Storm Preparations

I've seen gridlock before in New York City. It's when vehicles are choking at every intersection and literally no one can move. Until recently though, I had neverseen gridlock in a grocery store. The weatherman had forecast a hugh snowstorm for our area which was supposed to begin during the night. Well I stopped by thestore about 9:30 that night, and I ended up trying to find the end of the line for the cash register. They only had two lanes open and there was a line of carts all theway to the produce section all jammed together so no one could come in, go out, or go through. What brought this sudden urge to shop? Word of an approachingstorm.

You see, storms are a fact of everybody's life. If it's calm now, you can be sure that somewhere up ahead there's a storm. The question is, are you ready for the timewhen things start spinning out of control around you and inside of you? Since we know we have to make it through heavy weather, we need to know we've got whatit takes to make it through the crises that have sunk so many other people.

Well, here's the testimony of a man who lived through imprisonment, disability, injustices, assassination attempts -- the Apostle Paul. The man was unsinkablebecause he was prepared for any storm. Our word today from the Word of God is from 2 Timothy chapter 1, verse 12. He says, "I am not ashamed, because Iknow whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day". Now Paul is talking about a deeppersonal relationship with Jesus Christ, the only man in history powerful enough to beat death and blow the doors off His grave. Paul says, "I'm convinced that He isable to guard what's important to me." The ultimate security in life is knowing you belong to Jesus.

I was talking to my friend John a few days ago. He's had 10 cancer operations in 8 years. He's been at death's door three times. When you talk to him, you comeaway almost disbelieving that he's carrying this pain. He's positive, he's generous, he's joyful, he's encouraging. The surgeon is even sending John to some of his otherpatients who just aren't handling the storm of cancer. John made a simple but heart-rendering statement to me. He said, "Ron, you don't handle it well when you tryto handle it without a Savior." And that's the difference - the Savior difference, the Jesus difference.

You see, all approaches to life work when things are going well, but test is the storm represented by words like cancer, bankruptcy, fired, divorce, terminal. Evensmaller storms can drive us to the edge, and sometimes over, unless we've committed ourselves completely to this awesome Savior named Jesus. He loves youunconditionally. He proved that when He died on that cross for the very sins you've done against Him. He's willing to put your life in His eternal keeping and give youeternal life beginning the day you entrust yourself totally to Him. You could do that right where you are. Maybe you could pray like this, "Lord Jesus, I've been tryingto do it without a Savior. I've lived my last day without you Lord. I believe you died to pay the death penalty for my sins and today I'm putting my total trust in you tobegin a relationship with God. I need a Savior."

If you're not sure you belong to Jesus Christ and you want to be, I wish you'd e-mail me. You don't need to fear the storm if you know you're ready because yourlife is in hands that will never, never drop you. Jesus - the One who during a life-threatening storm stepped to the bow of the boat He was in and said, "Peace, bestill" and it was. He will do that for you in your storm.

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Today's Daily Wisdom is written by Ron Hutchcraft, based on his popular radio broadcast,"A Word With You"."A WORD WITH YOU" daily devotionals are now available via e-mail. To subscribe send a blank email to:awordwithyou-subscribe@hutchcraft.com,or to request the "Yours for Life" booklet, fill out the form on this site:http://www.gospelcom.net/rhm/yours/yflorder.html. Ron Hutchcraft Ministries has been on-line with Gospelcom since February, 1996, providingpractical answers to real life issues. (c) 2000 Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc.PO Box 400, Harrison AR 72602