Can’t remember where I heard the term ‘Clouds without water’ last week and didn’t question its meaning, but it lingered in my mind. Ironically, while looking in the book of Jude for something to write about, I came across the phrase.

When Jude was sharing the gospel of the good news (after Jesus died on the cross, rose from the dead, and went back to heaven), he warned that if they (or even we today) ignore the gift of salvation through God’s Son, Jesus Christ, and reject His authority, they become like those who give themselves over to all kinds of immorality, leading to self-corruption. In Jude, the 12th verse, it reads that they serve only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about like the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; tagging waves of the sea; foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.

Now, let’s go back to two of these: the clouds and the trees. Some clouds could bring rain, but their lightweight composition allows the winds to blow them away. They are just fluff. They don’t bless the earth with refreshing rain. I don’t think there’s anything that smells better than the earth after a rain.

So, we don’t want to be like the fluff, but as clouds that carry blessings to our surroundings.

Neither do we want to be like trees that don’t bear fruit. We want to bear what are called Fruits of the Spirit—being like the Son of our Creator. These are found in the New Testament that tell us we can have such a better life by bearing those fruits that include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 4:22,23).

Who in the world wouldn’t want family and friends to express these qualities in the way they live? The world is definitely changing as we witness how people turn their backs on a book that teaches us to honor, love, and respect each other. This causes peoples’ hearts to harden and unnatural, evil actions to be choices they make. Hurting people hurt people. (Read that sentence again.)

I hope and pray readers who are confused and want some peace in their lives will turn to the New Testament and open their hearts to learn about the One who can give it to them. The first Bible was printed from old written scrolls in 1454, and since then, people have made great changes their lives. It’s still going on. Join them if you haven’t already. It truly could be the first miracle you will experience! Then, find a church whose pastor spends his or her sermon time reading God’s Word because His Word is healing. Have a great week. Bless someone in need.