YOU DON'T HAVE TO TELL ME TWICE

On a warm, beautiful summer day, I was at the beach with family. Unexpectedly. It started to thunder, and then there was lightning. What? My granddaughter checked the weather forecast, and sure enough, it was supposed to rain in forty minutes. So soon after that, we packed up and left, and just before we got back to the house, it started to drizzle. I jokingly said to my son-in-law, “You don’t have to tell me twice.” Meaning, I was willing to leave the beach, because I believed God had given us ample time to leave so we would not get caught in the storm.

Then I thought to myself, “God has given mankind ample time to respond to His love and to repent. Sadly, many have ignored Him, making all kinds of excuses. Sooner or later though, they’ll get caught in the consequences of their procrastination and rejection of God’s love demonstrated through the death of His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, and then it’ll be too late for them.”

We (my family and I) would have gotten caught in the rain had we not left when we did. The Bible clearly says, “Today if you hear His voice do not harden your heart;” “Believe on the name of the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Hebrews 3:7; Acts 16:31).  What are you waiting for? Understand that “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27 KJV). How many reminders do you need?

God’s Word doesn’t change! You’ve probably heard this invitation before; if so, this is a reminder. Please respond today; tomorrow could be too late. Simply repent of your sins, and ask God to forgive you through the shed blood of Jesus (see Hebrews 9:28).  That’s all it takes to become a child of God. And just as children have to follow their parents' directions, you have to follow God’s directions, as stated in the Bible, when you become His child.

In the Bible, you’ll discover all He wants for your life, and trust me, His plans for you are for your welfare (see Jeremiah 11:29). You’ll discover His plans for you through reading and studying the Bible and obeying it as well as fellow-shipping with Him through praying—alone and with other believers, which of course means routine, ongoing involvement with a local church. You need that to grow in your faith.

May God bless you as you take this step; “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” (John 3:16 NIV). This could be your last chance!