None Good
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
WAIT ON YOUR BOAZ: Wait On Your Boaz Advice
WAIT ON YOUR BOAZ:
Wait On Your Boaz Advice: Wait On Your Boaz Advice
Psalm 147:11The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him,In those who hope in His mercy.
Wait On Your Boaz Advice: Wait On Your Boaz Advice
Psalm 147:11The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him,In those who hope in His mercy.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
30 DAY CHRISTIAN RADIO CHALLENGE
30 DAY CHALLENGE
Listen to Christian Radio for 30 Days
Take the 30 Day challenge to listen to nothing
but Christian Radio for 30 days and see how your life will change! Get your “nothing
but Christian Radio for 30 DAYS changed my life” T Shirt and invite others to
take the challenge with you!
Ladies T Shirts Mens T Shirts
http://tinyurl.com/30DayLadies http://tinyurl.com/30DayMens
Mark Hall from Casting Crowns talk about
the 30 Day Christian Radio Challenge.
My husband had a cerebral hemorrhage on May 6 of this year,
and the ministry and blessing of KLOVE ministry has helped to carry me through
the darkest hours when he was so sick and near death. While in ICU he developed
multiple complications that almost took his life, and we literally witnessed
miracle after miracle over a period of 18 weeks. God has truly blessed our
lives and KLOVE has helped me face this journey of heartbreak and life changing
circumstances.
A friend challenged me over a yr ago to listen to only
positive/Christian music for 30 days...I did and it has been life changing-for
me and my family. Take the challenge-try it for 30 days. No music with, foul
language, sexual innuendo, or hateful overtures...listen carefully and you will
be amazed how many of your "favorite" songs are laden with in
appropriate wordly messages. Locally K-Love 102.5 or 102.1 in the Macon / WR
area is what I listen to. Enjoy!
Polly Gardner · Works at Alamance Burlington School System
Keep that station on all the time. Keeps your mind on all
the blessings that we have, even in the midst of trouble. Hope you are doing
well. I continue to pray for you daily.
Start Your Challenge Today!
JLbU
Jesus Loves You
Monday, December 24, 2012
A Child Is Given
A Child Is Given
Isaiah 9:6-7
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Many of you may have read this verse or heard it spoken;
especially at Christmastime.
The “Child”, is none other than Jesus Christ. What you may
not have realized is that this passage of scripture was written approximately
739-690 B.C.; that is about 700 years “BEFORE” Jesus was even born! God
foretold of a child to come that would change the world. Not only would this
child be a “world-changer, but look at the titles He is given: Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace! These are divine titles, belonging only to
God alone!
This was no ordinary child to be born, but God come to earth
and to mankind in human flesh. Could this have been someone other than Jesus?
What else was prophesied about the Messiah to come?
John 1:1-3, 14 [1] In the
beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
[2] He was with God in the beginning. [3] Through him all
things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
[14] The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the
Father, full of grace and truth.
2. BORN OF A VIRGIN
Isaiah
7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give
you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and
will call him Immanuel. 700 B.C.
Mattthew
1:20-23 [20] But after he had
considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
"Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife,
because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. [21] She
will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he
will save his people from their sins." [22] All this took
place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: [23] "The
virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him
Immanuel" --which means, "God with us."
3. FROM THE HOUSE OF JUDAH
Isaiah
37:31 Once more a remnant of the house of Judah will take
root below and bear fruit above. 700 B.C.
Matthew
1:1-2, 16 [1] A record of the
genealogy of Jesus Christ the son [descendant] of David, the son of Abraham: [2] Abraham was the
father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah
and his brothers, [16] and [a later] Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom
was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
4. FROM
THE HOUSE OF DAVID
Isaiah
16:5 In love a throne will be established;
in faithfulness a man will sit on it--one from the house of David--one who in
judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness. 700 B.C.
Matthew
1:1-2A, 6, 16 [1] A record of the
genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham:
[2] Abraham was the father of Isaac, ... [6] and Jesse the father of King
David. [16] and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary,
of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
5. BORN IN BETHLEHEM EPHRATHAH
Micah
5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though
you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose
origins are from of old, from ancient times. 700 B.C.
Matthew
2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi
from the east came to Jerusalem
Over the years there have been a number of "Bethlehems"
in Israel.
At the time of Jesus' birth, Bethlehem Ephrathah, referred to in Matthew
as "Bethlehem in Judea", was a village about five miles south of
Jerusalem, and there also was a town named Bethlehem about seven miles
northwest of Nazareth. (Per footnote Matthew 2:1 of the Zondervan NIV
Study Bible, 10th Anniversary Edition, (c) 1995)
6. BE FROM NAZARETH OF GALILEE
Isaiah
9:1-2 [1] Nevertheless, there will be
no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land
of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of
the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan -- [2] The people
walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the
shadow of death a light has dawned. 700 B.C.
Matthew
4:13-16 [13] Leaving Nazareth, he [Jesus] went and lived in
Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali--
[14] to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:
[15] "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea,
along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles -- [16] the people living in
darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of
death a light has dawned."
7. HIS BIRTH WOULD
TRIGGER A MASSACRE OF INFANT BOYS
Jeremiah
31:15 This is what the LORD says: "A
voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her
children and refusing to be comforted, because her children are no more."
625 B.C.
Matthew
2:16-18 [16] When Herod realized that
he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill
all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in
accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. [17] Then what was
said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: [18] "A voice is
heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and
refusing to be comforted, because they are no more."
8. COME OUT OF EGYPT
Hosea
11:1 When Israel
was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.
725 B.C.
Matthew
2:14-15 [14] So he got up, took
the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, [15] where
he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord
had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son."
9. MISSION WOULD INCLUDE THE GENTILES
Isaiah
49:6 he [the
Lord] says: "It is too small a thing for
you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have
kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my
salvation to the ends of the earth." 700 B.C.
Isaiah
42:1-4, 6 [1] "Here is my
servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit
on him and he will bring justice to the nations. [2] He will not shout or
cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. [3] A bruised reed
he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In
faithfulness he will bring forth justice; [4] he will not falter or be
discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will
put their hope." [6] "I, the LORD, have called you in
righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will
make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles,
700 B.C.
Matthew
12:14-21 [14] But the Pharisees went
out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. [15] Aware of this, Jesus
withdrew from that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick,
[16] warning them not to tell who he was. [17] This was to
fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
[18] "Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom
I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the
nations. [19] He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice
in the streets. [20] A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering
wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory. [21] In his
name the nations will put their hope."
Note that in Biblical usage the Gentiles are often
referred to as "the nations."
10. MINISTRY WOULD
INCLUDE MIRACULOUS HEALINGS
Isaiah
29:18 In that day the deaf will hear the
words of the scroll, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will
see. 700 B.C.
Isaiah
35:5-6a [5] Then will the eyes of the
blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. [6a] Then will
the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. 700 B.C.
Luke
7:20-22 [20] When the men came to
Jesus, they said, "John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, `Are you the
one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?' " [21] At
that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits,
and gave sight to many who were blind. [22] So he replied to the
messengers, "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The
blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf
hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor."
11. MINISTRY WOULD
DELIVER SPIRITUAL CAPTIVES
Isaiah
61:1-2 [1] The Spirit of the Sovereign
LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the
poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the
captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, [2] to proclaim the
year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all
who mourn, 700 B.C.
Luke
4:16-21 [16] He went to Nazareth, where he had
been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his
custom. And he stood up to read. [17] The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was
handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
[18] "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to
preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the
prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,
[19] to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." [20] Then
he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes
of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, [21] and he began
by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your
hearing."
Not too shabby, considering it was His first
sermon!
12. DESPISED AND
REJECTED BY MEN
Isaiah
53:3 He was despised and rejected by men, a
man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their
faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 700 B.C.
The Crucifixion narratives in all four Gospels show
this prophecy fulfilled.
13. HATED WITHOUT CAUSE
Psalm
69:4 Those who hate me without reason
outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who
seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal. 1000 B.C.
Isaiah
49:7 This is what the LORD says-- the
Redeemer and Holy One of Israel-- to him who was despised and abhorred by the
nation, to the servant of rulers: "Kings will see you and rise up, princes
will see and bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of
Israel, who has chosen you." 700 B.C.
John
7:48-49 "Has any of the rulers or of
the Pharisees believed in him? [49] No! But this mob that knows nothing of
the law--there is a curse on them."
John
15:24-25 [24] If I had not done among
them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have
seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both me and my Father.
[25] But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law:
`They hated me without reason.'
14. REJECTED BY
RULERS
Psalm
118:22 The stone the builders rejected has
become the capstone [cornerstone of a
building]; [23] the LORD has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes. before 400 B.C.
Matthew
21:42 Jesus said to them, "Have
you never read in the Scriptures:" `The stone the builders
rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous
in our eyes' ?
John
7:48-49 Has any of the rulers or of the
Pharisees believed in him? [49] No! But this mob that knows nothing of the
law--there is a curse on them.
15. REJECTED BY
HIS OWN BROTHERS
Psalms
69:8 I am a stranger to my brothers, an
alien to my own mother's sons 1000 B.C.
(Side note: this pretty much kills the Catholic
Church's claim that when the Gospels name Jesus' brothers they are talking about His cousins.)
Mark
3:20-21 [20] Then Jesus entered a
house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even
able to eat. [21] When his family heard about this, they went to take
charge of him, for they said, "He is out of his mind."
John
7:1-5 [1] After this, Jesus
went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from Judea
because the Jews there were waiting to take his life. [2] But when
the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near, [3] Jesus' brothers said
to him, "You ought to leave here and go to Judea,
so that your disciples may see the miracles you do. [4] No one who wants
to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things,
show yourself to the world." [5] For even his own brothers did
not believe in him.
16. BETRAYED FOR 30
PIECES OF SILVER
Zechariah
11:12 I told them, "If you think it
best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it." So they paid me thirty pieces
of silver. 500 B.C.
Matthew
26:14-15 [14] Then one of the
Twelve--the one called Judas Iscariot--went to the chief priests [15] and
asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?"
So they counted out for him thirty silver coins.
17. SILVER
RETURNED SILVER USED TO BUY POTTER'S FIELD
Zechariah
11:12-13 [12] I told them, "If
you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it." So they paid me
thirty pieces of silver. [13] And the LORD said to me, "Throw it to
the potter"--the handsome price at which they priced me! So I took the
thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD to the potter.
500 B.C.
Matthew
27:3-10 [3] When Judas, who had
betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and
returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders.
[4] "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent
blood." "What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your
responsibility." [5] So Judas threw the money into the temple and
left. Then he went away and hanged himself. [6] The chief priests picked
up the coins and said, "It is against the law to put this into the
treasury, since it is blood money." [7] So they decided to use the
money to buy the potter's field as a burial place for foreigners. [8] That
is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. [9] Then what
was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: "They took the thirty
silver coins, the price set on him by the people of Israel, [10] and they used
them to buy the potter's field, as the Lord commanded me."
18. DISCIPLES
WOULD SCATTER
Zechariah
13:7 "Awake, O sword, against my shepherd,
against the man who is close to me!" declares the LORD Almighty.
"Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my
hand against the little ones." 500 B.C.
Matthew
26:31 Then Jesus told them, "This very
night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: " `I
will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'"
ONLY Jesus accomplished this and it was foretold 700-1000
years before His birth and death. These are just a mere “sample” of prophecies
written about the Messiah and fulfilled by Jesus!
So what’s the point? Jesus was more than a man, but God AND
Man! God’s Word is true and accurate from 1000 years out to your prayer you
uttered last night! He is real and YOU are His child! He will do what He says
and has the Power to accomplish it! TRUST HIM!
This holiday season, remember WHO Jesus is, WHY He came to
live and die, WHAT He accomplished for you and can do for you, WHERE you are
ultimately going, HOW your life can be changed!
Have a blessed Christmas, because you ARE Blessed! No matter
what you may be facing, if you are God’s Child, Saved by Jesus’ Blood,
everything will be alright. This life is temporary and there will come a day
when ALL your wrongs will be righted!
And if you are Not…YOU CAN BE! Just turn away
from your past sins and accept the Savior born to save you!
God Bless You
Love Brother Edward
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Merry Christmas
MERRY
CHRISTMAS
John
3:16-17
For
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not
send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through
Him might be saved.
John
3:16 is one of the most recognized, most memorized and most spoken verse in all
of Scripture. It can be seen printed on T-Shirts, Banners and even on signs at
sports events. This one verse sums up all of Scripture: God loved humanity, but
humanity sinned and thus, is condemned to Eternity in Hell, but because of
God’s great love for us, He sent His only unique Son, Jesus Christ, God in
human form into the world that thru Him. His death and His resurrection,
whoever comes to Him in faith and repentance will not die, but have Everlasting
Life!
This
is the Christian message. This is the Christmas message: the birth of this
Savior coming down from Heaven into the world to save as many as are willing to
turn to Him.
The
whole world marvels at the holiday of Christmas, but many miss the message of
Christmas. We long to give extravagant gifts to family and friends, but
overlook the greatest gift that has ever been given.
God
created Christmas. Christmas or Christmas Day (Old English: Crīstesmæsse, literally "Christ's
mass") is an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus
Christ,
celebrated generally on December 25.
Without
salvation from our sins, the whole world is condemned to Hell. No matter what
kind of life we would have lived; even if we were to become the richest person
who ever lived; to die and spend eternity in Hell would not be worth it. Beyond
death, there is no second chance; no repentance, no forgiveness.
Hebrews
9:27-28
It
is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was
offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He
will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
Jesus
Christ is God’s FREE GIFT of Salvation! We cannot earn it nor do we deserve it.
It is unmerited (not earned) grace (undeserved favor).
Ephesians
2:4-9
But
God, who is rich in MERCY, because of His great LOVE with which He LOVED US,
even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (BY
GRACE YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED), and raised us up together, and made us
sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to
come He might show the exceeding riches of His GRACE in His KINDNESS
toward us in Christ Jesus. For by GRACE you “HAVE BEEN SAVED” through FAITH,
and that NOT OF YOURSELVES; it is the GIFT of God, NOT OF WORKS
(not good deeds), lest anyone should boast.
Examine
the words I capitalized; meditate on these. Think and see how very much God
loves a world gone wrong; how much God loves you! God has made a way for us to
escape the judgment to come. He has provided a sacrifice for our sins. It all
started that night in Bethlehem,
Israel, where
Jesus lay in a lowly manger. This is the event that would change the world
forever!
So
many of us get depressed at the time because we get caught up in what we cannot
give and do not have. I urge you to focus on what HAS BEEN DONE for you!
Heavens gates are wide open, accepting anyone who would turn from their sins
and towards Jesus Christ. Salvation is for ANYONE who would put their faith in
Christ. No matter what you have done, where you have gone, where you are now,
there is Forgiveness for you! Come just as you, where you are and grab hold of
God’s Free Gift of Salvation!
For
all those who trust in Christ, the day is coming when everything will made new,
corrected, made clear. This is the greatest news for the poor, the lame, the
diseased, the hopeless and all those who ruined their lives and desire another
chance. This world is temporary, it is fading; Eternity is forever and Heaven
is perfect! Don’t let the troubles of this life bring you down. What God has
for you in Heaven makes ANYTHING you can possibly go through down here to get
there…worth it! Look at the amazing verse:
1 Corinthians 2:9
But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
WOW!!
God
says you can’t even imagine the awesome things He has prepared for those who
follow Jesus. Nothing can explain it, nor can you compare it with ANYTHING
great you can think of. Think about it! Think about ALL the tings you could
possibly wish for if God granted you EVERY and ANY wish you desire…ANY…are you
seeing this is your mind? Money, Fame, Health, Peace, Rest, Food, Amazing
Travel, ...ANYTHING!
With
all that dreamed up…your every wish…God says “IT DOESN’T EVEN COME CLOSE” to
all the things He has prepared for you! WoW! Makes you want to stop focusing so
much on all the things you Don’t Have, and focus on all the things you have to
look forward to!
God
has given the world a PRICELESS GIFT: JESUS CHRIST!
This
Christmas, think on these things. Put your mind and heart on God’s Gift…to YOU!
Think about what all this means. I know life can be hard, but God has made a
way. Let Christmas remind you of why you celebrate and who’s child you are and
where you are going. When Jesus’ disciples were amazed at the power given
to them to cast out demons, Jesus replied:
Luke
10:20
Nevertheless
do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice
because your names are written in heaven.”
Likewise,
REJOICE! Because YOUR NAME is WRITTEN IN HEAVEN!
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
IF GOD CARES, WHY DO I SUFFER?
Throughout mankind's existence, no question is asked more frequently than this. Suffering and evil seem to plague our every aspect of life. Some seem to suffer more than others, but we all at various points in our lives will experience pain and suffering. If there is a God, surely He did not intend this to be; or does He enjoy watching us hurt in pain? Maybe He's punishing us or maybe He doesn't care or doesn't exist at all.
I also have experienced pain and suffering many times in my life. I have examined all the evidence for and against the existence of God and have settled it in my heart that He surely as you and I, does exist. So where is He when life is beating us up? Why does He allow rape and poverty and injustice? Why do we see the starving and diseased?
If there is one major thing I have learned is that the viewpoint of God and man are polar opposites. What we think is think is the right way, is not usually God's way. Humans are limited in knowledge and ability, but big on ego; we "think" we know and can do anyting and everything better tan even God Himself. We do not wish to accept that we have a limited view of our situations and cannot fully see the end result. Everyone views their particular situation through "their own eyes". Each person wants to believe that their situation is unique only to them and no one else can understand what they are going through. What does God have to sat about all this?
EVIL
Many people think the existence of evil is proof that God does not exist, but without the presence of good, there would be no knowledge of evil. Without God, there is no good or frame of reference for good or evil. Without God, there is no moral standard and hence no good or evil; hence, there can no judgments of right or wrong, even for the murderer, rapist and thief. Simply put, the existence of evil proves there is a higher moral good; God.
From scripture, we read that evil came to existence when Lucifer, God's chiefest angel rebelled and has since waged war on those whoi God loves; people. God gives "free choice" Without free choice, you would be nothing more than a robot, not human with freedom of expression. Evil exist because we "choose" to do evil. We do things our own way, following Satan's lead in rebelling against God. For God to wipe out ALL evil everywhere, He would wipe out the whole human race since we ALL are guilty to some degree at one point or another. A Just and Righteous God cannot punish the rapist but let the sexually immoral go free.
In short, evil exist because man is fallen. It's in our blood. Bad things WILL happen, but this is the price we pay for being sinners. We have ourselves to blame for this, not God.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
He Who Is Without Sin
God says there is none good, no not one. We in America, have experience that reality so vividly this past week when a gunman who had just killed his mother walked into an elementary school killed 26 innocent people; 20 of which were children, ages 6-10.
Nothing can explain the depths of the pain that those closest effected are feeling, nor can we fathom the reasoning behind such an unspeakable act of violence. There are no words of condolances great enough to soothe the wounds left or give us spectators rational.
What happened that fateful day was indeed a great tragedy, but needn't be looked at as something foreign from God's perspective. God sees all and knows all. He knows the heart of manking and knows that in its fallen state, is evil. The shooter just gave into all the evil that was inside him, rather than continue to fight against it.
Many evil deeds are perpetrated daily all over the world. From your Hitlers and Satlins, to the Ted Bundy's and Mansons. You have the pedophiles that prey on the young, to the serial killers who stalk their vitems. The rapist hides in the shadows and the gangs roam the streets. Neighbore fights neighbor and husband abuses their wives. From fights, lies, backstabbing, cheating, stealing and yes, muerder, we are ALL guilty.
On one level or another, we are all the Hitler, the rapist, the shooter. Some do a better job of supressing the evil within, while others control the full force of it or hide it all together. Whatever plane you are on, it still exist in each of us; breathing, living, waiting for its chance to lash out.
As we mourn for the latest victems in a long list of tragedies, take a minute to mourn the shooter who gave into the evil within and ultimately was consumed by it. Mourn for yourself and society, knowing that the same potential lives in you and lurks around each smiling face you meet and greet.
Mourn, yes, for humanity is fallen. Mourn the fact that despite of fallen nature, God in His mercy sent us a Savior...and we killed Him also. We are all guilt. No one is clean. We all must bear the responsibility of contributing evil to a world filled with evil.
Jesus gave many commandment when it came to judgments: "Before you try to take out the speck in your brother's eye, first take out the plank in your own eye" and "He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone." This is not to excuse the hideous and atrocious act of the gunman in that school, but wake us up to the reality that we live in a world gone wrong and if you are not part of the solution, you ARE the problem.
So let us pray to God and and ask for forgiveness for the murderer and ourselves also. Pray for the families of those who are slain and that we do not let evil overtake us as it did here. Turn to God and follow Jesus and not the sinful desires of our own hearts. At least then, we will be doing our part in combating the evil around us instead of contributing to it.
Love God, love people. Let us live by this.
Nothing can explain the depths of the pain that those closest effected are feeling, nor can we fathom the reasoning behind such an unspeakable act of violence. There are no words of condolances great enough to soothe the wounds left or give us spectators rational.
What happened that fateful day was indeed a great tragedy, but needn't be looked at as something foreign from God's perspective. God sees all and knows all. He knows the heart of manking and knows that in its fallen state, is evil. The shooter just gave into all the evil that was inside him, rather than continue to fight against it.
Many evil deeds are perpetrated daily all over the world. From your Hitlers and Satlins, to the Ted Bundy's and Mansons. You have the pedophiles that prey on the young, to the serial killers who stalk their vitems. The rapist hides in the shadows and the gangs roam the streets. Neighbore fights neighbor and husband abuses their wives. From fights, lies, backstabbing, cheating, stealing and yes, muerder, we are ALL guilty.
On one level or another, we are all the Hitler, the rapist, the shooter. Some do a better job of supressing the evil within, while others control the full force of it or hide it all together. Whatever plane you are on, it still exist in each of us; breathing, living, waiting for its chance to lash out.
As we mourn for the latest victems in a long list of tragedies, take a minute to mourn the shooter who gave into the evil within and ultimately was consumed by it. Mourn for yourself and society, knowing that the same potential lives in you and lurks around each smiling face you meet and greet.
Mourn, yes, for humanity is fallen. Mourn the fact that despite of fallen nature, God in His mercy sent us a Savior...and we killed Him also. We are all guilt. No one is clean. We all must bear the responsibility of contributing evil to a world filled with evil.
Jesus gave many commandment when it came to judgments: "Before you try to take out the speck in your brother's eye, first take out the plank in your own eye" and "He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone." This is not to excuse the hideous and atrocious act of the gunman in that school, but wake us up to the reality that we live in a world gone wrong and if you are not part of the solution, you ARE the problem.
So let us pray to God and and ask for forgiveness for the murderer and ourselves also. Pray for the families of those who are slain and that we do not let evil overtake us as it did here. Turn to God and follow Jesus and not the sinful desires of our own hearts. At least then, we will be doing our part in combating the evil around us instead of contributing to it.
Love God, love people. Let us live by this.
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