I don’t usually address miscellaneous events that get my attention, but these just jumped
out at me. I am not referring to national events. Most are local that I feel have a message for each us.KEEP THE CHANGE YOU FILTHY ANIMAL (You might recall this phrase from the movie Home
Alone.)
Since I’m retired, I’m the
designated grocery shopper for the family. I’ve done this for several years now
and probably know where items are as well or better than the employees of the
stores I visit. It’s not uncommon for me to visit two or even three stores to
purchase our groceries and household items. It all depends on who has the
better quality and lower prices. By the way, lower prices aren’t always the
best buy. To me at least, quality often wins out.
Anyway, after checking out at
one national chain grocery store one morning I was surprised to learn that they
no longer give any change, such as; pennies, nickels, dimes, etc., only paper
money. Oh yes, this chain store and others are also allowing the customer to
round up their cash purchase to the nearest dollar, but why won’t they round
down instead?
Just minutes ago, I read that
if a business in West Virginia wants to ban cash (paper money and coins) due to
COVID-19, it is allowed. The business or businesses must post a notice on their
storefront in order to not violate the Consumer Protection Act and other laws.
So far, no businesses have followed suit.
I don’t know about you but I
smell a rat. My sniffer may not be as sharp in my older years, but even I can
smell the pungent stink of ‘control of the masses.’ It makes me think of the
death-angel mist seen in the movie Ten Commandments, as it slowly creeps from
house to house.
APPOINTMENT WITH DEATH
The Bible says, “And as it is
appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” (Hebrews 9:27)
It is now mid-week, and
already, this week, one man was killed while mowing. His riding mower fell over
on him. Another man died when his UTV that he was riding hit a tree. A woman
was drowned while swimming in a pond.
I may be wrong, but I believe
all three of these deaths occurred Tuesday of this week. It is so sad when
hearing of someone dying. My first thought is “Were they saved?” Then I think
of their family.
All three of these deaths
were obviously unexpected.
Each of them got out of bed
that morning not knowing that it would be their last day on this earth.
One man walked out of his
house, got on his riding mower to mow the grass, and his own mower killed him.
Another man walked out of his
house, got on his UTV for a day of enjoyment and was killed by the very thing
that brought him happiness.
A woman leaves her house and
decides to go swimming in the pond, only to never touch land again … alive.
I believe I would be safe in
saying that these freak accidents happen quite often around here, especially in
the summer time. For example, it seems all too common to hear or read of a body
being recovered from Lake Cumberland or Laurel Lake.
How many left their house
that morning and were ready to meet God?
It is now just a few days
later and another man has died instantly when he rode his motorcycle into a
tree. On the same day, a second man died instantly when he drove his car into a
tree.
Folks, death can come without
warning to any of us. Are you prepared to meet God?
WHO IS YOUR HERO?
My wife and I watched a movie
one evening called Seven Pounds. Will Smith played a fellow named Ben who chose
to do something very good for seven people. I won’t reveal any more about it in
case you might want to watch it also. (You may want to click the fast-forward
button at one point, as we did.)
I will say that the receivers
of his gifts were very grateful, as would be expected. Have you ever considered
how grateful we, who have received the greatest gift of all, should be?
God came down to earth, was
born of a virgin, and lived among us. As a side thought, think about this. He
is the only baby who ever named Himself before He was even born. (Luke 1:31)
That isn’t all. He also died for our sins, was buried and rose on the third day
so that you and I could be saved if we would believe in Him. (1 Corinthians
15:3-4)
What Jesus did for us can’t
be topped by any act by anyone. Every morning I awake I am thankful that I belong
to God Almighty, and it’s all possible because of what Jesus did for me … and
you. It really doesn’t matter what happens with me today, because I know I am
in His hands, and there is no safer place to be.
I must mention a brave little
boy named Bridger Walker. He is from Wyoming and he is six years old. You may
have read about him.
Apparently a German Shepherd
mix lunged at his four year old sister. Little Bridger shielded his sister and took
her place as he was viciously attacked. He had to undergo a two hour surgery
that required 90 stitches to his face. His dad asked him why he jumped in
between his sister and the dog. His response was, “If someone had to die, I
thought it should be me.”
Of course you know where I’m
going with this. Sin has attacked every person born upon this earth (except
Jesus). On the cross of Golgotha (Calvary), Jesus jumped between us and the
hounds from hell and took our place. Only He who is without sin, could pay our
debt. God had to judge sin and Jesus took all the wrath of His own Father upon
Himself for us. Jesus is my Hero. Is He yours?
“You were dead because of
your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made
you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of
the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this
way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly
by his victory over them on the cross.” (Colossians 2:13-15)
These verses are only
applicable to those who know they are sinners and have put their trust in Jesus
to save them. I have done so. Have you? We don’t know what tomorrow will bring.
We don’t even know what today will bring, but if we have Jesus in our hearts,
we have nothing to fear and everything to look forward to.
Grant Phillips
Email: Phillip5769@twc.com
Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
Rapture Ready: http://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html
