Stitches Thru Time: Salvation

Monday, October 16, 2017

Storm Warning

The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly… 1 Thessalonians 5:2

Streaking from the dark clouds above, a lightning bolt struck the center of the empty soccer pitch with my daughter’s team playing on the next field. When the referee refused to stop the game, another off-duty ref agreed to help and we ran to the officials stand.

The officials agreed to stop the games, but their method was far too slow. Riding a golf cart from field to field of the large complex would never send the kids to safety in time. As fast as I could run, I returned to my daughter’s game and told the referee to send the kids to the cars. One after another, girls sat down to pull off shoes, socks, and shin guards in the pelting rain, lightning crackling overhead. Yelling to leave their things and run, we finally cleared the field.

Drenched and breathing hard, I ran to my own car, satisfied that everyone was safe.

“Mom, are you crazy? Did you ever think you might be killed?” My seventeen-year-old daughter’s indignant tone showed both concern and embarrassment at my rampage to clear the fields.

Never once did I feel concern for myself. All my thoughts were for others in danger from the fast-moving storm. “No.” I replied. “All I thought was that those kids might die. I’m an adult, and I know where I’m going when I die.”

People die every day without the certainty of heaven. Our world belittles Christians but fails to heed the call to salvation. They are quick to blame God, but slow to approach him for help. In recent years, natural disasters and attacks by dangerous and depraved men have rocked our world. There is no safety, and often no warning. It’s more critical than ever for Christians to speak out about the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

How many would find salvation if I proclaimed the gospel with as much fervor as I stopped those soccer games? What if Christians gave no thought to their reputation or the reaction of others in order to warn others of the approaching storm of judgment?

I must determine to live each day in the light of the Cross. People’s lives depend on it.

About the author:

Norma Gail’s debut contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, won the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Historical Writers of America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 41 years. They have two adult children. If you’re interested in connecting with her, you're invited to follow her blog, or join her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, or Amazon.

Monday, November 3, 2014

The Captain and the Dancing Natives

Amber Schamel here with our Monday morning devotional. I was in church a couple of weeks ago when our pastor shared an inspiring story with us. It touched my heart, so I thought I'd pass it along.

There is an ancient tale that tells of an island which many of the ships had to pass. This island was inhabited by Natives with a strange culture. The women would all go out on a sandbar and begin to dance and sing. The poor sailors who had been at sea for many months were absolutely tantalized by the women. Their dance would lure the ships to the island, where the Native men were waiting to attack them, kill all on board and take whatever loot they could.

Now there was a certain captain, well known and quite accomplished, who was required to sail his ship past this island. The captain knew his enemy, and he also knew his own weakness. When the island came into sight, he commanded his men to gag him,and tie him to the mast pole. He commanded further that each and every sailor should plug their ears with wax, so that they could not hear the singing and shouting of the Natives as they passed the island.They were not to untie him, or remove the wax from their ears until they reached a certain distance from the island.

"Really, Captain, do you think it necessary to take such drastic measures? I really cannot bring myself to tie my Captain to the mast, bound and gagged." His first mate said.

"I am in complete earnest." Captain replied. "Do you know how many ships have already fallen prey to their ploy? Anyone to disobey my orders will be the death of us all, but if by some chance we do survive, I would have him thrown into the sea."

The captain's orders were obeyed, and he was bound to the mast pole. As they passed the island, the women came out and began to sing, dance and scream, beckoning to the ship with their arms. The island was beautiful with waterfalls, palm trees, serene pools, and native fruit. Watching the display, the captain began to think. The tales can't be true. A little pleasure after so many months at sea couldn't be any harm.

So enchanting was their dance, and the sight of the women that the captain began to squirm against his bonds. He managed to free himself from the cloth that gagged him and shouted to his men. "Turn in, turn the ship into the harbor!"

He screamed till his voice went hoarse, but the sailors paid no heed, after all, their ears were filled with wax.

When at last they reached the safe distance from the island, they unplugged their ears and untied the captain.With his fit of passion behind him, he was glad he'd had the foresight to instruct his men. It had saved their lives.

When they reached their next port, he was walking down the street when he caught a strain of music unlike any other he'd ever heard. The music drew him into the little church on the corner, and there he heard the gospel of Jesus Christ.

When it came time for the ship to again sail past the perilous island, his first mate held up the rope he had coiled in his hand. "Shall we tie you to the mast pole again, Captain?"

The captain looked at him steadily. "No, mate. Let me loose. I don't need it this time. I've heard something so much greater, the Natives' ploy can tempt me no longer."

And the captain's word held true. As many trips as they made past island, never again was there a need to bind him to the mast.

What a beautiful illustration of II Cor. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Thank you, precious Lord Jesus, for making us new creatures in You, for changing us from the sinful creatures that we once were, and giving us new life. We love You, and worship You. We ask that You would guide us through the week and put Your loving and merciful hand upon us.

In Jesus' Name, amen.