Thoughts on the Connecticut Elementary School tragedy

As we move into the end times, "Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold." (Matt 24:12 NLT) "“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day." (Matt 24:37). And in the days of Noah "Now God saw that the earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence." (Gen 6:11).

As we become more and more a godless society, we move out from under the protection of God. To believers, He is a merciful God. To others, He is as He has been throughout the ages, the vengeful God we read about in the Old Testament. God has not changed. He wants us to seek His face through our belief in His Son, Jesus Christ. In Him our sins are forgiven and because of Jesus God looks at us with His Mercy and Grace.

I believe this tragedy is one more in the many that have happened over these past few years and in the many more that will occur in the future as we become more reliant on government and less on God to protect us and to prosper us. As our faith turns to man instead of God we open the door for satan to step in and control the events surrounding our lives.

How do we prevent the end times? We don't. It will happen. Our task is to preach the Good News to as many as possible so they may become saved.

"Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord." (Romans 12:19).

"Father, God help us to forgive the young man who did this terrible deed. Help us to let go of the anger we harbor inside us. Help us to let you deal with him in Your perfect wisdom. Protect us and our children and our children's children as they go about their day. In Jesus name we pray."

See Attachment

Mark 16:20
And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (KJV)

Seldom do we get something in the mail that is not an advertisement or a bill. Most of my bills come by email and fewer and fewer ads are showing up in the mailbox. Times have changed and even the older generations are adapting to a connected world.

We take pictures with our digital cameras and even out cell phones. After uploading them to our computers we email them to family and friends as attachments. The message is usually something that tells them what the pictures are all about and then we say "see attachment"

The message comes first and then the attachment. And so it is with God's Word. As we preach the Word, God confirms it with His attachments--signs following.

And yet we often look for the signs without the message. We want the results without going through the process.

And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off your shoulder, and his yoke from off your neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing. (Isaiah 10:27 KJV)

As Spirit filled believers we have Holy Spirit with us at all times. As we allow Him to use us to preach to believers and nonbelievers alike, He shows up with signs following. Expect Him to to be there. Open the attachment!

Foul Language

Ephesians 4:29, 6:4
Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes; these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. (NLT)

In today's world it is hard to not be around foul language. It is everywhere; on television shows, in the movies, in the novels we read, and coming out of the mouths of many we know. Some we even love.

Before we were walking with Christ, we used foul language, told dirty jokes, and love to use innuendoes with sexual meaning. I did not grow up that way. I never heard my parents use a foul word even once. As I grew older and left home I made new friends and picked up many new words. Oh, I knew the words, but just did not use them much in my High School years.

I worked hard to not use bad words when I was around church people, older folks, and my parents, aunts, and uncles. It took self control to do that. They probably thought "What a nice young man", but little did they know what came out of my mouth when I left.

When my wife, Dianne was healed of Crohn's disease in 1991 God took away the disease, repaired the damage, and removed her foul language. Our daughter of 10 said to her a couple of days later in the week, "Mommy, you don't swear anymore!"

Now I accepted Jesus into my heart and started my journey with Him. My mouth did not change. I still had to work at it especially when I banged my thumb hitting a nail with my hammer!

Over time, as I received more of Him on the inside, others speaking the way i used to made me cringe. I could no longer watch movies that had foul or abusive language. I did not want to be around people who told obscene stories and coarse jokes.

I thank God that He took that away from me. I no longer have to watch my language. And when I do something dumb and injure myself those long multi-word obscenities do not come rushing out. Thank you Jesus.

Important

Galatians 6:3
If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. (NLT)

Of course we all remember the story of the good Samaritan who stopped when no one else would and came to the aid of a stranger. And yet how often do we look the other way when someone is in need?

Years ago when we saw an accident, we would stop and see if we could help. Now we grab our cell phone and call 911 as we whiz by. Or we assume they have their own phone and not even be bothered. Maybe we mumble a quick prayer as they get smaller and smaller in our rear view window.

Perhaps we volunteer to feed the needy once a week or month. Sure, we hand out food, but do we take the time to get to know them? Or are we too important for that?

In God's eyes we are all His children. We may have different talents and life experience than someone else, but we are loved just as much. We may make millions and give lots to the poor, but He loves those living under the bridge just as much as He loves us. We are all important to God; even the sinner.

"I give money to help others", you say. Money helps but does not have the same effect as a hands on conversation. People look for a hand out, but really need a hand up. Isn't it time to treat them as the important child of God they are and stop looking the other way?

Practice

Leviticus 20:7
So set yourselves apart to be holy, for I am the LORD your God.Keep all my decrees by putting them into practice, for I am the LORD who makes you holy. (NLT)

Somehow we have gotten the mistaken idea that attending a church on Sunday morning is setting ourselves apart to be holy. Well, I guess it is a step in the right direction.

I have always found it interesting that the professions that seem to bring in the big bucks are the ones that are always practicing. Think about it. Lawyers have a Law Practice. Doctors practice. Down to earth professions like law enforcement, and teaching, truck driving are not practices. Some that perhaps should be called practices are politicians and newscasters. And then there is one that . really does involve lots of practice--acting.

Putting them into practice to me means continuing to do what God has called you to. Doing it over and over and over until it has become second nature.

I remember when I first learned to drive. I was determined and nervous. All my concentration was on keeping the car straight and watching for what the other drivers were doing. I could not have the radio on or pay attention to someone riding with me. After a while all those driving things became second nature. Now I can get where I am going and not remember all the details of how I got there!

So let's listen to God tell us what we are to do and practice doing it--over and over and over.

Just Ask

Luke 11:13 
So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him. (NLT) 

When we get to the Fall season, we think about giving out candy at Halloween, gifts at Thanksgiving, and presents at Christmas. And then all the birthdays in between. It is true that we love to shower those we love with gifts. So why wouldn't our Father God want to do the same for us?

But Love comes before gifts. We give because we love. We don't expect others to love us just because we give them things. And yet some have grown up believing gifting is the only way to show one's love toward another. When love is present there is no need for gifting. Gifting becomes a bonus.

God has given each of us the gift of life. Jesus came to us with the gift of salvation and He promised to have the Father send the Holy Spirit to live in us.

I believe Holy Spirit is available to us when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Father God loves us and is thrilled at our decision to follow Jesus. So all we have to do is ask God and He sends Holy Spirit to reside in us. Then accelerated change comes as we listen on a new level and become more and more Christ like as we follow His lead.

Understanding

Proverbs 20:24 
The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way? (NLT) 

When a runner is in a race, he knows the starting place, the finish line, and how much time he wants to take to get there. Life is not as cut and dry. We may know what we want to accomplish, but the path to get there can be pretty hazy.

Often we seek the wrong goal, the wrong finish line. Too often we look to others for advice about what our desires should be. Sometimes we are pushed a direction based on our parents desires for us with no consideration for what we want. How many of us went to school seeking a career that would gain us the bigger paycheck and soon found out we did not like the work?

We have God given talents and a destiny determined for us before we were even in our mother's womb. And yet we try many paths sometime never finding the one thing we should be on.

How often do we run ahead to where we want to go and then ask the Lord if we did the right thing? I do not know about you, but I am guilty of wanting His direction when I can't figure it out on my own!

And yet, He tells us that we just have to ask. He will use Holy Spirit to guide us in the direction necessary to fulfill our individual destiny. But it is up to us to ask. Then we must sit back and patiently listen for His answer. And finally, we must move out in faith in the direction given.

It is not a matter of understanding where the finish line is or where all the challenges will be along the way. As we allow Him, Holy Spirit will get us to the end of the race.