Flood on the Texas Coast – named Harvey

Flood on the Texas Coast – named Harvey          September 2, 2017

 

I am going to ask, did you have your “go bag” ready in case we have to leave.  A few days ago, the weather people said the heavy rain was heading towards Dallas. 

What are your thoughts on the flood. 

This flood along the coast, came upon them so fast.  Have the news cried wolf to many times in the past and no one really believe them now.   

So much damage, flood area is bigger than the distance from Boston to New York.   News said there is enough water in Texas that Niagara Falls will run for 15 days.  

We all seen pictures of Houston, Port Arthur, Beaumont, Galveston, Corpus Christi and other cities and the damage Hurricane / Tropical Storm Harvey did to Texas and now going into Louisiana and to the east.  These towns were underwater with over 50 inches of rain.  

People helping people.  Rescued.  Water is slowing receding in some areas.

Warning, get out or die;  one mayor said, put your name and social security on your arm so we know who you are when we find your body. 

Now if anyone has ever been in a situation that was life threatening, you know the fear you experienced and how intense it was. 

It is a proven fact that most people go through life thinking that bad things happen to other people. They don’t believe they will ever be in an automobile accident, have a house fire, experience a major illness or go through a major flood of their homes. (When I was younger I believe this)  

I read heard a statistic that over 400 Houston police officers home are in water.  There is one out of 15, we know of someone or family involved in the flood.  

Anyone here. 

I called my sister who lives in Beaumont and said if they decided to leave, they can come to our home.  She said there was very little rain a few days ago.  Now, she says it is flooding all around them.  They are going to stay in place. 

Did you hear about this one, only after many complaints on social media.

A visiting University of Tampa professor of sociology was fired Tuesday after he suggested in a tweet Sunday that Texans deserved Hurricane Harvey because of their support for President Donald Trump in the 2016 election. So much hate being shown here.  I thought of this verse.

Matthew 5:45 NKJV that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 

Who is really behind this hurricane.  Who is the god of this age.  There is a war against individuals who claim to be Christians and to destroy them all. 

2 Corinthians 4:3-5 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, (4) whose minds the god of this age (or world) has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. (5) For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake. 

John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 

John 14:30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. 

Galatians 1:4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 

1 Chronicles 21:1 Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel.  (Does Satan have this much power over King David?) 

How much power does Satan have.  Job 

Job 1:6-7 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. (7) And the LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?" So Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it." 

Job 1:11-19 But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!" (12) And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person." So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.  

(13) Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house;  

(14) and a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, (15) when the Sabeans raided them and took them away--indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!"  

(16) While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!"  

(17) While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!" 

(18) While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, (19) and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!" 

Matthew 4:8-9 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. (9) And he said to Him, "All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me." 

Jesus did not contradict Satan words. 

Revelation 12:9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 

A number of the interviews said on national TV that God is good.  Their faith is what getting them through this flood. 

Are there some examples in the Scriptures about floods.  Let’s just look at the words, no deep meaning, just what it says. 

Matthew 24:38-39  For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, (39) and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 

Is this somewhat was happening along the coast. People will be going about their everyday business and they were warn to leave, just as when the waters came upon them and their homes, they were surprise.   

I know there is a deeper meaning to these following verses, but surprisingly the Spirit likes to use the word “flood” as an example to explain things. 

Psalms 69:1-2 Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. (2) I sink in deep mire, Where there is no standing; I have come into deep waters, Where the floods overflow me. 

Psalms 69:14-15 Deliver me out of the mire, And let me not sink; Let me be delivered from those who hate me, And out of the deep waters. (15) Let not the floodwater overflow me, Nor let the deep swallow me up; And let not the pit shut its mouth on me. 

Matthew 7:24-25 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: (25) and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 

Job 27:20 Terrors overtake him like a flood; A tempest steals him away in the night. 

Isaiah 28:2 Behold, the Lord has a mighty and strong one, Like a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, Like a flood of mighty waters overflowing, Who will bring them down to the earth with His hand. 

Jeremiah 47:2 Thus says the LORD: "Behold, waters rise out of the north, And shall be an overflowing flood; They shall overflow the land and all that is in it, The city and those who dwell within; Then the men shall cry, And all the inhabitants of the land shall wail. 

Daniel 11:22 With the force of a flood they shall be swept away from before him and be broken, and also the prince of the covenant. 

Nahum 1:8 But with an overflowing flood He will make an utter end of its place, And darkness will pursue His enemies. 

Matthew 24:38-39 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, (39) and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 

Always remember, God is in control if we are following His Ways and the Holy Spirit living in us. The government is not in control. Science is not in control. Evil is not in control. You and I are not in control. God is.  There is no way we can stop the heavy rains and the flood that follows.  We might try, but really, we cannot.  Look at the dams and spillways that were constructed and we had too much water for them to work. 

God is in control, he is patient. Ever thought about that? When things get out of control we grow very impatient. But God doesn’t because He is in charge. 

2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.