Its like nothing most of us have ever experienced. Over the last 10 years there have been scores and scores of movies telling of a post-apocalyptic world where disaster strikes and the life of the citizens of the world becomes very difficult. Unless you are nearly 90 and lived through World War II you probably haven't experienced anything like what's going on this last week. This is nothing like a nuclear disaster or what some people in this world are experiencing as they try to survive bloody wars. Americans have been asked to sacrifice. Sacrifice their freedom's, entertainment, jobs and other hugely important things. Las Vegas is dark tonight. Really? These days are immense-are they not? What is our response? What should we as believers do? How are we to respond. Let us be peacemakers, let us be "the light" as Jesus would be. Let us not fear but speak of hope.
Hoarding is one of the most selfish actions that I have seen in this last week. This behavior demonstrates a lack of community and caring for others. If you are one of Jesus' I hope this is not you. I hope you would ignore those who have become the most immediate problem for many. In fact, the right response is to give away anything that you have robbed from others in hoarding.
What words give the most comfort in this week like none other? Its the words of Paul from Philippians 1-3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace,[d] both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. I love these brothers in Philippi. They lived in perhaps the most difficult times of all the early believers, yet they were the greatest of all. They lived genuine lives of grace, humility and love. They lived without fear. Paul shows his gratitude for all they did for him and also shows the example that he demonstrates in difficulties in these verses. May we be like the Philippians and Paul during these perilous and difficult times!
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