SANDY HOOK - Jesus Calms the Storm

SANDY HOOK - WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO?

This past week with the national tragedy at Sandy Hook as well as the many personal tragedies which many of you suffer are difficult to deal with. I know that to each of you the shootings were terrible, but I also know that many of you are dealing with heart aches and heart breaks of which few others will know.

We are often torn by feelings of guilt as we see something as terrible as the killing of innocent children and adults. We do mourn for their loss, but feel guilty for mourning for our personal losses. Many in our world have had terrible losses in their lives this past week also, do we forget them or act like they are unimportant because another tragedy seems worse that our own? Of course not, we can't do that, it isn't in our human nature to refuse to grieve just because someone else is grieving.

Sadly our cultures and our media have tried to make one terrible thing seem worse than another, when in reality terrible things that happen are terrible to all who are in involved. I heard a statement a while back that went like this. Someone said about something bad that had happened because of their actions, "It was nothing personal."  The response was, "It was nothing personal to you, it didn't hurt you, but it was plenty personal to me! I was the one who was hurt."

You may be grieving right now and few, if any even know about it. Don't hide your grief just because you think someone may think you are insensitive to what has been termed "a greater tragedy". Don't feel guilty if your personal difficulty or tragedy affects you more than the stories coming of Sandy Hook.

We can have the greatest sympathy for the families of those who lost loved ones, but often our personal pain tops that and because of that we feel guilty. Don't! Don't feel guilty, mourn as you need and give comfort as you are able, that's all God expects of you.

What do you do when there is nothing you can do? You share your pain and your hurt with others to let them help bear that burden. Paul urges Christians in Romans 12:15, "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." And in Galatians 6:2, "Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ."

So, I urge you to pray for those who have suffered this great loss and turn your own cares over to God. Peter urges us in 1 Peter 5:6-7, "So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you."

THOUGHTS ON THE MAYAN CALENDAR

I saw a headline today that said, "The world is going to end, guess we can all stop flossing."  The article started in this way, "The world will come to an end in just four days, and that's a huge relief because it means we can all finally stop flossing. I doubt your dental health is going to dramatically change before 12/21/12. You can also stop taking out the trash and paying all your bills."

Of course this is based upon an interpretation of the Mayan Calendar that says the world will end this Friday (if you are reading this later you know this was wrong). This interpretation is not like the Y2K days where much of the world was afraid of some catastrophe on January 1, 2000.  Those who anticipated that happening, prepared for the worst, while those who believe in the Mayan Calendar just want to stop doing anything.

Why pay bills, why send Christmas cards, why be nice to co-workers when (and if) the world ends on Friday? People stop living for the future because they don't think they have one!

This is not a new problem, we see something quite similar in the city of Thessalonica, (located in modern day Greece) somewhere around 60 AC. The Apostle Paul had been there and introduced them to Christ. He made a tremendous impression upon the people and many became Christians. They took to heart the message of the death, burial and resurrection of our Savior as well as the message that he is coming again to gather the faithful to him. In the first letter to the Thessalonians (4:13f) Paul specifically teaching about what will happen when Christ returns. He encouraged them to keep looking for Christ's return as if it could happen at anytime in Chapter 5.

Those who read this believed it and began to prepare for it… somewhat. It appears though that some believed the teaching of Christ's imminent return so strongly, that they just quit living their daily lives or even going to work. They just wanted to set around and pray or read the scriptures because Christ was coming back at anytime and nothing else mattered. That is one of the reasons I believe that Paul penned 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 where he writes: "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you: that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some among you who walk disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such, we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ that they work with quietness and eat their own bread."

Here is the problem for us today. We need to live our lives as if Christ is going to return today, but live everyday as servants of God, doing our work the best we can do it (as  unto the Lord). Yes, God is coming back some time to claim his own. When? No one knows when, except for God himself, (Matthew 24:36-37).

So, Keep on flossing, keep on going to work, keep on paying your bills, keep on being nice to folks and in general living your life like you will live forever! Because, if you are right with God, you will! Philippians 3:20 tells us, "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ

The True Meaning of Christmas

What a great time of the year! Most folks are just a little happier. They decorate their homes; they have more friends and family in to share meals and fellowship. Most give gifts of some kind with someone.  In general, it is a happy if not joyous time of the year.

I realize of course that is not true for everyone, some folks are overwhelmed by the season. The business, the gift buying, the traffic and the expectations are somewhat nerve wracking.

What is the TRUE meaning of Christmas, or does it really have any meaning other than a great big party to our world. I like what Charles Tucker has to say about it. Notice below:

"This time of year we talk about “the True Meaning of Christmas.” OK, I know that Christmas isn’t mentioned in the Bible; Jesus nowhere tells us to observe His birthday. But the fact that Jesus was born into this world to live among us as one of us is indeed at the very center of the gospel. It was “when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law” (Galatians 4:4). We must believe that Jesus was born as a real flesh and blood baby in order to accept that He gave His body and shed His blood on the cross (1 John 1:1-2). Jesus became flesh and blood like us in order to redeem us (Hebrews 2:14). Jesus was Immanuel, “God with us.” (Matthew 1:23). Because we connect this time of the year to the story of the birth of Jesus, therein is really the 'True Meaning of Christmas.'"

I agree with Charles. If this season puts Jesus more in the forefront of people's hearts and minds, then it does give a meaning to Christmas, which is truer than any of our other World Holiday's.

No, Christmas isn't in the bible, but Paul tells us in Romans 14:4-6,"Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? They are responsible to the Lord, so let him judge whether they are right or wrong. And with the Lord’s help, they will do what is right and will receive his approval. In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him."(NLT)

So, Paul tells us that if we want to set aside special days to honor God, then do it, but do it wisely. A day to honor God is not about giving gifts or feasting with friends, it's about remembering our God and what he has given us.

Russ Lawson – Messages From The Heart

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