Acts of God?

A fellow evangelist I know used to be employed by the U. S. Postal Service. I heard him talk about a time when a massive winter storm prevented coworkers from showing up on the job. Some of them were atheists but still marked “an act of God” on a form as their reason for missing work so they could get paid. One dictionary defines act of God as “an instance of uncontrollable natural forces in operation (often used in insurance claims).” 

Many people who won’t live for God still blame Him for disasters such as tornadoes and floods. Obviously, the Lord has some control over the weather. Jesus said in Matthew 5:45, “for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” However, I don’t believe killer storms are “acts of God.” Keep in mind we live in a fallen world largely ruled by Satan (2 Corinthians 4:4) who comes to “to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” Jesus came to give us life and “have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

Self-appointed prophets have labelled the recent hurricanes hitting the U. S. “divine judgments.” You think God would allow His judgments to be predicted by weathermen and warn people to flee? That would mean judgment is upon those without the means to evacuate. Also Jesus rebuked a storm at sea. If the storm was from God, wouldn’t Jesus be going against His Father's work? I personally know people who saw storms disappear after speaking to them.

Sometimes Christians have to go through difficulties because of bad decisions made by people above us. One example in Scripture is the Apostle Paul getting shipwrecked in Acts 27 despite warning the ship’s authorities of pending danger. In recent years, storms often resulted when the U. S. Government enacted unfavorable foreign policy toward Israel. Then again, when the ten plagues in Exodus afflicted the Egyptians, God kept His people safe.

Natural disasters are from the enemy…not “acts of God.” So until these current storms pass, I'm praying nonbelievers affected by them will realize there are more important things than their earthly possessions. That's their eternal destinies!

"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." - John 3:17

Speak To Your Storms

One sign that we are living in the last days is an increase of inclement weather. This year the United States has experienced a record amount of tornadoes. The deadliest of which occurred last Sunday in Joplin, Missouri that killed scores of people.

Earlier that afternoon, another tornado hit north Minneapolis where I’ve been staying with friends. I wasn't even aware a tornado had touched down in the area until hours later after coming home from a bike ride to downtown Minneapolis. An air raid siren had been wailing but I didn't think much of it because it wasn't very loud. I figured it was due to bad weather out in the suburbs...not 20 blocks away!

Meanwhile, one of the guys I was staying with had slept in late and was awakened by the siren. In response, he simply rebuked the tornado. It lifted within five seconds! Five minutes later the sun came out and there was beautiful weather the rest of the day. After he posted this testimony on his Facebook page, several of his friends shared similar praise reports of seeing storms disappear after speaking to them.

Just in case you are skeptical of testimonies like this, here’s one you can see for yourself. Two years ago, Jeff Jansen saw a tornado approaching his ministry headquarters in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. You can hear Jeff speak and then watch the storm dissipate in this video…

Jesus said in John 14:12, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” This includes speaking to storms that threaten our lives. Look at Mark 4…

37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.

38 But He [Jesus] was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

On the other hand, we might find ourselves in storms due to our disobedience (remember Jonah?) or someone else’s like the centurion and the ship’s crew ignoring the Apostle Paul’s warning in Acts 27:10. Despite the resulting shipwreck, Paul and his fellow passengers all escaped safely to land.

Until Jesus comes back to set up His millennial reign, unstable weather will continue to occur throughout the world. So the next time a storm comes near your dwelling, remind yourself of the Greater One who lives on the inside of you. If you have full confidence that you are in the will of God, then there is no need to panic.

Speak to your storms!

“When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation.” - Proverbs 10:25 (NLT)