Welcome to the Angry Planet!

If extraterrestrials were to visit our planet, how would they appraise our world? What would they report? There is no question they would immediately observe that we are an angry planet! Every day we hear about a disgruntled employee killing his boss. The news reports violent protests around the world, children shooting other students because they were bullied and parents abusing their children. 

I am not a prophet of doom but the Bible has told us these days would come. “…what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?.. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom… you will be hated by all nations because of me…At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other…

Though anger and hatred is common place in our world, as citizens of heaven we should not give into the spirit of this age. “My dear friends, you should be quick to listen and slow to speak or to get angry.” James 1:9. Let us show others they can live above anger.

Investing

In today’s economy, there is much emphasis on investing, particularly investing in precious metals, i.e. gold or silver. Those advertisements assure us of the wisdom in such investing. But in these unsettling times, where does the Bible tell us to invest?

Jesus told us very clearly that we should invest in the Kingdom of heaven. Matthew 6:19-21 He tells us that “storing our treasures” here are on earth is the best investment, no matter how convincing the infomercials. In the last couple of years the news has testified to words of Jesus. Banks have failed and people have embezzled millions of dollars, so much for security on this earth.

Jesus promised that nothing can touch the investment placed in the Kingdom of God. Time invested in His service will be rewarded. 1 Cor, 15:58 Money given may influence someone’s eternal destiny. Remember, investing in the Kingdom of God has dividends ‘‘out of this world’.

Beauty?

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The story is told of Winston Churchill attending a dinner party in which he became very intoxicated. The more he drank, the louder and more boisterous he became. A lady who was offended by Churchill's behavior, approached him and said, “Mr. Churchill, you are drunk!” Churchill replied, “Yes Ma'am, I am drunk but in the morning I will be sober and YOU will still be ugly.”

There is no question that the world place much emphasis on beauty. Television bombards with commercials that their product will make you more beautiful and you can recapture your youthful appearance. Women that the world considers 'beautiful' will be hired over women who are 'not so beautiful.'

Twenty-three-year-old Lizzie Velasquez was born without any adipose tissue -- meaning she has no fat on her body. Some cyberbullies even dubbed her the "ugliest woman in the world," because of her appearance due to her medical condition, she said. Velasquez's condition is extremely rare; she is just one of three people in the entire world to have it.

But how does God see beauty? The Bible says, “...The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”  1 Samuel 16:7 When speaking of Jesus' appearance Isaiah said “...There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance,nothing to attract us to him." Isaiah 53:2

Let us not judge people by their outward appearance but by their inner beauty. 1 Peter 3:3-4

Stand Out

In the food industry, separating the good from the bad is important. As fruit passes down a conveyor belt, workers watch for blemishes and they quickly remove the unacceptable fruit. Because the vast majority of the fruit is good, when the imperfect appears, it stands out from the crowd.

“Standing out” works the opposite way as well, especially with regard to people. The Bible says that Jesus was not noticeable for His outward appearance, yet He stood out in the crowd. He stands out as the most remarkable person in history. People that are most like Christ will stand out as well. The crowd notices people that possess the “fruit of the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-23

Has anyone ever told you there is something different about you? Make it your goal in life to be so like Christ that people will be attracted to Him through you.

What Done Is Done

Our lives are made up of choices. Each day we make myriad of choices, some we would call trivial while others are weightier. Life is strung together by choices. Like pearls on a thread, our choices are linked one to another until the strand of our life is complete. Every time we come to a fork in life, the choice we make eliminates those we could have made. And the results are undoable. If we make a right choice, that’s good. But when we make the wrong choice, what’s done is done. It can be forgiven but not changed.

When David was running from Saul, a village that gave him assistance was later massacred by the king. I am sure David grieved over choosing to endanger innocent people. If you have made a choice that led to sorrowful consequences, accept God’s forgiveness and resolve to learn from your mistake. What is done is done. But that does not mean it has to be done again.

Submission

All right, I confess, I am an avid Dog Whisperer fan. For those who maybe unfamiliar with this top- rated TV program, the star, Caesar Milan, is an expert in rehabilitating dogs with behavior problems. There is no question that he has an amazing gift.

But I have discovered that no matter the behavior problem, no matter the breed of dog, there is one state of mind; he says (repeatedly) that the dog must possess to resolve its issue. And that state of mind is a calm, submissive attitude. Until that is achieved, to progress can be made.

That got me to thinking. In this world the word “submission” has a negative connotation. People see submission as weakness. But just the opposite is true in the spiritual realm. It is only as we submit ourselves to God and the Holy Spirit can we receive the help we need.1 Cor. 1:27 , 2 Cor. 12:10 

Are WeThankful?

Swollen from Meds

I have a friend whose granddaughter, Savana (age 2 1/2yrs) , has been in ICU for eighty-two days. She has had a multitude of problems and came close to death’s door a couple of times. But she is one determined girl!

 Here is part of an email I received this morning. I hope it touches your heart as it did mine. "A little while ago a member of the custodial staff came into the room to empty the two waste cans. As the woman was leaving the room Svana mouthed the words "Thank you" to her. I came close to crying. It is amazing that a child who has been through and is going through as much as she is has the presence of mind and disposition of spirit to thank someone for emptying the trash."

The Bible tells us that one of the sins characterizes the last days will be unthankfulness. I think you would agree we are living in an age when almost everyone feels entitled for everything they have [and want.] When was the last time someone thanked you for some act of kindness.


Maybe we can learn for this child to be thankful.