Narrow Escape

Mark 14: ⁵¹ Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body. And the young men laid hold of him, ⁵² and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.

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“Almost there!” I said to myself anxiously. I could hear them saying, “Catch him” but I was too fast. As I ran in the door one person grabbed hold of my backpack and tried to pull me out. I squirmed inside. Fortunately it was where I worked so I was safe.

• There have been times when I have been chased.
• Three have been times when I have been in trouble.
• There have been times when the only solution was to run.

Fearing for their lives, everyone fled from JESUS because they could have been locked up and killed too. There was no longer a thought of a new king, only survival. Those who followed JESUS were now wanted by the government so everyone fled as if they never knew HIM.

• JESUS forgives me when I panic and run from HIM.
• JESUS forgives me when I get scared and doubt HIM.
• JESUS forgives me when I put myself first even though HE should be first.

Life can be scary. There are so many unknowns and trouble seems to rear its ugly head daily. BUT GOD understands. HE knows my fears, doubts and may worries. HE also sees HIS wonderful plan for me that HE has already executed.

HIS plan cannot be altered because HE has already done it for me, that is why HE can make so many promises. GOD says what will happen because to HIM it already happened. HE is the Alpha and the Omega, Beginning and the End. HE knows the future because HE is the future and HE has a bright future for me.

• Are you running scared right now?
• Is something right on your heels and you are panicked?
• Can you take a breather for a moment to understand GOD has a bright future for you if you put your trust in HIM today?

Running on Fumes

Jonah 2: From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. ² He said:

“In my distress I called to the Lord,
    and he answered me.
From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help,
    and you listened to my cry.

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⁷ “When my life was ebbing away,
    I remembered you, Lord,
and my prayer rose to you,
    to your holy temple.

⁸ “Those who cling to worthless idols
    turn away from God’s love for them.
⁹ But I, with shouts of grateful praise,
    will sacrifice to you.
What I have vowed I will make good.
    I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’”

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Nervously I sat and stared at the gas gauge. The low gas indicator light had come on miles back and I saw the most horrifying sign that read “Next Stop 27 Miles.” It was very late at night and the road was dark and unfamiliar. I quieted down the radio but it was still too noisy and I finally had to turn it off. “LORD please help!” I cried.

• Sometimes in life I am running on fumes.
• Sometimes in life I do not have any answers, only questions.
• Sometimes in life I have nowhere to turn but to GOD.

Jonah spent three days in the fish. I’m sure he cried out on the first day, ALL DAY, but no response. When I went twenty six miles I felt relieved because even if the car stopped I could walk the extra mile. I made it to the gas station and to my dismay it was closed for the night. The next sign read “Next Stop 15 Miles.” I cried out again, this time with more fervor “LORD HELP!”

• GOD always helps me but sometimes not in the timing I want.
• GOD always rescues me but sometimes not in the way I want.
• GOD always watches over me but sometimes not in the way or time that I would feel totally in control.

Jonah was probably at the point of giving up. He had no sense of time or days and was extremely uncomfortable. He just knew he was going to die, but for some reason had not. HE calmed down in the middle of the turmoil and prayed.

I got back on the road and made it the additional fifteen miles, praying all the way! Gas poured into the tank and I noticed I was truly on empty. I pumped in the max capacity and about a gallon more! All I could do was thank GOD for saving me. My heart was still racing!

• Are you running on fumes?
• Have your solutions to life failed and now you feel you have nowhere to turn?
• Can you calmly but firmly cry out to GOD even if you have before?
• Will you “praise” HIM even in the middle of your trouble?