Desperate Times

Turn on the news, national or local, and there is just all kinds of bad news right now. Homes are being foreclosed. Unemployment numbers are on the rise. Banks and other lenders are hurting. The stock market is completely unstable. Credit is scarce. Families are struggling to make ends meet. Grocery costs are mounting. Heating and electricity bills are ramping up. Businesses are struggling to stay afloat. Pensions are being cut. Jobs are being lost. People are hurting...really hurting.

These are desperate and dire times, and the truth is that things may get worse in the months ahead. BUT, and don’t you just love that word...BUT in the midst of these harsh circumstances, there is a light still blazing strong, THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. GOD has not changed. GOD is still in control. GOD is still sovereign. GOD is still working miracles, still providing hope, still showing HIS unconditional love for mankind every moment. HE is unmoveable, steadfast and sure, but HE is not untouchable, not void of feeling or compassion. HE knows our struggles. HE knows our pain, our hurt, our losses. HIS love knows no bounds, and HE will provide. HE always provides.

And we, meaning the church, need to be providing evidence of that love. We need to point the way to the LIGHT, guide people to the SOURCE, direct them to the ultimate HEALER. We need to be the hands and feet of GOD’s love in action, demonstrating the love of our gracious Heavenly FATHER to the world around us. We need to step up our efforts to help those in need and lay the credit at our KING’s feet. We need to give of our money, our possessions, our time and our gifts.

Matthew 5:14-16 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

LORD, show me how I can make a difference, how I can help those in need and direct them back to YOU. LORD, please guide me so I reflect YOUR LIGHT!!