12-4-2015

 Good Morning All!!     

          Mark 7:21; “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,”

    Well, we are witnessing it again.  Once again gunmen shoot and kill people who had no idea they were going to be targets.  It is getting hard to remember them all.  Not too long ago it was Sandy Hook, Aurora, Colorado Springs, San Bernardino. We have dozens dead and wounded, millions wondering why, and the talking heads going overtime.  Many offered their comments.  “We send our prayers”  “We send our thoughts and prayers”  “We are praying for the victims and their families.”  These comments were common, like they always are.  Yet there came a pointed response.  A New York City newspaper ran the headline “GOD ISN’T FIXING THIS” and the firestorm has begun.  People are quickly picking sides and offering their two cents.

   The New York newspaper wrote that platitudes were no longer good enough.  Some advocate much stricter gun laws, some want to have tougher immigration policies, some want to arm everyone with a gun.  Everyone has an answer but few will listen to God’s answer.

   Jesus tells us that the true problem exists in the heart of men, a dark place where human life has little value.  Man thinks nothing of the loss of life.  We abort children who are inconvenient.  We fail to care for those whom we have in this world.  We have leaders who quickly and willingly send men and women into war to die and then allow them to wander the streets homeless because they struggle with the carnage they witnessed and caused.  Old people are viewed a burden that just need to go away.  The poor, the oppressed, the marginalized, the mentally ill, the physically handicapped are all seen as only burdens.  Life, one of God’s greatest gifts, is no longer seen as precious, cherished and something we need to hold onto and protect.  When life is cheap, violence becomes more common place.

    The newspaper is right about one thing; platitudes are not enough.  We need penitence and a change of heart.  We need a change of heart and it begins with each of us.  We need to know that this sin, like all sin proceeds from our heart and only a change of our heart will end this, and all other pain and suffering in this world.  Empty thoughts, empty platitudes, empty hearts only serve the devil.

     As we watch the world and all the pain and suffering, we must sadly realize that it will not end until Christ returns.  Until then, we must continue to try and being healing and hope to those who have none.  We do this best by living our lives totally for Christ and we do this by acknowledging our sins, seeking God’s forgiveness and asking His Spirit to enter our hearts that the wicked desires will be driven out.

Father, as we look at the world and see the cold heart of man we ask that you warm our hearts and open our spirit to your love and mercy.  Lead us to know that in this world there will be suffering but that we can bring hope through your grace.  Guide to reach the person that you desire us to have an impact on.  Lead us to be peacemakers.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret