When I was kid attending YMCA Camp Elphinstone one summer in British Columbia, the camp counselor would lead the raucous crowd of young teens in a lively singing of the classic gospel song Oh Sinner Man, Where You Gonna Run To?
Unfortunately, I was not raised in the gospel, nor was I good at deciphering song lyrics. For years after that fateful summer, I believed the song was about a character who looked like a ginger bread man that had a generous helping of cinnamon flavor. The song was about him, Mr Cinnamon, who had no where to hide. I felt sorry for that cookie man, not able to find a place to hide from disaster. I think that is why I developed an affinity for cookies. I wanted to rescue them and have them for desert.
But there was a warm sunny day in 1999 in Tucson, when out of the blue, an invisible mini-tornado (dirt devil) swept down on my home when we were in the pool. The winds were both unexpected and powerful. Not the kind that tears your roof off, but it did suck up my foam mattress and carry it up, up and out of sight. I was sand blasted but not hurt.
The strange thing was, that there was absolutely no warning. No signs in the sky. No clouds. It was a beautiful day and then BAM, in came the storm. I sought the Lord about it and He replied. Shortly after that, I had a most unusual visitation. What it was, I cannot say, but it occurred in the pre-dawn hours of the summer of 1999.
It was as though someone was standing by my bed and speaking to me, telling me to read Luke 21:36. I knew that someone or perhaps an angel was there. Over and over again, they urged me to read that verse. I finally told them in my sleepy state, that I promised I would read that verse when I got up. Crazy, I know. Wish I would have gotten up then.
When I did get up, I read the verse. It says, “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Ever since then, I watch current events AND I pray.
As I prayed about that strong, but brief wind storm that literally pinned me down so I couldn’t even run to the house, I came to believe that I was being warned of a day that would come so suddenly, there would be no time to get to safety. To avoid that day, one needed to watch and to pray.
In this video shot two days ago in Wyoming by BaseHunters you see the awesomeness of a super cell coming straight at them. It reminded me of the song Oh Sinner Man, Where You Gonna Run To —- On That Day? It serves as a reminder to me of what is coming and it’s not just a tornado.
Luke gives us a warning to help us not be caught unawares by that day. He said in verse 34 & 35, “Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and the cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.”
So, in all your pursuits of business success, don’t let your heart be weighed down by the cares of this life, which are many. I strongly recommend you look at your business and life through the lens of God’s priorities and what He wants to accomplish through you and in you because there is a day coming that will catch many off guard and there will be no place to run and no time to do it. Don’t be among that number.
“there is a day coming that will catch many off guard and there will be no place to run and no time to do it.” should be at the forefront of our desire to share Christ with others.
I agree John! Thanks for posting!
Blessings on you my brother.
When I read this, the two things that came to me, the second coming of The Lord and where we are in the history of our world and our nation. We are steadily heading in a direction that things are changing and evolving rapidly and anything can manifest in a moments notice. It’s sobering and encouraging to read this article because it convicted me even more to seek the will of God and His desires for my life. Just this morning, I was praying and asking to keep me in the middle of His will. I had to remind myself that regardless to what our situation looks like, we really CANNOT navigate our lives without Our Heavenly Father because He knows what is best. We are living in a critical time and each step we take is tied into our destination.
Aneika… My wife Judy Ann says it this way… She wants her life to hit the bulls eye of God’s will. You are on a good path. Keep pressing into Him. He is your substance and your life.
I really enjoyed the article and we used to travel Wyoming every week. It is hard to imagine with all that is going on that people will be eating, drinking, and marrying when our Lord comes back. A Jewish man in our community who loves the Lord Jesus Christ told me he shares every day here and nobody wants to pray. We are meeting tomorrow to pray.
I am so glad you have your eyes open Thomas. Give that Jewish man my heartfelt greeting and thanks for praying for this country.
Blessings,
I was given a verse this past week. In the dream I remember telling myself (or an angel) don’t forget this verse… it was Isaiah 10;15…. a chapter of woe regarding Syria…. but that particular verse I believe was a rebuke for me to heed…. I do believe there is a day coming in perhaps a few months (financial collapse)…. at the most a few years when persecution will be strong in this country and also major natural disasters along with terrorism …. please pray for my son Chris Webb as he is being deployed to Afghanistan in 10 days… thank you for your insightful posts MP, Shalom †
Hi Keith;
Will certainly pray for Chris. That’s a promise!
2015 falls into something known as the cycle of war. It really begins in 2014 with civil unrest, then increases with a pivotal date of Sept 30, 2015, where things intensify. That is based on the work of Martin Armstrong who studies economic cycles and cycles of war since around 600 B.C. There is a pattern and he sees a turning point next fall. I did not know about him or his work when I posted this blog yesterday. It was your post that made me want to research a bit more. You might find his analysis interesting.
Blessings my brother,
Oh sinner man, RUN into the arms of Jesus…but do it NOW before “that day”.
Amen Judy Ann. Amen!
This was the sentence that caught my attention;
” Ever since then, I watch current events AND I pray.
This was the sentence that caught my attention, and thanks for sharing.
” Ever since then, I watch current events AND I pray.
That is the critical sentence Dabo. Thanks for noticing!
Here’s a different version of that song. I think they used it when they remade “The Thomas Crown Affair” with Pierce Brosnan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH3Fx41Jpl4