Hurricane Katrina brought on much devastation last week and is now labeled the worse natural disaster in American history. The death toll is estimated in the tens of thousands and rebuilding costs continue to be beyond compare. I invite all those who want to help financially to do so by visiting The Red Cross and/or The Salvation Army website where your contributions will be put to great use.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff claims that thousands could have perished in flooded homes and shelters where many went for days without food, water or medicine.”I think we need to prepare the country for what’s coming,” Chertoff said.
“What’s going to happen when we de-water and remove the water from New Orleans is we’re going to uncover people who died, maybe hiding in houses, got caught by the flood, people whose remains are going to be found in the streets. It is going to be about as ugly of a scene as I think you can imagine.”
Actually, it’s really not going to be that bad. The bible tells us about much worse to come. Hurricane Katrina gave out plenty of warning signs slowly moving up the Gulf of Mexico however, many chose to ignore the many red flags all around them.
Can we prevent becoming victims of a similar disaster? I believe we can. As a nation, we can all join hands and repent of our sins to the Lord and ask for His forgiveness. We can also listen to warnings God provides and act upon them following His directions after all, even Noah was warned of the flood then instructed how to survive it…
“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” (Hebrews 11:7)
The key element of this scripture is FAITH. For someone to hear God’s warning, one must have faith in God. No one will receive God’s blessings unless they have faith in Him and His son Jesus Christ. Then for anyone to survive any disaster, one must follow God’s ways.
Not every person of faith will live through hurricanes, earth quakes or other natural disasters. God will only leave behind those not ready to receive His grace through death. Yes, death is a prize. It is the end of a short stay on earth filled with challenges, tests and suffering yet it is the beginning of an eternal relationship with God in Heaven.
I used to be afraid of dying until I was born again. Don’t get me wrong, I am not looking forward to the pain and suffering that often comes along with death however, I can truly admit being at peace with the end of this life and the beginning of my next life with my Holy father.
As God continues to send us postcards, we are reminded how insignificant we can be when His vengeance rolls upon us in the way of natural disasters. However, by faith we can overcome all things through Christ. The bible reads: “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:36)
Hurricanes will continue to flood cities. Tornadoes will keep tearing-up neighborhoods. Earthquakes will continue to swallow buildings. Volcanoes will keep erupting. But, if you have God in your heart and if you are driven by faith, you will prevail. In this life, or the next.
Are you driven by faith? Do you glorify God in all you do? Are you ready for the next disaster? Either way, I invite you to follow these four steps:
> Read God’s word DAILY.
Reading the bible daily will allow you get to know Jesus personally and will help you overcome life’s challenges and problems so you can help others.
> Pray to God DAILY.
The bible commands us to do so: “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14: 13-15)
> Fellowship with others DAILY.
“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)
> Witness to others DAILY.
Plant godly seeds and allow others to grow under God’s light. By witnessing to others, you are fulfilling God’s mission for your life and spreading the good news just as Jesus and His apostles did.
Let’s pray.
Father God;
We thank you for all that surrounds us and for your love.
We ask that you to keep after us in these troubling times
And inspire us to continue living godly lives
According to your ways through your Word the Bible.
Lord we thank you for reminding us how fragile we are
And for fulfilling your promises in this life
So we can rejoice with you in the next.
God we pray you will give us strength in challenging times
And bless us with your light on cloud covered days
Inspiring us to seek you in prayer.
Please Lord forgive our sins as only you can
And lay before us your path for our lives
So that we may follow in your footsteps each and every day.
Thank you all mighty God for all that you make possible
Today and forever!
Praise God,
Amen!
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: DanielStPierre@ThriveThroughChrist.com
