Can We Afford Not to Believe?

It is disheartening to live in a world where doing everyday activities can place one's life in danger. Activities in which most people, at one point or another, can claim they have experienced. Going to school, to the movies, to church. Stopping to get gas, running a marathon, and most recently attending concerts. How can we accept that unknown danger lies in wait in everyday responsibilities and entertainment? What kind of world is this?

It is impossible to understand when looking through the natural worldview. We attribute criminal behavior to lack of morals, psychosis, or just plain evilness. We shake our heads and say "God, help us" half-heartedly.

The truth is Jesus is the only help and the only hope we have of surviving this world. Anyone who does not believe in God, believes in God but does not believe in a lifestyle change, or believes that holiness is necessary but has not taken the steps to become so, please see that there is a good chance that tomorrow, which is not promised to anyone, may not come. This is an unappealing truth that must be faced. If this is so, then what can we do?

We can pray. God hears the prayers of the righteous. We must look at ourselves and compare our lives to God's definition of righteousness to see if our lives measure up. If they do, great; pray, pray, and pray asking for the strength push Jesus' message forward in this time. If they don't still pray, asking Jesus for help to make you over and to change your heart to be a willing vessel to spread His message.

Many might pray to stop the madness. I can see why one would. I don't. It hurts my heart to know that these times must come in order for the word of God to be fulfilled. I wish that we could live in a safe world but when talking about people, there is no such thing. No matter how good a person or place is, there will always be someone somewhere who feels entitled to hurt, to maim, to destroy, and to conquer. Ask Cain.

Why is this so? Look at the descriptors. There is only one whose sole purpose is to destroy and takes pleasure in hurting man and that is the devil. We have to go back to scripture to see that the devil is conducting his works in the spirit. He works on all, trying to tear us down so that we are all weak susceptible vessels, believing the insanity that he whispers in our ears. The sad part is that fighting the devil's influence is a daily, sometimes hourly job. Oftentimes the devil's whispers are in effect but are not recognized. Being a part of Jesus provides the clarity needed to see through the tricks and deception. Only when knowing the Truth of God, can one see when an action, thought, or word opposes it.

The misguided thoughts seem harmless enough. They start small, then graduate over time as the individual follows them. Eventually thoughts to hurt and harm are accepted the by person and he or she begins to act on the thoughts the enemy has planted.

Unfortunately, this will not stop. These are birth pains of the times ahead. Believers! Pay Attention! These unprovoked events are a Call to Action! Pray for our people to accept Jesus into their hearts. Pray for the unbelievers to believe. Pray for the hardened hearts to be softened toward Jesus. Our goal is to lead as many people to Christ as possible before His return. We can't stop this, but we can prepare for what's next. Pray.