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Why? Hurricane Katrina 2005 HOPE BOOKLET
Minister to Hurting People
Kids 4 Truth is
pleased to partner with Operation Renewed Hope in the production of the
Hurricane Katrina booklet. This thoughtful tract, derived from the World Trade
Hope tract, asks the common questions about God that people have when they face
heart-wrenching tragedy. Every question is answered by scripture and a Gospel
presentation is given in the end. This is a peaceful, God-centered
gospel tract to give hope to those moved by Hurricane Katrina.
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Hurricane Katrina Text
Tragedy
When Hurricane
Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in August 2005, it left more than physical
devastation in its wake. Though cities were ravaged, homes ruined, and
treasured possessions lost forever, many people found in the aftermath that the
greatest devastation was within their hearts. Hurricane victims experienced
fear, anger, desperation, and grief as they watched loved ones die and waited
helplessly to be rescued. And all over the nation, millions of Americans
watched and read the news reports through their tears. What about you? Are you
troubled with nagging questions about the disaster? Where was God? Was the
storm His judgment on human sin? Why did this happen? Rest assured: you are not
alone in asking questions. But God has not left us to find out the answers on
our own. We have a reliable source to answer the question ³Why?² The Bible,
God's Word, reveals to us His thinking on every subject that we need to know
about. What does the most important Book ever written say about why this
happened? In this little booklet you will find some of God's answers to the
hardest questions. You will see that God sometimes uses tragedy to draw hurting
people to Himself. He desires a personal relationship with you. It is our
prayer that you will find strength, comfort, and peace through the Word of God.
Questions
Where is God?
Psalm 139:9-10 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost
parts of the sea; Even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall
hold me.
What do I do
with my pain, hurt, and fears? 1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon Him; for
He careth for you. Psalms 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy
staff they comfort me.
Why did God allow
this to happen? Isaiah 55:8-9 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither
are your ways My ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the
earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your
thoughts.
Does God love me?
Jeremiah 31:3b Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with
lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
Is God evil and
harsh for allowing this to happen? Psalm 92:15 ...the LORD is upright: He is my
rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
Peace
Do these things
happen to people that love God? Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the
righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
How can God allow
this when it seems so tragic? Psalm 18:30 As for God, His way is perfect: the
word of the LORD is tried: He is a shield to all those that trust in Him. Psalm
119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy
statutes.
Will God help me?
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
How should I
respond to what has happened? Job 1:20-22 Then Job . . . fell to the ground and
worshiped. And he said: ". . .The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the LORD." In all this Job did not sin nor charge God
with wrong.
What if I feel
overwhelmed with grief, hurt, and pain? Psalm 138:3 In the day when I cried
Thou answered me, and strengthened me with strength in my soul.
Where can I find
rest from the turmoil in my mind? Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect
peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee [God]: because he trusts in Thee.
Hope
Was / Is God
really in control? Psalm 66:7 He ruleth by his power for ever; His eyes behold
the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Psalm 103:19 The LORD
hath prepared His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all.
Does God know my
pain, hurt, and fear? Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our
infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the
Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be
uttered.
How should I view
this in light of eternity? 2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which
is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of
glory.
Can I still trust
God? Psalm 9:10 And they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee: for
Thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee. Has
God abandoned
me? Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the
LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Comfort
Is God near to
me? Psalm 34:18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and
saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
What if I'm
ready to give up? Psalm 27:13-14 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see
the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of
good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
How can this
experience help me in the future? 2 Cor. 1:3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them
which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted
of God.
Can something
good come from this? Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for
good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His
purpose.
Where can I find
help to make it through this? 2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said unto me, "My grace
is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Most
gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of
Christ may rest upon me.
Why is this the
ultimate Comfort?
This One True
God, Who is the Ultimate Comforter, promises us forgiveness of sins, removal of
guilt, peace of mind, and eternal life.
Would you like to
experience this Ultimate Comfort? In His Word, God lovingly shows you that you
must see your helpless condition and turn to Him alone for forgiveness. You
must:
* Recognize your
sinful, hopeless condition - for all have sinned (Romans 3:23).
* Recognize your
absolute need for God to rescue you from your sin - for by grace are ye saved
through faith; and that not of yourselves (Ephesians 2:8-9).
* Understand
that the price for sin is death in Hell - for the wages of sin is death (Romans
6:23).
* Believe that
the Lord Jesus Christ lovingly paid the price for your sin on the Cross -
Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
* Believe that
the Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead - believe in thine heart that God hath
raised Him from the dead (Romans10:9).
* Turn from your
sin. Be willing to forsake all your wrong actions and attitudes - repent ye,
and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15).
* Trust Christ
alone to save you - I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). If you
desire to trust Christ to save you, give you peace, and restore hope in your
life simply ASK HIM. Come in faith believing that He truly is there, that He
loves you, and that He is faithful to do that which He promises. For whosoever
shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13).
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