Phenomenon/ Nature/ Tornadoes and Floods

Mudslide in Oso, Washington

Phenomenon Current, Matt 24:3-8 March 22, 2014

Oso, Washington suffered a mudslide which has been called the deadliest single landslide event in United States history. So powerful that it swept everything away in its path for a one mile radius. In one report some witness’ stated it was so loud it sounded like a large airplane crash, and a fireman that witnessed the mudslide said “When the slide hit the river, it was like a tsunami”.There were also 2 previous mudslides in that same area, one in 1998 & 2006. Unsafe logging practices are also in question, where loggers removed over 7 acres of trees, and scientists believe it contributed to the mudslide. As of 4/15/14 the mudslide has taken at least 39 lives with people still missing. After reading many stories about the tragedy one man’s story just really got my attention. There was a man who went to the store to get some ice cream for his wife and daughter and the mudslide happened while he was gone. When he got back he helped to dig out the remains of his wife and daughter. But this man’s life was spared. And as I started to ponder this poor man’s situation I asked myself how does anyone even recover from something like this? How do you even begin your life all over again with nothing and nowhere to go? How can you carry on without your family and loved ones? What do you do? Where do you go? Who could you possibly turn to even help you get through this, let alone begin a new life or to even find any comfort? Not long after reading about this man and praying about his situation the Lord spoke to me and said “….Peter, Peter, Satan hath desired to sift you” After the Lord spoke this to me I looked up the scripture which is in Luke 22:31-32

“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:” Lk 22:31-32
“But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Rev 3:21

“And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
All these are the beginning of sorrows.” Matt 24:3-8

Jesus is waiting for people to ask Him into their hearts, and to turn your lives over to Him completely. If you hear Him knocking open to Him and He will sup with you. Jesus is alive and is seated at the right hand of the Father interceding for us day and night. And the signs clearly state He is returning soon for His bride.

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Rev 3:20

God’s mercies are renewed every day. Calamities like this are hitting ever more frequently; it’s hard to keep up with them. There’s no time to delay. This man’s life changed literally in the time it took him to go to the store and get back to where his house once stood. And most people seem to think it can’t happen to them. I wonder if this man thought the same thing, or if he even considered for a moment that any tragedy could strike?

Psalm 103:

“Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;…
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;
To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.”