Coping With Disaster (8/20/12)

Shalom,

Please begin by reading Psalm 71.

Many disasters have struck our nation in the recent past. How involved is Yahweh in these things, or is he involved? If we truly believe Yahweh to be the sovereign Lord of all things, it shouldn't be too hard for us to grasp that he's most definitely aware and certainly part of everything that happens. According to his sovereignty, Yahweh does most certainly have a hand in the storms and earthquakes and hurricanes and oil spills and terrorist activities. He doesn't do evil , but as Sovereign Lord he knows of every act and ultimately gave permission for it to happen. Just check out the first two chapters of Job.

If we have any grasp of things to look for in the end times, natural disasters are definitely on the list. Reading Psalm 71 should let us know that persecution is also part of the package. Verse 20 is something we all need to know and deal with. "You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me." Allowed means selected to experience or be exposed to. We're not talking about random acts of evil or accidents, but about tests and trials used to see how we're doing in walking out our faith.

The Bible says we're heading for the greatest time of trouble the world has ever seen or known. However, the good news is that those who've built their lives on Kingdom principles will be doing great exploits during this time according to Dan 11:32. Dan 11:35 is a reminder of how ready and prepared we should be to face anything and everything. "Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified, and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will come at the appointed time."

This is the time for the Church of Jesus Christ to arise and fulfill its calling of harvesting the world. This isn't time to play the ostrich and stick our heads in a hole to hide. Our redemption is closer now than its ever been. Yes, we're headed for some very difficult times. But those who are strong in their faith and serving our Lord will be powerful and will strongly resist the great evil. Our Lord and Master has given us a job to do, and we're stronger than the devil and his followers. The true Church isn't supposed to turn into a wimpy and weak body, it's to be a strong and powerful one.

We must prepare ourselves for the disasters that are coming. We'll need to cope with death all around us and still keep functioning. Just as no good general can be successful if he's overly concerned about casualties, we too will have to move on without intense amounts of grieving or mourning. During the march through the Pacific Islands during World War II by our army, many died. The soldiers and marines advancing on the beaches were told to keep moving and not try to help someone who gets shot. They were told the injured would be cared for by those coming behind, but only if there was an advance by our troops. We'll need this same kind of focus to keep moving forward for our Lord. That's the only way we'll continue to walk in power and authority, able to participate in miracles and reach the lost with the Gospel.

We must understand that problems are coming, and not avoid this awareness because it makes us feel uncomfortable or fearful. We can deceive ourselves into thinking that all the trouble will somehow pass us by, but we need to avoid deception. Those who are walking in the Kingdom have nothing to fear. Those who've built their lives in the world system have much to fear. We need to see with clear spiritual eyes so we may be prepared for whatever comes. This isn't just about surviving, it's about being able to help others and to continue to proclaim our Risen Lord and his salvation.

Israel's inheritance was the Promised Land. Ours is the people of this world, those who will be saved and brought into Yahweh's Kingdom. 2 Cor 5:15 tells us how to overcome the world system. "Those who receive Christ's new life will no longer live to please themselves. Instead, they will live to please Jesus." Any other teaching is a false Gospel, it denies the Cross and keeps us from inheriting our spiritual reward. We must avoid, at all costs, the lure of securing our safety and peace in the world system, We must put our trust completely in our Lord Jesus.

A dead man fears nothing. If we die to this world then nothing in this life should cause us to fear. Death ultimately separates the natural from the spiritual. What we have, what we think is ours in this world, is only temporary. When we die we can't take any of this stuff with us. All that we accumulate can do nothing for us after we die. The only things that will last are the eternal things we've done, the way we've chosen to live for our Lord and Master.

We must keep in mind that death is the greatest liberation that we can ever know. If we consider that dying and going to Heaven will end our physical and emotional pains, we should be able to see this amazing freedom we're being given as a reward for our faith. The devil uses fear to bind us to worldly things just as our Lord uses faith in his truth to set people free. If we're dead to this world, there's nothing this world can do to harm us. It's impossible for a dead person to have fear of failure or fear of rejection or fear of the dark or fear of anything else. Whatever degree we've allowed fear to hinder us is the degree we've failed as Christians.

A dead person doesn't covet or lust or get angry or want revenge or feel lonely. There's no greater freedom that a human can experience than dying to this world and becoming alive in Jesus our Messiah. The Cross doesn't just mean death, but it also points to the Resurrection. When we die in this present world, we begin to live a resurrection life, looking forward to the eternity to come. When our focus turns from money and stuff to the fullness of joy found in Jesus a great burden is lifted off our shoulders. When we trust our Lord and seek to do his will, we don't have to be worried about the stuff of this world.

The Church has wandered in the wilderness much like the nation of Israel did. The time hasn't been totally wasted though. Yahweh has continued to work at transforming his people to prepare them for Kingdom work. As we've wandered in the wilderness failing to complete the task given to us by our Lord, he's been busy working in the hearts and minds of his faithful servants. They've been being prepared for a glorious Kingdom work, the end times harvest of souls. Those who've put effort into trusting and obeying their Master will find that the time in the wilderness has strengthened them and prepared them for great exploits.

It's one thing to free people from slavery. It's another thing to get the mindset of slavery out of the people. Yahweh has been preparing many different people from many different backgrounds for the challenges that are coming our way. He's been working in the hearts and minds of all true seekers for many generations to prepare the way for his Kingdom. And we can't remain slaves to the churchy view that only the seminary educated are sufficient to lead us. Yahweh doesn't require academic degrees for his leaders. He seeks willing hearts, ones surrendered to his plan and purpose. He can spiritually elevate the most simple-minded person and make them all they need to be for his Kingdom business.

One of the major changes we need is to overcome the idea of being chased and harassed by the devil, to being mighty conquerors in the hands of a mighty God. The devil should be more worried about us than we are about him. Our mindsets about the devil's power and ability must be changed. We're stronger than him when we walk in truth and spiritual authority. Instead of battling the enemies within, the issues we've allowed to keep us in bondage, we need to begin battling outside ourselves to help others be released from bondage. Our focus has got to move from our personal issues to the needs of the hurting and lost all around us.

We must never forget that our conquest isn't a greedy pursuit of personal gain or advancement. Our treasure is the liberation of souls from bondage to the devil and his world system. We're called to be freedom fighters, setting captives free. The more people we help find peace and freedom in Christ, the more joy there is in Heaven. We should be excited when someone gives their heart and life to Jesus. We should be praising his name for setting another person free from their sin. And this should drive us to bring the Gospel to more and more people.

When Israel crossed the Jordan River, the first thing they faced was possibly the most powerful, most fortified stronghold in the land. Jericho seemed impregnable to the entire world of its time. How would this band of nomads ever conquer Jericho? In every human way it looked impossible. They knew they needed a miracle. We need miracles, too. What's coming is far beyond human strength or ingenuity to handle. We'll need to be mighty spiritual warriors standing in faith and trust. Only then will we see the Holy Spirit moving in and through us to do great exploits.

What we're facing is bigger and stronger and more entrenched than what we can overcome through sheer numbers or human wisdom. We're facing spiritual strongholds that have had millenniums to sink in their roots and get fully established. The hearts of many people are fully enshrouded in these bitter roots. We need unity and obedience to our Lord to overcome this level of evil. But never forget that as long as we stand in our Lord Jesus and his power and authority, we can do anything he asks of us. The devil's best stuff is still not strong enough to overcome the weakest thing Yahweh has to offer.

There are some exciting things coming our way in the future. Some of these things could be very terrifying if we're not sure of our position in Christ. I hope I'm ready for this great adventure. I want to be one of these supernaturally equipped warriors. How about you?

Blessings & Peace, Mike