="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 9"> name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 9"> The one word that sums up the most prominent characteristic of life in general I believe is: change.

Even if your life at the moment is placid, peaceful, and maybe even monotonous there is one thing you can be sure of; that is change. The whole world is in such turmoil and changes of all sorts are happening fast, frequently and ferociously.

You are sure to be affected by many changes in the very near future, if you haven’t already. No one is immune from these winds of change anymore. Yes, there are physical winds aren’t there? Hurricane Katrina is a prime example, as was the Indian Ocean tsunami. Those were super horrific and destructive, taking literally thousands of lives in one fell swoop with very little warning. Talk about instant shock! I don’t have to remind you of 911, numerous wars, strange lethal influenzas, weather changes and economic breakdowns.

These are the signs of the end times. They are very clear warnings that Jesus is coming very soon for His Bride. This is not a time for complaining, looking to governments for assistance, or despair. 

The world continues unchanged; many blaming God and others for their calamities. Isn’t that exactly what happened in the time of Noah? The earth was in total disarray due to the corruption of the people. Noah had warned them, but they did not listen. (Gen. 6: 12) 

But you are privileged; you have been forewarned. Be prepared, like Noah, so that you will not be deceived. God has made a way out. Like Noah, keep your focus completely on Him. Jesus says that His sheep hear His voice, and He calls them by name and leads them out. (John 10: 3) 

The Israelites in the desert were inundated at one point by millions of poisonous snakes. Moses hoisted high a bronze serpent and commanded those who had been bitten to look up at it. Everyone who did so was completely healed! 

That bronze likeness of the object of their distress represented Jesus Christ on the cross. He was no longer recognizable. In fact, he was despised, rejected, and totally covered with your grief, pain, sicknesses and sins. (Isa. 53: 3-6) Yes He, who had not sinned, embodied your iniquities openly displaying the ugliness of death, sin and sickness. 

He paid the price for you by descending into the very depth of hell and suffering there three days, so you don’t have to!  

But, Jesus conquered Satan. He was raised with his human body by the power of the Holy Spirit, and you are in Him – if you accepted His sacrifice for you. You are no longer at the mercy of outside forces. You are saved; free and victorious because you know that He is all-powerful, victorious and He can raise you over all circumstances! 

Just as the Israelites focused on the image of their distress and were instantly healed, focus on the One who has carried your fear, sin and sickness. He has conquered and made you heir to His victorious overcoming power. In His strength you can do all things! (Phil. 4: 13) 

Because He lives, you are changed. By putting your trust in Him, you can face any wind of change coming your way. He will still the storm and give you “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” (Isa. 61: 3)