Kat-astrophe

Hurricane Katrina was one of the most devastating storms to ever hit the U.S., at least in recorded history. Thousands are feared dead, hundreds of thousands are homeless, and the monetary damage will surely be measured in the billions. Many look at Katrina's aftermath, and ask, "how could God allow something like this to happen?" They propose that either God was not involved, or that God does not exist... After all, how could a loving God allow this?

The prophet Amos said, "Shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it?" (Amos 3:6, KJV). The Holman Christian Standard Bible translates this passage, "If a disaster occurs in a city, hasn't the Lord done it?" This is a rhetorical question posed by the prophet. He is not looking for an answer, but expects that the answer is already known. "If a disaster occurs in a city, hasn't the Lord done it?" The answer to this question is obvious... "of course".

So why would God send such a storm to wreak havoc upon this city, and this area? The Lord has not specifically revealed the answer to me. However, I do know that there is a reason. That reason, in my estimation, is most likely due to the following:

• When the name "New Orleans" is mentioned, most people immediately think of Mardi Gras. The revelry that occurs during this festival is well-known, and has drawn many comparisons to what occurred in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Drunkenness, drugs, orgies, and all sorts of perversion fill Bourbon Street and the entire city as many prepare to celebrate Lent. Not only does such wickedness occur during Mardi Gras, but it has become a year round part of life in "The Big Easy".
• Another thing that the "Deep South" is well known for, especially in the region itself, is gambling. Riverboat Casinos are one of the largest money-making industries in the area, and was one of the hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina.
• Along with excess, sexual perversion, and covetousness, New Orleans and the outlying areas are also a hotbed for voodoo and the occult. Those who practice such things are engaged, whether knowingly or unknowingly, in the worship of devils.

We must remember that God is not just a God of love, but He is also a God of righteousness, justice, and wrath. Instead of looking at the destruction from Katrina and asking, "how could God allow this?", we should, instead, look at the wickedness that is in the world, and the wickedness that lies within each of us, and ask, "how can God be so patient, longsuffering, and merciful?"

"I've been a Christian all my life..."

I had a conversation with a man the other day, and as we were speaking, I got the impression that he knew a thing or two about the Bible. During the discussion, I asked him, "So, do you consider yourself to be a Christian?". He said that he did. I then asked him, "How long have you been a Christian?". He answered by saying, "I've been a Christian all my life...".

This person is not the first person who has told me that they have been a Christian "all their life". Of course, a person cannot be a Christian "all their life". If that were true, it would mean that they have been saved "all their life"... If someone has been saved "all their life", it means that they were never lost.

Jesus said that He came "to seek and save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). If we were never lost, then we are not someone that Jesus came to seek and save. If we are not saved from our sins through Jesus, then we are forever lost... "Jesus saith... 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).

The Seven Sayings of Jesus from the Cross

1. "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do..." (Luke 23:34). As the supreme example of love, even in the hour of His death, Jesus prayed for those who mocked Him, and put Him to death. What an example... What matchless love!

2. "Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise..." (Luke 23:43). You and I are unworthy of eternal life. Even so, like the thief, we may receive the opposite of what we really deserve. Jesus demonstrated God’s everlasting love and indescribable mercy by forgiving the thief. He also offered him much needed hope and assurance. That same forgiveness, hope, and assurance is available today... For Jesus is willing to receive and save all sinners who truly come to Him!

3. "Woman, behold thy son... Behold thy mother..." (John 19:26-27). In the midst of His suffering, prior to His death, Jesus made sure that His mother would be cared for. He demonstrated His concern for her, and left us with yet another enduring example of love and selflessness. That same love and concern is extended to all men, but especially to those who trust in Him. Truly, Jesus is willing, and able to save us... As the Good Shepherd, He will care for His own sheep, and will never forsake them.

4. "My God, My God, Why hast thou forsaken me?..." (Matt. 27:46). What did Jesus mean when He said this?... His suffering was not just physical, but spiritual. The sins of all men were being laid upon Him, and God’s wrath against those sins was being poured out on Him. He felt the displeasure of God the Father, and truly bore our iniquities. The sinless Lamb of God became our subsititute, and sacrificed Himself so that we could be saved from our sin, and the wrath of God forever.

5. "I thirst..." (John 19:28). Jesus physical suffering was great. His back was torn open by cruel weapons of torture. His scalp was punctured by sharp thorns. He was bruised and bleeding, pierced, and hanging on a cross. As the day and the suffering wore on, he became thirsty. Even though the pain was excruciating, He did not ask to be pulled down from the cross. What He was doing there had to be done, and had to be carried out to the end. In all of his anguish, He did not ask for the suffering to cease, He only asked for a drink.

6. "It is finished..." (John 19:30). All of the work that the Father sent Jesus to do was done. He lived a perfect life, and kept the whole Law. He submitted to the will of the Father in every thing, and even sacrificed Himelf in order to pay for the sins of men. Through His suffering and death on the cross, the wrath of God had been poured out on Him, and was satisfied. Jesus became the divine subsititute, and did all that was needed to be done for men to be saved. The work of salvation was, and is truly "finished". It can never be added to, and needs no addition. Those who trust in Jesus will be saved because of what He did, and because of what He finished.

7. "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit..." (Luke 23:46). Jesus last words were a testimony to who He was, and who He is. In His life, He trusted the Father in every way. In His death, He entrusted Him with His spirit. But death was not the end. God raised Jesus from the dead, and now promises eternal life to all who trust in Him!