Perhaps you can agree with me, in view of our successful ability to understand and immerse ourselves in the situation of war, that children of today should not be "shielded" from such events as 9/11, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, etc., and the Unknown Things to Come.

I'm certain you, like I was, were thrilled to rise to the responsibilities of the War Effort - lack of goods in general so the troops could have enough, and outright rationing - gathering scrap metals and paper to recycle for their use - buying war stamps to place in war bonds to fund the war - etc.

Most children then were cognizant of being able to spot an enemy plane as opposed to those of our allies and our own, and practiced air raids and blackouts.

In similar fashion, our own children during the Cold War practiced drills at school to react to possible nuclear attack, and there were many underground or basement shelters with supplies to survive, in case needed.

Today, many are rather complacent, and have not thought of preparing for periods of disruption of access to goods.

It well could happen in a neighborhood near you ---

I have to run, have a great day all!

December 14, 2004

Believing Is Trusting

Read: Romans 5:1-11

I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes. —Romans 1:16

Bible In One Year: Joel 1-3; Revelation 5

Occasionally I meet people who know they have a spiritual need but are reluctant to make a personal commitment to Christ. Although they have seen what faith in Christ has done for others, they are confused by the advice they get from some good churchgoing people.

One man told me he had been advised to join a certain church to be saved. He was told by someone else that he had to be baptized in a particular church. Still others spoke vaguely about trying to obey the Sermon on the Mount. And one of his friends said he needed to go through a period of intense sorrow for sin before he could expect God to save him.

Frankly, I don't blame that confused man for saying to me, "I don't want to read any pamphlets or tracts. Show me right from the Bible how I can be saved." So we started reading passages in Romans and discussing them. By the time we reached the fifth chapter, he said, "It's clear to me now. All I need to do is place my trust in Jesus Christ." He did, and he found peace.

We have saving faith when we believe what the Bible says about us and about Jesus Christ, and when we act upon that truth by placing our trust in Him.

If you have not done so, trust Jesus now. —Herb Vander Lugt

God sent His Son to die for us—
No other life would do;
So why not trust in Christ today,
Accept His gift to you. —Branon

We are saved not by what we do but by trusting what Christ has done.