Are You Prepared?

Floridians worked tirelessly to make preparations for the arrival of Hurricane Irma. From purchasing bottled water and batteries to filling up gas tanks and boarding up windows, everyone did what they could to ensure they would be ready to weather the storm. With the threat of a catastrophic hurricane aiming for the Sunshine State, no one wanted to be caught off guard.

As a native Floridian, it saddened me to think of the possible destruction that could come upon our state. Watching people at the grocery store, stocking up on supplies, I actually became tearful when I thought about the reasons why they were clearing out the shelves. While some of them were simply restocking their pantry, others were purchasing items out of desperation. They were not buying eight boxes of cereal or two cases of identical canned goods because the items were on sale. They were doing what they could to ease their fear of the unknown.

Some individuals were uncertain as to how long they will be without power. Evacuees who stayed in shelters waited apprehensively, wondering if they would return home only to find no home at all. Still others were afraid they would not even survive to assess the damages found on their property.

And so, preparations ensued with the idea that it was best to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. At our home, we followed suit, boarding up our windows for the first time ever. Many people filled sandbags in an attempt to protect their homes and businesses from flood waters. Based on the storm’s path, there was a possibility it could come directly over us as a category 3 hurricane. The forecast was grim for nearly every inch of the Florida peninsula and the Florida Keys as well. Fear was contagious.

As Hurricane Irma barreled up the west coast, all eyes were on the National Hurricane Center updates. When the hurricane made landfall, preparations had to cease. Everyone sought a secure location in which to ride out the storm, whether in their own homes, hotels, shelters, churches, or other structures. Time had run out. Irma would unleash her fury from coast to coast and north to south, bringing unprecedented devastation to much of the southeast.

Sadly, Hurricane Irma took the lives of dozens of people across the Caribbean and the state of Florida. Thousands of homes were either damaged or destroyed. Many homes are still underwater. Although the total cost of this storm is yet to be determined, it will certainly be one of the costliest storms in history.

Hurricane survivors are trying to piece their lives back together, grateful to be alive. Power outages are a minor inconvenience, especially for those of us who still have a roof over our heads to keep us dry. Gas shortages and the unavailability of perishable food in many areas brings little concern for people who are focused on holding their family a little bit closer, now that the enormity of the destruction has sunken in.

One moment, everyone was living their normal lives, going to work and school, visiting family and friends, enjoying every day activities. The next moment, normalcy became foreign. As the violent winds blew and the torrential rain fell, life changed. The power went out. Communities were decimated. Lives were lost.

As I watched the news and observed the destruction in this storm’s path firsthand in my own hometown, I realized the close parallel between the importance of being prepared for a hurricane and the even more critical need to be prepared for the return of Jesus Christ.

One day soon, a trumpet will sound. This is not a trumpet like the ones you find in a symphony orchestra, but a trumpet which will be heard around the world. Upon this trumpet call, the dead in Christ will rise first and those who have put their trust in Jesus Christ will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air (I Thessalonians 4:16-17). This is the moment when Jesus Christ returns to this earth in victory to take His children home. If Christ returns today, are you prepared?

Unlike a hurricane, there will be no meteorologists or newscasters warning people in advance. The headlines in the newspaper will never read, Christ Comes Back Tomorrow. Matthew 24:36 tells us, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” That is why we must be ready, prepared for His coming, every moment of every day. In the same way you do not want to be caught off guard in a horrific storm, you do not want to be found unprepared when the Lord returns to this earth.

Perhaps you are sitting there reading this, with the knowledge that your friends are saved, hoping that will count for something. Matthew 24:40-41 states, “Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.” You cannot rely on another person’s salvation to be your ticket to Heaven.

You could be thinking…I’m a good person. I try to do the right things. Certainly God will have mercy on me when it is all said and done. According to the Bible, we can never be good enough. Good works cannot save you. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). There is nothing we can do to deserve salvation. It is only by the grace of God that we can receive this priceless gift.

John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The Bible says we have all sinned (Romans 3:23), which is why we need redemption found only through the blood Jesus Christ shed on the cross of Calvary. Confess your sins today. Believe in Jesus Christ. Call on the name of the Lord and you shall be saved (Acts 2:21).

There is no need for supplies of any kind. Boarding up windows is useless. There is only one way to prepare for Christ’s return. Jesus said, “‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:6). Jesus Christ is the only way to obtain salvation. Receive His unending love and amazing grace today.

When Christ returns, there will be no emergency alert gracing the face of your smart phone or television screen. No one knows the day when Christ will return, except God Himself (Matthew 24:36). God’s Word says, “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Matthew 24:44).

Unlike an impending storm, there will be no warning. Once Jesus Christ returns, the window of opportunity to receive the gift of salvation will be closed. The opportunity is now. Make the most vital preparation of your life today.

You Will Persevere!

This past Monday, Americans woke up to a routine Monday morning.  That night, we went to bed with saddened hearts.  What began as a beautiful day in Boston, Massachusetts ended with a horrifying scene as loved ones tried to come to terms with what happened toward the end of the Boston Marathon.  Three innocent lives were lost in this attack and nearly two hundred individuals were injured.  Yesterday, an explosion caused mass destruction, causalities, and injuries in West, Texas.  In both of these tragedies, an infinite number of people have suffered emotional trauma that is utterly beyond comprehension.  My heart is saddened, just thinking of the coming days ahead as they gradually begin to pick up the pieces of their lives.  Still, I want to speak specifically to everyone in Boston and West and the surrounding areas.  Even though it may seem like a hopeless situation at the moment, you are going to make it.  While your lives have been turned upside down, you will find a new normal and life will go on.  With God on your side, you will persevere!

Tragedies like this one cause us to ask, “Why?”  Why should children’s lives be taken so suddenly?  Why should people have to endure such destruction and loss?  Why should a seemingly safe place quickly turn into a danger zone?  While I wish I had all of the answers, I certainly have no answers to many of the questions that are being asked.  I cannot comprehend why someone would want to cause any type of destruction, much less have a desire to harm another human being.  And there are no words to explain the feeling of helplessness I am sure is felt by many in Texas as they try to determine the cause of this horrific explosion.

While I do not have all of the answers, I want to encourage each and every one of you today.  Jesus Christ says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).  When He was walking upon the earth, He encountered unimaginable trouble.  He was beaten and bruised and put to death on a cross.  But God had Him in the Shelter of His arms and now He reigns victorious.  Jesus knew that we would also encounter trouble in this world.  But He reassures us that everything will be alright.  Although there will be days when we don’t feel we can put one foot in front of the other, He will be with us every step of the way.  Why?  The answer is simple.  Jesus Christ has overcome the world.

Perhaps you are facing a battle of your own today.  You may be sitting by the bedside of a loved one who is terminally ill.  Maybe you just received news that you have been let go from your place of employment.  Or you may have been personally touched in some way by the tragedies in Massachusetts and Texas.  The Lord says to you and me, “Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).  No matter what you are going through, Jesus is right there with you.  He will hold your hand.  He will walk with you every step of the way.  He will never leave you.  Even amid the questions that surround us, Jesus Christ is the answer for the world today.  Rest in Him.  Trust in Him.  He loves you more than you could ever imagine.  With Jesus Christ as our Lord, Savior, and Friend, we will persevere!

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

Get Off the Horse

All of my life, I have heard how important it is to get back on the horse.   If a person is riding a horse and falls off, the possibility exists that they may develop a lifelong fear of horses if they do not climb back into the saddle right away.  When they are first learning to ride, or if they are training a horse, they may even have the unfortunate experience of falling repeatedly.  Yet, for all of the bumps and bruises, broken bones and concussions, they are encouraged to dust themselves off and ride again.

In reality, life is a lot like riding a horse.  If we get knocked down, we have to stand back up again.  If we find ourselves with our face in the dirt, we must find the courage to get up, wash the dirt off, and move on.  And if we fall into a situation that we cannot get out of on our own, we need to call on Jesus to help us.  Sometimes, we need to simply avoid the horse altogether.  When you look at the parallel between riding a horse and living life, there are times when it is not always in our best interest to get back on the horse.  For there will likely be a pivotal moment in all of our lives when all we really need to do is get off the horse.

Let’s look at the world of equines.  Would you choose to ride a bucking bronco, or would you prefer a trail ride on a well-trained thoroughbred?  Unless you are a member of the rodeo circuit, you would probably prefer a nice, relaxing ride on a gentle horse.  Surely, there would be less chance of you falling off the horse if you chose the latter.  Even if you wear a helmet, boots, and all of the appropriate safety gear, there still exists the possibility of sustaining an injury.  Either option comes with some risk involved.  Yet, by choosing the tamer horse, you can greatly decrease the likelihood of suffering a serious injury.  One wise choice could essentially be the difference between life and death.

We are faced with similar choices in life.  We may see the bucking bronco as the glamorous or adventurous option, failing to see the danger that awaits.  This “bucking bronco” could represent any decision we make in life.  It could be a decision to drink and drive, take drugs, or abuse a child or spouse.  Or it could represent a choice to consistently slander someone, ignore a relative or long-time friend, or hold a grudge against a friend or family member.  Because of our inability to see the consequences of our choice, we may encounter unexpected hurdles.  Each time we jump over a hurdle, we may fall off the horse.  Still, get back on the horse and persevere, hoping things get better.  We repeatedly get back on the horse, only to find that things get worse instead.

There are many temptations in this world.  Satan wants to ensure that you have every opportunity to take advantage of them, and he will stop at nothing to make sure you focus on the bucking broncos of life.  He does not want you to choose the straight and narrow path, but instead, he wants you to choose to travel down the wide road of destruction (Matthew 7:13).  Much like the bucking bronco, this path may seem alluring.  You may fantasize about what it would like to experience the thrill, but once you are on that horse, you may get bucked off and find yourself crumpled on the ground.  That thrill may cause you to get back on the horse.  But if you want to live your life, you need to get off the horse.

In reality, there are times when we shouldn’t get on the horse in the first place.  But if you find yourself on a bucking bronco, hold on tight until you find a safe place to dismount the horse.  And if you fall off, God will be there to pick you up and carry you along.  Psalm 145:13-14 (NIV) says, “The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.  The LORD upholds all who fall.”  Trust in the Lord today.  He will never disappoint you.  He has your best interest at heart.  He knows how to avoid the dangers of bucking broncos on the path of destruction, and He can show you how to enjoy a smooth ride on the straight and narrow path. 

God wants us to make wise decisions.  He gives us the freedom to choose our own paths, but He hopes that we will always have our best interest at heart.  When we find ourselves sitting atop a wild horse, getting bucked off consistently, we need to ask God to guide us to a place of safety.  Inevitably, the first thing we need to do is to get off of the horse and then stay off the horse.  Getting back on will only result in further disappointments in life.  Don’t be disappointed with life.  Look to God, the One who will never disappoint you.  No matter how many times you have fallen off the horse, God will take your brokenness and make you whole.

In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer