The headlines scream at us from newspapers, television, the radio, and other sources the most horrendous stories. Scanning some of the large city newspapers I have listed just a few of the hundreds of thousands of headlines. I am not trying to be depressing, but this is a sampling of what is happening in our nation today.
Man Shot After Answering Knock at Door
Boy 13 is Charged in Stabbing of Brother, 16
Teen Accused of Raping Elderly Woman
Men Recruited Homeless to Steal From Walmarts
Florida Woman Accused of Hiring 4 Hitmen to Kill Husband
New Trial for Minister Convicted of Killing WifeThe news goes on and on and it seems the crimes become more heartless, more disturbingly violent, and having no consciences about wrong doing. Unfortunately, even the small towns we live in have become the source of some of these headlines.
The words to describe these crimes have been watered down to a more user friendly word or phrase. Abortion has become "The right to choose". Rape has become "sexual assault", Murder has been listed as "Crimes of Passion". No one takes responsibility for their own actions. Everything is always someone else's fault. We are raising children who are disrespectful, angry, lazy, materialistic, and think that everyone owes them something. Our children drive better vehicles than we do. Our credit card bills prove that we are a generation who waits for nothing or no one. Luxuries have turned into needs! Yet in foreign soil, children are dying daily from starvation and we close our eyes and say it's not our problem. Where has our compassion gone? Where is our empathy for others? Have our hearts waxed cold? When will the headlines be bursting with positive things? Why have we made the ugly, evil things newsworthy and the everyday feel good stories boring until that's all they will report? Surely, that is not all the news there is.
As the nursery rhyme says "Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the kings horses and all the kings men couldn't put Humpty together again."
Our nation is Humpty. We are headed for a great fall. And sadly, all the government programs, and all the Obamas in office are not going to be able to put Humpty (our nation) back together again."
Is there any hope?
Well, I do have a little good news for you.
Long ago, in the city of Bethlehem, a baby was born. He came to deliver us from many things, but saving us from ourselves is one of his greatest, most priceless gifts to us.
While the world around us is seeped in bad news, we have been promised good news. And that is what the word gospel means. GOOD NEWS! The first four books of the new testament in the Bible are called the gospels. THE GOOD NEWS. God sent us a book focused upon GOOD NEWS! Have you read it lately?
In Luke 1:67 Zechariah shouted it when his voice returned, "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed (bought back) his people."
And in Luke 2:10, the angels proclaimed: "Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you: he is Christ the Lord."
And finally in Luke 4: 18-19, Jesus himself proclaimed of himself,"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach GOOD NEWS to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
This Christmas season, take some time to focus upon the GOOD NEWS God has for you. We do not have to remain in the darkness of this world, but we can be illuminated by our Light, Jesus Christ.
Our newspapers may be full of bad news, our nation may be in a downward spiral, but Jesus' own words in John 16: 33 says it best.
"I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
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