1. Obama to Speak to School ChildrenToday, President Obama is going to formally address all grade students in the country. I understand that this has never been done before. Of course, some are appalled at the notion, and others are elated. Some say that it's nothing more than a gimmick to usher our students in the direction of liberalism, while still others say that it's mighty incredible for a president to take a few moments out of his busy schedule to encourage the children of our nation. Regardless of where you and I stand on this issue, the fact remains that a one of the most powerful people in the world is going to send his voice out over the airwaves, in hopes that students will listen attentively. This reminds me of what God does every single day. God, being the ULTIMATE of powers, sends his widsom and instruction out every day - towards those of us who are willing to listen and grasp what he is saying! Speak of being incredible, it doesn't get more incredible than this! Just check out today's Proverb (Proverbs 8), which declares that God's wisdom is calling out to all mankind. Proverbs 8 tells us that God's wisdom and understanding is always right and true, and it's more precious than the greatest wealth in the world. Moreover, Proverbs 8 declares that those who seek God's wisdom will find it! James 1:5 echos those same sentiments: "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." God's word is always available to us, his throne is always open to us through prayer (Hebrews 4:16), and his Holy Spirit is always there to guide us. God's wisdom is available; it's at our spiritual fingertips, per se. Will we allow God to instruct us, or will we ignore what he's saying? Students will make that choice today, concerning President Obama. You and I make that choice everyday, concerning God's daily dishing of wisdom and guidance! God's wisdom is calling ....are you listening?
2. UK Teenagers Accused of Plotting 'Greatest Massacre Ever'
I recently read that earlier this year, two UK teens were caught planning to imitate the Columbine massacre on the ten year anniversary of the tragic event. Evidence was found depicting the plans and ideas of these two students; they had wanted the massacre to include hundreds of deaths - to be bigger and much more devastating than the Columbine event. Also, they kept pictures of the Columbine murderers with them, as they disgustingly looked towards these two killers as their personal heroes. It amazes me who and what people choose to imitate nowadays, and who they make their heroes. We as Christ-followers are called to "imitate" what is "good instead of evil" (3 John 1:11). In fact, we should strive to imitate God, as he said, "Be holy, because I am holy. (1 Peter 5:16). Christ is our hero, and we should strive to clothe ourselves in him (Romans 13:14), make our attitudes like his (Philippians 2:5), and to do greater things (collectively) than Christ did when he was ministering in the flesh on this earth (John 14:12)! The two students arrested in the UK were planning to go all-out in memory of their heroes on a certain anniversary, but we should determine to live "all-out" for Christ on the daily anniversaries of the moment he first began his radical work within us (1 Corinthians 5:17). Don't just live for him only a couple of times a year (Eater and Christmas). Don't think you're doing well if you live for him one day a week (on Sundays). Live to imitate your hero everyday, and all the time!
3. Man Arrested for Slapping Stranger's Crying Child in WALMART
Recently, a mom and her young daughter were in WALMART, and the little girl (two or three years old, if I'm not mistaken) was being loud and whiney, as little ones can certainly be. Unfortunately, some maniac of a man walked up to the mother and said, "If you don't shut up your child, I'll do it for you!" The mom, for reasons I don't understand, ignored the man entirely. Moments later, the strange man walked over to the toddler and slapped her five times across the face, at which the child began to cry and scream even louder than before. The good news: the man is going to jail (maybe for many years, as it was reported), and the girl had no permanent injuries - just a very red face immediately after the incident. This terrible little story reminds me of how people let anger get the best of them sometimes. This man obviously had issues in addition to anger that he was dealing with, but sometimes the best of Christ-followers (who would certainly never come close to replicating the actions of the maniac in this story) do and say things out of anger because we allow our circumstances to frustrate us to the point of emotional upheaval! Perhaps this is why the Bible's Paul warns us: "In your anger, do not sin" (Ephesians 4:6). Too bad most of us (if not all of us) have slapped someone across the face emotionally, as we've uttered things we later wish we could take back. Sometimes we slap people across the face in a way much worse than physically when we do things that bring them such pain, disappointment, and incredible hurt. Perhaps we would do well to allow this crazy WALMART story to remind us to keep our anger (and our attitudes altogether) in check ...before circumstances that we don't like bring us to go over the top. Maybe you're thinking of someone you've recently slapped in the face with your words or deeds; maybe you're heartbroken about what you've done and you wish to "fix" the situation and make it like it never happened. Well, the Bible says that you should immediately reconcile with the person you've wronged. In fact, it should take predence above and beyond everything else - just look at Matthew 5:24! You can certainly go to the one you've wronged and try to make things right. Moreover, you can always seek forgiveness from God as well (1 John 1:9). If this is you, this morning you should put "reconciliation" on the very TOP of your to-do list!
