Saturday, September 20, 2008

Weathering the Storms


Dear Prayer Partners,
Those of us who live in Texas just experienced a hurricane of great proportions hitting Galveston Island. There was quite a bit of destruction in that area and some destruction south of Houston and in Houston. During the summer months this is a common occurrence to have hurricanes coming through the Gulf hitting land in different areas. We had the privilege to host 9 members of our family during this storm as they fled to safety in our home. What a joy to welcome them and wrap our arms about them! Storms come in the natural realm and can bring fear and destruction. I am often reminded of the storm on the sea written about in the Word of God.
In Matthew 8:23-27 it says: Now when He (Jesus) got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

What is Jesus telling us here? That when we trust and believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior that no matter what storms come in our life (and they will) we can have NO FEAR and TOTAL CONFIDENCE in Him that He will take care of us. He has already provided all we need to weather the storms of life. Our family who came to stay with us knew they would be safe in our home but they also knew that their homes were in the hands of a loving Lord. All of their property was protected. When they arrived home they had trees and brush in their yards and power lines down but nothing was destroyed. We praise the Lord for His protection! How are you handling the storms in your life? Hopefully you are handling them with the Word of God which is truth and a total faith and trust in the Lord Jesus as your healer, provider, protector and Savior.

“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

Love and blessings,

Charley & Karen