In my early days of being a Christian, I wanted to have a relationship with the Lord where he was my umbrella. I literally wanted him to keep the rain, wind and storm from touching me. I understood that the harsh elements had to happen….but not to Christians. I knew non-Christians would experience devastation, so I knew catastrophes had to happen around me; but I didn’t believe that I should feel the effects of them.

My mindset was so adamant that when I heard of Christians experiencing things like the loss of a child or an early grave or anything that went against my theology, I immediately remembered that the devil comes to steal, kill and destroy—John 10:10.

Then I got older—both naturally and spiritually. And I didn’t understand why, but I lost the umbrella and had to take shelter in whatever building was nearby. Those harsh elements were no longer around me, they were my own life catastrophes (i.e., early death of my mom, divorce, financial devastation, storm, storm, storm….)

WHERE WAS GOD AND THAT SAFETY UMBRELLA THAT HAD SHELTERED AND PROETECTED ME?

Now, I have to share with you a little bit about my personality. I’m a hard nose who is not easily swayed by others. I make my own decisions and really don’t care that you’re shouting from a rooftop with a warning. Sad—but true.  My personal makeup works both for and against me at times.  A friend once shared with me that it was a good thing that I heard the gospel first—prior to being introduced to a false religion because once I believe something; there is no changing my mind. He was correct, but not complete. The Word of God did, and still does, change my mind. In fact, it was the lack of the Word of God that caused me to have such an immature relationship with Christ to begin with. Let me explain.

As I studied the Word of God, I also learned the following:

1.       He sends rain on the just and the unjust—Matthew 5:45

2.       Sometimes, the wicked do prosper—Job 21:7, Psalms 73:12, Jer 12:1, Psalms 73:16—countless others but that’s another lesson

3.       What’s left after the storm depends on your level of obedience

Point number three is where I want to focus the balance of this discussion. Matthew 7:24-29 describes obedient people and disobedient people.

V24-25: Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of Mine; and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain descended, the floods came and winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

V26: But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand……

In summation, the storm is coming on both the obedient and disobedient.  So why obey, if I still have to go through the storm? A logical question, so let’s finish the passage of scripture.

V27: And the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, and it fell. And great was its fall.

The promise to the obedient is that after the storm, you will still be standing; where the disobedient will fall. 

And by the way, do not despise the prosperity of the wicked, because they are building upon the sand.

QUOTE: The best vitamin for a Christian is B1-- Felicia Hailey

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CAN YOU GUESS WHO I AM?

(from Bishop Eddie Long)

I am your constant companion.

I am your greatest helper or heaviest burden.

I will push you onward or drag you down to failure.

I am completely at your command.

Half of the things you do, you might as well turn over to me.

And I will do them—quickly and correctly.

I am easily managed – you must be firm with me.

Show me exactly how you want something done and after

A few lessons, I will do it automatically.

I am the servant of great people, and alas, all of your failures as well.

Those who are great, I have made great.

Those who are failures, I have made failures.

I am not a machine though I work with the precision of a machine

plus the intelligence of a person.

You may run me for profit or run me for ruin—

It makes no difference to me.

Take me, train me, be firm with me, and I will place the world at your feet.

Be easy with me, and I will destroy you.

Who am I? I am HABIT.