THE WORLD IS A MESS!
THE WORLD IS A MESS!
Why do the nations say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them. —Psalm 115:2-8
Leave God out of the picture and you get a sinful mess. This is clearly seen in our country and the world. Violence of all sorts— some overt which makes the news and some covert which nobody or hardly anybody hears about. We only hear of the violence that those news outlets we listen to speak of or that we know of in our sphere of influence. But this is a minute portion of the violence that is happening at any time in our country or the world.
What are we to be and do? We should be that which we are to be and do all the time— worshippers and servants of God however He leads us. Circumstances may change but the character of follower of Jesus should be godly focused at all times… or at least to be seeking to be such.
Idols are destructive… any idol. It may be one of wood or stone or it may be a philosophy, a movement of some sort or an idea. These can be very destructive when the Spirit of God is not in control of them. When people are not yielded to God and what He has to say, then anything can happen… anything! Just look at our prisons and jails that are bursting at the bars… and they are only the ones that got caught! Fallen, sinful people without the power of the Holy Spirit to guide them will end up doing the will of Satan who has “ensnared them, holding the captive to do His will” (II Timothy 2:26). The only hope for this world is Jesus and the Church has been given the responsibility to bring that simple Gospel message to the world however God leads an individual, a local church, a denomination or a movement of any kind. The questions are: Am I being a faithful servant of God? Am I being a faithful follower of Jesus? Am I yielded to the Holy Spirit of God? That is what is important! Yes, “Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story” (Psalm 107:2). How will we impact the world unless we bring His Story to them? (Romans 10:13-15). We won’t!
A team is developing with the specific focus of going out wherever and sharing the gospel with people. The Lord blesses every time we go out. We have focused on York Beach and the Rochester commons so far in New Hampshire, but we will go where the Lord directs to share the gospel in this area. If you would like to be put on the e-mail list in case you might want to join us sometime send a reply to ted@new-hopechurch.com. You will get an e-mail a few days in advance (typically) as to where we will be going out to share the gospel. This will also sharpen you up in your daily walk as you come into contact with people.
Dear Father, please help me to tell of Your Wonderful Story of Jesus to the world around me. I may not be able to do so on the other side of the world, but I surely can right here around me. And if you do lead me to some other part of the world, may I be faithful to proclaim Your Story there as well in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. May it be so!