The city of Nashville TN where I live
has been devastated by the recent flooding. Thousands have been
affected and displaced without insurance and as the waters have
receded rescue teams and volunteers have now flooded the area to help
out! I'm always amused at the term "an act of God" often used by
insurance companies to identify the cause of the damage. It is
humbling to see His power in nature! Ironically there has been much
concern about the questionable integrity of "the man made" dams and
lakes here and the mammoth consequences there will be if one of those
"man made" dams break! It does though still remain quite a mystery as
to why God allows these things too happen. I certainly don't have the
answers and can only offer a few scriptures that seem to help me and
I pray may help others in their time of heart break and loss.
I form the light
and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the
LORD, do all these things. (Isa 45:7)
A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from
them all; (Ps 34:19)
Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the
Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus
answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than
all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you,
no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen
who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them - do you think they
were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you,
no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. - Jesus" (Lk
13:1-5)
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In
this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the
world." – Jesus (Jn 16:33)
You tube clip
The following is an entry from the beginning
of 2010 and I've decided to keep it posted to remind me that He is
still in control!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2010 ?!?! twenty-ten?!?!
Surely something like a Y2K deca computer crash
would be immanent??!! But you've survived and only God knows
what this year will hold for any of us.
"Since no man knows the future, who can tell him
what is to come"
(eccl. 8:7).
But God does speak
to us. And He gives great hope to His people."
He who belongs to God hears what God says. The
reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God" (Jn. 8:47).
I suppose it may sound arrogant or self righteous to say "God spoke to
me" and I admit at times it gives rise to caution and
skepticism in me when I hear others say it. But I'm learning
that He does speak and that He speaks so clearly on matters of His
heart that sometimes I'm reluctant to ask. That's crazy! It's like I
don't want to know what He thinks or what He would do in my situation.
I must somehow think it will be a burden or that He's not
wanting the best for me. Even crazier! " For I
know the plans I have for you declares the Lord" plans to prosper you
and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future" (Jer.
29:11).Only God knows the joy and sorrow this year will bring, and
out of His great love for you He has declared it for good, not bad! So
If you believe that Christ has come in the flesh, sacrificed himself
and risen from the dead then you have every reason to embrace this new
year with confidence that you do belong
to Him and that nothing can thwart his plan for you. Whether you
turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice
behind you saying, "This is the way; walk in it." (Is. 30:21)
Looking back... the inspiration for anything of
worth that I've ever done in my life, has come from reading the
scriptures, conversations with God and a strong conviction of His Holy
Spirit. I aspire to this end for 2010 and beyond.
He loves us and desires to take us with Him into a
future that only He could create! However, as
it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has
conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" ( 1 cor. 2:9).
I pray that this year will be filled with endless
opportunities for you to glorify God and enjoy Him forever!
"Do not put out the Spirits fire, do not treat
prophecies with contempt, hold on to the good, avoid every kind of
evil"
(1Thes 5:19-20)
much Love, John
John's Blogs and stuff
