I Read the News Today Oh Boy...

Yes, I did read the news today. Looking at my favorite, online news headline website, I was disturbed. Bad news after bad news, murders, rapes, drugs, scandals, cover ups and so much more. These crimes committed not just by some we would stereotype and simply assume would be involved but even some of our so called "idols" that are sport stars, war hero's, clergy and others are also involved. As I scanned through the headlines I was reminded of the old song by the Beatles, "A Day in the Life." Part of that song says "he hadn't noticed that the light had changed..." As I read through some of the news I began to wonder if the same goes for many of us today; not noticing that the "light" has changed.

John 10:10 tells us "The thief comes only to steal, slaughter, and destroy..."

As we read the news, we can quickly become disturbed and discouraged, or maybe the opposite. For some, we may longer seemed shocked, heart broken, disturbed or affected. Many seem to have simply accepted that this is just the world in which we live and have become immune to what is going on around us. Satan has and is doing well at what John 10:10 says. He is stealing joy and happiness. He is leading some to the slaughter through personal choices, rebellion, and hardened hearts. He is destroying families, churches and individuals by simply using the "frog in the kettle" approach. If he can keep us as people from really living our lives for Christ and living by the morals and convictions that the Bible commands and encourages us to live by, then is it any wonder when we read the news we read what we do. I mean, after all, how often do we find ourselves as Christians, "living on the edge" of our faith. How easy is it to: not read the Bible, skip church to watch a ball game that will be more interesting and exciting, watch and listen to media that brings no Glory to Christ? Are we, are you, being lead to the slaughter? Are you in the kettle and not even realize it? And because of this we miss out on the life that God really desires for us as His children.

The Good News of John 10:10 says, BUT, "I've come that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (Jesus)

Again, "I read the (Good News) today oh boy..." This part of the passage continues to give me hope, joy and happiness. But that does require something from me. I must be aware, alert, and active. No more than a diet without exercise will produce much result, being a Christian without actively living by the Word of God will allow you or me to have "life abundantly" in the way God intends for our lives.

Bad news will come. People will continue to steal, kill and destroy because Satan is at work in this world. But you and I have the Good News. We have great responsibility to share that Good News to those around us, both near and far, that is what we have been commissioned to do. That may be sharing with your neighbor, your co worker, the lady at the store, and it goes on and on. Don't be silent, don't find yourself in the kettle! You have the Good News! Share it, live it and change lives. Lets share how God is using us to change lives, lets encourage one another as we strive to help others find "life." I'm tired of reading just the bad news, lets change things up and share what God is doing, how He is changing lives, what He is doing in our lives and how He is changing the world.

Wouldn't it be great if we opened our favorite news website and the headlines said something like: "God is alive and moving," " The Good News is making huge impacts in crime rates," "Christians are no longer silent," "The Church is alive again." It could happen! Will you be part of making that happen?