September 13, 2019 – Click here to listen
I was awakened last night by thunder, lightning, and pounding rain. Yes, yet another tropical storm is heading our way and we are in the leading edge of it as I write this post. Those poor souls in the Bahamas who just got hit are in the cone too and I feel sure they are getting rain as well. They are located just 56 miles from where I live. There is nothing much left for the wind and rain to destroy in the Bahamas. Over 2500 people are still missing and the homes and businesses located on the Abaco and Grand Bahama Islands were completely destroyed. Just when they think it is over and it could not get any worse, another storm is heading their way to add to their misery.
I chose to live in Florida knowing full well that we are going to have occasional hurricanes and other tropical disturbances. If it gets too bad, then I just hop on a plane or in my car and go somewhere safe until it passes. If it damages my boats or home, there is always insurance. Those poor souls in the Bahamas cannot do the same. The entire island was submerged underwater. There was no high ground that they could flee to and the people there are too poor to leave the island. Thus, many drowned, many in their attics. As for buying expensive insurance forget about it – it’s out of the question. They lost everything.
Can you imagine knowing that another storm is heading straight for you after having just experienced this?
I was reading an interesting verse in Hebrews Chapter 1:14 this morning during my Bible study: Are not the angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? Did you know that was their purpose? Whenever angels have come face to face with humans in Bible accounts the first words out of their mouths is “Do not be afraid.” Then they go about the business of ministering to the needs of those whom they serve.
I was conversing with a friend yesterday and I told him that I had recently gone back and counted up all of the near-death experiences I’ve had in my life and it was 19. Of those, three occurred far offshore in boats when I was caught unexpectedly in huge storms. As irrational as it may sound I can say I was not afraid in any of those incidents. My sister-in-law tells me I’m just weird, my friend Jack, Murf-the-surf, Murphy tells me I have faulty wiring in my brain, and some have said that I’m just crazy. While all or some of that may be true, the real reason I’m not afraid to die is due to my tremendous faith in God.
You see I don’t believe in death. We were created to live forever and if we have accepted Jesus as our Savior as I have we will spend all of eternity with Jesus. This is not to say I’m trying to speed up the process, I’m not. I want to live each day to its fullest because this tiny little vapor of life on this planet is a one-time opportunity to serve the Lord and raise up a Godly family under difficult circumstances. It is important to make the most of it while we have the opportunity. Which brings me back to those poor souls in the Bahamas. We should emulate the angels in telling those who suffer not to be afraid and minister to their needs. Can you donate some of what the Lord has given you to someone who has lost everything? Yes, many relief organizations will rip off donors and yet there is the Salvation Army and Samaritan’s Purse that will use every copper penny of our hard-earned money exclusively to help those in need and do it in the name of the Lord.
Can you spend some time earnestly praying that God will intercede on behalf of them? Did you know that is what the Holy Spirit does for you and me? He prays for us in a language that we cannot understand earnestly advocating for us. Our charge is to emulate Jesus, The Holy Spirit, the Father, and God’s multitude of angels and minister to those souls who are suffering.
Matthew 25:34
Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Have a great weekend and go to church this Sunday!