April 6, James 1:19

Wherever you are, whether at home or in school, it is important that you are ‘swift to hear or to listen’. If you are not quick to listen, you may end up literally losing your life.

The following is a true account of the massive earthquake in Japan on March 11, 2011. A man found a group of old folks in a house after strong tremors of the quake were felt. He advised them to seek shelter on higher ground but his words fell on deaf ears – the old folks did not bother with his advice. Having no other choice, the man fled, leaving them behind. The earthquake caused a huge tsunami, and the old people drowned. If only they had listened.

Listening to the words of Jesus is very important. He gives you the way to eternal life. By not listening to Jesus, you will end up in a horrible place. What is this place? Answer: __________. That’s right! You really want to escape from this place. From the Bible, you will find out many wonderful things that Jesus has done and is still doing – He saves you from eternal punishment and is sitting at the right-hand side of God the Father, interceding for you. You need to listen to His instructions. What did Jesus say in Luke 8:8b? Answer: _______________________________________

What can stop us from listening to Jesus? Pride can be one cause. Some educated people in the world think the Bible has many mistakes. They don’t believe God can create the world in 6 literal days and even think that the world came about through evolution. And many others think the miracles of the Bible are just stories or that Jesus was just a good man, not God. Many of these people are proud and think that they do not need a Saviour. Or they think that since they are not wicked or have not committed any crimes or done anything illegal, they don’t really need any help.

Others may hear the Word, receive it joyfully initially, but the joy dwindles to naught after a while. Still, some people get too busy with other things such as families, careers, studies and so on, and so stop listening to the words in the Bible. Are you like that?

Jesus’ Words show us the way to eternal life. If we ignore His Words, we will suffer eternal punishment. Heed his Words.

Thought: May I heed God’s Words.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to heed Your Words and obey them. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.