Where to find shelter after Hurricane Sandy ?

Good morning,

Many are looking to find shelter after Hurricane Sandy.  This is a time to help your fellow man.  This also shows us how important it is to be prepared for a disaster.  If you prepare in advance, even small things, you have a better chance of surviving or will be more comfortable should something happen.

We all need to face the fact that America is not in the best shape.  Currently, in New Jersey, Marshall law has been implemented in some places. This should make one think, "Should I trust the government to take care of me?".   We have all seen how reckless the American banking and political system has become over the past 10 years so what makes you think the government is going to continue to take care of you ?

There is a verse in the book of Ecclesiastes written by Solomon it says, "

¹² For wisdom is ^[a]protection just as money is ^[b]protection,
But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors. Ecclesiastes 7:12

Just as having money and things is a shelter, so too is wisdom.  Wisdom says to prepare in the event something happens.  This is not just in the physical realm, but also in the spiritual realm.  Each day, we can get up and pray and ask for forgiveness, wisdom to make the most of what we are given, how we can help our fellow mankind, how we might be useful and build up others.  There is a saying in the proverbs that says, "

¹¹ Like apples of gold in settings of silver
Is a word spoken in ^[a]right circumstances. " Proverbs 25:11 

Even what you say can be worth much wealth.  If you think about this, if I had an apple that was 24 Karat gold it would probably weigh say 10-15 ounces.  One ounce of gold right now is trading for about $1,677.00.  So, let's do the math.  We'll take the low number of 10 ounces of gold equals one average sized apple.  The math is simple.  10 x $1,677.00 = $16,770.00 !!!!  That is how much a word aptly spoken is !!!   Remember you can build others up and you can cut them down. There is also another proverb that says, 

"The tongue has the power of life and death,
    and those who love it will eat its fruit." Proverbs 18:21

Though we are talking about the tongue here it makes us think of applications. How we apply what we know.  Will you be ready for a national disaster ? Will you be ready if the stock market collapses ? Will you be ready if the Middle East turns into a war zone making gas prices rise to $6 / gallon ? Will you be ready for an earthquake ? These are good questions to ask.  Even if you are prepared with emergency items, the Lord could take these away in a tornado or some crazy unexpected event.  

 Who can you trust ?  Trust the Lord.  He is always there for you. 

  ¹ God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
³ though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging. Psalm 46:1-3

Note it says, "an ever present help".  This refers to the hear and now.   

Wisdom also tells us we will reap what we sow. As those on the east coast are recovering from Sandy perhaps this is your chance to get in on the action and help your fellow man by making a donation to the Red Cross or some other charity ? Or traveling up to New York and helping those in need ?  Or perhaps you send some items along with a group from your area to help clean up and distribute items.  If the law of reaping and sowing holds true then when your time comes for help, it will be there.  

On an ending note, the psalmist says in 91:1-2 this , 

 1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." 

Where do you dwell ?