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2 Peter 3:10 – But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. (NIV)
When a friend of mine was evacuated from his home and town due to wildfire, I asked him if he had taken all his important legal papers, identification, and medical files with him. He told me that he had not. He had simply left quickly. My friend did not have what has come to be known as a go bag.
A go bag is a bag that one keeps ready in case of an emergency evacuation notice, something which is happening frequently due to the shift in weather patterns that our world is experiencing. Fires, floods, landslides, hurricanes, tornadoes, and the like can come upon us with very little or sometimes no warning, and having a go bag ready and waiting can make a huge difference when it comes to dealing with long-term evacuations or the possible loss of home and property.
Similarly, the Scriptures remind us that the day of the Lord's return will also come upon us when we least expect it. When that day comes, there will no longer be time to prepare to meet our heavenly Father. The time will be past to ready our spiritual go bag — everyone on the earth will be evacuated to an eternity spent with or without God.
1 John 5:11b-12 – God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. (NIV)
Jesus, the Son of God, offers us our spiritual go bag for free; it is known as salvation. Knowing Him as our personal Lord and Saviour and trusting Him for the forgiveness of our sins — which makes us holy and acceptable to God — assures us that our name is written in God's Book of Life. Not knowing Christ, however, condemns us to judgment and eternal torment in the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:10-15 NIV)
Each one of us is going to be evacuated from this earth, whether it is by death or through the return of Jesus. This is a fact, a given. The question is: are you ready? Is the Spirit of Jesus residing within your heart through your acceptance of the free gift of salvation, your go bag which He offers to all mankind? If not, why not?
Prayer: Lord God, may the eyes and hearts of the peoples of the world be opened to see their need of salvation in Christ, that their spiritual go bag will be packed up within their hearts on the day You call us to Yourself. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.
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Wonderful, Lynne, as usual.
Thanks Lynne, blessings to you and your family.
Hi Lynne,
I liked the analogy of the “go bag”. Well done!
Words can’t describe the profoundness of this message Lynne.
Blessings.
Thank you for sharing this informative devotional with us today. To God be the glory! Blessings.
Morning Lynne, great incentive to get the ‘bag’ ready; along with our hearts.
Great read, thanks and Blessings.
Hello Lynne
I liked your message, sad to think how the environment is changing so quickly and the destruction!! But I am thankful because of the cross I have my go bag!!!
I am praying people will have their go bags before it is too late!
God bless.
Thank you so much for your devotional today, Lynne. I always look forward to your writings as you have a great talent in presenting analogies of a common life situation with the great workings of our Saviour. Yes, we sure must ready ourselves for the day of the Lord and what a great happening that will be. Truly it will be a time to have a “go bag” well filled in our heart and mind with great reverence for our loving Lord. Many blessings for these very special writings you prepare.
Good morning, Lynne,
I did not know what a “Go Bag” was. I have not heard that term before. With all the disaster hitting all around the world so fast these days, I understand how important that is. I do remember having a bag ready to go to the hospital when I was expecting. I do understand the importance of being ready for Jesus to come. It is not a physical thing and is a spiritual belief in Jesus as our Saviour.
I definitely pray your prayer that more eyes and hearts are open to the salvation that belief in Jesus offers each and everyone. Thanks for sharing. Blessings.
Thank you, Lynne. A good reminder in today’s turbulent world.
Dear Lynne,
Thank you for the great Devotional today, I really appreciate your writings.
Take care,
(Ontario Canada)
Hi Lynne,
I have not heard of a “go-bag” before, but what a great idea! The spiritual go-bag is so beautifully described and how blessed are we who have had it prepared for us by the Lord Jesus.
You have challenged the readers with a great gospel message that is most clearly stated. May the LORD continue to bless you as you challenge your readers.