Have you ever watched the movie, "The Perfect Storm"? It's a movie about a fishing boat that must go to sea and catch fish or risk losing everything. The captain ignores warnings from people and puts out to sea. In the process of fishing they run into a monster storm. The boat survives a couple of massive waves and it looks like they might get through the storm. But then a HUGE wave is coming toward them, the captain utters the statement, "she is not going to let us go ....", the wave overtakes them - and the entire crew loses their lives. Everyone lost their life because the captain was not prepared to listen to wise council! Everyone perished! They did not have to die - they could have lived and fished another day! The captain ran on his emotions and feelings and did not listen.

Folks, we are in that same scenario today! We have massive things facing us in the nation (it does not matter what NATION you are in - ALL nations are going through the soup!), inflation is reaching all time highs, jobs are scarce - it's like everything that can happen is happening - but it is going to get worse!

We must stop listening to people and their "answers" to life's problems!

Folks, we must run to our altars, we must run to that place of prayer where we can touch and get ahold of God. We must hear His voice, His answers to our problems! We must contend with God until we break through into His presence!

Have you ever wondered why some people have such peace through life's storms, while others run around like a chicken without a head? Have you ever wondered how some people seem to survive whatever comes their way, and others flounder?

It all comes down to whether you have a relationship with the living God. Remember the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13? In this parable all ten virgins (representing Christians) knew the Lord - they all recognized His voice and went out to meet Him. They all carried their lanterns (meaning they were in the ministry). They all had oil (representing the Holy Spirit - BUT Also representing a RELATIONSHIP with the Lord!!) They all had their flasks to carry extra oil, but 5 had full flasks and 5 had empty flasks! Five had built a relationship with the Lord, and five did not have a relationship with Him. When the going got tough (and it does for all of us, for scripture says it rains on the just and unjust alike (Matthew 5:45)), five of the virgins had built a relationship with the Lord that carried them through the night season. Five did not have a relationship with the Lord! They could not buy a relationship from others - and they ran out of time to try and build a relationship. The Lord came, took the five into His chambers and shut the door. The other five who knew the Lord but did not have a relationship with Him LOST EVERYTHING! The Lord told them, "I DO NOT KNOW YOU" - and He did not open the door! They lost everything!

We are in a time and season now where we must stop listening to others and press into Jesus! We must build a relationship with Him now so we KNOW His voice. We must know when He says "do this" or "do that" or "go here, but not there" - I do not want to sound like "doom and gloom", but if we do not hear His voice and do as He leads us, we will be hurt (some with loss of life) in the things about to break upon us.

God is allowing things to come against us to perfect us, to draw us into His presence, so we will accept Him as our loving Father! But if we will not allow Him to perfect us then we become goats - stubborn, obstinate, and we flee from the very source of protection! For if we will not turn to God, then by default we turn to Satan, the father of liars, the one who hates everything about us.

I beg of you - stop fighting against God. Stop running from Him. Stop trying to fix your own wagons. Turn to Him and acknowledge who you are, where you missed the turn. Cry out to Him to change your heart - you cannot fix your heart! You cannot change who you are! Only God can do that! Cry out to Him - and watch what He will do for you!

We still have time to repent and turn to God, but time is drawing to an end. Time is running out. Do wait too long, for we are not promised tomorrow. Yesterday is gone and we cannot change anything in it. We are only promised TODAY! We can only change things today, we only have today to give our hearts to Jesus. Cry out to Him now.

I love you in Christ,
Darrel