IN MY READINGS THIS MONTH I looked over the political ranting, the financial ramblings, social ruckus, and religious ruse that appears to have become the norm and was saddened by how sin has overtaken society.  Right has become wrong, bad is good, wisdom has flown the coop, and overall everyone is flying solo doing their own thing.  In Matthew 24 Jesus warned that sin would increase and intensify until it reaches a peak where even the strongest of Christian would cave-in to the pressure if that were possible (Matthew 24:24).  Are we watching over our own souls, examining ourselves daily, and upholding all things in prayer?  There is no doubt that our present age demands that we don't slack up, but be even more-- "so much the more" about watching and praying as the darkness continues its path toward total blindness. 

It is also heartbreaking to look into our cities and  wonder where the light--Christians--are.  How many times have I been approached with the gospel as I am out and about?  In our present city of about twelve thousand people, not once.  There are certainly a lot of buildings with the name "church" in our town, but where are the people with the gospel tracts, street preaching, and door-to-door evangelism?  Where are the people with the name "Christian" in my daily associations?  I am sure there must be those who do those things, but I have yet to encounter them.  Truly the words of Jesus are true as he told his disciples, "the harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few." (Matthew 9:37)  Quite a difference from the time I was a boy growing up in Southern Ohio when an encounter with the zealous Christian was almost a daily event.

In these dark days we need to be more about the business of God, striving  to understand the admonition of Daniel the prophet to do exploits and to instruct many. (Daniel 11:32-33)  What does it mean to do exploits?  What does it mean to instruct others?  Let the light of the Holy Spirit open your eyes, open your understanding, open your passion, and move you to action.  It is not the hearers of God's word that are God's children, but the doers:  "Therefore whoseoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock." (Matthew 7:24)

LAST THOUGHTS
In light of the darkness described above, we must search ourselves and learn what it truly means to be a Christian powered by the Holy Spirit.  We must learn what it means to forsake all (Luke 14:26-27, 33)and to deny ourselves. (Mark 8:34)  I could certainly give you my ramblings as to what that means, but what good would that really do?  Let the light of the Holy Spirit open your eyes, open your understanding, open your passion, and move you to action.