Hurricane – The Arrow Preacher

Rising Flood

In the last few days we’ve seen an enormous amount of water come from Hurricane Florence. We have seen record numbers and with that comes floodwaters. There’s been so many thousands of lives affected by this storm and while it’s hard to consider, we must try to find the good in this horrific situation. Lives have been lost, businesses and homes have been destroyed, and while it was take years to rebuild the opportunity for our communities to gather together, to praise Jesus, the accept the power of God and know that Jesus is healing hearts all over the East Coast. We must put our faith and our trust in Jesus that even as families start to return home to measure the destructive cost, all is certainly not lost. There’s no way to measure the heartbreak people will feel in the upcoming weeks as the shock wears off and the trust begins to set in. Many will be in denial, or feel the desire to give up. We as Christians must begin to love on these people, give, and grow showing the grace of Jesus Christ. This time of sorrow is a time of healing, but also a time of growth. Wherever two are gathered Christ is there. Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

As Christians we are to follow the Great Commission, to go forth to all of the nations make disciples and baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The greatest commandment given by Christ is love. So at the end of the great comissionsion Jesus says this. Matthew 28:20 (ESV)“Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Jesus is saying teach them all to love. People need to be shown love, now more then ever. Peoples lives are gone, destroyed and as everything they’ve known has crumbled before them, it’s time to show them what a solid foundation looks like so they may have hope in the darkness.

Not everyone is able to give money, or food, or supplies, but we can all give time. We can give time to pray for them. We can help move trash if you can get to the places most affected by this storm. Most importantly though, we can give love and hugs. Emotional support is the most important thing anyone can ever give. God will work out the details for the money and supplies, but showing people we care and they aren’t alone is the most important thing we can do. Compassion will be a high commodity in the weeks to come.

As Florence approached and pounded NC for days, fear was a major part of thousands of lives. As tornado’s touched down near by and affected homes, and lives, more fear floods the cities everywhere. While you watch the news you’ll find organizations such as The Red Cross that have volunteers from all over the country who are in North Carolina helping with relief efforts. With so much help, and love Jesus can be seen all over the area right now. Do not fear because we know that God is still in control. Isaiah 35:4 (NKJV)4 “Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.” In the eye of the storm, God is still in control. While rebuilding is difficult, as long as we breathe we are still able to live, to move forward. Joshua 1:9(NKJV) 9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Facing fear in the rising tide is difficult, but we are truly blessed. No matter how bad it seems, trusting in the Lord to give you peace in these trials, because God will always give us what we need, and when we need it. Psalm 23:4 (NKJV)4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

As we rebuild and wipe away the debris to expose the strong foundation, the rebuilding stage begins. Let us start building from a place of peace, of love, and hope in Christ. Let us band together to show love and prove that people suffering the most are not alone. The peace and grace given to us by Jesus Christ need to be given to those who may not know Jesus, and those who are suffering so much to see signs of hope. While this was a devastating storm, it could always be worse. Love all, and have faith in God’s plan.

The Future, God’s Got This

As we sit here and wait the impending chance of disaster, I decided to take a look at scripture to see what it says about God’s will and natural disasters. Isaiah 45:7 ESV“I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all these things.” No matter how bad things seem we know that God is in control over everything. We don’t know the reasons, and there’s no guarantee we ever will, but we have to trust and have faith. During times of trouble we have the chance to minister to others, to come together as the body of Christ. Romans 12:12 ESV “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

When we know God is sovereign over all things, we know that there is something positive in every situation. John 16:33 ESV“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” We have seen in scripture God using the weather for many purposes. Amos 4:7 “I also withheld rain from you,When there were still three months to the harvest.I made it rain on one city,I withheld rain from another city.One part was rained upon,And where it did not rain the part withered.”

We know what God can do, and we see what God does do. Isaiah 45:7(NKJV) 7 “I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things.’” No matter the life we live there will always be something. No matter how dark things look, we can always turn to Paul to seek guidance in the worst trials we face.

2 Corinthians 6:3-10 (NKJV)3 “We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. 4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much [a]patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 6 by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by [b]sincere love, 7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.”

Be sure to plan ahead and have all your emergency supplies on hand. If you live in the area to be effected by this storm please make sure you have food and water for three days per person. Candles and extra batteries are essential. Make sure you have gas in you car since gas might not be available for a little while. Make sure you secure loose items around your home so they do not become flying projectiles. If you hear it’s a mandatory evacuation please go. No house, or stuff is worth your life. Please be careful going forward, and be there for one another. Remember we are all part of the Body of Christ. Go in love, and support. God Bless.