The Real Tragedy

This Tuesday will be the 24th anniversary of the car accident in Paris that killed Princess Diana and her companion Dodi Fayed. This tragedy resulted in outpourings of grief from all over the world. At Diana’s funeral, Elton John sang a revised version of his hit “Candle in the Wind” as a tribute. That recording went on to become the second biggest selling single in history (behind Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas”).

However, the real tragedy is that Diana might not be in heaven right now. In his book “Good or God”, John Bevere wrote about how he spent much time grieving over Diana’s death until the Spirit of God instructed him to read Revelation 18. Verses 5 through 7 stood out…

“In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow.’ Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her. The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her…”

The Lord later told John, “She [Diana] flaunted her defiance to authority and her adultery to the world. She wasn’t submitted to Me.” John then brought up all the good works Diana had done. He eventually heard the Spirit of God say, “There is a good that is not of Me.” As Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”

I’m not judging Diana. I’d rather think of her making it through the pearly gates instead of being tormented in hell. Regardless, we must always be ready for eternity and not depend on our good works for salvation.

“Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” - Matthew 7:22-23

It Can Wait

Although God desires everyone to have a long life (Psalm 91:16), we still reside in a fallen world where some people die because of another individual’s negligence. This past Wednesday, a tragedy occurred in Texas that should remind us all of the dangers of distracted driving. The 20-year-old driver of a pickup truck crashed into a church minibus near the town of Concan. 13 of the 14 passengers on the bus died from the accident. The pickup driver survived but is hospitalized.

A witness told the Associated Press he had followed the pickup driver for several miles as it moved erratically and repeatedly crossed the center line of a two-lane highway. Jody Kuchler made calls to the sheriffs of two counties urging them “to get him off the road before he hit somebody.” Kuchler ended up witnessing the collision. After checking on the bus occupants, he spoke with the pickup driver who told him, “I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I was texting.”

Many of us have gotten in the habit of immediately checking our phones whenever we receive a new message. Time magazine reported that 98% of habitual texters said texting while driving is dangerous yet 75% of them admit to doing that. This is despite most states now assessing fines for violators that are caught. When will these distracted drivers realize it only takes a couple seconds for an accident to occur? They need to keep their eyes on the road!

The next time you’re behind the wheel and hear notifications on your smartphone, please wait until you arrive at your destination. If you feel a need to check your phone sooner, pull over somewhere or at least wait until you’re at a red light for a quick glance at your message. No email, text, or Facebook post is worth somebody else’s life.

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” - Genesis 4:9 

Life is a Vapor

Three days ago a friend of mine along with two companions started on a road trip from Minnesota to Texas. Halfway through the trip, one of those companions learned her father was in a motorcycle accident. The three of them made a U-turn back to Minnesota. Shortly afterwards, the motorcyclist died after being taken off life support. Fortunately he professed to know the Lord.

This reminded me of an incident last year involving another female friend. Ironically she also lived in Minnesota but traveled down to Texas with her new husband. One day the two were in a motorcycle accident. My friend was critically injured but has since recovered. Her husband died at the scene.

An estimated 54 million people die every year. That’s almost 150,000 every day. Many of these deaths are sudden and without warning. Scripture describes just how fragile life really is…

“For we are only of yesterday and know nothing, Because our days on earth are [like] a shadow [just a breath or a vapor].” Job 8:9 (AMP)

“Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. Selah” - Psalm 39:5

“Surely every man is vapor. Selah” - Psalm 39:11

“Surely men of low degree are a vapor, men of high degree are a lie; If they are weighed on the scales, they are altogether lighter than vapor.” - Psalm 62:9

“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher. “Vanity of vanities! All [that is done without God’s guidance] is vanity [futile, meaningless—a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes, merely chasing the wind].” - Ecclesiastes 1:2 (AMP)

“whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” - James 4:14

Psalm 91 does have the promise of a satisfying long life but only for those who dwell “in the secret place of the Most High.” God can steer His people away from tragedies if they listen and obey His voice. On the other hand, Satan lies to nonbelievers by saying they can wait and get right with God at a time of their choosing. 

So before your life becomes vaporized, make sure you’re born again. Don’t roll the dice with eternity.

“Indeed, the ‘right time’ is now. Today is the day of salvation.” 

- 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NLT)

Thoughts and Prayers

Often when a tragedy occurs such as this past Tuesday’s train wreck in Philadelphia, people will say to victims and family members, “Our thoughts and prayers are with you.”  Many of them may be sincere in expressing their condolences but are they really being helpful just thinking about another person’s calamity? Nowadays people say, “Our thoughts go out to you” because it's politically incorrect to mention prayers. What good are thoughts going to do for someone unless prayers are attached?

It is true thoughts can have an impact on our own lives. Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” In Matthew 5:27-28, Jesus even equated the thought of committing adultery to actual sin.

On the other hand, good thoughts towards others will help only if acted upon. Let’s suppose the Lord puts it on your heart to give something to someone. Would that person benefit just by you thinking about blessing him? Of course not! James 2:16 says, “…and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?”

When you come across people going through a difficult time, don’t use the cliché that you are thinking about them. At the very least, pray for them!

“Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” 

- James 4:17