Women Arise Weekly Devotional (March 23, 2009)

Storms Will Come

 

 

Storms will come into each and every one of our lives at some point or another. Some may even be going through a storm now. What we have to remember though is that the storm always passes over and there is sunshine after the rain! No matter how fierce or destructive the storm may be, it eventually passes by!

 

 

What the Spirit has laid upon my heart to share this week is: PLEASE DON'T WAIT UNTIL YOU ARE IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM TO TRY TO SEEK SHELTER! It's possible to be saved, but it's so much harder! You can't 'hear' as clearly with the wind blowing so mightily and the rain beating against your house! You can't walk through a storm with the heavy winds pushing you so forcibly here and there and with debris blowing at you from all angles!  BE PREPARED BEFORE THE STORM HITS!!!!

 

 

We don't know when the storm is going to hit us, or how harsh the storm will be,  but we DO know though that a storm is coming! ( I say this NOT to sound negative, but this is REALITY)...Jesus has said Himself, that "In this world you WILL have tribulation, but take heart, I have overcome the world!" (John 16:33) So right there is our 'Weather Forecaster'...Tune into the bible just like you tune into the news, and you will know exactly how to prepare for these storms! "Be sober and vigilant, for your enemy roams around like a roaring lion seeking whom to devour." (I Peter 5:8) So first off, you have to be ALERT! Be on guard at all times! You never know through whom or what Satan will try to attack! Even some well meaning Christians and other friends and loved ones will sometimes be vessels for Satan's use, and won't even realize it! We have to be GOD-focused and not OTHERS- focused or SELF-focused!  

 

 

Secondly, we have to STAND FIRM! That means we have to refuse to give up!  NO MATTER WHAT we are going through, DO NOT GIVE UP! "It ain't over, until GOD says it's over!" So unless He tells you to stop, or to move in another direction, BE PERSISTENT! Keep on praying. Keep on seeking, Keep on knocking. Keep on praying, seeking and knocking...praying, seeking and knocking...until the Lord moves on your behalf! (Luke 11: 5-13) Sometimes God's answer is YES! Sometimes His answer is NO! Sometimes ladies, the answer is NOT RIGHT NOW! God knows what we need and He knows when we need it. I thank God that many of my prayers were a NO! Had He given me some of the crazy mess or crazy MEN that I asked for, I would be NO MORE GOOD! :0) Can I get a Amen sisters? Seriously, we have to trust that FATHER KNOWS BEST and that if He is allowing these storms into our lives, He is doing something GREAT right in their midst! You know, I thank God for my trials! Without the trials, I would never have become the woman of God that I am today! I would never have learned patience (still being worked on in that area), I would never have learned unconditional love (still in training...:0), I would never have learned compassion or understanding and I certainly would not have gained STRENGTH and WISDOM that can only be learned in the storms! Now I didn't see it like that while the rain was beating so heavy upon my head, and while I was laying in the midst of the thunder and lightning all around wondering where it was going to strike me next, BUT after the storm passed and the rain cleared and the sun peeked through on the horizon, I saw it all so clearly!!! What a WONDERFUL GOD! 

 

 

So I encourage you ladies, focus NOT on these earthly struggles,these storms of life that rage about us as they are only TEMPORARY!!! THESE TOO SHALL PASS! But focus on what is TRULY important. What is of everlasting importance and worth: The Kingdom of God! Once you do that, ALL else will be added to you!    

 

 

I pray that the Lord blesses someone today with this message! I love you all and thank you all for joining this group and standing with me! GOD BLESS YOU ALL ABOVE AND BEYOND ALL THAT YOU COULD EVER DARE THINK OR IMAGINE!  (Ephesians 3:20)

 

 

WOMEN ARISE! STAND FIRM! NO WHO YOU ARE AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHOSE YOU ARE! 

 

 

Much Love In Christ,

 

 

LaTanya Scott