Shelter in the Storm

Calm From the Chaos . . .Jesus Christ: The Shelter in the Time of Storm It all sounds pretty scary. And it is. But think about this in context. In THIS generation, amid the earthquakes, famines, wars and pestilences, solar storms, weather anomalies, ethnic unrest and a global war between Islam and Judeo-Christianity, that the front pages are filled with predictions of the end of the world.If it isn't global destruction by global warming, it is by runaway asteroids, provided we don't bring about our own global demise via nuclear, chemical or biological warfare.We have mad Islamic clerics with the potential ability to unleash global destruction publicly announcing their devotion to their soon-expected Messiah, the 12th Imam, as the world gears up for a coming global clash of civilizations between Judeo-Christianity and the Islamic world. And that’s if the clash doesn’t erupt first from somewhere along our southern border. EVERYBODY is looking towards the future with something akin to terror, if not outright horror. Jesus warned of wars and rumors of wars, ethnic unrest, kingdom rising against kingdom, pestilences and famines, and said that was only the beginning. "And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." (Luke 21:25-26)Jesus described the all conditions of this generation EXACTLY. He outlined them in detail, and they have been a matter of undisputed record for two thousand years.But mention any connection between the events taking place right before our eyes and the events the Bible has been predicting for a single generation, somewhere in time, and people will STILL give you a blank stare.Given all that is taking place, that 'blank-stare' reaction is ITSELF evidence of the signs of the times."Knowing this first, that there shall come IN THE LAST DAYS scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." (2nd Peter 3:3-4)The promise of His coming is all around us. And I can hardly wait. But what about you? Are you ready to meet the Creator when He comes? If you don't yet have a personal relationship with Christ, know that He loves you and is actively seeking to have that personal relationship with you. "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to remove the barrier of sin." (1 John 4:10) But sin has created a barrier between mankind and a holy God. “All have sinned and come short of the Glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) To eliminate that barrier, the Second Person of the Godhead stepped into space and time to take on human form as Jesus Christ. He lived the perfect life God's justice demands, then as One owing no sin debt, was executed on the Cross as full payment for the sins of all mankind. Having paid our sin-debt, He procured for each of us a free pardon for our sins and an opportunity to start over with a clean slate before God. Jesus Christ has removed every barrier that stood between you and God except one -- you must receive the pardon He purchased for you by an act of your will. You see, a pardon is not a pardon until it is received. There is a pardon with your name on it in heaven, but you must receive it to make it valid. Jesus gave us this invitation, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20) This door represents your will. YOU can change your eternal destiny right now. Wherever you are, just bow your head and tell God you receive His pardon for your sins. Ask Jesus Christ to come into your life and begin to give you a new heart with new desires. He will come into your life and bring a new power and motivation for living you never dreamed possible