Rebecca Davis  Ranson, West Virginia

It’s easy to get caught up in the current: the current situation you are in, the current trouble with your kids, the current position at your job, your current relationship status. Sometimes these currents become strong and build up as the chaos in life. Don’t be so swept up in the current that you swiftly lose your view of everything else. Don’t be so caught up in the current that you lose your balance and fall in the river. Don’t wait and end up downstream so focused on your current life you forget to put on your life jacket. 

​

Life can make you feel as if you are drowning. You’ve felt it before, the sinking feeling when you can’t breathe. You are underwater and all alone. The persistent panic swells in your gut as you gasp for air. Fear encapsulates you as you’re stuck in the undertow. There’s no way out. In any direction you look, darkness surrounds you. The circle of light becomes smaller and smaller until it’s just a pinpoint in the distance. Help is so far away. You are alone. What a nightmare!

​

Thank God. It’s only an optical illusion. You are never truly alone. God says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you: he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6) You have to make sure you’re strapped in your life jacket.

​

Where do you find a life jacket? God’s word is your life jacket. Every word of the Bible is given by inspiration of God for you. It is for your correction, protection, and teaches you how to live in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16&17) His word gives you life. His word sustains you. His word will lift you up from the miry muck and make you whole. You will be lifted from the swell  of the storm and able to breathe in faith. His word equips you in life for every good work.

​

Now that you have found your life jacket, where should you start? Let’s take a trip down Romans Road. Strap in and let’s go. Don’t miss the safe harbor of salvation.  Hebrews 2:1-4 is a warning not to drift away but to be saved.

​

Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

​

What must you do to be saved? First, acknowledge that you are indeed a sinner. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) It’s important to realize this “for the wages of sin is death, but the Gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) How do we get this gift? Jesus already demonstrated His love for us. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) He did this so that we may live and have the opportunity to live an abundant life. He became sin on your behalf. In His death, He paid the penalty for it all. He hung on the cross for the debt you owe. If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confessions is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9-10) What a blessing God raised Him on the third day and He lives.

​

If you have a church home, attend the church. Talk with the Pastor so that you may be baptized. This is a symbol of your belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. If you don’t have a church home yet, find one. Visit places. See where your friends attend. Ultimately, find a church where you are comfortable and the Pastor is preaching the word of God from the Bible. A place where you can learn and grow in Christ gives you the best life jacket.

​

God’s word is your everyday life jacket. Knowing and applying scripture to your life keeps you out of the current and under the protection. Studying to shew thyself approved secures your life jacket. Here are some scriptures that will help to keep you out of the swift current of life and enjoying a safe future.

​

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path. Proverbs 3:5-6

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Psalms 119:105

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

​

And we know that all things work for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:28-29

​

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt though trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Psalm 91:4

All of Psalm 91.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct thy path. Proverbs 3:5-6

I can all things through Christ which strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

 

Prayer:

Lord, my Father, protector, life saver, Thank you for giving me your son to die for my sin. Thank you for saving my life. Thank you for sacrificing so that I may live. Continue to guide my life. Send me your Holy Spirit as my life saver to show me my way. Light my path as I seek your face and purpose for my life. Be my lighthouse beacon as I navigate this world living for you. Continue to hide me under the protection of your wing. Keep me restored as I follow your path and plan for my life. Help to formulate a clear vision and run after it with courage, strength, and wisdom. Grow me and stretch me. I praise your name and give you all the honor and glory. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

​

Memory Verse:

For God so loved the world, he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Psalm 3:16-17