Your Storm Shelter (3)

'I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go...' Genesis 28:15 NIV

To prepare for life's storms you must:

(1) Practise self-control. 

Storms are much harder on the undisciplined and self-indulgent. The illusion that life should be easy, painless, an air-cushioned ride, makes you vulnerable to discouragement, disillusionment and defeat in hard times.  

The truth is, tough times don't last but tough people do! And tough people practise self-denial and self-control. It's their spiritual muscle for handling life's hardships.  

The Bible says,

'The fruit of the Spirit is...self-control...' (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV).  

God's Spirit will make you tough enough to control your greatest weakness - yourself - the thing that ultimately defeats you in the tough times.  

Paul lived by this principle.

'I discipline my body and keep it under control...' (1 Corinthians 9:27 ESV).  

Great athletes know that it's their conditioning, not the conditions, that determine their victory.

(2) Depend on God, not people.

'It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man' (Psalm 118:8 NKJV). 

Yes, others can help you at times, like a cast helps a broken leg. But once that leg is ready to bear its weight, you must discard the cast or your leg won't regain full strength.  

People can go so far; only God will go all the way with you.  

Paul writes:

'...No one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me...The Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly Kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen' (2 Timothy 4:16-18 NKJV)!

Soul Food: Gen 17-19, John 13:31-38, Ps 118:1-9, Pr 31:6-9

Written by Bob & Debby Gass
Wednesday, 27 November 2013

APPS available here

Your Storm Shelter (1)

'...When a storm strikes...God will keep safe all who obey Him.' Proverbs 10:25 CEV

Heart-rending scenes of nature's devastation are hard to forget. 

Victims caught in the path of hurricanes, floods and earthquakes are tossed around like matchsticks. But those prepared in advance escape its destruction. 

There is no such thing as a storm-free life! 

The words 'When (not if) a storm strikes,' teach us that we all go through times of heartache and trouble. 

The question is: are you prepared? 

You can be.  

God can protect you in times of loss, sickness, divorce, unemployment, loneliness and depression. 

You may not be able to predict life's storms or prevent them, but you can prepare for them and be protected in them by doing the following things: 

Locate your storm shelter. 

Mid-storm is no time to be caught in confusion, seeking refuge for yourself and your family. You must know in Whom and where your protection lies.  

The Bible says,

'The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous run to it, and are safe' (Proverbs 18:10 NKJV). 

God's 'name' speaks of His character, His reliability and His faithfulness. 

A man or woman without God is forced to be their own god - what a fearful thought! But those who love. 

God can say,

'God is...always ready to help in times of trouble. And so, we won't be afraid! Let the earth tremble and the mountains tumble into the deepest sea. Let the ocean roar and...its raging waves shake the mountains' (Psalm 46:1-3 CEV).

The old Irish preacher had his own take on the hymn. He'd say,

'On Christ the solid rock I stand - all other rocks are sham-rocks!' 

Trust God; 

He's the only storm shelter you'll ever need.

Soul Food: Gen 10-12, John 13:1-17, Ps 95, Pr 30:29-33

Written by Bob & Debby Gass
Monday, 25 November 2013

APPS available here

Your Storm Shelter (2)

'You have been...a shelter from the storm...' Isaiah 25:4 NIV

To be prepared for life's storms you must: 

(1) Know your storm manual. 

The hymnist Kelso Carter wrote:

'Standing on the promises that cannot fail, when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, by the living Word I shall prevail, standing on the promises of God.' 

Emotion-based faith is like a broken crutch; it won't support you in life's storms. It's fair-weather Christianity and it doesn't work. 

God's Word stands sure: 

it's greater than surrounding conditions and will enable you to outlast any storm.

'Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly...' (Colossians 3:16 NIV)  

Keep a rich deposit of Scripture within you at all times so you can make a withdrawal when you need it. Withstanding life's storms depends on your willingness to

'...hear these words...and put them into practice...' (Matthew 7:24 NIV) 

So, memorise the Scriptures; read them until, if you're cut, you bleed Scripture. 

Meditate on God's Word until it fills and shapes your consciousness.  

When the storm came, Job said,

'...I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.' (Job 23:12 NKJV) 

(2) Storm-proof yourself through prayer. 

Many of us treat prayer like a visit to the emergency room. Until then we neglect it. 

Imagine where Daniel would have been if he'd held off praying until he was staring down the lion's throat?

Not a smart move.  

Instead, in his time of crisis Daniel drew on faith built by a lifestyle of daily prayer.  

And in your crisis, you too can make withdrawals from your account - as long as you've been faithful to make regular deposits.

SoulFood: Gen 13-16, John 13:18-30, Ps 114, Pr 31:1-5

Written by Bob & Debby Gass
Tuesday, 26 November 2013 00:09

APPS available here