And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance; Ecclesiastes 3:4 (NKJV)
Let's put politics aside. I ask that everyone take a minute or two and pray for the shooting victims in Arizona.
Six people were killed
63-year-old U.S. District Judge John Roll
30-year-old Gabe Zimmerman who was a member of Giffords' staff,
9-year-old Christina Greene,
76-year-old Dorthy Murray,
76-year-old Dorwin Stoddard
79-year-old Phyllis Scheck
12 other are wounded including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords who is listed in critical condition after undergoing surgery. From what I have been reading, 5 of the others are in critical condition. And as far as I know, those names have not been released, but God knows who they are.
With the things going on around the world that I hear and read about, I would think there is nothing that can shock me. But I have yet to become desensitized to the violence around me.
And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. Matthew 24:12 (NKJV)
Now, the blame game has started. Everyone is asking who or what is behind this horrendous act?
Now could this be a catalyst to bring down the Tea Party, Conservatives, and anyone who doesn't agree with what's going on in our government? Could this also be a catalyst for stronger gun control and an infringement of the 2nd Amendment? I don't know and I am not going to speculate on this blog. I will leave that to political bloggers and the talking heads sitting in the news rooms.
What do I think is to blame for this horrendous act and for all the senseless violence currently happening around the world?
One word - SIN
For the wages of sin is death, Romans 6:23a (NKJV)
Now we have had sin in this world for a very long time.
Therefore, just as through one man (Adam) sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— Romans 5:12 (NKJV)
We have had terrible tragedies and senseless killings for a long time. Until our Lord Jesus Christ returns, this will continue and will probably get much worse.
The really big problem is, we are ALL sinners, you, me, your wonderful next door neighbor. It doesn't matter how "good" we are - we are all sinners.
There is none righteous, no, not one; Romans 3:10 (NKJV)
So is there any answer, any hope for us now? The amazing answer is a definite YES.
but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23b (NKJV)
Nicodemus came to Jesus one night and wanted to know what he had to do.
Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3 (NKJV)
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. John 3:16 (NKJV)
But what about all the problems in the world? What about all the senseless killings, the injustice, the hatred?
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (NKJV)
WOW!!
whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. James 4:14 (NKJV)
That's right folks, tomorrow is promised to no one. But Jesus has overcome the world.
Although I grieve for the senseless violence in Arizona and around the world, and I know that maybe tomorrow that violence will affect me, I know I have the assurance from my Lord Jesus Christ that He has overcome the world.
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 (NKJV)
So now, I go back to my original statement. Pray for the families of the deceased. Pray for recovery for the injured. And most important thing of all, pray for the man who caused all of this carnage. Pray that his mind will be healed and that he will come to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Yes, he will have to pay the price for what he has done, as we all do when we sin. But he needs our prayers just as the innocent victims do.
I leave you today with this message from Paul.
15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:5-22
God willing, until next time
Maranatha
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