Watching our daily skyline — all my God given senses ignite. I can see the clouds and my nostrils suck in the damp air. The humidity touches and moisturizes my skin as I taste and see that the Lord is good. This year lakeside is breaking a 37 year heat wave. These pictures were taken at 6:00 am. Just as the sun pierced the clouds along Lake Chapala on June 24, 2023. Why does God tell us “Be on your guard; stand firm in faith; be courageous; be strong.” He knows the deceiver is on the prowl. 1 Corinthians 16:13

Watching the signs, fishermen and farmers prepare for a harvest or a disaster. Wild fires ripped through our neighborhood in May while severe hurricanes, earthquakes, and released bio weapons have devastated entire nations. We also know that our food chain supply has been maliciously and purposefully swallowed up by greed. I am acutely aware of the odd, but predicted political alliances that have formed against Israel. The worldwide struggle for power has caused all nations to crumble financially. What appeared to be solid just 5 years ago — shatters before the eyes of the alert.

REPEATEDLY, God’s Word warns us to pay attention, and to NOT be deceived. “Without warning a furious storm came up on the lake.” Matt 8:24 Those who follow Jesus should know to call out in their storms “save us.” Jesus was in their midst and He calmed the storm. Feed your faith by reading the promises of God. Starve any unbelief and doubt all your doubts about the imminent rapture. “For everyone that asks receives; and he that seeks truth finds it. To he who knocks, the doors are opened. Your heavenly Father desires to impart the Holy Spirit to all who ask Him.” Luke 11:10-13

“It is the Lord who makes the storm clouds.” Zachariah 10:1 There is a giant storm brewing and we are wise to heed God’s warning. Jesus said “Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast. You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.” Matthew 16:3 in His next breath the Lord said 16:4 “A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jonah dreaded the relentless militaty machine that was closing in on God’s people. Jesus quoted Jonah’s rescue as a prophetic picture of His own resurrection on the third day. Matthew 12:40 Learnmore about Jonah: Jonah, a Minor Prophet

God asked Jonah to warn a wicked city and Jonah ran from God, God caused a storm, Jonah went overboard, God rescued him he gave the warning them complained at God’s compassion to forgive. God allows storms into our lives to warn us. Like Jonah, Daniel and Abraham our faith is tested in our trials. The historical inclusion of Jonah, the prophet reluctant to his call shows God’s compassion. Daniel stood strong, trusted God and did not get eaten by the lion.

May our fear of the Lord drench our eyes with tears so that we all call out to Him “save me, I am a sinner.” 💙 Our Lord has been patient, merciful and faithful to His Word. “The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of His feet.” Nahum 1:3 Watch the signs, read God’s Word and turn away from fear, doubt, pride and be ready. “No one knows about that DAY or hour, not even the angels in heaven, not the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man (Jesus 2nd coming). For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking and marrying…up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew NOTHING about what would happen until the flood came and took them ALL away. That is how it will be at the coming of Jesus. Two men will be in the field; one is taken and the other left. THEREFORE KEEP WATCH, because you do not know on what DAY your Lord will come.” IF God’s servants are found giving out spiritual food when He returns, those servants will be put in charge of all His possessions. What does God do with those He finds just enjoying life and ignoring His warning? “He will cut them to pieces and assign them a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 24:36-51

Many ignored the warnings to the well advised citizens of New Orleans as Katrina took out all earthly power to save. “We instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more….For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up with THEM in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” 1 Thess 4:17 Are you ignoring the signs, or are you ready to be snatched up?

Settle in your heart, choose Jesus as the Way, Truth and the Eternal Life. Look up the Scriptures listed below and decide to trust God at His Word. The questions below are from a study book by his daughter Anne Graham Lotz. Be convinced, be certain, be fully persuaded of the hour in which we live. Are we the generation that will not pass away? Why can I trust that as truth? Because death was defeated on the cross and we will live for eternity in heaven. Believe it, and trust it or……ignore the Storm Warnings? “Storm Warning” was written by Billy Graham in 1992. After 911 and Hurricane Katrina and Andrew, he felt that the very foundation of this world was collapsing. In 2010 at the age of 91 Billy, one of the world’s most influential evangelists, chose to revise his book. Billy died on February 18, 2018 just before the worldwide shutdowns of the planned pandemic. Listen on Audible or read “Storm Warning.”

Get your Bible out and pen ready. Look at what God said. The WARNING is there along with massive self delusion. Digest all of Matthew 24:36-51. Listen carefully to what the Spirit of God is saying.
1. To what world event did Jesus compare the days immediately prior to His Second Coming? Noah
2. Give three signs of the approaching storm of God’s judgment in Genesis 6:1-13 The earth was corrupt, all people had hard hearts. Mankinds thoughts were evil all the time. The earth was filled with violence.
3. What warnings were the people of Noah’s day given? Genesis 6:7; Peter 2:5-112 The Lord was grieved at how wicked mankind had become. God did not spare the fallen angels and he will send the ungodly to hell. “These men blaspheme in matters they do no understand. They are arrogant and unafraid. Like brute beasts, born only to be caught and destroyed.”
4. How did the people of Noah’s day respond? Matthew 24:38 They mocked God as they ignored the Lord’s warning. It took years to build an ark 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet wide. Noah preached and obediently worked, the citizens had plenty of time to heed.
5. What similarities do you see between the response to storm warnings in Noah’s day and that of the end of the age? 2 Peter 3:3-7, 2 Timothy 3:1-4. How do people respond to Revelation and what God said would happen? People scoff and follow their own evil desires. They say Jesus promised to come soon, and where is He? People are proud of their conclusions, conceited, unforgiving, ungrateful, boastful, yet show a form of godliness, attend church, but deny the power of the Holy Spirit to convict them of their sins.

6. How did the Ninevites respond to storm warnings? Jonah 3:3-1 They believed God and ALL people, the poor, rich and the king fasted and repented. God showed compassion and Jonah shook his head.
7. How was God’s response to the Ninevites a fulfillment of His promise in Joel 2:13-14 God asked His people to return to Him with all their hearts, to fast, weep and tear garments and that He would show His gracious compassion. He is slow to anger and God abounds in love.
8. What warnings do you see today of an approaching “storm”? Hatred, pride, violence, abortion, sex trafficking. Lovers of self NOT God. Wild fires, earthquakes, political evil plots, famine, floods, all nations are bankrupt. Israel under nuclear threat as Russia attends to a civil war.

9. How did Jesus use the example of storm clouds to rebuke those who were self deluded. Luke 12:54-56
Jesus called them hypcrites and told them they were going along with te adversary. The Judge will require full payment for the sins of His people.

10. How are people in general responding to the storm warnings today? Luke12:35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning.” Are you watching and warning others? People are eating, drinking, planning vacations, parties and in general ignoring the signs of the times. It is all about how nations are threatening to wipe out Israel. THE SUDDENNESS of the storm, the war, the famine.
11. Give the phrase Jesus used to describe the suddenness of the storm. Read Matthew 24:39
Noah had been warning them while obediently building an ark. “they knew NOTHING about what would happen in the flood.” They heard the word from Noah, and ignored it completely.
12. Explain the example Jesus used to emphasize the suddenness of His judgment. Matthew 24:40-41
Two friends at lunch, one is suddenly snatched up and the other is left behind to suffer 7 years of torture.
13. What phrases describe the surprising suddenness of God’s judgment? Genesis 7:11; Noah was 600 years old and the floodgates of heaven opened and rain fell for 40 days. Genesis 19:14-Lot’s sons-in-law thought he was joking, did not depart and they perished. Genesis 15 “the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision and Abram believed the Lord and God credited it to Abram as righteousness.” Joshua 6:2-5 Joshua obeyed God and marched for 6 days around a fortress, the people shouted as trumpets sounded and the wall fell down and God delivered Jericho into Joshua’s hands. Isaiah 29:5-6 “Your enemies will become as many as fine dust, but suddenly, in an instant, the Lord Almighty will come with thunder and earthquake and great noise, with windstorm and tempest and flames devouring fire. Luke 12:29-40 “Do NOT set your heart on what you will eat, drink or wear. The lost runs after the physical, but your Father supplies all you need. Seek first the kingdom and all will be well. You MUST be READY because Jesus will return at an hour you do not expect. I Corinthians 15:51-“We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed —in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the trumpet sound, the dead will be raised imperishable. Where O death is your victory?” 2 Peter 3:10 A thief comes when they presume you are not aware. “The DAY of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will dissapear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.” I Thessalonians 5:1-3 “People will be saying Peace and Safety while destruction comes on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. BUT, we are NOT in the dark, the DAY should NOT surprise you like a thief. Let us not like those who are asleep. Be self-controlled, rev up your FAITH in GOD’s word.
14. Will Gods judgment on our nation and world catch you by surprise? NOPE! What do you need to do so that you are not caught by surprise? Keep your lamp full of oil, be vigilant in prayer, and do not deceived or lulled into complacency. Our Lord said that it was to our advantage that He go away; for IF Jesus had not gone away from our sight, the Helper, the Holy Spirit would not have come unto us. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you understanding, call on He that is within you.

God REPEATS what He wants us to get. STORM WATCHING is a call to be serious.

15. What do you think Jesus meant by “keep watch” in Matthew 24:42? What does I Chronicles 12:32; Luke 12:56 and Acts 17:11 mean to you?

16. Why is watching important? Matthew 24:52-44; Luke 12:35-40; Matthew 14:48-51.

17. What are some practical things you can do to “keep watch?” Read Revelation 1:3, 1 Peter 4:7.

18. When ultimate judgment falls at the end of the age, what does Jesus want to find you and me doing? See Matthew 24:45-47; John 4:35-36; John 9:4.

19. If judgment false and/or Jesus returns in the next five minutes, what will He find you doing?

20. What difference should serious storm-watching make in our personal lives? Read 2 Peter 3:11, 14, 17-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8.

21. Would you choose to live your life with a minimum of regret from this day forward?

THE SHELTER DURING THE STORM

22. In what four ways is God described to a believer when the storm breaks out? Read Psalm 46.

23. How did Noah experience shelter in the midst of world judgment? Genesis 7:11-13, 23.

24. What is a believers hope when the storm of judgment falls? See Joel 3:16; 2 Peter 2:4-9.

25. What specific encouragement does Paul give in 1 Thess 5:9-11?

26. Give the promise that is the most encouraging to you from Psalm 91. Claim it in prayer.

Stand strong and set apart gladly, for we are citizens of heaven. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 God warns us “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial ? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” Therefore,“Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” And,“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”