The four-man offshore drilling crew had a problem. Urgent repairs were needed. Drilling was shut down. One crew member harnessed up and was lowered through an opening in the rig’s deck. But, something went terribly wrong.
When Tom (not his real name) finished the repair, he signaled to the two men above.
They signaled to the winch operator. “A routine fix,” the operator thought. “I won’t watch.” He took his eyes off the operation.
Tom’s harness spiraled. His body flipped. Now facing upward he wouldn’t fit horizontally through the small deck opening.
High winds and machinery noise kept the operator from hearing their frantic shouts.
Tom was pulled through the small deck opening - horizontally. Being pulled through, face-up, Tom’s back snapped. He died!
Better communication may have saved Tom’s life. Listening! Responsible people are sometimes distracted or don’t listen. Unheard messages can have devastating results!
That’s still true. God’s voice is calling to you today! Not audibly, but He calls everyone through His Word, the Bible.
Some are distracted by sin and avoid His calling. Others hear but ignore His calling. This isn’t God’s choice for you!
“The Lord is…patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:9-10). God warns that this will happen.
“For if the word spoken… and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was…spoken through the Lord…God also testifying…by signs and wonders and…miracles…(He) was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death…that by the grace of God, He might taste death for everyone” (Hebrews 2:2-4, 9).
The “voice” of Jesus calls to you, “I died so that you don’t have to!”
Your new year can be the happiest ever! Today, won’t you respond to Jesus? You’ll have less to lose and far more to gain: PEACE, FORGIVENESS OF ALL YOUR SINS, FREEDOM FROM THE SHAME, GUILT, AND YOUR SINS WILL NO LONGER DESERVE PUNISHMENT - JESUS TAKE IT ALL AWAY!
“The…Holy Spirit says, “Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts… ‘They shall not enter My rest’” (Hebrews 3:7-11; please read 3:12-19). Will you enter His rest - HEAVEN? (Please read Hebrews 4:1-16; 5:1-2, 4-9, 11-14; also 12:25).
Jesus is calling to you today! He invites you (Matthew 11:28-30). What is your response?