Soon after we moved to North Carolina, Hurricane Florence swept through. It was a rude awakening for us. We had lived through earthquakes in California many years earlier, but hurricanes were new to us. Like any newbies, we ran. We played it safe and evacuated to our kids’ home in Tampa.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Super Typhoon Mangkhut was making its way across Southeast Asia with whopping 180 mph winds, compared to Florence at 130 mph. It narrowly missed Guam, but caused major damage and death in the Philippines, Hong Kong and China.

We contrast these two devastating events in today's audio devotional and learn how we tend to be shortsighted spiritually.

KEY PASSAGE:

Revelation 7:9-12 (NIV)

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God,

who sits on the throne,

and to the Lamb.”

All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:

“Amen!

Praise and glory

and wisdom and thanks and honor

and power and strength

be to our God for ever and ever.

Amen!”

RESOURCES:

Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

It's the day after Christmas. Let's not leave Jesus behind. In today's Christmas Week Audio Devotional, I'll keep Jesus in the forefront, as our Rescuer.

In one of the most publicized rescue attempts in recent years, two dozen soccer players were trapped in a cave in Thailand, with waters rising and oxygen diminishing. It was a story that captured the world as we saw daily reports of the daring rescue efforts.

Emergency services were deployed. Thai Navy Seals were called in. The underwater journey was so treacherous that experts calculated it would take 12 hours round trip to get any of the boys out.

Parents waited in agony to be reunited with their children, separated by an impassable barrier of rocks and water. They were helpless. The world was watching. Join me for the full story -- and then for a look at the greatest rescue in history.

KEY PASSAGE:

Colossians 1:13-14 (NIV)

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

RESOURCES:

Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com

Tomorrow, all eyes will be on baby Jesus, the Father's gift to all mankind. However, as we know, he was much more than a baby.

In our audio Christmas Eve Devotional, we'll consider his identity as "Lord." For me, when I do that, I settle into a spirit of stability and rest. The word “Lord” gives me perspective. Jesus is in control. Everyone and everything report to him. I feel stronger after addressing Jesus as Lord. It’s like hitting “reset” in my mind and spirit. While we don't want to lose sight of his coming to this earth as a baby, let's remember that it is a snapshot.

KEY PASSAGE:

Philippians 2:9-11 (NIV)

Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place, and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

RESOURCES:

Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com.

Connect with Jon at jon@freshfaith247.com