Warm hellos friends, brethren, co-workers, spiritual family, and scattered children of God, from our offices here on the Gulf Coast. My wife and I pray and hope this finds you all doing well, and that again your week too has been blessed.

Here in the United States this is the time of year for graduation – from High School, College, even Grade School.

How quickly our children grow up and move on to new challenges! My own granddaughter changes daily it seems as we Face Time with her. Our youth face a challenging world and society. There are so many unbiblical messages that come their way to sort out and resist and reject. The Scriptures clearly warn us of the dangerous conditions that are present at the end of the age. “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come” (2 Timothy 3:1).

Not only do our children need to be vigilant to listen to and observe the warnings, but we as adults must be as well.

Taking warnings seriously is an important habit to have. We also need to be instructing our families to take warnings seriously.

Every year some are seriously injured or die because they refuse to take warnings seriously when inclement weather sets in here on the coast.

Our vehicles we drive have several warning devices. A gauge or light can show when the coolant temperature is too high and we need to address that by adding more coolant and addressing a possible leak. Another light or gauge may warn of low oil pressure and that we need to add oil to avoid damage to the engine. Cars are equipped with a fuel gauge and some also have a low fuel warning light. If you don’t add more fuel soon you may be stranded on the side of the road. If the check engine light or a similar warning indicator shows, some component has failed and needs to be addressed by a competent mechanic or eventual damage to the engine might occur. Some brake pads have wear indicators that set up a screeching or metallic rubbing sound when the brake pads need to be replaced. One of the warning devices I have learned to appreciate is air pressure sensors letting me know when I have a slow leak, or tire that has lost pressure. The list goes on.

Years ago I discussed in a sermon message about the sinking of the mighty passenger ship Lusitania during the First World War. Unheeded warnings were given to both the owners and the captain. The German Embassy in Washington D.C. issued the following warning on April 22, 1915.

“Travelers intending to embark on the Atlantic voyage are reminded that a state of war exists between Germany and her allies and Great Britain and her allies; that the zone of war includes the waters adjacent to the British Isles; that, in accordance with formal notice given by the Imperial German Government, vessels flying the flag of Great Britain, or any of her allies, are liable to destruction in those waters and that travelers sailing in the war zone on ships of Great Britain or her allies do so at their own risk.”

Unknown to the passengers, the Lusitania was also carrying cargo destined to help the British war effort. There were 46 tons of powdered Aluminum, 4 million bullets and numerous unfilled shrapnel shells. Because this mixing of passenger and supplies or cargo was taking place, the German Embassy waned, “Don’t mix war supplies and passengers on the same ship!” The British did not heed the warning. A German U-boat sunk the Lusitania with a great loss of life.

We could discuss even more unheeded warnings. History is full of such warnings. There are various kinds of warning that can come our way.

There may be warnings relating to relationship issues that tell us we need to repair and improve things in certain areas. There may be warnings about impending health issues that need attention before things become more serious. There may be warnings about behaviors that we need to change before they harm us and others and damage us spiritually.

There are warnings given for future sins and how to avoid committing them.

The apostle Peter warned the members of the church to be on guard for the influence of the Devil. “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith . . .” (1 Peter 5:6-9)

We as God’s children need to be grounded in basic Biblical teachings and not be vulnerable to winds of doctrine and false teaching. The apostle Paul reminded the members of the need for sound teaching and called and chosen teachers “for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting.” (Ephesians 4:12)

In Luke’s account of the Olivet Prophecies, Jesus gave us some serious warnings. “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and 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. 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.” (Luke 21:34-36)

Taking warnings to heart and then acting on them will help us to avoid many dangers as well as destructive events now and in the future.

Arms up friends! Our prayers and thoughts are with you daily. Please do pray for us as well.