Acts 10:35
God is pleased with everyone who worships him and does right, no matter what nation they come from.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
It
seems like at least once a month lately, I have referenced an act of
terror that has been committed somewhere in the world. This week, it
happened in California, where fourteen people were shot and killed, and
another 21 were injured. When it happens on American soil, it’s
personal. We react with a mixture of anger, sadness, and fear.
I
opened today’s newspaper and read a headline that reported the death of
16 people and injuries to three more in a firebomb attack on a small
nightclub in Cairo, Egypt. Early reports are that this incident was the
result of a dispute between some patrons and the nightclub staff, and
Molotov cocktails were thrown at the entrance. I’m sure it was a
horrific, tragic scene for all who were involved. This event is equally
tragic and significant…but will we give it more than a passing glance?
The
point I am making is that both of these instances – happening “a world
apart” – are heartbreaking to God. We have become so accustomed to
hearing accounts of violence - particularly in the Middle East - that we
barely pay any attention to them. And we are well on our way to
growing as complacent about such horrific events in our own country.
Worse yet, we jump to conclusions and readily assume that a certain
religious faction is responsible in some way…and we lump everyone of
that faith into one big ball of guilty parties. If Christians were so
readily blamed for the sins of a handful of people, we would be
outraged.
We need to all take a collective breath. We need to
stop fearing every person who is different from us in some way. Too
many “Christians” are pretty well afraid of their own shadow. They fear
those whose politics are different…they fear those of other races and
ethnic backgrounds…they fear those who have a different sexual
orientation…and they certainly fear those who do not openly share their
particular “brand” of Christian faith. Read this scripture passage
again…”God is pleased with everyone who worships him and does right, no matter what nation they come from."
This
scripture is referring to something bigger than just nationality. God’s
word tells us that He loves everyone who worships Him. God’s desire is
that ALL people would seek salvation in the blood of Jesus Christ and
become His disciples. When we give others a poor impression of what it
means to follow Jesus, we have failed in our service to God - and in our
own discipleship.
We need to show outrage and concern for what
happened in San Bernardino. But we also need to be equally upset over
what happened in Cairo…and what happens in other parts of our nation and
throughout the world on a seemingly regular basis these days. Our hearts need to be
broken for ALL of what breaks God’s…not just what happens to “our
people.” We need to demonstrate love and trust in God to handle the
things we cannot…and kick fear to the curb. We need to pray for the
victims of these senseless tragedies…but also the perpetrators and their
families. And we need to start today.
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label hardened heart. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hardened heart. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for February 16, 2015
Hebrews 4:12
What God has said isn’t only alive and active! It is sharper than any double-edged sword. His word can cut through our spirits and souls and through our joints and marrow, until it discovers the desires and thoughts of our hearts.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I’ve watched several “reality shows” about people who live “off the grid” in Alaska. Much of their time is spent stockpiling and preparing food…not because they are gluttons, but merely enough to survive the harshest part of the winter months. In one episode, a couple had pretty well depleted their supply of meat, and there were still several weeks of winter left. So they decided to go ice fishing.
The layer of ice atop the water was several inches thick. Yet the couple knew that fish were swimming underneath. If they could just penetrate this thick ice and drop some bait, they might be able to snag a few fish to sustain them for a few more days/weeks. So they used picks and saws and created a hole in which to drop a line with some bait to lure fish underneath.
This is a rough illustration of how God works in our hearts. He knows what lies deep within our hearts. He also understands that many of us have built up a thick layer of defenses - and to some degree, we have hardened our hearts toward Him. We don’t receive all that He wants to give us. He cannot reach us without some pretty drastic measures.
I don’t know about you, but I’m glad that God’s word is “sharper than any double-edged sword.” I take comfort in knowing that He will go to such great lengths to pursue me…that He will even cut through my spirit, soul joints and marrow to touch the innermost depths of my heart. I am in awe of such love and care…and when He “drops the bait”, I will gladly grab His “hook”!
Unlike the people who fish for meat to sustain them through a long winter, God does not need ME…but man-o-man, I surely need HIM! So as He reaches out to me, I will gladly grab hold of His hand and hang on for dear life! Even when I build a thick, icy wall of defense, God can still reach me. And I am ever so happy to trust this. Aren’t you?
©2015 Debbie Robus
What God has said isn’t only alive and active! It is sharper than any double-edged sword. His word can cut through our spirits and souls and through our joints and marrow, until it discovers the desires and thoughts of our hearts.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I’ve watched several “reality shows” about people who live “off the grid” in Alaska. Much of their time is spent stockpiling and preparing food…not because they are gluttons, but merely enough to survive the harshest part of the winter months. In one episode, a couple had pretty well depleted their supply of meat, and there were still several weeks of winter left. So they decided to go ice fishing.
The layer of ice atop the water was several inches thick. Yet the couple knew that fish were swimming underneath. If they could just penetrate this thick ice and drop some bait, they might be able to snag a few fish to sustain them for a few more days/weeks. So they used picks and saws and created a hole in which to drop a line with some bait to lure fish underneath.
This is a rough illustration of how God works in our hearts. He knows what lies deep within our hearts. He also understands that many of us have built up a thick layer of defenses - and to some degree, we have hardened our hearts toward Him. We don’t receive all that He wants to give us. He cannot reach us without some pretty drastic measures.
I don’t know about you, but I’m glad that God’s word is “sharper than any double-edged sword.” I take comfort in knowing that He will go to such great lengths to pursue me…that He will even cut through my spirit, soul joints and marrow to touch the innermost depths of my heart. I am in awe of such love and care…and when He “drops the bait”, I will gladly grab His “hook”!
Unlike the people who fish for meat to sustain them through a long winter, God does not need ME…but man-o-man, I surely need HIM! So as He reaches out to me, I will gladly grab hold of His hand and hang on for dear life! Even when I build a thick, icy wall of defense, God can still reach me. And I am ever so happy to trust this. Aren’t you?
©2015 Debbie Robus
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