justify. God sees it and already knows all the details about it. He says your sins are blood red... deep, dark, red!! Red is a hard color to hide, but God does not intend to hide the red of your sin or just cover it over like the snow is covering everything here in Central Pennsylvania. As soon as you admit your sin to God, He not only forgives your sin, but He also purifies you from your sin. He changes the red to white!!

The apostle John put it this way in 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." He provides forgiveness and cleansing... a clean slate everyday or, if you are like me, maybe every minute!! Are you holding onto your sin? Why? Confess it to God. Let Him wash you whiter than snow that you may experience a joy and freedom like no other!!

The LORD bless you with a willingness bring everything you have ever done... thought, word, and deed... to the Father.

I love you,

Ruth

Raging Storm

Greetings!!!

Have you ever been caught in an unexpected storm and feared for your life as you tried to scramble for shelter? Matthew 8:23-27, Luke 8: 22-25 and Mark 4:35-41 record such a situation.

Mark 4: 35-41 "And on that day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us go over to the other side." And leaving the multitude, they took Him along with them, just as He was, in the boat; and other boats were with Him. And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. And He Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"

Maybe you are in the midst of a storm that is making you feel like you are about to perish. You stepped out in faith and obedience to Jesus; and now it feels like the storm will overwhelm you. Oh, it may not be a severe weather pattern that has you trapped and feeling helpless, but nonetheless you are feeling like you have been back into a corner with no place to turn and Jesus... Where is Jesus? You are sure He is not with you, or if He is with you, as it was in the gospels, He is asleep on a cushion.

How can Jesus just sleep during your crisis? Doesn't He care? Doesn't He know your desperation? Oh, let me assure you that He cares. Rest assured that what He has called you to He will equip you to perform. He is with you because He is Emmanuel-God with us. If He is silent, it is because He can trust you with His silence. Just as Jesus knew that the disciples would get to the other side of the lake, Jesus knows that you will accomplish what you are called to do. Are you going to panic in the midst of your storm, or are you going to go into this day with confidence in and obedience to your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

The LORD bless you with peace and quiet confidence in the middle of your storm.

I love you,

Ruth