"Jude"

May 30, 2011

“Jude”

Blessings Folk!

Yesterday I was given the opportunity to participate in the “dedication” of our latest grandbaby - Jude.

I shared the basics of the following...think it is for all of us.

Jude’s namesake is found in the Bible.

Jude wrote a letter - we know it as “Jude”...short book, 25 verses, just before Revelation. We do well to read it on a regular basis. It speaks to today.

From this short message we learn much.

We learn the following about Jude:
  • He was a slave/bond-servant of the Lord Jesus...an amazing description considering he was the earthly brother of Jesus…”the brother of James”
  • He was humble in describing himself this way
  • He heard the Spirit
  • He was an encourager
  • He was an exhorter
  • He was a speaker of the Truth
  • He was a contender
  • He knew the Word
  • He proclaimed the Word
  • He spoke prophetically

All this can be gleaned from the first three verses…

Jude
1 Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,
   To those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ:
2 May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.
 3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.
4 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

“Our” Jude was born for such a time as this.
His timing, His life, His purpose is no accident in the eyes of the Lord.
He will be a vessel of the Most High God to lead many to salvation, to confront evil, to speak the Truth.

May we do likewise.

Remember, we are…

  • called
  • beloved in God the Father
  • kept for Jesus Christ

Remember, we might want to say one thing, the Lord might release something else.
  • Jude wanted to write about “our common salvation”
  • He then felt it necessary to appeal that we “contend earnestly for the faith”
  • Why? Certain ungodly persons have crept in.

The balance of Jude speaks to the situation.
It describes the church today.

Fear not.
Rejoice in “our” Jude.
Rejoice in the final words of Jude.

Jude
24 Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless and with great joy,
25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now, and forever. Amen.

Blessings!

Pray for:
  • family of Lisa in her homegoing
  • Elijah, recovering from pitbull attack
  • John

Join us at…
Jubilee! SoChurch
dalemoore.tv (all the Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, etc. accounts Happy )

"Jubilee Precept Bible Classes"

May 28, 2011

Just a quick update on the Jubilee Precept Bible classes.

We will resume the week of August 8, 2011 with the last of the Kings and Prophets series course - “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” - a study on 2 Kings 21-25, 2 Chronicles 33-36, Zephaniah (click title for details). This study will last through the week of October 3.

The week of October 10 we will begin “Matthew - Part 1 - The King and the Kingdom of Heaven”. This seven-week course will cover Matthew 1-13. We will complete it the week of Thanksgiving...then a break...

Matthew - Part 2 - The Christ, the Son of the Living God” will begin the week of January 16, 2012.

After that? Maybe Isaiah? Jeremiah?

Enjoy the time of rest...continue to press on!

Consider doing one or two of the “40-Minute” studies with some friends this summer. These things are a wonderful tool.

Also, consider joining us at http://jubilee.sochurch.com/ 
I've set up a "precept" group...

Blessings!

Dale

"Unable to Answer"

May 27, 2011

“Unable to Answer”

Blessings Folk!

Yesterday we saw how Jesus handled those who sought to trip Him up - the Pharisees, Sadducees and a lawyer.

The Pharisees were amazed.
The crowds were astonished at His teaching.

Let’s look at the last four verses of Matthew 22…

Matthew 22

41 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question:
42 “
What do you think about the Christ, whose son is He?” They *said to Him, “The son of David.”
43
He said to them, “Then how does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying,
   44
‘THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I PUT YOUR ENEMIES BENEATH YOUR FEET”’?
   45
If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his son?”
46 No one was able to answer Him a word, nor did anyone dare from that day on to ask Him another question.

Jesus never backed off.

He pressed in when dealing with evil, deception and the spirit of religion.

Jesus asked a simple question.
They all agreed on the answer - The Christ would be from the line of David.

Then, the turn…”how does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord”, saying…”

Jesus quoted the Word…

Psalm 110
1 The LORD says to my Lord:
“Sit at My right hand
Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”

The Lord revealed the limitation of man’s “logical” understanding.
None could answer Him.

From that day forward none would ask Him a question.
I believe this refers to the Pharisees, Sadducees and lawyers.

They had interpreted the Word with their own ability and had totally missed the need for God to enable/reveal interpretation.

They knew that Jesus was answering from a different place - not from the logic of man, but from the Word of God spoken through One empowered by God.

There is nothing more powerful.

There reaction was to kill Jesus.

Press on in the Word.
Press on in manifesting the power of God.

May we live as Jesus did.
Knowing how the world will react...

Blessings!

Do you use a smartphone (cell phone)?

How about learning something new over the long weekend?

Setup a “
twitter” account? (Click the blue words for helpful links)
If you can do email, you can do
twitter.

Then search for these names and follow me…
dalealanmoore - my personal account...all sorts of stuff
jubileecullman - things happening at Jubilee
prayerline - prayer requests
victoryparkmusic - stuff related to Victory Park - worship group





"Love the Lord Your God"

May 26, 2011

“Love the Lord Your God…”

Blessings Folk!

One of my favorite encounters that we have in the life of Jesus is recounted in Matthew 22…

First, the Pharisees set a trap for Jesus…

Matthew 22
15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to trap Him by what He said.
16 They sent their disciples to Him, with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know that You are truthful and teach truthfully the way of God. You defer to no one, for You don't show partiality.
17 Tell us, therefore, what You think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"
    18 But perceiving their malice, Jesus said, "
Why are you testing Me, hypocrites?
19
Show Me the coin used for the tax." So they brought Him a denarius.
20 "
Whose image and inscription is this?" He asked them.
    21 "Caesar's," they said to Him.
    Then He said to them, "
Therefore, give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left Him and went away.

The Pharisees declared (though out of a malicious intent) the character of Jesus...

  • You are Truthful
  • You teach truthfully the way of God
  • You defer to no one
  • You do not show partiality

They then sprung the trap.
In their mind it was perfect.
Jesus would be in trouble regardless of which way He answered.

Jesus perceived their malice.
He confronted them head on.

The Pharisees were amazed a Jesus’ response.
They left Him.
They went away.

But, do not think that they would not regroup and try again...

Second, on the same day came some Sadducees…

Matthew 22
23 The same day some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came up to Him and questioned Him:
24 "Teacher, Moses said, if a man dies, having no children, his brother is to marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother.
25 Now there were seven brothers among us. The first got married and died. Having no offspring, he left his wife to his brother.
26 The same happened to the second also, and the third, and so to all seven.
27 Then last of all the woman died.
28 Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven? For they all had married her."
    29 Jesus answered them, "
You are deceived, because you don't know the Scriptures or the power of God.
30
For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like angels in heaven.
31
Now concerning the resurrection of the dead, haven't you read what was spoken to you by God:
32
I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living."
    33 And when the crowds heard this, they were astonished at His teaching.

Note the duplicity of the Sadducees. They did not believe in the resurrection, yet they ask a question about the resurrection. Arrogant pride is literally dripping from each word. The same occurs today, especially among those that color themselves as teachers and leaders within the Kingdom...those laden with the accolades of man...

Jesus responded with one of my favorite statements of the Lord…

  • You are deceived
    • Because you do not know the Scriptures
    • Because you do not know the power of God

Such is most of the Body of Christ today.
Deceived - because they do not know the Scripture nor the power of God.
Most rejected both - if not by word by deed.

Third, the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees. The two groups, not necessarily friendly, gathered for a common purpose. Now they were getting serious.

They were going to send a lawyer to Jesus!

Matthew 22
34 When the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they came together in the same place.
35 And one of them, an expert in the law, asked a question to test Him:
36 "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"
    37 He said to him, "
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
38
This is the greatest and most important commandment.
39
The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.
40
All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments."

The synopsis of the Law…
  • Love God
  • Love your neighbor

We should do likewise…

Be truthful…
Teach truthfully the way of God...by word and deed…
Defer to no one…
Do not show partiality...
Walk in the Spirit so that we can perceive malice…
Confront evil head on…
Be not deceived…
Know the Word…
Know the Power of God…
Love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength…
Love our neighbors as ourselves…

A song came to me several years ago while meditating upon this passage…go to this link to listen to “Love the Lord Your God”...first song in the songs list...lyrics are available there...or...here… Happy

http://www.reverbnation.com/dalemoore

You can share it over social media, purchase, “become a fan”, etc. Do it all! Happy
(Three instrumental pieces are available for free download - just click the blue “download” )

Love the Lord Your God

Test after test
Day after day He was tried
To trip up His Words
To find some deceit deep inside
But the Lord rested on the Promise that’d come
from the Father in heaven above
To speak only what He heard from the throne
Pure dependency on His love

They finally got wise
Sent one who knew of the law
He was confident in revelation of a flaw
But when he asked for the greatest commandment of all
Jesus knew that the time was right
To reveal to those present the Source of the blessing
And power of the walk in the Light

Love the Lord your God with all your heart
Love the Lord your God with all your soul
Love the Lord your God with all your mind
This is the first and greatest commandment

Today nothing’s changed
The world still looks for a flaw
So many Believers know nothing but a law
Oh we try and we try to hear from the Lord
Though we cling to the idols we love
Let’s throw them all down and walk In the simple commandment of love from above


Words/Music: Dale Moore © 1995







"Update"

May 25, 2011

“Update…”

Blessings Folk!

It has been several days since we were last together...let’s catch up…

  • We were somewhat effected by the bad weather of April 27, 2011...but nothing to compare to most...were without power for 8 days...most trees down...huge mess, but, thank the Lord for old friends with really huge tools...yard basically cleaned up. Thanks Eddie and crew...and Randy. Thanks to cousin Lance, Associate Pastor of FBC Trussville, AL...brought us a generator.

  • Lenee birthed little Jude on May 15...8 lbs, 1 oz...grandbaby #9...all is well… we are in NC visiting them for a few days…

  • I’ve discovered a new tool..trying it out…join me… http://jubilee.sochurch.com/ I plan to incorporate it in communicating with Jubilee, Precept studies, TV programs, etc. This is unlike anything else available.

  • Just learned last evening that TV27 is up and broadcasting...over cable. The Cullman tornado destroyed the TV27 tower. Also tore the roof off the station location. They have relocated temporarily. Pray for Michael, Danny and Windell...the amount of work they have done is amazing. “Prayerline” and “Answers” are in reruns the next couple of weeks...live programs to resume the week of June 6.

  • You will note that I have had little to say about the entire Harold Camping/Rapture/Judgment incident. Heard about it last year. If you have been with us for awhile you know that we spend much time examining the Word about end-time matters. The Word warns us…

Matthew 24
 4
And Jesus answered and said to them, "See to it that no one misleads you.
 5
"For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will mislead many.

Matthew 7:15
"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

Matthew 24:11
"Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.

Matthew 24:24
"For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.

2 Peter 2:1
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.

1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Such will increase.
Many will be deceived.
Many Believers will be deceived because they do not know the Word and they do not walk in the Spirit.

Be not among those unprepared.
Determine to know the Word of the Lord.
Determine to walk in the Spirit of the Lord.

Blessings!

"Rejection/Deception"

May 11, 2011

“Rejection/Deception”

Blessings Saints!

The Word tells us that in the last days that deception will increase - in the world and in the church.

In the church, folk will gather for themselves teachers that tickle their ears. They will not seek the Word of the Lord. Rather, they will seek the wisdom of man.

Such is occurring at an accelerated pass. Here is an example.

Most will likely have heard of “Dr. Oz”. Dr. Mehmet Oz was “discovered” by Oprah...that tells us something. He is a “world-class” cardiac surgeon. He host the “Dr. Oz Show”. Recently he had a guest - John Edward.

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Dr-Oz-Says-1030667.aspx

Not “John Edwards” the slimy, former North Carolina senator and presidential candidate.

John Edward - the “famed psychic medium.” He hosts the program “Crossing Over”.
He is known for his precise insight into people’s lives. He hears voices, then communicates what he hears.

Often people think that Edward’s abilities are fraudulent. They are not. They are real.

Dr. Oz states that his time with Edward “changed my life.” He goes on to say that “...what John Edward does can also open up a whole new vista of healing opportunities. Again, I don't understand it. It's completely weird to me. But it's also very, very exciting. And I want to know more.”

What does this have to do with the church being deceived?

“Pastor” Rick Warren of Saddleback Church has teamed with Dr. Oz and other worldly credentialed men to develop what they call “The Daniel Plan”...a system of weight loss/enhanced health.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/warren-283583-plan-church.html
http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/5298615912.html
http://christianresearchnetwork.com/?cat=956


A prominent leader within the Body of Christ knowingly seeks the wisdom of the world thereby denying the faith.

It gets worse.

I said that what Edward does is real.

It is.

When Edward hears voices they are voices of demons, the minions of the evil one. These demons are communicating with the demons of the individuals to whom Edwards is “helping.” The information they communicate can be highly accurate.

Now, I know some folk do not believe that such exists.
If is does not, then why did the Lord tell us not to participate in such?

Leviticus 19
 31 'Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 20
6 'As for the person who turns to mediums and to spiritists, to play the harlot after them, I will also set My face against that person and will cut him off from among his people.

Deuteronomy 18
 10 "There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer,
 11 or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.
 12 "For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD; and because of these detestable things the LORD your God will drive them out before you.

We are to have nothing to do with such.

I do hope that Warren is explaining to Dr. Oz that what is “real and accurate” arises from the evil one.

I do hope that Warren will reconsider his association with varied folk…(Dr. Keith Ablow, psychiatrist and member of FoxNews “Medical A Team”, is also involved with this...co-writing books, etc.)

2 Corinthians 6
 13 Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.
 14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

Allow me to take this a step further.

One of the reasons that the church is open to this type of deception is that a large portion of the church has rejected the Truth of the Lord.

They have rejected the gifts of the Spirit.
They reject the empowering work of the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12
 1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
 3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
 12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
 14 For the body is not one member, but many.

Much of the church has rejected the gifts of the Spirit related to word of wisdom, words of knowledge, discerning of spirits and healing. In rejecting these, we allow the evil one to present a false emulation to the world.

I believe that if we were to live as we see in 1 Corinthians 12, the world would flock to the Lord.

But, most do this...they say 1 Cor. 12 is not for today, 1 Cor. 13 is for today (“love” chapter), 1 Cor. 14 is not for today (tongues/prophecy), 1 Cor. 15 is (resurrection).

The Word can not be rightly handled in this manner.

Because of this, many within the church have no defense for what is happening. They are living without the power of the Spirit.

So, what do we do?

Know the Word.
Believe the Word.
Live according to the Word.
Allow the Spirit to move within you as He desires.
Be not deceived.
See to it that no one deceives you.

Blessings!





"bin Laden"

May 3, 2011

“bin Laden”

Blessings Folk!

Well Bin Laden has been executed.
Supposedly.
(What happened to that “fair trial” thing?)

Forgive me for being a little cynical, but this is the ninth time, according to some sources, that Bin Laden has been killed.

Madelaine Albright declared him to be dead in 2003.
Many others have.

I personally believe that he died long ago...this latest episode is a “false-flag” to justify additional imperial initiatives abroad and enhanced limitations of liberty at home...one must always have a “boogey-man”.

This is purposeful.
We are being played.
Much information points to this conclusion.

Setting aside the question of truth of the matter, I would like for us to consider the reaction of Believers.

Here is a sampling of what “crossed my desk” over the past day or so…

“UBL DEAD! Proud to be an American” - a “pastor”

“Dear Osama: how’s that 144 virgin plan working out for you right now?” - a “pastor”
(I suppose one who believes in a double-portion reward)

Posting an American flag - “Sign of Freedom” - a “pastor”

We have a serious problem within the Kingdom of God with what I can only call a “christian nationalism”.

It takes on many forms, all of which are abhorrent to the true Kingdom.

One young believer stated “People have been getting so excited about Osama’s death. I know he was a bad person and all but is it really necessary to celebrate someone’s death? Seriously?”

This young one is far closer to the Word and Heart of God than the “pastors”.

Where is the cry that, rather than celebrating a death, is celebrating a transformed life?(...which, by the way, did you see the “college students” celebrating outside the White House...waving flags...am I to believe that a Georgetown student has a flag?...really now)

What if bin Laden had repented and confessed that Jesus Christ is Lord?
What if he had recanted related to Islam?

Rather, we tend to celebrate the demise of those who profess to be our enemy.

God has some things to say about such.

Hear the Word.

Proverbs 24
17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
         And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
    18 Or the LORD will see it and be displeased,
         And turn His anger away from him.

We are not to rejoice...gloat.
We must watch our heart… no schadenfreuden - “pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others” Audio

Why?

Lest the Lord see and be displeased.
It does not please the Lord when we rejoice in a stumbling enemy.
We might be the cause of the Lord turning his anger away from the enemy.

Never forget.
The Lord created each human.
The Lord loves each without measure.

May we do likewise.

Blessings!

"In Whirlwind and Storm Is His Way"

May 2, 2011

“In Whirlwind and Storm Is His Way”

Blessings Folk!

As most of you know, our community and region were highly impacted by a series of storms this past week.

The initial wave knocked out power. Personally, we are beginning our 5th day without grid electricity - thank the Lord for cousin Lance who brought a generator for the refrigerator, coffee pot and computer!

The next wave brought tornados.

Locally, many business - 63 was the last count that I saw, and several hundred homes were effected.

Yet, we did not receive the brunt of the storm.

Pray for...
Tuscaloosa.
Phil Campbell.
Hackelberg.
Rainsville…and many others.

The smaller communities were basically eradicated of infrastructure.
Many died - 250+ in Alabama alone.

The question of “why?” comes to mind.

The Lord gives us understanding.

In Nahum we read the following…

Nahum 1

2 jealous and avenging God is the LORD;
         The LORD is avenging and wrathful
         The LORD takes vengeance on His adversaries,
         And He reserves wrath for His enemies.
    3 The LORD is slow to anger and great in power,
         And the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished
         
In whirlwind and storm is His way,
         And clouds are the dust beneath His feet.

    4 He rebukes the sea and makes it dry;
         He dries up all the rivers
         Bashan and Carmel wither;
         The blossoms of Lebanon wither.
    5 Mountains quake because of Him
         And the hills dissolve;
         Indeed the earth is upheaved by His presence,
         The world and all the inhabitants in it.
    6 Who can stand before His indignation?
         Who can endure the burning of His anger?
         His wrath is poured out like fire
         And the rocks are broken up by Him.
    7
The LORD is good,
         A stronghold in the day of trouble,
         And He knows those who take refuge in Him.

    8 But with an overflowing flood
         He will make a complete end of its site,
         And will pursue His enemies into darkness.

My thoughts are always guided toward the great example we have in the Word related to such situations - Job.

Job was a righteous man. He was blameless, upright, fearing God and turned away from evil. Job 1:1

Job had done “nothing wrong.”

God simply said to satan, “Have you considered my servant Job...?”.

Thus the account of Job begins.

You likely know it. It would be good to read it again...at least chapters 1-3, 37+.

Job endured horrible things.
None of his doing.
None “his fault”.

Why?

Chapters 37-42 of Job gives us amazing insight into the character and way of God.
Do read them soon.

As for now in our brief time...consider...

Job 37
  5 "God thunders with His voice wondrously,
         Doing great things which we cannot comprehend.

We will not always understand the things that God does.

Remember the Lord’s Word in Isaiah…

Isaiah 55
  8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
         Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.
    9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
         So are My ways higher than your ways
         And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Now, give heed to this passage…

Job 37
   11 "Also with moisture He loads the thick cloud;
         He disperses the cloud of His lightning.
    12 "It changes direction, turning around by His guidance,
         That it may do whatever He commands it
         On the face of the inhabited earth.
    13 "Whether for correction, or for His world,
         Or for lovingkindness, He causes it to happen.

Break it down…

The Lord loads the thick cloud.
The Lord disperses the cloud of His lightning.
The lightning is the Lord’s.
The lightning changes direction, turning around by His guidance.
The cloud/lightning do whatever the Lord commands it to do on the face of the earth.
Whether for:

  • correction
  • for His world
  • for lovingkindness
He causes it to happen.

Then, what about the tragic deaths? What about the destruction? What about…?

Yes, I know.

But, the truth of the matter is that is boils down to this - the Lord is in control.

Our response must be as Job’s was…

Job 42
 1 Then Job answered the LORD and said,
    2 "I know that You can do all things,
         And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
    3 'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?'
(This was God’s original question to Job)
         "Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand,
         Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know."
    4 'Hear, now, and I will speak;
         I will ask You, and You instruct me.'
    5 "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear;
         But now my eye sees You;
    6 Therefore I retract,
         And I repent in dust and ashes."

In our local situation, the center of local government and religion were struck by the tornado. A simple observation.

I am not ready to run to judgment as to what the purpose of God is in each situation.

Each would do well to seek the Lord himself.

Ask of the Lord.
Receive His instruction.
Retract.
Repent.

Here is where I stand.

The Lord guides the lightning bolt.
The Lord directs the clouds.
The Lord does so for “correction, or for His world, or for lovingkindess.”
The Lord causes it to happen.

The Lord is good.
The Lord is a stronghold in the day of trouble.
The Lord knows those who take refuge in Him.

We have a choice.

Will we rest in our ability to explain and understand?
Or, will we take refuge in the Most High God, our Stronghold.

Choose today.

Do continue to pray for the many that are experiencing difficult, trying times.

May the Lord be with them.

Blessings!