Seek the Cross .
Matthew 24:10-13 NIV

At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Is it just me, or could this have been written last week? I imagine that anyone reading these words could apply them to their own current times. Mankind doesn’t ever really change! Two thousand years after Christ we have Christians preaching the “prosperity gospel” and wars all over the world and corruption, deceit, hatred and greed. We just don’t learn, do we?

There’s nothing wrong with working to be as prosperous as possible as long as the intention is to give that prosperity back to God and his world. I so admire Rick Warren, the author of “The Purpose Driven Life.” He started what is now Saddleback Church with his wife in their living room. It’s now a multi-million dollar a year operation. But they haven’t lost sight of their purpose.

He’s personally acquired tremendous wealth from his books. As he acquired more wealth, he began paying back to the church the salary they have paid him over the years. At this point, he and his family are now tithing 90% of their income and living on 10%. That’s a stark contrast to flying around in multi-million dollar private jets, living in a mansion and owning several very expensive cars.

Again, I’m trying not to judge these folks, but it makes me want to examine them and their lifestyles in a little more depth. Speaking of trying not to judge . . . the latest poll reported on the news last night indicates that 65% of the country disapproves of the President and his performance. I probably don’t have to tell anyone which side of that poll I fall into. My hope is that if that if that many people are not satisfied with the current administration, they will get out and vote in the next election—for anybody—just vote!

The Middle East is a hotbed as I’m typing. I’m convinced that ardent prayer is the only explanation as to why we haven’t experienced a nuclear war! Spoiled celebrities make the “news” headlines and the continent of Africa is still plagued with genocide, HIV/AIDS, famine and abject poverty.

I don’t mean to be sounding off a doom and gloom message! I’m really just ticking off the things that ran through my mind as I read this passage. The media outlets are “loving” all the turmoil and anxiety, fear and violence in the world. It makes good copy. And we buy into the hype. Even faithful Christians can get caught up in it all.

Our only hope is the Cross! We need to surround ourselves with Christians and participate in a faith community in order to stay focused on what really matters. We are not powerless. We have the might and strength of our God within us and around us who longs for us to be one who makes a difference by how we live our lives, in simple ways—large and small.

My prayer today is that you turn to the Word of God to find truth and understanding. And that you seek the Cross before all else.

Mary

Labels: Africa, Christ, Christian, Cross, famine, genocide, God, HIV/AIDS, war

  ¶ 5:51 AM