Prepare for the Worst, Hope for the Best

Mark 8:36 - For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?

The statement to prepare for the worst, hope for the best, has been used a lot these past couple of weeks with all the intense weather that has occurred. 

Other statements recently heard:

•Once the storm comes it's too late to take action, so do what you need to do before it comes. 

•You can replace the material things, but lives cannot be replaced. 

•Err on the side of caution.

•Evacuate or die. (Yikes)

These are all true statements for life situations. It is also true when it relates to the salvation of our souls. Many believe God is not important in ones life...it's okay to believe in God, in their own way, or whatever god they desire, but there is only one true God who can provide the hope in our salvation and His name is Jesus. 

He requires an intimate relationship with Him, like a father to a child or husband to wife. He requires a repentant heart, not sacrifices or head knowledge of Him. Denomination means nothing to Him. He wants your heart. He wants your commitment. He doesn't just want you on Sundays but everyday. He wants you in your home, at work, at play. He wants your complete focus and devotion. 

Salvation is real and important. It's serious business. Those who have experienced it know! They know the changes that have taken place. They know the voice of the Lord. They know His power. They are gaining wisdom and revelation of who this God is. 

There will always be controversy about this subject. Remember, even Jesus encountered scoffers and persecution. Why would He have gone through all this if His Gospel message of salvation wasn't true? We are to seek Him while He may still be found, not wait, because we don't know when our last day will come...we must be certain today. I understand some think this thing about salvation through Jesus might be a myth. Then this: If what I believe is wrong, then I have nothing to lose. But if I’m right, then those who think contrary have everything to lose. Reread the opening scripture.

So, when the storms of life come, whether natural disasters or personal ones, who do you turn to? Doctors, science, government or anything of man can do just so much and I'm not saying we shouldn't seek their help when necessary. But when the chips are down and we consider where we will be when we die, do we have peace and hope in what Jesus did and what He tells us we have to look forward to? Our physical lives, once done on earth, cannot be replaced... People are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment. (Hebrews 9:27)... unless we have received Christ as our Savior. There's nothing wrong with erring on the side of caution. Have we been evacuated from our worldly lives leading to death or have we sought the One who has died that we might live? Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1John 2:15)

Straight from Jesus: 

He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (John 12:25)

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:17)  

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27) 

Hope comes only from Jesus. Spiritual life only comes through Jesus.  He came that we may have eternal (spiritual) life. He came to give us hope and peace. We will still encounter storms of life, but we can know our hope is secure, even if we die. How about others? How fearful might they be? Consider the list of statements above and consider Jesus, the one who saves.

Jeremiah 17:5-7 - Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord.

Storms of Life

Psalm 91:14-16 - "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.”

Everyone is aware of the disaster of Hurricane Harvey and the devastation in Texas. It's heartbreaking.  I did not have a title for this until I typed something later. Funny how that works. 

As I read this scripture this morning I thought of the people of Texas and prayed for the many who have lost their homes, possessions and even family. They have nothing. They will rely on others for a time for food and shelter. 

Food and shelter are physical needs. What about emotional? Others can offer words of support but they might not take away the pain of very raw emotions. But there is One who can. His name is Jesus. If we call upon the name of the Lord, He will supply all our needs, including those emotional ones. He can bring the peace and comfort to anyone's life, if they know Him and call on Him for their spiritual salvation and needs they have in this life on earth.

Amid these people I have prayed that many would know our God and His power in their lives. I have prayed that through this tragedy the love of God would be seen in those believers who do know Him and because of their testimonies, unbelievers would look to God for the source of their strength and salvation.

When we get to a point in our lives when nothing else gives comfort, because of illness, death or great losses like Texas, may we find the hope and strength that only Jesus brings.

Many times it's through tragedy that we come to Christ. We have to be broken. Tragedy can bring us to our knees with the realization we are vulnerable and that we cannot always save ourselves, nor can money, family or friends. But God... Listen to what He can do, if one is willing to receive Him...

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus...For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:4-6,8-9) 

God is great in mercy. He offers a great gift, not one that we can work for, but one we can receive. This gift is Jesus. I realize that in times of tragedy not all will turn to God. Anger over what they have gone through, questioning how a God who is supposed to be so good could allow this, will be their choice. I pray this is not the case in Texas.

In this life we have never been promised all goodness. We live in a world of sin which brings about disappointment, illness, death. But God...who is rich in mercy...made a way that we could endure all things. There's the key word, endure. Who hasn't endured something in the natural knowing there was relief on the other side of a situation? Take just a common cold, sinus infection or inconvenient, minor (or major) surgery. Once this is over things will be better, we might say. A doctor can get us through, our body's healing process and our determination and patience can get us through.

But...I'm talking about a more important thing, the hope and goodness that will come after an even bigger tragedy in life. Again, examples: A report of cancer, loss of a limb that changes a person's life altogether, death of a child, loss of home or business. Where do we draw our strength now when doctors can only do so much or when insurance (if one has it) can only do so much? That way is Jesus Christ. He is our Great Physician and Provider. He is the Door, the Light, our strong Foundation, our Rock, the Living Water, the Bread of Life, our hope, peace, salvation. He takes care of His own. But you have to become part of His own first.

That's why it is good to know and trust in God now, before any trial. You will know immediately who to go to. And, as His Word tells us, He will bring the comfort, strength and peace in the midst of our illness, loss or trial. 

God will provide through others for Texans. They will receive from believers and unbelievers. They will benefit and survive and move on. But my prayer will still be that many people will come into a saving relationship with Christ as a result of this...when they see (hopefully) how believers respond to the tragedy and hear testimonies of their survival, how they called on Him in their worst time of need and He brought help, how, despite all loss, they still praise the name of their God.

Who will you cry out to for help in a trial, when the storms of life hit hard? He is there. For all people, all ages.

Psalm 56:3-4 - Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), in God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?

It Is I; Do Not Be Afraid

John 6:15-21

Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.

Now when evening came, His disciples went done to the sea, got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them. 

Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid. But He said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid."

Then they willingly received Him I to the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.

We need not fear Jesus. He is our shelter in the storm. 

These people who had seen His miracles, who had been fed living bread and listened intently as He spoke wanted Him to be their king. They'd had enough Roman rule. They knew a messiah was coming some day. However, they misunderstood why, how and for what reason He came. If this was their Messiah, they wanted Him now to save them. Their idea was one who would come in a political manner to save them from Roman oppression. They gave up years ago the idea of a spiritual judge; they wanted a king like other nations had.

The problem is, kings are men. They were often not God followers but enamored with the power and control they now had. Many ruled unrighteously. Still happens today! Only a few did call on God. Along the way they became accustomed to an earthly king. They did not understand that one day their Messiah would not be an earthly king. Jesus knew what His Father's will was and this was not it so He slipped away...to be with His Father.

That's just an introduction to the real story here! Again Jesus shows us something. All things happen for a reason. That may be something we say if we don't understand why something has occurred. But Jesus is again trying to get just His disciples to trust Him. And it amazes me that something like this happened at least three times...He told His disciples to fear not; where was their faith (Matthew 14, Mark 4, Luke 8).

And here in John, the same thing. With Jesus in the center of our lives we need not fear. The storms of life arise but He tells us to not fear, have faith...it is I who is with you.

I know three people who are in situations right now. Two only have months to live and one is in the midst of a loved one's health issue. Two are believers. One is trusting for His guidance and healing. One is not afraid to die because she will be with her Jesus; if initial treatment does not work, she wants no more. The third also does not want to go through a lot of treatments. She has lived a long and good life and is prepared to go. I know two are confident in their Savior. They have peace in their hearts. Not sure about the third. 

Jesus wants us to have His peace that passes all human understanding. He wants us to take our eyes off our situations and focus on Him...in any situation. Can we be in the midst of something without knowing what the end result will be and have peace? If not we don't know Jesus. Trusting in man alone (and this includes politically as well) will not bring peace. Man can fail. But in trusting in the Lord there is hope for whatever the outcome. He is our strength, refuge, strong tower. We can be nestled in the cleft of He Who is our Rock Who brings peace.

Lord, I pray for these three circumstances. I ask for Your hand to be upon each of them. I thank You for the two that I know have given their lives to You and trust in You for their situations. And I ask, Lord, that You reach out to the third. Open doors that she might be reached with the overwhelming word that You alone can bring her peace and hope for her eternal future. I thank You that in the storms of our lives You tell us to not be afraid, that You are there. You calm our storms. Praise You, Lord.

Mark 6:40-51 - And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. 

Praising in the Storm

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name...[So] whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Philippians 2:9, Colossians 3:17)

I was sorry to hear about the devastation in Joplin, Missouri Sunday. The news of disasters rage and we wonder when it will ever end. Daily, word about the destruction is one of the focal points of the news.

There are some who think God may be in the midst of all this. I know there will be a day when He will cause the earth to be destroyed because of the lack of respect for the very God who created this beautiful earth and each of us. His judgment will fall on us some day.

To say this could be His way of sifting and shaking the earth might be the case, to see if people will recognize Him in the storms of life and turn to Him for their strength and safety. But we don't know for sure. But I will say two things: He is in control of all things and what is happening is not surprising Him. And, He does want to get the attention of as many people as possible for salvation's sake. As I watched a video of a group of people huddled together in a convenience store freezer as the tornado in Joplin surged on them, I was surprised and thankful for the words I heard. Listen here. 

If we are in Christ, have received Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we have the boldness to call upon Him to save us from any storm of life. There is power in the name of Jesus. It is He who is the Author and Finisher of our faith. In Him is life, not death. Just ask me if I would be timid in calling on the name of the Lord, the powerful name of Jesus, if something like this would happen to me.

Knowing the Lord in the midst of the Joplin disasters does not take away the pain of their losses. We are told we even when we are following Christ we will have trials. Jesus never told us it would be an easy walk with Him. But He also has said that we are to place our burdens upon Him. And when we know Him so well we also have a hope and strength unmatched by the world. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you.

Joplin is a city in the Bible belt. Perhaps out of the rubble, out of the destruction, good will come. Joseph of the Old Testament had quite a story to tell, all the years after he was sold into slavery, persecuted, imprisoned. Here was his response to the very brothers who sold him: You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives (Genesis 50:20). How could good come out of this tornado? Collectively it seems like little. Individually, there might be some who will take a long, hard look at their life after losing all. 

When we are in relationship with Christ, our earthly life is not as important. God comes to us, woos us, when we are hit with a disaster and at the bottom of ourselves. It might be His way of turning lives around, starting anew with a life in Christ.

Perhaps...and I totally hope...testimonies of great faith in God will emerge from Joplin...providing mainstream media does not cover those stories up. Those who know Christ, are in Christ, have received Christ, will know that they know that loved ones who were lost in the storm, will be awaiting those, in heaven, who survived. There can be a comfort underlying the sorrow in that. Maybe we'll hear some of the stories unfold of God's strength at work and His faithfulness amid the wreckage.

We need to be absolutely sure we know Christ in a very special, personal way. The way things are going in this world I would not want to live so loosely connected to Him that my eternal life in heaven would be lost for the alternative eternal life in hell. 

What's the saying? To err is human, to forgive Divine? We have all come into this world as erring sinners. But we can ask the Divine God for forgiveness and choose to change the direction of our lives. If the request is heartfelt...and He will know if it is...your life can change in an instant. You can know where your hope is and Who is there to help you. Even if death comes, you can know life. Life is in Christ. We can praise Him for that.

At least one person in that freezer in Joplin knew where her help comes from. Our help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 121:2). We need to understand the greatness of this God. He is not just some being sitting in heaven watching us. He is active in every one of our lives right now. He is sifting and shaking to see who will stand by Him in time of trouble and who will be urged to seek Him while He can still be found.

One person who viewed the video made the comment: Talk about praising Him in the storm!!!! Man!!!!! They knew who to call on!!!!!!

Your word, O Lord, is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path. Like the sun which rises each morning so You, the Son, rise in my life each morning to bring light to my day. Your Word is the light in my life. It illuminates righteous truth and darkness cannot hide there. Your Word is life and even in death we partake of Your resurrection...and life.

Romans 10:13 - For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."