From what they tell us, this could be "Black Friday." Many who have their finger on the pulse of the stock market (not a safe place to have your finger, like sticking your hand by the mouth of a rattle snake) have gloomy forecasts for the world. The numbers are causing widespread panic. The idol of money is made of clay – it's raining.
I heard a story on the news this morning about the new "ghost towns." People who are losing their homes are packing their car and leaving. Complete sub-divisions are being left vacant. They don't have the money for a moving truck to keep all their "valuables -" so they leave... they leave all the stuff. The idol of possessions is made of clay – it's raining.
I watched a debate where two people promised to end "pork barrel" spending in government and then take time off from promise making to go to Washington to vote for a bailout plan that was filled with "pork". Then they went right back to make promises to not do what they just did. The idol of political ideology is made of clay – it's raining.
I had lunch with a group of pastors yesterday. One of them confessed they were disillusioned with what pastor's have been taught to work for, organize for, and go to conferences to be trained for. What he said was missing in our pulpits and pews is a filling of our spirits with the Spirit of God. The idol of mans effort is made of clay – it's raining.
I've talked with a hand full of people who are facing major upheaval in their relationships and priorities. They have been tasting from the buffet of desires that they have paid a high price to be able to feast from. They have lifted their face from the plate long enough to see that it is not satisfying and its promises are little more than empty claims. The idol of selfishness is made of clay – it's raining.
I got an email about one of the candidates for President being the anti-Christ. This is confusing to me because I got one earlier about one of the other candidates who was the anti-Christ. I'm glad we have such discerning minds interpreting the signs of the times for us (ok, that wasn't nice – if they keep saying that, one of these times they're bound to be right). Many place their feet in the starting blocks to proclaim the end of the world and the return of Christ while refusing to live like the Christ they are attempting to proclaim. The idol of religious pride is made of clay – it's raining.
"Lord, may the rain of Your Spirit reveal what is made of clay. May my life be built on the solid rock of Your truth. May the people I worship with be blessed with a spirit of generosity during crisis and a spirit of confidence during panic. May our hero's be seen as frauds and our pat answers be put to the test. Lord, may You cause the church to wake up and fight the real fight of faith not wasting our time on battles of pride and self promotion."
Isaiah 32:17
The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.
2 Peter 3:10-11
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives.
Today is a great day to live the hope you have in Christ not money, possessions, political ideology, mans effort, selfishness, or religious pride. Someone you know needs to see what that looks like.
Sunday is about hope! Bring a friend and hang on!
Loving this day,
Pastor Dave
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