Life Change

Murder and Entertainment!


 

THE FASCINATION WITH MURDER

Murder is on the increase, not only with those who physically commit such crimes, but also those who are transfixed with their details. Many video games and apps, news reports, and television programs all have one thing in common — exploiting murder! Our world has a curiosity, fascination, and even a love affair with the “how’s” and “whys” of murder. We are being fed a steady diet of crime, served up in as many ways as possible to make the viewing and hearing about killing palatable. Murder is a heinous crime that can capture the attention of its listeners and viewers. For those taken in by the sensationalism, at some point murder goes beyond “news”. The news has the ability to feed on the psyche and can become as addictive as any powerful drug. This is a trick of an enemy!

THE EFFECTS OF MURDER ON A SOCIETY

Many know the account of Samson who was fascinated with Delilah’s ways. After Sampson’s hair was cut, he thought he had the strength he once had to fight. He found out at the critical time he didn’t have that strength at all. Likewise, one cannot be consistently curious about murder and think it doesn’t have any negative affect on them mentally and spiritually (Mt. 24:12). The Bible states: “We know that anyone born of God does not keep on sinning; the One who was born of God protects him, and the evil one cannot touch him. We know that we are of God, and that the whole world is under the power of the evil one.” – I John 5:19 – Berean Study Bible

Copycat killings usually start with one who is intrigued by another’s murder(s). The intrigued person eventually “acts out” what has been sown in their heart. We should stay away from anything that is wicked — and our hearts are desperately wicked (Jer. 17:9). We should also know that we haven’t experienced the utter depths of where our hearts can lead us. (“Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.” – Prov. 4:23/GNT.) A person who is “saved” is not immune from being caught up in the spirit of murder — which is usually in some form of news or entertainment through means of broadcasting. People can be subject to this spirit, whether saved or unsaved (James 4:2; I John 3:14-15). Great spirits from history have a way of returning and affecting masses of people. We see these following accounts in the Bible. During Noah’s day the earth at that time was given over to violence (Gen. 6:13). The apostle Paul noticed that the city of Athens was given over to a similar spirit, which was idolatry (Acts. 17:16). The prophet Hosea took a wife from the land of Israel that was given over to idolatry and adultery. Habakkuk complained of the wide-spread violence of his day (Hab. 1:1-3). History has a way of coming back to repeat itself.

The first murder in the Bible was broadcast for the purpose of showing how dark sin really is, but we see the insatiable drawing power murder has to consume all who are given over to its spell — from those who commit actual crimes to those who are drawn in by the details.

Stay away from murder!

0 CommentsLeave a comment

Cares!


Casting all your care upon Him; for he cares for you.
 (I Peter 5:7)

pexels-liza-summer-6382709

Those who have feelings of anxiety often feel like there is no hope and no one understands — and there is no one to help them come out of what they are experiencing in that moment. People with anxiety can often feel overwhelmed with thoughts of what other people’s opinions are about them.  Those with anxiety may even be worried about the future or something else that is unfolding in their lives.

GOD IS THE ANSWER TO ANXIETY! David had feelings of anxiety, but he learned how to overcome his fears. He said in Psalms 61:2-3, “From the most remote place of the earth, I will call to you, when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been a refuge for me, a strong tower from the enemy” (NHEB). The enemy is expert at trapping unsuspecting souls, but it is written: “Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth” (Ps. 124:7-8).

There are solutions to life that we don’t have and questions about life that we can’t answer. God is there to give solutions and to answer questions. He will amaze you with His problem-solving and answers! He has the ability to take the most complex situation in our lives and turn it around for our good! What a mighty God we serve! He will never leave or forsake us; He proves Himself time and time again!

Can’t you hear Jesus’ words to Martha: “But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things” (Luke 10:41 – ESV).  Like Martha’s sister, Mary, there are times when we are to put away the details and come sit at Jesus’ feet! We are to cast all our cares on Him. He cares for us! This day has enough to deal with, so don’t give undue thought about tomorrow, but seek God’s kingdom (Matt. 6:33-34). We are not to be anxious about anything, but our cares should be given over to Jesus as we pray (Phil. 4:6-7).

He that has ears to hear, let him hear!

0 CommentsLeave a comment

Not Able!


green leaf tree on top of mountain during daytime

The Apostle Paul stated: “who is sufficient for these things…” (II Cor. 2:16). He also reminds us that “our sufficiency is of God” (II Cor. 3:5)! He has placed DREAMS [as with Jacob] in our hearts and minds at very early stages in our lives. He has shown many of us what we will be and do, many years prior to those things coming to pass. Others of us have destinies waiting to be fulfilled and things yet to be realized. God has placed quite a few of us in undeserved places, and given us the ability to perform way beyond what we could have been or done on our own. His Spirit patiently directs those who are led by it and He gives us glimpses into the mind of Christ to perform the will of God. Who then is sufficient? Who is able? Who knows the mind of God? Yet — God reveals His plans by His Spirit — bringing us to new vistas, new dimensions. Even when we falter, He is ever present to strengthen us for seemingly insurmountable tasks. God is our strength! We come to learn that we can do all things through Christ that strengthens us! And if we need encouragement, there is a spark in our lowly spirits that God has shown us where He alone continues to ignite in His times!

You are not able! You do not qualify to boast of your abilities. They are God-given and without Him we can do nothing! Be humble! Wait on the Lord, and be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord!

0 CommentsLeave a comment

What, How, Why, When, Who, and Where?


questions-1328347_1920.png

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not unto
your own understanding. In all your ways
acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths
(Prov. 3:5)

Life can be puzzling and there are times when we are faced with the uncertain. These are times when we must trust that God has multiple ways of blessing us! He wants us to put it all in his hands! If we trust Him and give Him the glory, He will take the one or two options that we have and turn them into ten, or twenty — whatever He needs in order to bless us!

We often ask how, or when, or where? But, if we trust God, He will answer the questions and bring our blessings to pass! We ought to say, “Lord I don’t know how, or when, or where, but I believe you to bring it to pass, in Jesus’ name!”

Trust God and watch Him move!

0 CommentsLeave a comment

John: Forsaking All to Follow Him!


Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
Mark 10:28

man-bowing-low-1.png

There’s more than one John in the Bible. When we hear the name John, we often think about “the Baptist”, who was the blazing forerunner of the Lord Jesus. The other John was initially somewhat lesser known during the gospel times. The author of the Bible would associated him with either his brother or father. He was called the brother of James and appeared to be the lesser son of Zebedee. This John was also the John who had an ambitious mother. She wanted Jesus to grant that both her sons would have a secured and exalted place in His kingdom. We are not sure if this John had the same fleshly ambition, but time and circumstances caused him to take on the role of a loving servant rather than seek glory for himself (Luke 22:24)!

Both of these men were, in a sense, servants. One prepared the way for the Messiah to come, and testified that he (as a servant) was not worthy to untie His Lord’s sandal straps. The other John also served. These men, along with the other disciples and Peter, were led in ways that proved them all to be servants. Jesus told Peter that when he had fully matured, he would be a servant of the Master until his tragic death (John 21:18-19). This John, the son of Zebedee, was (no doubt) witness to this conversation Jesus had with Peter (vs. 20-21). He himself was also left in doubt as to his fate. At that point, he could have forsaken Jesus and chose to no longer serve him, as some did. (John 6:66).

These are examples of how people mature and become servants. They have no agenda other than to serve the One who initiates every call to being a disciple. Nothing else matters and all things pale in comparison to being a servant of Jesus Christ. They have been captured and arrested as slaves to those words of our Lord: “follow me”. Initially — those words bring the joyous light of the gospel to every believer, as it did with John and the other followers (Mt. 4:21-22). His call brings excitement and the ultimate salvation of our souls (Song Sol. 3:2-4)! But, His words, “follow me…”, take on new meanings as we mature in the Lord. Following Him has certainly taken us above mountain peaks, but following Him will also lead us through dark and uncertain places. His perpetual voice leads us to many valleys, and yet, we still follow!

We see the example of John as he proceeded to follow the Lord directly to Jesus’ death. He was led to Calvary and crucified, and yet John continued to follow. John endangered his own life, while many of the other disciples had already fled. We see John, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, and a few others. They were now positioned directly under the cross of the suffering Christ. As our Lord suffered on the cross, His last words to John were, “Behold thy mother!” His words seemed to suggest that Jesus had all confidence in this selfless servant to move into the position of not only providing for His mother but treating her as Jesus would Himself. There was no questioning on John’s part, but he did what any slave would do and that was to obey his Master. As far as we can tell, he always followed the leading of our Lord!

Years later, we see John in scripture as he was banished on the isle of Patmos. He was there for being a servant of Jesus Christ (Rev. 1:1, 9). No one knows how he must have suffered as a result of his determination to serve the Lord. One thing we do know is it appeared that no other disciple had the favor that John had. He was called the disciple that Jesus loved! Also, John was that disciple that had such a relationship with Christ that he was comfortable leaning on His bussom. No man that ever lived probably received more revelation than John. He was allowed to write the things he saw from the book of Revelation and experience the One who sat on the throne! He beheld things that we can barely comprehend. Oh, the fellowship that John, as a servant, had with our Lord!

Servants like John are often led in ways that can be lonely, but Christ’s promise has always been that He would not leave those who follow Him! He will continue to lead them through changing seasons in their lives and they will experience great fellowship as they walk with the Master (II Tim. 4:16-17)!

0 CommentsLeave a comment