Thursday, April 17, 2008

Don't Let God Be a Stranger in Your Life

If we are realistic when we lift the cover off the world about us, we readily admit that in many ways it is no better than it was a thousand or ten thousand years ago.
Wrench Holding Globe by Eric Kamp
Wrench Holding Globe

If someone who died ten thousand years ago were to come back to earth, and the people were removed so that as he went up and down the land he saw only the marvelous achievements of our age, he would say, "This is not the world that I once lived in."

New York Nights
New York Nights


But, if the people were called back and he saw how they lived, he would declare,
"This is the same world in which I once lived, the same kind of people with the same old sins."

Herald Square,  New York City
Herald Square, New York City

  • Man was born in sin; he is a sinner by nature and by practice.
If this is not so, then half or more of what goes on in our world is without reason.

  • Jesus knew what was in man; he said, "Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies" (Matt. 15:19)
  • Satan is the liveliest creature abroad in our world today.

We are witnessing today the steady erosion of moral principles which have been the foundation of civilization. As moral standards sink lower and lower, crime, juvenile delinquency, and social problems rise higher and higher. There is a higher percentage of young people in jail, on probation, or in trouble today than ever before. Statistics on illegitimate births, social diseases, broken marriages, sex deviation, alcoholism, drug addiction, and crimes of passion are appalling.

Is the human race hopelessly depraved?
Can anything change man?
What is the answer?

Is it education? Education may enlighten us, but it cannot save us. Some men considered to be scholarly and cultured have been cruel. Education is not the answer.

Can science save us? Science may teach us many things about God, but it also increases our capacity for brutality and equips us for murder on a wholesale scale (Abortion). Science cannot and does not save. In fact, science has created a world in which Christianity is imperative.

Can the law save us? We have found that although men spend millions and write pacts to guarantee the peace of the world, they are often no more than scraps of paper to be trampled under by godless nations.

Someone has given us this formula:

  • "God added to this world makes peace; God added to human life makes happiness.
  • God subtracted from this wicked world leaves war; God subtracted from human life leaves hell."

What we need is not so much reformation as it is regeneration.

New birth can change our lives. "Verily, verily I say unto thee, except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3)

"As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:14-15)

Don't let God be a stranger in your life.
Mimi

references:James P. Wesberry; Broadman press; allposters

8 comments:

Melissa said...

The formula reminds me of a bumper sticker I've seen around here occasionally.

No God, no peace; Know God, know peace.

Tracy said...

Life is so empty with out God. As Jesus said in John 14:6 I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.

If one takes Jesus out of the picture then Satan has his way. It is the enemy's plan to steal, kill, and to destroy by keeping people in sin and bondage. But God to has a plan... Freedom, healing and abundant life. It is man's choice.

In my mind an easy choice, but Satan does tend to keep people in bondage in thinking there is no other way.

Good Post. :)

Denise said...

Such a wonderful, and powerful post. I am so glad I have Jesus in my life. Bless you lovely one.

Beka said...

Wow-- this is so true, Mimi. It makes my heart ache so much for those all around us who are dead and blind in their sins.

Thanks for your sweet words over at my place today. Sorry I haven't been over here to visit you in such a long time! I haven't been on the computer much lately because things have been so busy. But I hope you and your dear husband are well, and that you are knowing God's peace and joy.

Lots of love,
Beka

Mike Golch said...

God so loved man that he gave his only Son to die for our sins.not just than,now and for evermore.all we have to do is let him in our lives and will will be save.
Satin cannot take that away.

Saija said...

that was a good devotional ...
the Lord has blessed me so much - with His Word ... the Holy Spirit living within me ... Jesus saving my very soul ... i would be a lost woman if God were a stranger ...

Unknown said...

I loved yor post, it is so true! I love the NY lights picture.

~~Deby said...

oh this is so so true..
Excellant post.
Deby