Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving where there are epic deals that start off the holiday season. However, this holiday season is not what several families expected.
A janitor working his shift at a Virginia Walmart. A 40-year-old woman returning home to Colorado Springs for the holidays. A young man at his girlfriend's side, watching her friend perform in a drag show. Three college football players. A mother who worked to help foster children. One bartender who remembered your drink and another who danced. White and black, gay and straight, old and young. The collection of the newly dead from just three of this month's mass shootings are the very picture of the ideals - inclusivity, setting aside differences - that America prides itself on at this time each November. Four-teen people who did not know their last Thanksgiving was already behind them.
Do you believe in evil? Whether you do or not, evil exists.
Besides the three shootings mentioned in that article there has been Darrell Brooks who recently had his trial for the 2021 Waukesha, Wisconsin Christmas parade attack that killed six and injured over sixty people. I watched the victim impact statements; he rolled his eyes, he laughed; there was no remorse for his evil act.
In the UK a heartbreaking story of an unidentified baby who was found in a recycling yard and laid to rest.
For several days I have been listening to the latest on Chad Daybell and Lori Vallow Daybell. Chad has been accused of murdering his wife, Tammy. Both Chad and Lori have been accused of murdering Lori's two children, 16-year-old Rylee Ryan and 7-year-old Joshua "JJ" Vallow. Prior to this Lori's husband was killed by her brother, Alex, who has since committed suicide.
I know this is morbid stuff to be reading, listening, and watching, however, I have always been fascinated with trials and forensics science.
Michael Wilson, the writer of 'After 3 Mass Shootings, a Thanksgiving With 14 Empty Chairs', wrote this line in his article "White and black, gay and straight, old and young." I would add saved and unsaved: white and black, gay and straight, old and young, saved and unsaved. Many people probably don't even think about whether a person is saved or not. I often think about it when I hear of someone dying. There is no hope after death. The person has already made their decision.
Most people wonder 'why do bad things happen to good people?"
Why not? Bad things happen because of sin, which is due to the fall of man. We are not good, and we deserve God's wrath. No one is good.
"As it is written, THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS NOT EVEN ONE; THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE." Romans 3:10-12
Satan is our enemy,
"be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8b
The Bible tells us in Matthew 5:45b "for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."
As Christians we are not exempt from bad things happening, like cancer, accidents, tornados, and shootings. Perhaps we should ask the question "Why do good things happen to bad people?" The answer would be the same.
I like to watch a YouTube channel called "Active Self Protection." On many of the video the host of the channel will end with talking about spiritual fitness, "Make sure every day you've said everything you need to say to your loved ones. That they know you love them and that you have solved any conflicts and that your relationship with Jesus is strong. You may not get the opportunity to do so. You have to have them ready; you may not get another chance."
Somethings to think about.
ADMIT I am a sinner
REPENT turn from your sin
BELIEVE Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and was resurrected
TRUST & OBEY Jesus' teachings
1 John 1:8-9
If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Romans 10:9
That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
1 Peter 2:24
and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.
John 3:36
He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.
2 John 1:9
Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teachings of Christ, does not have God, the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.
1Peter 1:17-19
If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
1 Peter 4:17
For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
And one last thing to remember is that God is always with us.
Matthew 28:20b
I am with you always even to the end of this age.
November 25, 2022
