Have you ever had someone give you advice—good advice—and later you were glad you followed it? Have you taken the advice God gives you in His book, the Bible? There is much good and important advice there. “Ye must be born again” (John 3:77Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (John 3:7)). “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts16:31). “Children, obey your parents” (Ephesians 6:11Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. (Ephesians 6:1)). “Rejoice in the Lord alway” (Philippians 4:44Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. (Philippians 4:4)).
Karen and Mae, two sisters, were looking forward to a day of canoeing on the St. Croix River. They had been on another part of the river the year before and remembered the beautiful scenery. They rented a canoe from an outfitter, and the owner gave them some valuable advice: “Take extra clothes that you can change into if you get wet.” So they left on their outing with extra clothing in a sealed plastic bag. Following that good advice may have saved their lives.
Karen and Mae discovered that the section of the river they were now on had more rapids than where they had canoed the last time. They were enjoying the day until, suddenly, they hit some rocks and the canoe capsized! Thankfully, they both had their life vests on, but after trying several times they were unable to turn the canoe right side up. The river was swollen from rain, the current was swift, and the evening was cold, but they were able to make it to a small island in the river by swimming and using the canoe rope to pull the upside down canoe behind them.
What do you think was the first thing Karen and Mae did when they were safe on the island? On that cold evening, they quickly changed into their dry clothing. Those extra clothes in the plastic bag were a real “lifesaver.” Once they had dry clothes on, the two women gathered grass and leaves to cover themselves to try to keep warm, as they prepared for a night on the island.
Karen and Mae listened to and followed the good advice of the outfitter. Have you listened to what God tells you? Have you followed God’s advice? The Lord Jesus will be your “lifesaver” for now and eternity when you take Him as your Saviour.
Later that evening when Karen and Mae did not show up at their pick-up spot on the river, searchers started hunting for them. Mae said, “The helicopters were close, and we were very disappointed when they did not find us that night.” The next morning a rescue plane finally spotted the two sisters waving orange boat cushions.
It was a happy time of hugging and crying as the two sisters were taken to the nearby hospital. They were treated for exposure to the cold, cuts and bruises but no serious problems.
For those who do not take the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour, their problem will be much more serious than a cold night on an island. Revelation 20:1515And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15) tells us the awful results of not having Jesus as your Saviour when your life here on earth is over: “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
ML-02/10/2008