It was the winter of 1884, and a cargo ship was struggling in the rough waters off the coast of Massachusetts. A passing ship saw what was happening and signaled that they could tow them to safety. The captain refused. He was an accomplished sailor, and he was determined to get the ship into port on his experience and skill. Hours
later, the ship was driven onto the rocks and broke apart. Everyone aboard was lost. Rescue for his situation was right there, but pride kept the captain from accepting it. The Bible says that we all are headed for a rocky
shore and we won’t survive the trip unless we are rescued. But so many say “Thanks, but no thanks…” Why not choose life? There are a lot of reasons why people don’t take God up on his offer of forgiveness and eternal life. Some say that they will not submit to Christ as Lord and surrender control to him for their life and moral choices. Some, well they just love certain lifestyles or behaviors that contradict what God says in the Bible. Others just don’t sense a need for a personal savior…they have handled it so far on their own and are pretty content. Some are just skeptics and they may not feel like it is worth the effort or time to truly investigate the claims of the Bible and its historical foundation. And unfortunately, there are those who have been turned off or actually hurt by the behavior of those who claim to be followers of this Jesus of the Bible. And the enemy of God and all those who come to him is called the Devil in the Bible. And he will give all kinds of reasons why a person should just say “no” to God’s invitation. So as a believer, your job and my job is to live well and if someone asks about your hope that they see in your life, always be ready to explain it. Tell them what you know and what you’ve experienced. But we are reminded in that Bible that we are to do it in a gentle and respectful way. The Bible says that everyone of us is like that captain from so many years ago…we all are headed for disaster. No one can escape the infection and resulting end of sin. But God is there to the very end offering to tow us to safety. So don’t give up on people. Live a life that makes God look good, because he is good. And be ready to tell them your story and the story of a God who loves them more than they ever have been or ever could be. Here’s our Bible verse for today…
1 Pe 3:15-16 NLT Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. (16) But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.
Remember I’m praying for you,
PJ
P.S. FUNNIES...
later, the ship was driven onto the rocks and broke apart. Everyone aboard was lost. Rescue for his situation was right there, but pride kept the captain from accepting it. The Bible says that we all are headed for a rocky
shore and we won’t survive the trip unless we are rescued. But so many say “Thanks, but no thanks…” Why not choose life? There are a lot of reasons why people don’t take God up on his offer of forgiveness and eternal life. Some say that they will not submit to Christ as Lord and surrender control to him for their life and moral choices. Some, well they just love certain lifestyles or behaviors that contradict what God says in the Bible. Others just don’t sense a need for a personal savior…they have handled it so far on their own and are pretty content. Some are just skeptics and they may not feel like it is worth the effort or time to truly investigate the claims of the Bible and its historical foundation. And unfortunately, there are those who have been turned off or actually hurt by the behavior of those who claim to be followers of this Jesus of the Bible. And the enemy of God and all those who come to him is called the Devil in the Bible. And he will give all kinds of reasons why a person should just say “no” to God’s invitation. So as a believer, your job and my job is to live well and if someone asks about your hope that they see in your life, always be ready to explain it. Tell them what you know and what you’ve experienced. But we are reminded in that Bible that we are to do it in a gentle and respectful way. The Bible says that everyone of us is like that captain from so many years ago…we all are headed for disaster. No one can escape the infection and resulting end of sin. But God is there to the very end offering to tow us to safety. So don’t give up on people. Live a life that makes God look good, because he is good. And be ready to tell them your story and the story of a God who loves them more than they ever have been or ever could be. Here’s our Bible verse for today…
1 Pe 3:15-16 NLT Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. (16) But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.
Remember I’m praying for you,
PJ
P.S. FUNNIES...