World In Turmoil

“AS THE WORLD “SQUIRMS,” DO YOU?”

 I did a sermon with that title back in 2015. I find it a bit sad that I can still use that title today.
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• I am sure you’ve noticed the unstable situation in our world/country today
• The corona virus and its physical and economic problems
• The protests and riots after the death of George Floyd
• Our country’s moral decline is still ripping us apart
• The Middle East is still war-torn and troubled
• There is unresolved agitation with China and Russia
• Our turbulent immigration and border problems have slowed somewhat with the virus problem but are still brewing in the distance
• The inability of countries to ferret out terrorists who may be pouring over their borders (including ours)

Kind of bleak…but…not really!

With all that in mind, I want you to read Psalm 27. THIS IS MY FOUNDATIONAL PREPARATION FOR WHAT LIES AHEAD, AND I HOPE IT IS YOURS.

Read Psalm 27

But we have a basic difficulty, a rock in the road, so to speak. It’s called the Adam nature; and we can see it in the raw in the news every night.

Galatians 5:19-21 could be a summary of a video in a major city during the riots, or even every day in some crime-riddled areas of large and small cities alike.

The deeds of the flesh are evident:
• Immorality
• Impurity
• Sensuality
• Idolatry
• Sorcery
• Enmities
• Strife
• Jealousy
• Outbursts of anger
• Disputes
• Dissensions
• Factions
• Envyings
• Drunkenness
• Carousing

And those that practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Geez, pretty straight forward!

But what we ALL are longing for, from deep within, are really the FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT which are noted in verses 22-23 of Galations 5:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, SELF-CONTROL. There is no law against these things.”

If I joined a combo protest/riot out there tonight, holding up that sign, how far do you think I’d get?!

The verse goes on to tell us to crucify the flesh with its passions and desires and that when you live by the Spirit of God, you’ll walk out your life by that same Spirit, thus bringing the above listing into each and every situation. That sure sounds better than shooting, looting, breaking windows and starting fires.

Hmm…one is total destruction…one is total construction! Sounds like the devil is stirring it all up again…he destroys but God builds.

I would like to propose that we continue (or, for some, start) to live lives full of:
• Respect
• Kindness
• Compassion
• Humility
• Repentance
• Forgiveness
• And things like these

We must strive to live like that, especially with a growing racial divide in our country. The current climate, atmosphere and circumstances creates an exciting opportunity for change though.

I think people have forgotten something – being White or Black or Hispanic or Asian or any other race or combination was NOT A CHOICE. But the previously-mentioned way of living IS A CHOICE YOU CAN MAKE!

Now, I’d love to be able to say, “JUST DO IT!” But NONE OF US can “JUST DO IT”. Because of the Adam nature we were born with, we cannot “JUST DO IT”. The broken Adam nature is low level, faulty in all areas and can’t reach the levels of the fruit of the Spirit.

That is why it is imperative to take a moment in time and just acknowledge for once that YOU are NOT GOD. Ask the real God, not the religious gods of this world, but the One, Almighty, True God to forgive you for all you have done. Ask Jesus to come into your heart and be what runs the engine of your life. Ask Him to be the fuel that keeps you going. Remember, His fire doesn’t burn anything down…HIS FIRE PURIFIES.

Once you have done that, you have His Spirit in you. Now you have a fighting chance! Go out there and change the world…starting with yourself and your family first. Be lifted up, be encouraged. This is an exciting time to live…to be used of God. But, to be used of God, you need to be full of God and not the deeds of the flesh.

Stand fast in Jesus…so you won’t squirm, as the world will.

God bless!

NOW GO LIVE IT!

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