Prepare Your Home and Soul: Essential Steps Before Hurricane Debby Hits

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Attention everyone, this is an emergency forecast alert. A powerful storm is rapidly approaching your area and immediate action is required to ensure your safety.

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Stay tuned for critical information on how to protect yourself and your loved ones as this dangerous storm strikes.

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We're talking about what to do before the storm and how to prepare for the trials that test our faith.

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This information is crucial for your physical safety and spiritual well-being, so stay with us.

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It's important to be prepared both physically and spiritually when facing a storm.

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Let's begin with this powerful scripture from Proverbs chapter 10 verse 25.

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When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.

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This scripture highlights the importance of being spiritually prepared so we can stand firm in the face of life's challenges.

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First and foremost, secure your foundation to avoid collapse, floodwaters, and utter destruction.

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Just like you make sure your home is built on a strong foundation before a hurricane, your spiritual life needs a solid foundation in Christ.

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Matthew chapter 7 verses 24 through 27 tells us,

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Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

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The rain came down, the streams rose, and the wind blew and beat against the house.

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Yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock.

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Think of your life as a house.

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It is easy to compartmentalize, thinking Jesus only fits into certain parts of our lives.

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But he should be the foundation of every part.

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Our faith, job, relationships, and health.

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When Jesus is the foundation, every area of our life is secure and can withstand any storm.

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Signs of a weak foundation include uneven floors causing us to stumble, difficult windows and doors signifying alignment issues, and cracks allowing things to seep in.

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These signs show us that we need to strengthen our spiritual foundation.

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Uneven floors in our lives might mean inconsistent faith practices which can cause us to stumble in our walk with God.

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Difficult windows and doors represent the challenges we face when our spiritual life is not aligned with God's will.

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And cracks allow negative influences to seep in, weakening our faith.

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Make sure your faith is deeply rooted in God's word and your relationship with him is strong.

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Spend time in prayer, read the Bible regularly, and be part of a faith community to strengthen your foundation.

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Next, gather your supplies.

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As the storm approaches, supplies are limited at stores, shelves are bare, gas pumps are depleted, and tensions are high.

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Just as you'd stock up on food, water, batteries, and fuel before a hurricane,

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gather your spiritual resources, prayer, scripture, and the support of a faith community.

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Ephesians 6 verse 11 says,

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Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

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Equip yourself with the armor of God. Prayer connects you to God's strength.

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Scripture reminds you of his promises, and fellowship encourages you through shared faith.

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Stocking up on physical supplies like food and water and batteries is crucial, but spiritual supplies are even more important.

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Prayer is your direct line to God, giving you strength and guidance.

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Scripture is your source of truth, reminding you of God's promises and his unwavering support.

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And fellowship provides you with a community of believers who can support and encourage you through difficult times.

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If you stay ready, you'll never have to get ready.

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Develop spiritual disciplines now to help you weather the storms.

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Establish a routine of daily prayer and scripture reading.

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Join a small group or Bible study.

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Build a support network of fellow believers who can pray with you and encourage you.

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Third, listen to the warnings.

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Storms have warning signs, and you need to know how to understand a storm warning and a storm watch.

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Alerts will help you navigate successfully.

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Pay close attention to God's guidance through his word, the Holy Spirit, and the counsel of others.

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Luke 11 28 tells us, Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.

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John 10 verse 27 adds, My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

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When you sense God prompting you to change direction or take action, respond with faith and trust.

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God gives us warnings to protect us and guide us.

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Just as you wouldn't ignore a weather alert, don't ignore spiritual warnings.

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These warnings can come through scripture, prayer, or the advice of trusted friends and mentors.

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Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading.

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When you feel prompted to make a change or take a specific action, do so with faith and trust in God's plan for you.

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Ignoring spiritual warnings can lead to unnecessary pain and hardships.

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Just as ignoring a storm warning can put you in physical danger, ignoring God's warnings can put you in spiritual danger.

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Be vigilant and responsive to his guidance.

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Take shelter.

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When a storm is imminent, you seek physical shelter.

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Know where your shelter is located.

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If there are high winds, get to a basement.

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If there is flooding, get to high ground.

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If you can't do either, get away from windows and glass, like in a bathroom.

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Protect yourself and those with you.

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Spiritually seek refuge in God's presence.

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Psalm chapter 46 verses 1 and 2 reassures us, God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in time of trouble.

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Therefore, we will not fear.

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Though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the sea, establish a daily habit of seeking God's presence.

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When adversity strikes, you'll know where to find peace and security.

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Finding shelter during a storm is about safety and survival.

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In the same way, seeking God's presence is about finding peace and security in the midst of life's storms.

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God's presence is our safe haven, our refuge from the chaos around us.

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Make it a habit to spend time with God every day, whether through prayer, worship, or quiet reflection.

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Make his presence your place of safety.

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When you consistently seek God's presence, you will be better equipped to handle life's challenges.

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Just as you wouldn't wait until the storm is raging to find shelter, don't wait until you're in the middle of a crisis to seek God.

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Make his presence your daily refuge.

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Preparing for life's storms is as vital as preparing for a hurricane.

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Secure your foundation in Christ.

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Gather your spiritual supplies, listen to God's warnings, and seek shelter in his presence.

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With God as our refuge, we can stand firm, knowing that he will carry you through.

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Remember, it will pass.

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2 Corinthians 4 verses 16 through 18 says,

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For this reason we do not lose heart, even though our outward man is perishing, yet our inward man is being renewed day by day.

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Our light affliction, which lasts but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

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While we do not look at these things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.

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For the things which are seen are temporal or temporary, but the things that are not seen are eternal.

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In Isaiah chapter 43 verse 2, God reminds us that,

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When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers they shall not overflow you.

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When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame kindle on you.

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These scriptures remind us of God's promises.

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No matter what storms we face, he is with us.

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Our trials are temporary, but his presence and his promises are eternal.

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Trust in his faithfulness and his ability to bring you through any storm.

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Let me pray for you.

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Lord, help us to prepare our hearts and minds for the storms of life.

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Strengthen our foundation in you.

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Equip us with your word and guide us with your wisdom.

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May we always seek refuge in your presence, knowing that you are our protector and our peace.

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In Jesus' name, Amen.

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Thanks for watching.

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If you found this video helpful, let us know in the comments, and we'll see you next time.

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God bless you.