Disaster Training

Disaster Training

Revelation 9: ⁷ The locusts looked like horses ready for battle; on their heads they had what seemed to be crowns of gold, and their faces were like human faces. ⁸ Their hair was like women's hair, their teeth were like lions' teeth. ⁹ Their chests were covered with what looked like iron breastplates, and the sound made by their wings was like the noise of many horse-drawn chariots rushing into battle. ¹⁰ They have tails and stings like those of a scorpion, and it is with their tails that they have the power to hurt people for five months. ¹¹ They have a king ruling over them, who is the angel in charge of the abyss. His name in Hebrew is Abaddon; in Greek the name is Apollyon (meaning “The Destroyer”).

 

¹² The first horror is over; after this there are still two more horrors to come.

 

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Working in a building with several floors came with its challenges. One challenge was addressing “What would happen if a storm hit the building?” We were given instructions to follow by the disaster leaders.

 

• We had to understand what to do and where to go during a disaster.
• Somehow, the disaster leaders needed to recognize when a disaster hit and know what to do.
• Knowing how long the disaster drill would take, helped me plan the rest of my day.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, continued his description of the horror that would take place after the fifth angel blew his trumpet. He went into detail, describing the locusts as best he could because he had never seen anything like it. He also was given the duration that the locusts would be able to cause pain.

 

My Observations:

• It seems like GOD is preparing the people HE gave a seal on their foreheads, to recognize a supernatural disaster and to also know how long it will last.
• It also seems like those who are sealed by GOD will have an important role during the supernatural disaster.
• As with all disasters, this supernatural disaster could not be averted, rather prepared for.

 

Preparation helps. I mean, when I can prepare for difficult times, it makes it easier for me to go through the unpleasant situation. GOD seems to love preparing you and me for what HE is going to do. The problem is believing HE will do what HE says.

 

GOD has told us HE loves faith. JESUS got excited when faith was shown, even in its smallest way. HE also said “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” HE means these words to those who believe in JESUS as the Savior from the judgement HE “will” do on Satan’s kingdom. Those who believe can find comfort, knowing they will not have to experience GOD’s wrath.

 

Challenge

• Does the writer seem overwhelmed by what was shown?
• Have you ever been in a disaster drill?
• Have you ever been in a situation that was devastating and were not prepared for it?
• Will you read what GOD has revealed so you can be prepared for the remainder of your life by surrendering your life to JESUS today?

Internal Bootcamp

Internal Bootcamp

1 Timothy 3: ⁸ Church helpers must also have a good character and be sincere; they must not drink too much wine or be greedy for money; ⁹ they should hold to the revealed truth of the faith with a clear conscience. ¹⁰ They should be tested first, and then, if they pass the test, they are to serve. ¹¹ Their wives (or Women helpers) also must be of good character and must not gossip; they must be sober and honest in everything. ¹² A church helper must have only one wife,(or married once) and be able to manage his children and family well. ¹³ Those helpers who do their work well win for themselves a good standing and are able to speak boldly about their faith in Christ Jesus.

 

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Seeing the issues management faced, I thought of things that could have been done better.  I voiced my suggestions, only to have them be met with “maybe later.” But then I was put into management and as the fires raced at me, someone had a suggestion that had nothing to do with my current blaze. “Maybe later” was my response.

 

• I was not prepared for the problems.
• I was not prepared for the responsibility.
• I was not prepared for the issues that would suddenly arise while maintaining the day to day.

 

Paul gives Timothy a list to help people get prepared versus being judged or graded. Since no one was perfect and many people would fail the list, it was easier to point people towards areas to work on internally. If people were willing to do this, they would “do their work well.”

 

My Observations

• GOD doesn’t need me to be perfect before I give my life to HIM.
• I have to recognize that I am not perfect and I need to prepare for larger responsibilities.
• Being prepared may take sincerity, good character, a sober mind, lack of greed, no gossip, honesty, family management and holding to the revealed truth of JESUS with faith.

 

Is this a long list? Yes! But I believe it is not a list for one to observe and judge a person on the worthiness of servanthood, rather “get ready!” Get ready for the things that the enemy will throw at you when you say “Yes” to GOD’s calling. The Devil will throw temptation after temptation after temptation and will not relent. Test yourselves in areas you can easily fall to be ready. I am glad GOD prepares you and me.

 

Challenge

• Are you prepared for the next level of service?
• Have you faced the same temptations, issues or problems over and over?
• Will you accept GOD’s calling to serve and become prepared so you can help others become prepared today?

Know It’s Coming

Ephesians 6: ¹⁰ Finally, build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil's evil tricks. ¹² For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age. ¹³ So put on God's armor now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy's attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground.

 

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After moving in the house and getting all the furniture situated, we finally settled in. It was summer, so we planted flowers. I was given a lawnmower so I could cut the grass. But then winter hit. The snow came and I found myself without a shovel.

 

• I was unprepared for the season.
• I was focused only on one season, but ill prepared for another.
• I was caught off guard and found it difficult to react to the season.

 

“Build up your strength” is Paul’s warning to everyone. He had personally suffered for the purpose of spreading the love of CHRIST. People twisting his love and devaluing his motive led to extreme actions that stemmed from Satanic attacks. There was a remedy.

 

My Observations

• Unite with the LORD is the first thing GOD wants me to do.
• Put on GOD’s armor is a step HE wants me to take to become prepared for the “Devil’s evil tricks.”
• Resist the enemy’s attacks is the part of the battle GOD wants me to participate in.

 

Prepare yourself is a tough statement to hear. I mean, it’s easier to fight things and people we cannot see. We try to make sense out of the world through labels so we can understand. But life is messy because of one being, namely Satan. He wants to trick people who are not prepared and attacks those who have grown weary.

 

BUT GOD is there to help. HE provides peace in the middle of the storm. When the focus is on GOD, the waves of life die down because of HIS mighty power. All issues must bow to GOD’s authority. I gladly put on HIS armor now!

 

Challenge

• What is the true fight the writer is speaking of?
• Have you grown weary of all the battles you have faced in life?
• Will you stop fighting with your own strength, thinking you can come up with the answer and allow GOD to heal your situation, knowing you may be attacked, yet will emerge through the fire victoriously!?

I Don’t Know That But I Know This

I Don’t Know That But I Know This

Acts 18: ²⁴ Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. ²⁵ He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. ²⁶ He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.

²⁷ When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. ²⁸ For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.

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When a question was asked that I did not know, I got nervous and tried to think of an answer. I was presenting in front of a few hundred people and felt I needed to have all the answers. The audience quickly lost interest as I gave an opinion versus fact.

• There was a time when I thought I could have all the answers.
• There was a time when I thought I could handle any problem thrown at me.
• There was a time when I presented information that I was not fully aware of.

Apollos knew the Scriptures very well, but was only taught a little about JESUS. He spoke as accurately as he could about JESUS with “fervor.” Priscilla and Aquila heard him. They had spent a lot of time with Paul and learned a lot about JESUS. They volunteered to help Apollos learn more about the Messiah.

• GOD wants me to speak what I know about HIM with fervor.
• GOD wants me to be brave enough to say “I don’t know, but this is what I believe.”
• GOD wants me to say “I believe JESUS died for my sins and HE was raised from the dead, giving me eternal life.”

Some people are gifted at arguing about JESUS, others simply say “I just believe.” GOD wants me to open my mouth and tell people about my belief in HIM. The HOLY SPIRIT will give me the right words at the right time. I may not be able to answer questions thrown at me about life, but I know JESUS is the answer to everything.

• Are you trying to be the “answer person?”
• Do you judge people based on their knowledge?
• Will you open your mouth to your belief in JESUS, even though you may not know the Scriptures to support your belief?

Ready

Luke 12: ³⁵ “Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; ³⁶ and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. ³⁷ Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them.³⁸ And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. ³⁹ But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. ⁴⁰ Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

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After the meeting I scheduled another meeting as a follow up to make sure I understood everything. I was being left “in charge” for the short period and I wanted to make sure I understood everything that was going on. During the follow-up meeting I was asked “Are you sure you are ready for this?” “Absolutely” I answered.

• Many times I had to prepare.
• Many times I had to sit and wait for the unknown.
• Many times I had to be confident that something may occur at a moment’s notice.

JESUS says some confusing words to HIS disciples. HE spoke in a parable like tone and told them to be ready for the master’s return. Ready for what? I mean what should I be doing?

• GOD says to me “Prepare yourself daily by speaking to ME.”
• GOD says to me “Seek the kingdom everyday and you will be prepared.”
• GOD says to me “Your life is mine so be prepared to be with ME eternally.”

More and more responsibility is what GOD wants to give me. HE understands my limits and will only give me as much as I can handle. If I as ready as a child then I may not be given much responsibility for GOD’s kingdom. But if I am growing in GOD then HE will help me prepare myself and others for what HE has in store. GOD wants me to be ready daily.

• What are you preparing for?
• Are you preparing to be accepted by humans more and more?
• Can you take some time to prepare yourself for GOD’s kingdom by seeking those HE wants you to seek today?

Abnormal Thinking

Luke 10: ³ Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. ⁴ Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. ⁵ But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ ⁶ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. ⁷ And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house.

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“What is all of that?” exclaimed one of the higher ups. “It’s all of the information printed out about various projects I am working on” I replied, referring to the large stacks of papers in folders I was carrying. I just wanted to be prepared for everything!

• There were times when I thought I had to be prepared for any eventuality.
• There were times when I worked hard at being prepared.
• There were times when it seemed logical to me to try to be prepared for thing to happen.

JESUS tells those HE sent out into the world, that there is no such thing as “being prepared.” In fact, JESUS makes them less prepared by telling them to leave anything they would depend on, home. HE further impresses on them to go out with a purpose, HIS purpose. And when they went out, they were not prepared to fight like wolves, but harmless as lambs.

• GOD wants me to depend on HIS protection .
• GOD wants me to allow HIS thoughts to become my thoughts.
• GOD wants me to not be afraid of the world, trying to meet any expectation, rather allow HIM to shine through the change HE made in me.

Wherever I work, GOD will shine on that place and bring it peace a long as “peace” is accepted. HIS only desire is that I am at peace with myself and my relationship with HIM. The world will tell me that something is wrong with my relationship with GOD because I may not have human status or possessions that prove I am blessed.

BUT GOD holds the tally and HE says I am greatly blessed, so much so that I am filled to overflowing and must tell others about HIS love.

• Do you look at GOD as the great “punisher” or the great forgiver?
• Do you feel inadequate in life?
• Will you say GOD’s grace is sufficient and HIS love for you is more that any human status?