While listening to the news before, during, and after hurricane Florence I learned that many people did not heed the warnings to evacuate. The warnings were not being broadcast from a panic source but rather from knowledgeable authorities who were attempting to prevent any unnecessary loss of life.
These authorities reported when and where the hurricane would hit as well as how far inland the water and winds could reach.
Sadly, because some people did not heed the warnings many lost their lives while others suffered some ravaging effects of the storm.
This reminds me of the warnings we are given through the scriptures that are also not heeded by many. Though the warnings are reported by those who are knowledgeable and believe what the Bible says, far too many people still refuse to listen. Unfortunately, those individuals will lose their lives and possibly suffer some other severe consequences for not taking the appropriate action at the appropriate time.
Some of you may wonder what those particular warnings are that I am talking about. Well, we addressed a very important one in last week’s blog on Forgiveness. The warning was sent out to make people aware that if they have not forgiven others, they will not be forgiven. Go back and re-read and leave a comment if you need more on that issue.
One of the most important warnings in the scriptures, that is to be shared by all believers (who are knowledgeable), is that one must be born again.
John 3:1-7, “And there was a man of the Pharisees, Nicodemus was his name, a leader of the Jewish people: 2. this one came to Him at night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You, a teacher, have come from God: for unless God were with Him no one is able to perform these signs that You do.” 3. Y’shua answered and said to him, “Most definitely I say to you, unless someone would have been born from above, he is not able to see the Kingdom of God.” 4. Nicodemus said to Him, “How is a man able to be born when he is in old age? Is he able to enter his mother’s womb and be born I a second time?” 5. Y’shus answered, “Most certainly I say to you, unless someone would have been born out of water and Spirit he is not able to enter the Kingdom of God, 6. What has been born of the flesh is flesh, and what has been born of the Spirit is spirit. 7. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘It is necessary for you to be born from above’. (ONM)
This warning, given by Jesus and then reported by believers, is that we must be born of the Spirit who is God, meaning that He is to become our Father through Jesus. If we do not make Him Father while there is still time, we will ultimately face that dreadful day when it will be too late. Isaiah 55:6 says, “You must seek the Lord while He may be found, call to Him while He is near.” (ONM) Don’t wait until it is too late. We are not promised tomorrow. Make a decision to spend eternity with Him in heaven.
This morning I heard a man on the news who stayed in his home until the very last minute and barely made it to safety. The reason he gave for not heeding the warning earlier was because he had lived in the particular community for almost 60 years and had never been effected by hurricanes. So, though authorities were targeting his city for evacuation he took his chances until it was almost too late.
For those who have not heeded the scriptural warnings about forgiveness or being born again this is the time to do it. Go back to last week’s blog if you have un-forgiveness in your heart and take care of business.
If you are not born again, it is time to heed the warnings! Don’t take a chance that there will be time later. People do not realize that when death comes there is nobody who can rescue them. Jesus already did that. Though the day and the hour was widely announced for the hurricane to hit, no man knows his end.
So, acknowledge that you have lived life your own way and not God’s. Isaiah 55:7-9 says, “Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return to the LORD and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. 8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My Ways higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.” (ONM)
Once you have done that, ask Jesus to forgive you and to be the Lord of your life.
Heeding this important warning means that you have left the ways of your old life, where you would ultimately suffer the eternal consequences of hell. It also means that you will now need to learn how to live this new life, which gives you eternal security with God, in heaven.
Read the Bible daily, pray continually to the Father and seek out a good Bible believing church.
If you have heard and heeded either or both warnings I’d like to hear from you.
God Bless!
I’ll try Terry!! Love your messages!!
So glad they help, Beverly. Thanks for reading!