We've Got Problems

 Yesterday marked a dark and deadly day in these United States of America.  19 children and 2 adults (at last count) were murdered in cold blood, by gunshot, in an ELEMENTARY SCHOOL in Uvalde, TX (near San Antonio).  The shooter was an 18 year old local boy who went to the local high school.  The story is that he got up and killed his grandmother, then headed to the elementary school and started executing these precious babies -- 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders - enjoying the last two days of school before summer break.  These are 19 beds that were empty last night; 19 little laughing voices that weren't heard around the breakfast table this morning.

"Why?"   "How could this happen?"

We will hear (and did hear last night from the White House) that what we need is . . .  GUN REFORM!

Others will say that what we need is better MENTAL HEALTH services!

And for now, lets just say "OK, lets look and strengthen gun laws that need to be shored up.  Let's seek to do a better job helping the folks with mental illness -- recognizing and treating."  

I will go along with hardening the "soft" targets, like schools.

But let's look deeper, because there is a deep problem in our country.  Its an issue that Washington and self-serving politicians cannot and will not solve -- they are part of the problem.  

The problem we have is that we as a nation have turned our backs on God.  There is no fear of God.  We don't want to acknowledge God.  We want to worship and serve the creature, not the Creator.  That is SIN.  And the wages of sin is death.

Death of the individual, of the family, of the church, of society.

"What can we do?"

God so loved this world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.  Jesus Christ came that we might have LIFE.  The enemy, the devil, Satan, the evil one -- seeks only to steal, kill and destroy.

Turn from your sin -- yes your sin -- not the neighbors sin, not the liberal politician's sin, not the Hollywood star's sin, but its gotta start with the man in the mirror.  Repent of your sin.  Ask God's forgiveness.  Trust that Jesus died for your sins (He paid your penalty of sin, died your death on the cross) and will save you and reconcile you with a holy and just God.  Then follow Him - everyday with all of your life.  Be His disciple.

For the church in America -- we MUST shine the light of Jesus Christ in the darkness.  In the communities, in the barrios, in the slums and projects, in the country clubs and halls of power, in the homes and schools and prisons and hospitals.  Get out of the salt shaker,  and be salt in a decayed, corrupt culture.  Be busy bringing glory to God by sharing the love of Jesus with the world.

I'm convinced the greatest problem in our country is spiritual.  We must turn to the Lord our God - humbly and sincerely.