A natural disaster can be difficult to grasp, especially if you have never been through one. Earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, lava flows, fires, and even famines are some of the disasters we see played out on the news, but unless we personally go through a difficult time associated with devastation, we cannot imagine what people are experiencing.

Oftentimes what we see played on the tube seems so very surreal.

Admittedly, Hurricane Hugo was mostly a major inconvenience personally, having to do without electricity for four days. Some neighbors lost their homes, but none lost their lives. Most of the injuries sustained came through the clean up effort, but no one I knew was seriously hurt.

The country of Myanmar (Burma) recently suffered a devastating hit from a cyclone (hurricane) which, as of this writing, has likely killed more than 80,000 people. The world hasn’t seen such a disaster since the Christmas 2005 Tsunami killed at least 250,000 people in the Pacific Rim.

Quickly, relief organizations are marshaling their forces to respond, attempting to get the Myanmar regime to let their people in. After several critical delays, it appears that some progress has been made. However, government reluctance to immediately accept aid has likely contributed to the death of thousands.

As Christians how should we respond to a catastrophic disaster? Please allow me to offer some suggestions:

Pray — That’s right, before you do anything pray. Ask God to guide you in what steps you should take, but also ask that He would change the hearts of Myanmar’s leaders to allow relief to come in. I’ve prayed that the waters would recede, that no more rain would come for now, and that people would be rescued. Pray that the gospel message would be shared as well.

Respond — I’ve been getting several requests to help out financially, but I will not be sending money or other support without God’s direction. Thankfully, many will be contributing their funds, their supplies, even their time to help out. I will do what God wants me to do — nothing more, nothing less.

Consider — The pressure to respond can be a strong one, but consideration for what you should do is important. We must remember that our God is in control and it is His work that will get done in Myanmar. One person may be told to go to offer on-site assistance, while others will learn that staying behind and praying is what they should do. Push out the other voices and find out what God wants you to do.

Remember – What we see unfolding before us is merely the birth pangs leading to the Lord’s return:

“For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Mark 13:8 (NASB)

The world sees natural disasters differently from the Christian, often turning to despair over these types of events. Some will question why God allows such suffering to take place, even denouncing Him in the process.

As believers, we are to continually look at every world event through the lense of the Lord and respond as He leads. Even in the midst of calamity, people need to know that God wants to save them from their sins.

I cannot always fully comprehend events that happen outside of my life, but I do know this: destruction and death may come, but a life lost in sin is the worst calamity of all.

Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!
Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and having salvation,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (NIV)

Easter (Resurrection Sunday) comes very early this year, falling on March 23rd, just one day shy of the earliest possible date it can arrive. For those wondering just how late Easter can show up, April 25th is that date.

Zechariah prophesied that a king would show up, bringing salvation with him, and that prophesy was fulfilled when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem on a donkey that Palm Sunday (estimated to be on April 6, 32 AD by a Sir Robert Anderson, former head of Scotland Yard, an English layman with a keen understanding of the Bible). Read Luke 19:28-42 for the fulfillment.

Tying what Zechariah said with Daniel’s prophecy in Daniel 9:25 it becomes evident that Jesus showed up exactly on schedule.

This week Christian’s will be marking the most important events on the church calendar, even more important than the birth of Jesus Christ.

This past Sunday was Palm Sunday, marking the coming of the king and in peace. Thursday marks the Last Supper, the time when Jesus ministered to his disciples for the final time before His death while revealing that one would betray Him.

Friday is Good Friday, where Jesus took the sins of the world upon His shoulders — dying a horrible death on the cross — being the perfect sin offering before Father God. Finally, Sunday is Resurrection Sunday, signifying that Jesus rose bodily from the dead, overcoming sin and death once and for all.

While the king arrived in Jerusalem on a donkey (signifying peace), the king will return again, but this occurrence has him riding on a horse (signifying war).

All of mankind is at war with God until people individually make peace with Him on His terms. God has provided a way to end this war, through the sacrifice of His perfect sin offering, Jesus Christ. This sacrifice has already been done, but to be saved from your sins you must accept His atoning work.

Are you at peace with God or are you at war with God? There isn’t any middle ground! Come to Jesus this Easter season and understand that your sins are what is separating you from having communion with God.

Jesus is the bridge between God and man, the only avenue to the Father who is calling you to Himself today by His Spirit.

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it an establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (NKJV)

One of my favorite scriptures are these two verses which are found in the Book of Isaiah. Clearly, they point to the coming Messiah centuries before the prophecy of His birth was fulfilled.

Today is Christmas Eve and tomorrow is Christmas Day, the time of the year when Christians celebrate the first advent of the Messiah. Yes, Jesus wasn’t born on December 25th, but that doesn’t matter — He was God veiled in the flesh who grew up, preached freedom to the captives, and made a way for mankind to overcome sin and death.

The first advent, as beautiful of a celebration it is, pales in comparison to what is coming — Jesus’ second advent and the ushering in of His kingdom forevermore.

The nations may rage against the truth, but the truth shall prevail. Understanding that the Babe lying in a manger was the Messiah is one thing, allowing Him to take hold of your heart is something altogether different.

Have you given to Jesus the only gift He wants from you this Christmas season? Give to Him your heart and truly understand what Christmas is really all about!

He has shown you, O man; what is good; and what the Lord requires of you. But to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? — NKJV

I have heard plenty of messages over the years discussing the definition of Christian service. Some people tie their salvation into what they do for God while others believe that nothing more is required of them — God did it all through the finished work of the cross.

Personally, I have learned that it is the middle ground where God wants me to be — I cannot do anything to earn or work my way toward salvation, but out of love for God I seek to do those things which can further His kingdom. In other words, I participate in various activities and pursue those things which bring glory to Him. That also means I have wide latitude to pursue many different things that glorify God.

Micah 6:8 invites the reader to take a fresh look at serving God. Instead of merely doing a specific task, we’re asked to do these things with a right heart. Justice, mercy and a humble attitude define Christian service, therefore no work for the Lord is truly acceptable to Him without applying these three requirements to everything that we do for God.

Asking the Holy Spirit’s help to apply these requirements to our lives will enable us do what is good. It is easy to get caught up in daily tasks without seasoning our work with justice, mercy and a humble attitude.

Failing to apply Micah 6:8 to our lives makes our Christian service empty and unfruitful, as described in 1 Corinthians 13 — without love, I possess nothing.