How many times have we heard predictions of approaching storms and laughed it off to later see that we should have listened to the warning and took shelter?
Often the sun is shining; the sky is blue and nothing gives the indication of an approaching storm, but we’ve been warned and yet because we can’t see anything to indicate bad weather, we ignore it.
I remember last fall, as I sat on the beach, I looked across the water and banking storm clouds billowed high on the horizon. Predictions were out for a chance of a hurricane in the Atlantic to affect the weather later in the week, but at that time the sun was shining and there were no other visible signs of a storm, except the marshmallowey clouds over the water.
Many times in our natural every day lives, we fail to take the time to listen and then we wonder how we could have been caught off guard, when the storms of life come upon us. We need to keep our spirit man stronger than the flesh at all times, by the Word of God, praying, fasting and staying in the presence of God.
Today there is such a big thing about working out at the gym, building muscle, burning fat and staying in shape. I couldn’t agree more, but do we spend as much time in the Word, building our spirit man. Our flesh is fed by worldly things and our spirit is fed from the Spirit of God.
People may often think us strange when we’re preparing our spirit man for things to come. Then, as we prepare our spirit, the Lord shows us other things we need to take care of in the natural.
It’s hard to imagine what it must have been like when God told Noah to build an Ark. (Gen.6:6). It had never rained and this man was preparing for a flood. He was surely the nut of all nuts, but when the storm finally came, he and his family floated and everyone else sank.
I’m sure he spent many hours and days hearing the Lord and following His instructions. He could have easily quit and have been swayed by the crowd but he chose to put his trust and faith in his God, rather than man. He prepared while the sun was shining and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. If he had waited until God showed him rain clouds it would have been too late.
Sometimes we like to wait on visible signs and confirmations from a half a dozen sources and will even doubt that we heard God unless everyone agrees. Then instead of obeying the Spirit of God, we will wait until we’re caught off guard and unprepared for what comes and then blame God for not warning us.
We see and still do not believe. The Lord is telling the church today to stop what you are doing, look around you and listen to what you hear. Stop the business, stop the procrastination, stop being led by the crowd, and stop the influence of all other worldly ties.
Look for next part 2, tomorrow!
The Glory Of His Presence 