Fellowship in and worship of our Holy, Triune God are integral parts of our lives today. Without Him, we are truly nothing but animated dead shells. But, there is a day coming when doors to a number of our organized churches may not be able to open; if congregants are even permitted to travel the roads to reach these structures.
The Storm Church will in essence be tantamount what is commonly known now as the "home" church. Small congregations will meet in the house of the church host; and the location may shift from week to week. Fellowship, worship, and Bible study will be lead by the founder of the particular church or by the host him or herself. If damage, destruction, Martial Law, or other sundry police states prohibit the driving to an actual church edifice, then the Storm Church held within the intimacy of a private home will be the manner in which services can be held.
The Storm Church may merely be a congregation of immediate family members, or, it could involve participation from an entire neighborhood. The bottom line is that the nourishment that comes from God's word and from the gathering with other members of His body will be vital for our earthly survival when conditions deteriorate to dangerously low levels here in the Natural. We will need each other to encourage and to lift injured and frightened spirits. Those who are more mature in the faith will need to lead the spiritually young who will come to foot of the cross when life in the Storm becomes fearsome.
As the spiritual and governmental stranglehold becomes tighter, many will finally come to the realization that Jesus is the only way to breathe. As the wind intensifies to gale-force in the coming months, many will come to realize the Jesus is the only fortress against the bitter behemoth that is bearing down on us. Sadly, many more will continue to turn to themselves, to their addictions, and to the government that is in fact the enemy to attempt to find help as conditions become increasingly inhospitable. They will continue to reject the Alpha and Omega and die in their sins. This is why the Storm Church will need to reach out in the same manner that the "organized" church does. The numbers will be small and the resources will be minimal; however the task and the mission field will become our neighborhoods, cities, and towns that will be in crisis.
Storm Troopers will be at the tip of the spiritual spear and Jesus grips that spear in his nail-scarred hands. The Storm Church will thrive as long as we recognize who and what we stand for and serve. Great responsibility will be loaded into our backpacks as the Winter Thundersnow blows across a tumultuous frontier where souls blow as tumbleweeds; needing to be gathered and then led to the saving grace of Christ. Today, we see the onsets of mean seasons staggering drunkenly into the Fall of the nation.
Dear Lord - we have always required Your saving grace and infinite mercy. We will need Your guidance in new ways as the world experiences increasing upheaval in 2012. Guide us Lord, into fellowship in each other's homes as brothers and sisters functioning as Your family and Your body. Call forth Your leaders and equip us please for the monumental task that stands in wait. Let us, Lord, be Your hands and feet as the brunt of this dynamic and multi-faceted Storm which is meteorological, seismic, governmental, financial, terror, militaristic, and spiritual - bears down on us as a runaway freight train.
Lord Jesus, please prepare us, guide us, use us, assemble us, and protect us. In your glorious name we pray - amen.
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