‘Why do I care?’

Why should you care?

The world will do what the world will do – it always has and always will.

You can’t stop it. So why be concerned about the world’s problems – all the sin and lost people out there?

Because everyone you encounter in life, everyone you know and love, is headed to one of two places when they leave this earth.

Death leads only to hell or heaven – eternal suffering separated from God or eternal bliss in the presence of God.

Romans 3:23 (KJV) – “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

There is only one way to Heaven.

John 14:6 (KJV) – “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

And, disciple, be very clear that everyone you encounter in life – no matter how good or bad they are on this earth – and everyone you know and love, Jesus loves them.

God our Savior wants everyone in Heaven with Him for all eternity.

1 Timothy 2:4 (KJV) – “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

But everyone has a choice.

And we’re here to help people with the opportunity to choose living forever with God over suffering for eternity in the afterlife.

Now, disciple, who can you care about today?

3 Questions for now

Caring for people in this world can be tough.

Some of them, most of us wouldn’t invite over for dinner.

But Jesus loves them. We need to share with them when we can.

We may be the only ones who ever try.

Care as care you can, and start a conversation:

• Do you really mean that you hate all those people? Here’s what I’ve found that is more powerful than hate.

• You seem overly angry, is everything alright?

• Do you really feel that taking striking back against someone will make you feel better? Here’s what I’ve found that is more powerful than that.

We’re always just a few simple questions and offerings of support to gaining an opportunity to share some of Jesus’ love and forgiveness.

Be kind. Love others. Be bold.

Shawn’s noodling rant:

(“Noodling” is a term I swiped from my mentor. The meaning is to “ponder” or “think deeply about” a topic that God is challenging us with through scripture or the Holy Spirit, or both.)

World on fast-moving ‘Highway to Hell’

What is a lifestyle theme that permeates culture across generations and reveals where this world is living and where people are headed?

“Livin' easy, lovin' free
Season ticket on a one-way ride
Askin' nothin', leave me be
Takin' everything in my stride

“Don't need reason, don't need rhyme
Ain't nothin' I'd rather do
Goin' down, party time
My friends are gonna be there too, yeah

“I'm on the highway to hell
On the highway to hell
Highway to hell
I'm on the highway to hell”

--- “Highway to Hell,” AC/DC, July, 1979

You don’t have to admit it to anyone but yourself, but most any Boomer or Gen Xer will know the essential lyrics to this song. Even younger generations are singing it loudly thanks to this tune thriving on social media.

This was one of the rally cries of a rebellious generation, and the words give insight into the mindset of people today across the world.

Why quote these lyrics from a band reveling in a time of worshiping sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll?

Funny thing is, these lyrics expose biblical truths that not even the authors of the rhyme know what it means. And the essence of this rebellious cry permeates the world today.

Matthew 7:13-14 (KJV) – “13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

As I’ve said, everyone is on a road in this life to a final destination – hell or heaven.

Everyone we know and love who is not a believer is on a direct path to hell.

Proverbs 14:12 (KJV) – “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

Our job is to care about them and offer them something more than hollow lyrics of a lifestyle headed for damnation.

Our calling – as a born-again believer – is to help them find the exit on this hellish road that leads to salvation through Jesus Christ.

Psalm 103:10-11 (KJV) – “10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.”

Romans 5:8 (KJV) – “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

The exit guide that helps those on the road to hell gain salvation lies in us.

You, disciple, are the guide with the map to help lead them to change their path to eternity.

The map is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Now, disciple, who can you guide today toward a path that gets them off the highway to hell?