Inspiration Thursday

I have grown weary of seeing our flag at half-staff. I have tired of seeing ambulances, hearing sirens, and listening to detailed reports of yet another tragedy that has taken innocent lives far too soon. We can blame ideologies, weapons, abuse of power, or any number of things for such behavior, but the truth is, this is a heart issue. Slowly but surely our country has lost it's heart for life. We no longer respect life or consider it precious. If some people feel abused, bullied, or greatly offended by another person or group, that appears to be, to them, justification for taking the life of people they don't even know. 
We have abandoned the Creator of life and determined that His teachings are not relevant to us and not worthy of passing to our children and the world around us. God's Word teaches us, "the LORD God formed man out of the clay of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and so man became a living being." (Genesis 2:7) Man did not create life and he has no authority to take life from another innocent human being.
We have become an angry nation. We are angry with the government, we are angry with terror, and we are angry with each other. Take heed of these words, "an ill-tempered man stirs up disputes, and a hotheaded man is the cause of many sins." (Proverbs 29:22). Behind each of the horrible acts that we have witnessed these past few weeks, you will find a furious human being. 
The answer to our problems does not lie in the government. It does not lie in gun control, revised immigration regulations or any other unenforceable concept debated and made law. The answer lies in the heart. When we realize that we were created by a loving God, "I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;" (Psalm 139:4), to live according to His will, then and only then will we find the peace that passes all understanding. Christ Himself said that He came so that we might experience the abundant life and He is the only way to have that experience. So what can you do? Pray! Pray that God's people with repent and return to Him. Pray that your family knows Christ as their personal Savior. Pray that your next door neighbor has a personal relationship with Christ and if not, pray that someone will share the Love of the Creator with them (that might be you).  Pray for your local, state and federal government. Remember, God promised that, "He hears the prayer of the righteous." (Proverbs 15:29). Have a blessed day.