1 John 2:15-17 "Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever."Boy, this world can really get us moving in the wrong direction, can't it? Turn on the television and what do we have? Things that we should close our eyes to. Open the windows and what do we see? Things that our eyes don't want to see, but it's there staring us in the face. Crime, hate, hurt, mistrust, and roads that lead to dark places. There is so much going on around us, and much of the time we are blinded to it. It seems as though we get use to seeing such things that we just get accustomed to viewing it just as though it was on a movie screen, but it isn't. It is happening at our churches, in the hallways of the schools our children attend. It happens in the workplace and in the park where we walk our dog.
So much in this life we shouldn't see, but we choose to see it. We pay to see it at the movies. But then those very things we should choose to see, we push aside, hoping another will take care of it.
If we are not careful this world can suck us in quickly. We can be moving right along and before we know it we are caught up in something that will tear our lives apart. It is those small things that the devil wants to set our eyes on and those big things he very well wants our eyes to turn away from.
This world is not our home. All the glitter before us can catch our eye and soon we no longer care about right and wrong, but what will satisfy our desire. We are told, "You deserve it." What is it that we deserve? To serve ourselves? To dive into temptation? I remember my dad teaching me, "Just one time is all it takes." My dad was an alcoholic. He knew what that one drink would do. He lived that life and he didn't want to see his daughter take that path. Just one of anything can grab us before we know it. Just that one time not only effects us, but others around us. Nothing we do just touches us. Each choice. Each and every single one touches the life of another.
We can soon forget our children at home waiting on us and think we deserve to go out with the girls and have fun. This world's view of having fun is not dinner and movie, but a few casual drinks. Soon, we are no longer thinking of the kids, but we can't wait until work ends to go out and have fun, why? Because we deserve it.
The man who has worked hard all day decided to go out with the boys to the local gambling boat. Just taking a few dollars, no big deal. But soon, their bills are not being paid and no food is on the table. Those first few dollars sucked him in and now the water is rising. The boat is going under.
After taking care of the kids all day, working hard, everyone is now asleep, so what can she do? She can get on the Internet late at night and find someone new to talk to. Someone who can understand. Before she knows, she is packing a bag and saying good bye to the life she dreamed of. Now her children are crying and her husband is lost without her.
This world chases us. This world tries to captivate our souls. It changes our humble hearts into prideful arrogance. It takes innocence and turns it into shame. It takes one night of our life and changes it forever.
There are hurting children across your street. There is a woman about to take her life in your church. There is a man at your work place filled with anger. We can no longer walk about asleep. We must open our eyes to what is around us before it is too late. We must not overlook our neighbors, but reach out to them. They are just waiting for someone to reach them. Someone to love them. Someone to speak out against all that is wrong. Someone to stand for what is right and good. We must stand for those who cannot.
Will you stand? Will you reach out? Will you begin to make a difference? Let's do it together as brother's and sister's in Christ. May we stand as children of God with a faith that is strong and will reach those around us for the kingdom of God.
May we tune out all that tempts us. May we call out for strength to fight against the enemy. As we turn from all that tempts us, may we open our eyes to all that is good, right, and pure. May we be the bibles of this world. May we be the light of this world. May we allow Jesus Christ to live through us. May we put on our armor and take a stand today!
Colossians 3:12-17 "Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing Psalms and hymns ans spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father."
