Choose Life

     Today was a sad day in our community.  It seems a mentally unstable man took 4 lives indiscriminently during a 5 hour seige downtown.  One police officer was  killed along with 3 towns people.  After recovering somewhat after the Paris shooting I have to all over again ask what's going on in our world?  Of course I already know the answer.  Sickness in the heart and sin that causes it is escalating.  Satan that  old liar and thief from the beginning as Jesus said is on a shortened leash and his time grows shorter every day.  Thanks be to God!  So while I am alarmed at the loss of life of innocents both here and abroad, I am confident in the  Lord that all will unfold according to the Holy Scriptures  fortelling of events like these, of love waxing cold.
     Now more than ever we need to see repentence working in men and women of all ages and children also.  It is impossible to draw near to God without it. For he is a Holy God and requires something from us, a step forward and a turning away from our sin.  Simply said sin is missing the mark or "high-bar" he set for us inorder for us to enter into his kingdom.  Baptism ofcourse is the next step in faith and an outward sign to all those believers who welcome  new-believers into the faith.  It is saying to God...I welcome you into my heart knowing full well that I cannot control all of the things in my life that cause you grief and so I turn towards you and welcome also the Holy Spirit, that burst of life that made it possible for Christ to rise from death.  We will do the same.  It is important for Christians to focus on this because it is  like no other belief in the world.  It has power.
     In the Old Testament a picture of Holiness can be seen in those who carried the Ark of God.  Only the Levites were able to do this and only if they were consecrated to God.  And they had to obey strictly by putting poles thru rings and not touching the Ark or risk death.  Those who touched the Ark without consecrating themselves died.  The Philistines suffered boils and sickness while the Ark was stolen by them and rested in their camp!
      So Their undoubtably will  be a separation in the end of the sheep and goats those who chose well...and those who chose wrong!


                                You chose well!    Indianna Jones