What is God's purpose through Katrina for the FGBC?
I am glad to be in a Fellowship of churches that is reaching out in love to provide relief to those devestated by Hurricane Katrina (see www.gbnam.org for information). In a time when people are reacting in fear, anger, bitterness, and even murder, rape and thievery, it is refreshing to realize anew that people of God act in His love.
The log I want to throw on the FGBC fire today is a reminder that we should be alert to and participate in sovereign God-moments and God-events. This is not to deny that every moment and event is under the sovereignty of God. But, sometimes we are allowed to see more clearly. As I considered Psalm 107:25-29 and Isaiah 45:7 this week it became clear again that God caused the hurricane for His purposes.
What is God's purpose through Katrina for the FGBC? Will there be those God moves to Louisiana or Mississippi to plant Grace Brethren churches as a result of the storm? Will God put in the hearts of Grace Brethren people the burden to have better structures in our fellowship to respond to such needs? Are there lessons from Katrina about poverty, racism, or justice? Will evangelists use this event to urge people everywhere to trust in Jesus so they are prepared to be evacuated before a global disaster, the Tribulation, comes? What will we learn from this calamity about families and churches taking care of one another? How will our Bible teachers train us to respond when others question or attack God's goodness, caring, presence, power, or existence in the face of disaster?
There is something from God in this hurricane designed for everyone, including every Grace Brethren leader. Will we respond well to this sovereign God-moment/God-event, or will we watch this pass us by? As we all do what we can to help, maybe God is calling you to go above and beyond, maybe even to begin a new church in New Orleans or Biloxi (or elsewhere) during this rebuilding period.
From the winds and waves of Katrina, may there come the fresh wind of the Holy Spirit and an overwhelming wave of ministry upon the FGBC.
The log I want to throw on the FGBC fire today is a reminder that we should be alert to and participate in sovereign God-moments and God-events. This is not to deny that every moment and event is under the sovereignty of God. But, sometimes we are allowed to see more clearly. As I considered Psalm 107:25-29 and Isaiah 45:7 this week it became clear again that God caused the hurricane for His purposes.
What is God's purpose through Katrina for the FGBC? Will there be those God moves to Louisiana or Mississippi to plant Grace Brethren churches as a result of the storm? Will God put in the hearts of Grace Brethren people the burden to have better structures in our fellowship to respond to such needs? Are there lessons from Katrina about poverty, racism, or justice? Will evangelists use this event to urge people everywhere to trust in Jesus so they are prepared to be evacuated before a global disaster, the Tribulation, comes? What will we learn from this calamity about families and churches taking care of one another? How will our Bible teachers train us to respond when others question or attack God's goodness, caring, presence, power, or existence in the face of disaster?
There is something from God in this hurricane designed for everyone, including every Grace Brethren leader. Will we respond well to this sovereign God-moment/God-event, or will we watch this pass us by? As we all do what we can to help, maybe God is calling you to go above and beyond, maybe even to begin a new church in New Orleans or Biloxi (or elsewhere) during this rebuilding period.
From the winds and waves of Katrina, may there come the fresh wind of the Holy Spirit and an overwhelming wave of ministry upon the FGBC.
posted by Keith's Blog at
3:01 PM
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