We are enduring a rash of severe thunderstorms and tornado activity here in Colorado this week. The lightning has been more active than a fireworks show, and the wind, hail and ominous funnel clouds have been unsettling to say the least!
Last night as one of these severe storms passed directly over the town where our little group had gathered to pray, we had an incredible experience with the LORD. Geri went to the front of the house and I went out onto the back deck. We stretched out our hands and in the name of Yahshua, the Deliverer, we commanded the storm to leave at once! We checked the local TV station and the warnings were out for everyone to take shelter, so we obediently went into the basement where we sat at a small card table and bowed our heads to pray. The Holy Spirit came to us with the sweetest, most gentle Presence, and He directed us to a passage in the Word, which He said would be our "end times instruction."
What do you consider "end times instruction?" Most of us think about the storing of food, perhaps having a weapon and ammunition, or perhaps having a bag packed so that we can be prepared to flee our homes. This is not what the Holy Spirit wanted to show us. He took us to 1 Peter 4:7-10: "The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."
Take this passage sentence by sentence and meditate upon it. I think you will be as amazed as we were to find that God's end-times instruction for is simple, gentle, and quiet. It is not fearful or difficult! We need clear minds and self-control so that we can pray - just as we experienced in the midst of the storm yesterday. We need to love one another deeply, even when it is not convenient or what our flesh wants to do. We need to open our homes, our food, our provision to those in need - without complaining about it! (I am so blessed right now to have a family of six in my small home, sharing food and hospitality with them until they find jobs and house to live in. The obedience is bringing blessings!) Lastly, the Spirit says we are to use whatever gift we have to serve others. We don't all have the same gifts, but we all have one (1 Corinthians 12).
As we see the end times upon us, and we see so many people begin to suffer mentally, physically and spiritually, we can take this passage from 1 Peter 4 to heart! There will be much to do to reach out to the suffering with love, with hospitality, and with spiritual gifts. And in the midst of the chaos that will break out all around us, we must stay clear-minded and self-controlled so that we can pray.
Last night - while we quietly prayed - the storm dissipated and left the area. No hail damaged our cars or homes, no tornado touched the ground. It was quiet - in the Shadow of El Shaddai.
