Times Such as This

Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

Romans 1:28-32

 

It seems that each day brings a new outrage. It's gotten to the point that even our entertainment industry has ceased being entertaining, and has just become more and more depraved. An incident happened recently at the entertainment industries biggest event that left most of us shaking our heads. It was a hateful, profanity-laced tirade that was played over and over to the delight of audiences everywhere. Even on the business and sporting sites that I typically watch, this event seemed to be the only topic of conversation. Many "bleeped out" the worst vulgarities, but only in a way as to leave nothing to the imagination.

 

We have become a depraved society, have we not? But, what can we do about it?

 

How about this: We can turn off our T.V.s and cell phones and computers for at least a few moments and pick up the Word of God. I do this, when things get too bad elsewhere and have found it to be entirely refreshing. It's amazing how the Bible can change a day of depravity into an island of calm and purity - two things, by the way, that we miss when we get caught up in Satan's distractions.

 

One more thought, if I may. I really don't think most people enjoy the depravity soaked society in which they live; they just have forgotten that they don't have to remain in sin's presence when it shows up on their doorstep. If you have become sick and tired of the stream of filth that passes for news in our modern day and age, why not turn off the bad stuff and open up the Good News. It will change your attitude and your life for the better.

Have You Ever Wondered...

For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

II Timothy 4:3, NIV

 

Have you ever wondered why people do the crazy things they do, even when those things bring so much harm to others? Have you wondered why there are wars? Have you ever wondered why men can engineer terrible diseases in labs and then release them, either accidentally or on purpose, into unsuspecting populations to do untold damage? Have you ever wondered why some parents allow their children to use bad language? Have you ever wondered why men can dress up like women and want everyone to say that they are no longer what God made them?

 

Have you ever wondered why people can break the drug laws and be allowed to pollute society without punishment? Have you wondered why a woman will take a baby that is growing within her womb and have it killed without mercy? Have you wondered why some schools are allowed to teach lies about God's creation, but are not allowed to teach about God the creator?

 

We don't have to wonder about these things. God told us thousands of years ago that these things would happen for the basic reason that there would come a time when men would no longer put up with His wisdom. The surprising thing is that people are surprised. They are surprised that when they do stop listening to the Creator that the creation doesn't work anymore. So, what is the solution? I was reminded of it while reading the Proverbs this very morning. It's always been right there in front of us for those wise enough to listen!

 

That men may know wisdom and instruction, understand words of insight, receive instruction in wise dealing, righteousness, justice, and equity; that prudence may be given to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth-- the wise man also may hear and increase in learning, and the man of understanding acquire skill, to understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:2-7, RSV

 

It's a wonder we don't see it...

 

 

A Time to Be Happy

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven... a time to weep, and a time to laugh...

Ecclesiastes 3:1 & 4, ESV

 

I like the wisdom contained in Ecclesiastes. While some of it is admittedly too hard for me to understand, much of it is so plain that even someone as simple as me can figure it out. Take the verse above, for example. There is a time to laugh. It's true that there is also a time to weep, but it's the happy part I want to focus on today because I feel that the world could use some laughter about now.

 

I would like to share a true story that happened about 25 years ago when I was coaching a team of third and fourth grade girls. Now this is an activity that I highly recommend for everyone who likes to laugh, for the combination of little girls and basketball have great potential for bringing a smile to your face. In this particular game (I think it was the last one of the season), the smallest girl on the court got fouled. In order to protect her identity I shall call her Salem. Her real name was also Salem, so I think this is an exceptionally clever way to hide her true identity. Of course this could not be done if I revealed to you her last name (it was Poe), so I'll try to keep that part to myself from this point forward.

 

Anyway. getting back to the game. As I mentioned, it was near the end of the season and it was also close to the end of this particular game. Salem had been fouled and got to go to the free throw line to try and score a point or two. Since she had not yet scored a single point this year, I called a time out and made the suggestion that she try shooting the free throw underhand to give her a bit more power. Now, having coached hundreds of kids in basketball through the years I can honestly say that nobody likes to shoot their free throws underhanded. But to sweet, humble Salem's credit, she did and...

 

she made the shot! 25 years later I can tell you that I have no idea whether or not we won that game, or even how well the team finished that season. What I can tell you is that when Salem made that shot, the crowd went wild! I think even the opposing team and their fans cheered for her. In retrospect, we should have interrupted the game right then and there and had a small presentation, but that's beside the point.

 

So what is the point, you may be wondering? It's that in a simple children's game, for a moment or two, people experienced pure and unadulterated joy.

 

I think we all could use that, from time to time, don't you? I wonder if a simple moment in a simple game can bring so much joy, what will Heaven be like... I can't wait to find out, can you?

 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

Philippians 4:4, NKJV

Your Sorrow Will Be Turned to Joy

Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.

John 16:20, ESV

 

Just before Jesus was crucified, He prepared His closest friends so that they might not be caught off guard by His death. He also revealed that while the things that were about to happen to Him would bring them sorrow, eventually it would be turned to joy.

 

I think this is one of the great secrets of the Bible and, therefore, one of the great secrets to life.

 

We all experience times that will bring sorrow. There is nothing wrong or unnatural about grief when we are parted from our loved ones by death. When a precious relationship is lost (at least temporarily) through death, it should cause us sorrow. What kind of a relationship would it have been if it did not? We will also experience sorrow when we see the innocent suffering because of sin. One of the reasons that sin is sin is because of the harm it does to others, especially to the innocent.

 

Having acknowledged that we will have sorrow in this life, we should also be quick to understand Jesus' promise that sorrow will eventually turn into joy. It is true that this process can take more time than we would like, but part of our trust in God is based on His promises of the things that are yet unseen. Sorrow will turn to joy, and for that great gift we are thankful.

 

There is something else that we should understand: Joy is not for those who are outside of Christ, for it is a fruit of the Spirit. Consider Paul's inspired words as he wrote to the churches in Galatia:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control...

Galatians 5:22-23, ESV

 

One of the things that can alert us to the possibility that we are either not in Christ or that we are in danger of falling away from Him if we are Christians, is the lack of joy in our lives. While we have already noted that there will be times of sorrow, one of the fruits of the Spirit is joy, so our sorrow should be temporary, not an ongoing part of life. Also, joy will never be available for those outside of Christ. While those who walk on the worldly side of this existence may feel moments of happiness and contentment, it is nothing compared to the peace and comfort that go hand in hand with the joy that is in Christ.

 

It is certain that we will have down times - this is a fact of life. But aren't we grateful for the joy that God floods our life with when we are walking with He and Christ on a daily basis. One more thought: Beyond this life, will be the eternal joy of Heaven!

You Want to be Happy? Turn Off the News!

And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is not yet.

Mark 13:7, RSV

 

I got to thinking today how unsettled everything seems to be in this world in which we live. At first glance it seems like things are worse than they have ever been, but when I start thinking about it a bit more I realize that every day I have followed the news for the last few years it has seemed like things were worse than they had ever been. It finally dawns on me that I have been listening to the wrong news, for those who give "The News" have a vested interest in things being so bad that you must continue tuning in to see what is going to happen and what you need to do about it.

 

Do you really believe that this is how God wants us to live, in this perverse state of continual impending doom?

 

In fact, we know it is not for He has given us a book that is filled with Good News. Consider the following passages:

And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people..., Luke 2:10, RSV

He said to them, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose...",  Luke 4:43, RSV

Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this scripture he told him the good news of Jesus...,  Acts 8:35, RSV

You know the word which he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all)..., Acts 10:36, RSV

And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers..., Acts 13:32, RSV

 

We could go on and on with Scripture after Scripture with references to the good news, but I think you get the general idea: God wants us to surround ourselves with His good news! Since this is clearly the case, why do we continue to give such little thought to the Good News, and pay so much attention to the bad? Our first response might be that we want to be both informed and prepared, and these are certainly valid reasons to want to keep up with the news, but very poor reasons indeed to saturate ourselves with its pessimism and negativity. It is one thing to be aware of the mud puddles, it is another entirely to jump in and wallow in them.

 

So, what is the solution? Is it to simply ignore what is going on and take our chances? I don't believe that to be a good answer at all, but I am convinced of this: We could all stand to watch a little less of the bad news and begin to pay a lot more attention to the Good News. I believe that if we would do that we would not only be a lot happier, but we could also begin to offer genuine help to those in need, for what good is it to just be aware of the bad news if we cannot counter it with the life giving blessings of the Good News of Jesus Christ?