It’s 2:30 a.m., Friday, January 3rd. There’s a cold front moving in. In Texas we don’t like to do cold, unless we’re out hunting. Winter weather means another collaborative Inclement Weather Response with the City and several nonprofit partners helping our unsheltered neighbors survive the expected extreme weather. We’ve spent several days talking about it; now it’s time to do it.
My coworker and colaborer in Christ, Deacon Durell reminded us about the importance of staying in the Word and how a new year brings with it a fresh opportunity to dig into God’s Word. The Bible tells us about Jesus, who He was, what He did, and how we can live as a result of His work. Terri and I are reading through the New Testament. I’m in the Gospel of Mark.
In the days ahead, our teams will have a holistic ministry experience from head to toe, mind, body, and soul. The effort —one many of us have done before—will push us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Inclement Weather Response is where the rubber meets the road. We will encounter the Devil and see evil—but we will also see Jesus and experience God’s goodness. All as we try to love our neighbors well.
Psalm 91 is where I find myself this morning.
Psalm 91
New Living Translation
1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
3 For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
4 He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor the arrow that flies in the day.
6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
7 Though a thousand fall at your side,
though ten thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you.
8 Just open your eyes,
and see how the wicked are punished.9 If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
10 no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.
11 For he will order his angels
to protect you wherever you go.
12 They will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
13 You will trample upon lions and cobras;
you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
15 When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
16 I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation.”
I invite you to pray with us and for us. We will need it. I also invite you to join the Bantau’s as we read through the New Testament in 2025. I’m in Mark, Terri is in Matthew. You can start wherever. But come read alongside us. Start a new habit or reignite an old one by spending time with God. He’s for you, not against you. #IWS2025 #TeamJESUS #prayer #
Save lives, win souls.
Thanks in advance—Happy New Year!
Grace and peace,
Rainer Bantau—The Devotional Guy™
The Devotional Guy™ 