The hurricane season is in full swing, and everyone’s attention is focused on the approaching storms from the sea. There is much anticipation every time one of these storms comes our way. When a large storm threatens, people are told to evacuate as the hurricanes approach. Warnings sound forth through various media outlets, and sometimes the police must warn people to evacuate from the streets. Unfortunately, despite having plenty of time to get out, people often die because they did not listen and heed the warnings.

This sad reality is very much like the end that many souls will face one day. God’s judgment awaits each of us. Heed the warnings, “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.” (Ezekiel 18:20) “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) The warnings have been sounded. God is mercifully pleading with every one of us through His Word. Those who take heed and are born of God will be saved, but those who ignore God’s warnings will be lost eternally.

Consider the words of the Apostle Paul to the men of Athens while giving the speech on Mars Hill, “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30-31) Paul clearly states that being unaware or lacking in knowledge was once overlooked, but God now demands that everyone repent and turn away from sin. The reason is that God will judge all men by the one He has chosen, Jesus Christ. He showed that Christ is His choice to be Judge by raising Him from the dead.

We have been told! On the Day of Judgment, no one will be able to say, “God didn’t tell me. I didn’t know what He expected of me!” Why refuse His invitation? The Lord desires for you to do what is right in His sight. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) The Day of the Lord will come. If you hear some scoffer questioning the coming of the Lord, do not forget that God does not look at time, or experience time, as we do. The Lord is not negligent. No, He is waiting to come in judgment to give everyone a chance to be saved. He is not willing that any should perish; He wants everyone to repent.

Remember the illustration we began with – of how it is during hurricane season? How many times have we thought it foolish that so many people will not evacuate when a massive storm approaches from the sea? With all the warnings, no one has any excuse for staying in their homes while not preparing for the storm. So many people foolishly refuse to take heed of the warnings given.

The clock is ticking. Will you be one that God says would not listen? Prepare your soul for eternity. Read, study, and obey God’s Word.

Some preach a different version of Jesus than the one described in the Bible. It could be argued that the Apostles were not familiar with the “Jesus” preached in many circles today, because the modern “Jesus” does not require change when coming to Him. Some teach that Jesus is willing to accept only the changes you are willing to make on your terms.  

Yet, the Jesus that the Bible does describe? He tells us to count the cost! The Jesus that the Bible presents taught that following Him may very well cost us relationships, even with our own earthly family. The real Jesus of scripture says that true discipleship will cost us hardships in this life (James 1:2), will cost us our material things, will cost time, will cost even our whole self (Romans 12:1-3). 

The Jesus the Bible describes calls for conviction (Luke 15:1-32), godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:7), and genuine repentance (Luke 13:3). The Jesus the Bible describes says most people cannot see or enter the kingdom of heaven (Luke 16:15; 17:20-21; 18:17; John 3:3-5). Only this Jesus is worth believing! Only this Jesus is worth serving!! But only a few will evaluate Jesus and learn that though the challenge is great, the rewards are much greater (Matthew 5:1-7:29)!

25 Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 

26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 

27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 

28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— 

29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 

30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? 

31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 

32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 

33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”

~ Luke 14:25-33

After feeding the 5000, Jesus instructed His disciples to get into a boat and go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee ahead of Him, while He dismissed the crowd. Then, Jesus went up to a mountain alone to pray. Meanwhile, the disciples in the boat were struggling with strong waves and winds in the middle of the sea! This continued until the early hours of the morning (while it was still dark) when Jesus approached them by walking on the water. When the disciples saw Jesus, they were frightened and thought they were seeing a ghost. Jesus reassured them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” 

This is where we witness some growth in the apostle Peter, as he responded, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” At this point, Peter realized that if the Lord commanded him to do ANYTHING, he could do it! Even if Jesus commanded Peter to walk on water, he could do it!! It’s one of those moments when we are reminded to be mindful of what we pray for, because we might just get it (if we ask God for an opportunity to do something significant, He may grant us that chance). 

Returning to the story, Jesus told Peter to “Come,” and Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on water toward Jesus! Imagine Peter holding onto the edge of the boat, placing his feet firmly on the water, and then letting go… to find himself walking on water!! Would he ever forget that experience? However, it was very dark, with strong winds and crashing waves, and the water was about 200 feet deep! As a fisherman, Peter was aware of this. As he looked around, he felt fear creeping in, and he began to sink. 

When we know we are in trouble, it is interesting how we respond (not mincing words). Peter emphatically cried out, “Lord, save me!” Now, did Jesus rebuke Peter, saying, “Thought you could do it, huh?!” No, that is not what Jesus did!! Instead, He IMMEDIATELY reached out His hand, caught Peter and said, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 

You see, Jesus wanted Peter to succeed in walking on water, just as He wants us to succeed in obeying His commands. So the next time your faith is tested (and it WILL be tested), remember that the Lord wants you to pass the test! Also, note that even after Peter’s faith failed, when the Lord saved Peter, they both walked on the water – together – and got back into the boat. The other disciples in the boat then worshipped Jesus, acknowledging Him as the Son of God.

There are profound moments in our lives when we realize that the Lord has indeed saved us! He deserves our worship, our service, and our all. God, please grant Your servants the ability to do great things in Your name, all to Your glory! Use me as You deem fit, and may You be with me in all things. Amen. 

I am making the decision to no longer be charmed by the empty promises of this world. Instead, I am determined to resist being entangled in things that lead to destruction. God is calling me to a higher level of thinking, one that embodies nobility and goodness (Colossians 3:1-4). I am committed to following Jesus and accepting Him as my Savior. This requires me to leave behind my sinful habits and troubles (Romans 6:1-23). I know that Jesus will support and challenge me, and I am resolved to embrace His teachings, as they are the source of true life. I will find joy in following Jesus. 

I am making a commitment to follow Jesus not just today, but every day in the future, knowing that there will be challenges ahead. I will pay careful attention to His teachings and strive to align my actions with His will, as I believe that His path leads to eternal life (John 6:60-68). Jesus, I acknowledge Your authority over heaven and earth! 

I am leaving the path of sin to enter Your kingdom. I accept You as my King and Master, and I am determined to seek Your righteousness (Matthew 6:25-34). Even if my closest companions oppose the changes I am making, and others try to impede my progress, I am resolved to give my best in everything and come to You.

I am resolved no longer to linger, charmed by the world’s delight; Things that are higher, things that are nobler, these have allured my sight. 

I am resolved to go to the Savior, leaving my sin and strife; He is the true One, He is the just One, He hath the words of life. 

I am resolved to follow the Savior, Faithful and true each day, Heed what He sayeth, do what He willeth, He is the living way.

I am resolved to enter the kingdom, leaving the paths of sin; Friends may oppose me, foes may beset me, still will I enter in. 

I will hasten to Him, Hasten so glad and free, Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee. 

~ Words in italics are from the hymn, I Am Resolved, with Lyrics and musical arrangement by Palmer Hartsough and J. H. Fillmore

Some people talk a lot, saying the right things, but then fail to act. Unfortunately, this can apply to the things that God wants us to say and do.

We must take the information God gives us and put it to use (Matthew 13:8, 23)! Following the will of the Lord requires effort, sacrifice, and perhaps even getting our hands dirty (figuratively and literally). Think of diet and exercise: we must consume proper nutrition and then use that as fuel to exercise and strengthen our bodies. We should similarly feed on God’s word, using it as fuel to practice godliness (1 Timothy 4:8). This involves hard work, more than just knowing and saying the right things.

Moreover, if we expect to help others, we must be willing to work, make sacrifices, and get our hands dirty. Helping others isn’t always convenient, and those in need may bring with them a messy past and difficult problems. We must be willing to act, rather than just talking! Helping them to grow may require that we serve them in physical ways and sacrifice some of our resources. This does not mean neglecting our own responsibilities (Philippians 2:4) but let us prayerfully do more than just talk (James 2:15-17).

Today, let’s put in the effort to seek the right information from God’s word and do the necessary work to grow personally, and do the same in our efforts to help others in any way possible.

Where no oxen are, the trough is clean;

But much increase comes by the strength of an ox.

~ Proverbs 14:4

It does seem that Christianity waxes and wanes in popularity. Though the world at large will always reject the truth of the gospel (John 15:18-21), there are times when many people obey the gospel in clusters. Or perhaps, it SEEMS as though (outwardly) more people are being responsive to the proclamations of the gospel, as opposed to other times, when there aren’t as many outward, favorable responses to teaching and preaching. We can and should be encouraged when more people seem to be responsive (Luke 15:7, 10, 32), but we must also strive to be consistent in our daily efforts, regardless of the number of daily conversions.  

1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 

2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;

4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 

5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

~ 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Holy God and Father in heaven. Hallowed be Your name. I am thankful for the positive responses of conversions, restorations, and faithful people who identify with Your local churches. It is very encouraging, and I pray that Your kingdom continues to grow. May more and more people respond positively to Your message of mercy, grace, and hope through Jesus, Your Son. Moreover, may we sow, plant, and water with confidence, expecting an increase by Your hand (1 Corinthians 3:5-8). Please continue to bless Your saints with encouragement as You see fit, and regardless of the season of harvest, may we be diligent in working in Your vineyard. I ask for all of this so that You may be glorified and that our fellow men and women may come to know You! In Jesus’ name, amen.