Eye Of The Storm

We are heading into prime hurricane season here close to the Gulf Coast. Although the season has been fairly quiet, just as predicted by experts, I fear we are about due for a big one. The Tropical Prediction Center in Coral Gables, Florida has a hard task in which to perform when it comes to hurricanes. On one hand, if it issues an evacuation recommendation for an area, and a huge storm does not materialize, it is accused by the Media as "crying wolf". On the other hand, if it does not issue an evacuation recommendation for an area and a killer hurricane does make landfall, it is criticized for being incompetent. Why would it ever issue an evacuation in the first place? The reason is simple: To remove people from harm's way.

When the Church is Raptured by Jesus, it will be one mass evacuation! God loves His people so much that He wants to remove us from what is to come, namely the seven-year Tribulation. Some people don't believe that the Rapture will occur before the Tribulation. In fact, some people don't believe in the Rapture at all. But I do believe it will happen, and more importantly, I believe it will happen before literally "all hell breaks loose" on the earth. The Bible speaks of a terrible time that is coming like man has never experienced before. But my belief is that Christians will not have to suffer through this unparalleled time. It is hard to imagine anything more devastating than Hurricane Andrew or Katrina. But those will seem like tiny rain showers compared to the "storms" of the Tribulation. Looking back, would you ignore those evacuation orders? God is sounding His warnings loudly and clearly. Will you ignore Him?

I Thessalonians 1:10 says, "And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come."

Father, please help us all to heed Your warnings. Direct us to bring Your Good News of Salvation to everyone. In Jesus name, Amen.

Crying Wolf

We all have been well-versed on the differences between a tornado watch and a tornado warning. A watch means that conditions are ripe for the formation of tornadoes, but a warning means an actual tornado, or funnel, has been sighted (a funnel is when it is still in the air, and it is only called a tornado once it touches ground). Have you noticed an increase in the number of tornado warnings that have been issued by the NWS, but no tornado ever touches down? It happened yesterday afternoon in Houston County. The reason is because of our advancements in technology in general and Doppler Radar in particular. It used to be that a tornado warning was only issued after an actual eyewitness saw it. Now, the NWS can issue warnings from just looking at the radar reflectivity pattern (bright green right beside bright red indicates a mesocyclone, the beginnings of a tornado). The problem is that not all mesocyclones generate tornadoes. The NWS has a very thankless job. On the one hand, they do issue many "false" alarms due to reflectivity pattern, and as a result, fear that our society will grow complacent, but on the other, if they did not issue a warning, and a huge, killer tornado dropped from the sky, they would be criticized as being incompetent by the media.

We have heard for ages that "Jesus is coming back". Many of His disciples expected it to happen in their lifetime. In fact, I guess every generation expects it to happen during their lifetime. Well its has been over 2000 years, we have all been warned, but no Jesus yet. Have we grown complacent? Just because He has not come yet, does that mean he won't come? To conclude that Jesus has not come yet, therefore He won't, is like saying the woman has not given birth yet, therefore she is not pregnant. Today may be April Fool's Day, but don't be a fool! Jesus is coming back just as He said He would. But neither you nor I know when, not even the most learned Bible Prophesy scholar, but only "The Father" knows the hour. We need to be living as if heaven has issued, not a Watch, but a Jesus-is-coming warning!

Matthew 24:41 says, "Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come."

Father, we don't know when You are coming back but we know that the time is closer than ever! Help us to stay prepared and not lose sight of the Truth. In Jesus name, Amen.

The Lion and the Lamb

I get excited when I think about the Second Coming of Christ! Jesus will one day come back to earth, bringing with Him a peace that our world has only dreamt about. The Book of Isaiah describes many unusual things that will transpire in those days due to His incredible peace. For example in Chapter two we learn that there will be no more wars to kill and injure people. Isaiah tells us that men will "beat their swords into plowshares". In other words, we will no longer need any weapons. Instead of being used to kill people, those weapons will be transformed into tools that will help feed people. In chapter 11, we also learn that even the animals will be tame. Verse 6 says, "The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion". Can you imagine seeing a baby lamb lying in peace beside a once-ferocious lion? Believe it or not, I saw that image last night!

On Animal Planet, a story was aired about a real-life lamb and lioness. For some reason, a full-grown female lion has taken to an orphaned baby lamb. Not only do the two stick together all day and night, but the lion actually protects the baby lamb from other predators. I went Online and found a picture of the two together and decided to share it on this devotion. You can google "Heart of a Lioness" if you want to read more about it. Isn't God amazing! We don't have to wait until the End Times to experience His amazing peace. It is all around us right now. We just have to know where to look!

Father, thank you for Your incredible peace. We also look forward to the Awesome Day of Your return. In Jesus name, Amen.