Rain

Rain. We try not to go out in it or drive in it if we can help it. We put on special water proof clothes and use umbrellas to keep from getting wet from it. But at the same time we can't live without the water it brings. Water is a sustainer of life and even the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ gives "living water" which brings eternal life. Like many here in the U.S. land of plenty who take this living water for granted dare I say we also take our everyday water even more for granted.

How often do we think about taking a long hot shower or excessively running the kitchen or bathroom water in light of water conservation? Probably not much. We're in the U.S. we can' t run out of anything. Normally, water is pretty much plentiful, however, not at this time. God has seen fit in His providence to limit our water supply in certain areas.

Psalm 147:8 Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who provides rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains

We must repent and pray that God has mercy on us. I refer to the need for God's grace in the current state of drought here in Atlanta and the other areas affected on the east coast as well as the fires in California. This plea has further implications than just this particular time of need. This speaks to the whole of the Christian life to call upon God and praise Him in all we have and don't have. To live a life of repentance for His glory.

Even though it's a different kind of trial Paul writes to believers showing us what we should do during these times. Pray for each other, trust in the Lord.

2 Corinthians 1:8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; 9 indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; 10 who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, 11 you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.

James tells us also.

James 1:2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Some of us can be thankful that we still have water left though not much. It's been devastating for those involved in the California fires. Let us pray for our brothers and sisters there and pray God may bring unbelievers to Himself through those events. A hard message both for us to tell and for unbelievers to hear are Jesus' words in Luke 13. To tell someone out of love that "unless you repent, you will likewise perish" using those who've died in a disaster as the example is tough. But we are called to share the Gospel and thank the Lord we live in a country were we can.

We have to understand that we are only in believers in Christ because of God's grace. And we continue to need God's grace to trust in Him and not worry about our lives. Though we continue to fall short He will provide for us.

Matthew 6:25 For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26"Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?

I also want to thank Gene, Tom and Frank for the exhortations to pray and repent for the grace of God in a major time of need.

Many times it's the simplest things in life we forget to be thankful for whether it be the water He provides or the next breath we take.

Forgive us,

Mark