start before the storm begins

I was listening to a powerful message from Pastor Benny Tate as he shared a point that stuck in my mind, and really in my heart. He said something like this, “choose to start praying before the storm begins.”

That is an amazing and important statement.

As humans we often don’t make a change until it is obvious a change must be made. The pain begins and we need to go to the doctor. We find ourselves broke and say we need to save money. Our marriages are in dire need of fixing and we decide to do something about it.

Yet the best thing to do would be to start praying before the storm begins. Take care of your health before you need to go to the doctor and deal with the pain. Begin saving money before you know that you are broke. Work on your marriage before your marriage is falling apart.

Does that make sense to you? It makes a lot of sense to me. And that is a huge thought as we move through this week, deeper in to the summer and seek God for our futures.

1 Timothy 2:8 NLT

In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.

Make the adjustments now. Before you need do something about the situation.

I am starting a new message series this Sunday called “Pre-Decide” where we talk about the need to make great decisions.

In Tate’s message he references a powerful passage where the followers of Jesus had little faith and needed to remember Jesus has all the power they need.

Matthew 8:24-26 NLT

Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” 26 Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.

Why would Jesus ask them why they were afraid and where is their faith? Is that a stupid question? Seems like it might be, but it is not a stupid question. Because we might need to be asked the same.

We are human. Often we decide too late to make a decision about something.

Before the storm decide that you are going to trust God. Before the storm remember that God has all the power you need. Before the storm begin to pray. Before the storm begins do something to strengthen your faith and the faith of the people around you.

The storm is coming. Situations will always arise that are tough. What are you going to do when the storm hits? Decide before it does.

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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