“Ignore the dates.” That’s what I should have said… from the very beginning.

I really don’t want to get into what drives men to box God into a date, or follow those that do. A friend of mine recently commented that God cannot trust us with such things; we tend to take too much credit when we guess it right.

What I need to do is apologize. I need to apologize to anyone that has been negatively affected by anything I have shared that suggested that I, or anyone else, had inside knowledge of God’s calendar. I am sorry.

I tried to keep this from happening. I really did. However, comments I have received since the passing of September 13th indicate that I failed. I am sorry if I have caused anyone any harm (e.g., distraction, doubt, discouragement). Please accept my apology.

Now, if I may, let me clarify where I am with all this storm business.

Storms of Many Forms

There are at least three kinds of storms that we should be aware of. First, there is the storm coming to America and the church that resides here. Chaos and lawlessness continue to increase. No one has a legitimate solution to offer. The fact that certain dates have come and gone should not affect our level of concern and preparedness.

Second, there is “the” storm that will come at the end of this age. I do not believe that the storm we are about to experience will be the Great Tribulation. However, the soon coming storm will certainly prepare us for the last great one.

Lastly, we should recognize that most have experienced, or will experience, storms in their life (e.g., loss of employment, house fire, death of a loved one). These storms are more focused – on individuals, families or fellowships. However, they are just as useful to God and His purposes in the earth. He works all things to our good. It helps – really helps – if we are prepared to make the most of His good in the storms.

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. Matthew 7:24-27

Whatever their form, storms test our “houses”; they reveal what we truly believe. Notice in this passage that both the wise and foolish heard the sayings of Jesus, and both had a storm come against their house. Even the one who did the sayings of Jesus had his house tested.

The difference between the wise and the foolish was doing or not doing; and the result: Their house standing or suffering a great fall. Notice that the determinant factor was doing or not doing. The issue of rock or sand is secondary. In other words, we will not have a rock to build on without doing His sayings.

Now, this begs a few questions: Do we know the sayings of Jesus? Can we do what we do not know? What about those for whom God has given us responsibility?

An Awesome Opportunity

The storm that is coming will destroy many houses; even the houses of our Christian family and friends. An alarming number will turn to the world for solutions. Others will be drawn by the Holy Spirit to seek out houses of refuge – to understand what they have missed in their attempts to live a godly life. We must become those houses. Jesus intends to make it so!

We must be as prepared for these brothers and sisters as we are for ourselves. Jesus says, “As the Father sent me, so I send you.” What would He say to those who have lost their houses? “Come and follow me.” If we are prepared, we will be used by God to lead them to the One Who can make them.

The storms of life – whatever their form – present great opportunities for our participation in the Great Commission. The storm that is coming to America and the church that resides here will push this to a new level. It may be the last opportunity for reawakening and revival in the American church. We must be prepared!!

Please let me know how I can help you in this regard.

Humbly yours and forever His,