Your Insurance Company Knows Who Is Responsible

 Act of God- a manifestation especially of a violent or destructive natural force, such as lightening strike, hurricane, or earthquake, that is beyond human power to cause, prevent, or control. It most often appears in legal contracts, where it is used to indemnify one party against a disaster that prevents it from carrying out the contract's terms.

The tradition of naming these storms goes back quite some time. Even the Apostle Paul was shipwrecked during one of these awful storms.

Acts 27:14- But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.

The word "hurricane" is derived from the name of a false god of the Mayans, Jun Raqan, or Huracan, which means, "one legged". They believed that this god had power over weather. The majority of meteorologists would probably have you believe that these ancient people were ignorant, superstitious, unenlightened pagans who viewed everything through  the lens of their religion and its teachings, and that today we know so much better because of advancements in science and technology, and besides, the Mayans didn't have The Weather Channel in their cable package.

How shocking a revelation it must be that the Mayans were at least closer to the truth than your local disciples of "man made climate change" and "Mother Nature" who celebrate Earth Day by "going dark". The ancient Mayans were indeed more primitive, but without a doubt, they were less hypocritical than their modern counterparts.

In the Holy Bible, Satan is referred to in Ephesians 2:2 as "the prince of the power of the air".

In the coming future Tribulation, the devil attempts to destroy Israel by means of a disastrous flood that he casts.

Revelation 12:15- And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

Although these horrific storms are connected with powers of Satanic forces, we must realize that these forces are created by beings and cannot do anything without instruction, or permission, from God Almighty. According to Scripture, God tells Satan in Job 1:12- Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand.

What happens next would fall under the category of "acts of God" in your insurance policy handbook.

Job 1:16a- The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them;

Job 1:19a- Behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead;

Although Satan was the one who was behind the destruction, Job rightfully gave credit where it was due when he said in Job 1:21, "The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."

That these storms are ultimately acts of God is indisputable when you consider the following Scriptures:

Jeremiah 10:13- When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.

Job 21:17-18- How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger. They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.

Job 27:21-22- The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth: and as a storm hurleth him out of his place. For God shall cast upon him, and not spare: he would fain flee out of his hand.

Nahum 1:3- The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

Psalm 148:8- Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:

Here is where many people get shipwrecked concerning their faith. God's reasons are as vast and unlimited as He is. Yes, judgment may be a part of God's plan in these situations, but it is not the full scope. When God allowed those terrible things to happen to Job, it was for God's glory and for Job's benefit. No one who has read and believed the book of Job would doubt that God proved Himself just, merciful, and good. If God wants to take your life, He can simply speak the word. These storms are to teach men about God's power and man's inabilities. They are also meant to bless us and to try us. They are also meant to see how we will respond to the needs of our neighbors. To see these events as only God's judgment against Bourbon Street immorality is just about as narrow-minded as seeing them only as opportunities to blame opposing political parties or only as proofs on unscientific extremist views on man made climate change. 

Perhaps you have suffered greatly from these storms. As a native of Louisiana, I have also been through my share of hurricanes through the years, and it is not my desire to make light of anyone's troubles, but rather to glorify God and find a silver lining in the clouds.

Matthew 5:45- for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the god, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Can we learn from the lessons of history? Is there a greater threat on the horizon? Is this the lull before the storm? Is there a storm coming that no one can run from?

In the mid-1800's, Last Island was a very luxurious an  popular vacation resort, located a few miles off the Louisiana coast in the Gulf of America. It was blessed with pearly white beach 25 miles long.

In August of 1856, over 400 vacationing guests filled the hotel ballroom, dancing as the orchestra played. They were dancing on Last Island the night the hurricane came. This storm had given plenty warning of its approach. The vacationers could have escaped it entirely, if only they had heeded its advance signals. For instance, one day in early August, those on the beach noticed an odd thing. Far out on the horizon, the sea appeared to hump itself in a bulge. The raised mound of water darkened and lengthened, then surged forward toward the beach, only to reach the shore in a wave less than 2 feet high. Another wave came, then another, and another- four altogether, then no more. But then a few minutes later, the strange heaving waves began anew- seven this time, and then again, a lull. Fooled by the calm almost absent wind and the cloudless sky, they figured maybe it was a far away storm. 

They were right. A tremendous hurricane, born in the Caribbean a week earlier, had moved past Cuba into the Gulf, and had now ceased its forward progress, 400 miles south of Last Island.

All night long the sea grew more and more perturbed. Next morning, the waves were continuous as clouds began to obscure the sun.

By August 9th, the wind was a steady gale. The waves were immense. The few who survived remembered the eerie sunset that evening- the sky was a poison green, the sun the color of blood. The wind grew weird. It ceased being a breath; it became a voice moaning across the land uttering nightmare sounds. Howling and shrieking, the wind beat about Last Island all night.

They kept dancing. They didn't notice when the water began to rise. It was too late when they heard, out of the Gulf, roaring louder than the wind itself, a noise more felt than heard. The hotel shook. The ground trembled under the impact of a moving mountain of water- the hurricane surge!

Almost everything that stood, grew, or lived on Last Island was wiped out instantly. Sadly many had ignored the warning signs and kept dancing. A terrible tragedy.

We have seen the horrible results of not heeding warnings to evacuate to safety and shelter during Hurricane Katrina (2005). But it is also an error repeated countless times today.

The Bible has warned us of the coming judgment of God after we die, but many continue on as if nothing will ever change, ignoring the place of refuge and safety provided by God in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 7:24-27- Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Don't be foolish. Hell is real. The storm of God's wrath will surely come. The Lord Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose again from the dead. call on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation! He can calm the troubled sea of your life, give you eternal life, and a mansion in heaven.

Psalms 107-28-31- Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Mark 4:41- And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

He is God manifest in the flesh and He can save you. Would you like to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior right now?

-Adam Trosclair

I’ll Live For Him Because He Died For Me (song)

God's Hall Of Fame (poem)

 Your name may not appear down here,

In this world’s hall of fame

You may be so unknown

Few even know your name

Fame and fortune pass you by

And are given to a few,

But if you love and serve the Lord

Then there is good news news for you.

This Hall of fame is only good

As long as time shall be;

But keep in mind, God’s Hall of fame

Is for eternity!

To have your name inscribed up there

Is greater yes by far

Than all the Halls of Fame down here

And every man made star.

This crowd on earth they soon forget

The heroes of the past,

They cheer like mad until you fall,

And that’s how long you last

But God he never does forget,

And in His Hall of Fame,

By just believing in his Son,

Inscribed you’ll find your name .

I tell you friend I wouldn’t trade

My name however small

That’s written there beyond the stars

In that celestial hall

For every famous name on earth

Or glory that they share;

I’d rather be an unknown here

And have my name up there.

- Alf Hutchison

Green Detox Smoothie

 

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup fresh spinach leaves
• 1 cup fresh kale leaves stems removed
• 1 banana
• 1 apple cored and chopped
• 1/2 cup pineapple
• 1/2 English cucumber 
• 1/2 inch piece of fresh ginger peeled and chopped
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 1 cup coconut water 
• 1 tsp mint
• Ice cubes optional

Instructions: 

• In a blender, combine the spinach, kale, banana, apple, pineapple, cucumber, ginger, chia seeds, coconut water, and mint.
• Blend until smooth and creamy. If the smoothie is too thick, add more coconut water until you reach the desired consistency.
• Add ice cubes if you prefer a colder smoothie and blend again until the ice is crushed.

The Power Of Words (video sermon)

The Sin Of Cain

 The story of Cain and Abel is one of the best known stories in the Bible. The two first humans born on the earth- brothers. And the story ends in murder.

Our story begins in a very innocent, and even righteous way. These brothers decide to bring an offering to the Lord. Cain, it seems, was the one who initiated this idea, and Abel followed suit.

Genesis 4:1-5- And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

The problem was that Cain brought an offering of self. He toiled and labored and sweat for the gift he was bringing to the Lord. But the Lord didn't want self-righteous works. Isaiah tells us exactly why this wasn't acceptable.

Isaiah 64:6- But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

God wants us to come to Him knowing that we aren't worthy, and accepting that He has made an acceptable way. Back in the Old Testament, it was through a blood offering- a lamb. God told Cain that there was a way he could offer a gift and be accepted.

Genesis 4:6-7- And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

God was trying to get him to understand that he could overcome the temptation he was feeling. The sin of anger and rejection didn't have to rule over him, he could conquer them by submitting to what God had shown him.

But Cain had a hard time fighting against these feelings.

Genesis 4:8- And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

Notice that Cain talked with Abel. I often wonder what they were talking about. Perhaps Cain was trying to do right and was talking with Abel about getting a lamb. It's a possibility.

But, in the end, the anger that raged inside of him became too much to bear. Nor did he admit his sin when questioned about it.

Genesis 4:9-12- And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand; When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.

God cursed Cain for his sin. He became the farmer who couldn't grow anything. All that labor that he was so proud of was now a memory.

And that's exactly what Cain's sin boiled down to- Pride. The same sin that made Lucifer fall from his position in heaven. The same sin that keeps men from calling on the Lord Jesus Christ to save their souls.

The offering has already been paid. All you have to do is believe, acknowledge, and accept. And yet it is so hard for some because, like Naaman, they want to prove themselves worthy.

Ezekiel 16:44-50- Behold, every one that useth proverbs shall use this proverb against thee, saying, As is the mother, so is her daughter. Thou art thy mother's daughter, that lotheth her husband and her children; and thou art the sister of thy sisters, which lothed their husbands and their children: your mother was an Hittite, and your father an Amorite. And thine elder sister is Samaria, she and her daughters that dwell at thy left hand: and thy younger sister, that dwelleth at thy right hand, is Sodom and her daughters. Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, as if that were a very little thing, thou wast corrupted more than they in all thy ways. As I live, saith the Lord GOD, Sodom thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou hast done, thou and thy daughters. Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.

What was a Hittite? A race of military warriors which worshiped many idols. We know how God feels about idolatry. And yet, God said that Samaria's sin was worse than idolatry.

What was an Amorite? A nomadic race of people who came through and consumed what wasn't theirs. They hired Baalam to come and curse the children of Israel, and then through their subtlety, cause Israel to sin against the Lord and turn to idols. And yet, God says that Samaria's sin is worse than causing an entire nation to sin.

What was the sin of Samaria? Pride is the first word mentioned. It's one of the things the Lord hates!

Proverbs 6:16-19- These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. 

If you asked people to give a list of what God hates, they would probably list some of the 10 Commandments, however, in Proverbs, the very first item on the list is Pride.

Leviathan is called the king over the proud. This means that he is the baddest of the bad. But it doesn't stop there. Pride leads to all the other sins.

Job 41:34- He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.

John 8:44- Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Christ called the religious leaders of His day the children of the devil. Why? Because their pride wouldn't allow them to acknowledge the truth that their religious ways had been corrupted and that the Messiah was not going to lower Himself to their standards.

Their pride led to them rejecting and crucifying their Messiah. And in so doing, they brought a 2,000 year curse upon their people.

I John 2:16- For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

James 4:10- Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

The Bible is full of paradoxes. The way up is to go down. If you want God to bless you then you've got to humble yourself and realize that your works aren't going to be able to cut it. You need to accept God's way of doing things, even when it hurts your pride, or you may just find yourself cursed like Cain.