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    I was concluding my Sunday message when I heard the intrusive cell phone ‘go off’.

It really did not bother me; we have grown accustomed to this in public gatherings.  I

ignored it, and continued.

    Come to find out, it was an ‘Advance Warning’ app alerting us of a potential tornado

in our area. It is interesting that no one screamed in panic, no one was ‘rattled’; no one

took it seriously.  Without question or concern we merely ‘tuned it out’, and continued

as usual.

    ‘Advance Warning’ Systems are everywhere…the road construction sign, the dashboard

light, the flashing lights, the air brake buzzer, the stomach pain, the smell of smoke, the

sound of thunder, the concerned parent. 

    Obviously, someone cares enough to alert our senses to impending danger.  It is our

choice to heed the warning, or to not take it seriously and continue as usual.  Every

choice has a consequence “for better or for worse”.

    ‘Advance Warning’ has always accompanied human existence.  God said to Adam

and Eve, “You must not touch it, or you will die.” (Genesis 3:3) They ignored the

warning, chose not to listen, and continued, but NOT as usual.  Our world is plagued

by disobedience to God, and the consequence, though painful, is death.

    God tells the truth: “The soul who sins is the one who will die.” (Ezekiel 18:4) Satan

lies to us: “You will not surely die.” (Genesis 3:4); boy, did he deceive us!  He is proved

 a liar by every death.

    God’s love for us, and grace toward us, is revealed each time we hear the ‘Advance

Warning’. Faithfully and consistently He sends messengers that speak His word to us,

whether Angels, Prophets, Pastors, Christ-followers, or the Bible itself.

    This is His ‘Advance Warning’:

                   “He now commands all people everywhere to repent.  For he has

                    set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man

                    he has appointed.  he has given proof of this to all men by raising

                    him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30, 31)

    To repent means to change the mind.  We are commanded to change our mind about

God, choose to believe Him.  This indicates that we truly heed His ‘Advance Warning’,

and intend to go His way as a Christ-follower.  

    Do not let Satan deceive you into thinking, “This day of judgment will not happen!”

God has spoken clearly:                                                                                        

                     “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand

1. patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish,

                       but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

                      “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.” (1 John 5:11, 12)

        I have heeded the ‘Advance Warning’. It must not be ignored; we must not continue

as usual. I tell you that, “To all who received him (Jesus), to those who believed in his name,

he gave the right to become children of God…” (John 1:12) I am saved!

    “Are YOU with me?”

                                                                                                             - Pastor Bill Terris