Warning: It is time to evacuate

As I watch the news it reminds me that we are live in a fallen world. So many storms. Literally, Katrina devasted a region of the U.S. and now Rita! Perhaps we should just call all these storms Jezebeel! The storms that rage are real…at least it appears that with Rita a vast majority of doing what is right and heeding to the warnings to evacuate.

One news reporter shared that Galveston, Texas was hit by a hurricane once before in the early 1900′s. Literally an estimated 8,000-10,000 were dead (According to the reporter). Do you know why? Because they did not know the storm was coming. They did not have the technology we have today. Warnings are a good thing.

God gives us warnings. In fact the Bible teaches "all have sinned all fal short of God’s Glory!" We are all sinners. The Bible also teaches that "the wages of sin is death." But it goes on to say that "all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved." So God warns us about our sin, He warns of us of potentional destruction, but he also gives us an evacuation plan.

Despite the oncoming storm many choose to remain in sin. I am not talking simply of worldly people, I am talking about people in the church as well. We can see the squall line of hate, bitterness, brawling, slander, gossip, deception, rebellion, defiance, pornography, adultery, fornication, malice, homosexuality, laziness, worldiness and many other types of sins. The Bible is a our radar screen. It tells us these storms are raging. Will we evacuate?

Evacuation means we turn to God. First, we repent of our own sin. We all are sinners. We return to God through Jesus Christ. We call on His name and we are saved. If not we will reap the destruciton of the storm.

Evacuation also means we are ready. We must be prepared for the fall out of sin in our lives and in the church. We must be prepared to confront sin, name sin, recognize sin, confess sin, turn from sin, and remove sin. Most churches don’t have an evacuation plan and many of us as individuals do not as well. Here is some practical advise. Read the Word, Obey the WOrd, Submit to the Word. Also have an accountability group. Listen to them. Ask them to hold you accountable and to stand by your side and help you during the evacuations of your life.

The one thing I can promise. Storms will come. Some will hit harder than others. SOme you may be able to weather down and stay on shore. But eventually you have to evacuate or be destroyed.

If you want to turn you life over to God, your evacuation plan begins with Salvation. John 3 tells us that Jesus did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. Confess your sin, ask Jesus to forgive you and then ask Him to come into your life as Lord. Then promise to life for Him forever more. Let the evacuation from sin begin in your heart today.

You may be a Christian struggling. Focus on the cross that is our evacuation plan and our hope is the empty grave…Jesus Christ is a live. Reclaim the victory and live for Jesus once again.

If you are struggling with sin confess it. Confess it. 1 John 1:9 tells us that God will forgive us and restore us! Let God restore you today.

Perhaps you are a person who has ignored the warning signs. You stayed on the shore line even after the evacuation was ordered. The good news with God is that He is in control. Even if it appears like the storms of sin and life have crashed down all around you and that life is hopeless…it isn’t. God loves you before, during and even after the storm. He simply wants us to repent and live for Him. As long as you have breath it is never late to make things right with God and to start living for Him!