“Prepare For The Storms”

My brother Tommy lives in Sarasota, FL. on the 3^rd floor of a fortress like condo. He decided to wait out the recent tropical storm that hit the Tampa /Sarasota area believing that his house is on a sure foundation. Like the 3 Little Pigs in the house made of bricks, the storms “huffed & puffed but could not blow his house down.” When you’re prepared, it can actually be an exciting adventure to be in the midst of a storm.

Yet it’s critical to make sure we have built our houses on solid ground or we could have a disaster. Jesus tells us: “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say? Everyone who comes to me and listens to my words and acts on them—I will show you what he is like. He is like the man who when he built his house

dug, and dug deep, and laid the foundations on rock; when the river was in flood it bore down on that house but could not shake it, it was so well built. But the one

who listens and does nothing is like the man who built his house on soil, with no foundations: as soon as the river bore down on it, it collapsed; and what a ruin that house became!” (Luke6:43-49)

It’s pretty clear that more storms are coming and not just tropical storms, but   “spiritual storms”. You don’t have to be a weatherman or a prophet to know this. So how do we prepare for these future storms… how do we dig deep and build on rock so that our house will withstand these storms?

Jesus tells us that those who come to him and listen to his words and act on them will weather future storms. We must listen and obey. “But Dave, there is so much that God has told us….. how can we remember all of it?” Okay, let’s calm down; the Lord will help us to “listen and obey”. Let’s put first things first. Let’s first put some of the foundational rocks in place:

• “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength…. and your neighbor as yourself.” (Mt. 22:37-39) 
• “Let all proclaim to the glory of God that Jesus Christ is Lord.”(Phil.2:9-11)
• Pray as Jesus taught us. “ Our father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done…….” (Luke 11:1-4)

The Holy Spirit will guide us in continuing to build on a firm foundation, bending our knee to the Lord, repenting of our sins, seeking to love more fully each day. It’s all good. We don’t need to be afraid when the storms come. Christ will be there to calm any storm that threatens us. (Luke 8:22-25)

When prepared, storms can even be exciting. My older grandsons have actually looked forward to getting the pumps out and working to keep water out of our basement during big storms….. the wind is blowing, the rain pouring down and they know they are prepared and can keep everything dry. 

So, let’s make sure we listen to the Lord and do what he tells us, and all will be well with our soul…. and with our house.  And that is very good news.