Pastor's Corner: Prepare for the storm

Greetings my fellow Hi-Liners,

As the first week of October brings in some cooler weather with the changing of the season, we see God working in His creation from the leaves changing color, getting ready to go dormant for the winter to the animals putting on their winter coats. We see the geese starting to fly south for the winter, as the seagulls, terns and pelicans have already moved along. God is preparing His creation for protection from the storms that will come to our area.

As we see and feel the changing seasons, I am reminded to prepare for the coming storms myself getting out the snow shovels, rolling up the hoses, storm windows ready, making sure I have ice melt. Preparing the rigs for the coming storms with winter tires, coolant and washer solvent protection to 30 below - dang I cringe when I think of that number! The Hi-Line is not for sissies! Finding my Carhartts, gloves, hats, beanies, and putting away the golf clubs, well maybe not yet. Pulling up my garden, my daughter says it's not a garden with only one tomato plant, lol. We have to prepare for the coming storms before they come, anticipating the inevitable.

So, as we get ready for the storms that are inevitable to come, what are we doing for the spiritual storms that are guaranteed to come? A wayward child, a health diagnosis that is not good, the death of a loved one, loss of employment, loss of housing, the list is endless of things that could go wrong and have gone wrong in our lives already. So how do we prepare for the storms in our lives? How do we get refuge from the storm? As a Christian, the moment we accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior, gave our life to Him we are indwelled by the Holy Spirit, one third of the Godhead, not less than God the Father or God the Son, but God the Holy Spirit. God gave us His Holy Scripture to find comfort in, answers to the problems of life. This gives us hope knowing God is in control, we have the power of prayer when we are weak from the storm, He will give us protection even though we will have to go through the storm, just like the trees. The grace of God has been poured out on everyone through His Son Jesus.

Romans 8:26, "And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words."

God through the Holy Spirit is praying for us through the storm. When we are weak, shivering from the storm, let us take refuge in God's word: Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge (Psalm 62:8). Let us be reminded that God is good, God is trustworthy, and in control. Let us trust Him through the storm, as He knows everything we are going through and will go through, when life seems out of control

His word says:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6).

He will give you refuge, shelter, peace and rest for your soul, when your soul is at rest, life is the best, even in the midst of the storm as we shelter in place with the Creator of the world. When we lean into the Holy Spirit with the cares of our heart, when we sit down and rest in His word, take time to pray, anticipating His presence within our soul, He will come through, He will give you shelter, He will answer your prayer in His will. If we do our part, trust, believe and receive. God has already done His part. He will give you courage to face the storm. One of the greatest gifts He gave me is the ability to face my problems head on knowing He will be right there with me, the whole way.

Deuteronomy 31:8, "It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."

Trust, believe and receive, then the storms of life will be not so frightening. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9).

We all have hurts, habits and hangups, but God is able to make our way straight, we can be overcomers, we can be victorious, there is no magic pill to the Christian life, but there is a supernatural force at work. Who could take an alcoholic, drug user, sinner like me and change him in an instant, only God that sent His Son to Earth to take the penalty of our sin and spiritual death for the world, for His Son, Jesus to die on the cross and be raised back to life and Heaven, to give the Holy Spirit to all who believe, Holy Spirit

That my beloved is my God, my redeemer, my friend, my powerful helper, comforter, and guide.

John 3:16 is the grace of God. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

So, are you a whosoever? If not, why not?

If you are not a whosoever, keep searching for the truth of life, God will put Himself in front of you. Then you too will have the opportunity of supernatural power from the Holy Spirit to seek refuge from the storm.

Romans 10:9-11, "9 If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11" As Scripture says, "Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame." Trust in His love, believe in His grace, and receive the abundance of His presence in your life.

Jesus is the solution to the storms; the Holy Spirit is the power behind the solution. Let Jesus permeate your life in the power of the Holy Spirit and you will feel storm proof. If God is for us, who can come against us?

Live with the divine love, mercy and grace that is only available through Jesus, finding peace and rest for your soul that is nothing but amazing, amazing grace, Jesus has done all the work for the forgiveness of sin, has done all the work for healing. Are part being trust, believe and receive His unwavering grace.

The weather may be nice now but there will be storms, it is better to prepare now.

Find time to expand your relationship with Jesus, read His words, be around other believers, attend church, we are so blessed here in Havre to have so many bible believing churches and bible teaching Pastors.

Love to all!

--

Al Jensen, Pastor AJ

Set Free Christian Fellowship

"The Lord bless you

and keep you;

25 the Lord make his face shine on you

and be gracious to you;

26 the Lord turn his face toward you.

and give you peace."

(Numbers 6:24-26)