Good morning, blog readers, from sunny and cool (33 degrees) where, on my morning walk, I saw: 5 deer and a robin! Thank You, Jesus!
This recent (4/4/23) headline, from AccuWeather, caught my eye this morning: “Historic EF3 tornado confirmed in Delaware.”
In the article, AccuWeather staff writer Allison Finch reported: “At least one fatality has been reported after a historic EF3 tornado, packing wins of 140 mph, ripped a 14-mile-long path through parts of Delaware Saturday. Following a severe weather outbreak that spawned 80 tornadoes Friday across the Midwest and South, another outbreak formed across the Northeast Sunday.” Note: This tornado which killed one man was “the first fatality in Delaware in 40 years. The last killer tornado to touch down in the state occurred on July 21, 1983, when an EF2 twister touched down in Kent County, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).”
And Jesus said, in Matthew 24:8, “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs (pains).” Question: “What things?” Jesus listed a number of them in Matthew 24:5-14, “false Christs, wars and rumors of war, nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom, famines and earthquakes in various places, the persecution of believers in Jesus, even unto death, apostasy in the church, false prophets, an increase in lawlessness and the gospel of the kingdom preached around the whole world. Oh, and He also mentioned in Luke 21:25, 26: “there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and waves, men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”
And so, like birth pains, these “signs” will increase in frequency and intensity until Jesus comes. As a result, we can expect all kinds of powerful storms, earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes and, even large asteroids hitting the earth. And, as frightening as these prospects are, we are not to be afraid, but we are to continue to watch, wait, work, witness for, walk with and worship Jesus until He comes.
And, if you are still not a believer in Jesus, c’mon now, swallow your pride and agree with God you are a sinner who needs a Savior Who is Jesus (Romans 3:23, 24) and believe He died on a cross for Your sins, was buried and raised from the dead (I Corinthians 15:1-4) to forgive all your sins and give you eternal life (John 3:16). On this Easter (Resurrection) Sunday, may you rejoice in faith, hope and love in Jesus until He comes. Blessings, Doug (4/9/23)