Excellent Climate - 01/22/2007

Powerful storm in Europe leaves 47 dead.

This last week, Europe had a storm that did billions of dollars of damage and left nearly 50 people dead, the deadliest storm in 8 years.  Millions of homes across were without electricity.  Germany's loss due to the storm was huge. 

I can personally report that the storm's gale forces were not as strong in our region, the southern most and western most part of Germany.  We had some high winds, branches and debris in the streets, but I didn't hear about any deaths or serious damage in our region. 

At the risk of making an understatement, I will say that the world "climate" is not so good right now.  We have friends who just had a baby and when I think of the world that this baby is being born into, it gives me goose bumps.  The world is a very scary place to live today.  One French man that I recently men on the street expressed this kind of fear and disppointment with the world we live in.  He was interested in what God could do to help.  The climate of the world was actually creating a certain spiritual climate in his heart.  I directed him to a local evangelical church.

This weekend our German church, Freie Evangelische Gemeinde, had an evangelist preach on Sunday morning.  He called on Christian to commit 100% to God.  At the invitation at the end of his message, nearly half of those in attendance went forward.  He also pointed people to Jesus.  Two people who went forward prayed to accept the Lord as Savior and Lord.  We were praising God also because a couple youth who attend ConneXion Jugend Cafe also came to church this last Sunday.  God is at work.

The storms on the outside have the possibility of creating an excellent spiritual climate on the inside.  Remember the disciples reaction when they were in a boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee and there came a terrible wind storm?  They called upon Jesus.

What is the "spiritual climate" in your heart today?  God can give us peace in the midst of the storm.  An intimate relationship with Jesus is much more important than any meteorological conditions.  Whatever the weather outside at this moment, make things right with God right now, and I forecast blue skies for your soul.