Who Cares?

 Who Cares? - Nathele Graham - twotug@embarqmail.comssa There are many things in life that can wear away at our nerves and emotionally drain us. Jobs, family, and even hobbies can claim every minute of our time and get in the wayof our relationship with Christ. These things, in and of themselves, aren't bad. Unfortunately, when we're too busy we can become frustrated and discouraged. That may lead to a mind set of "Who cares"? Like dominoes falling, your life will begin to fall ina downward spiral into despair. Your job may suffer, which leads to your being fired, and your marriage and family may suffer because you become withdrawn. Then what? These troubles weigh on your emotions and again you think "Who cares". The simple fact isGod cares. Ask yourself how many of the pressures in life are from God? None are. God created the world and all that we need for life. “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. Allthings were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” John 1:1-4. These verses, of course, refer to Jesus, God incarnate. It has been Satan’s goal to separate mankind from God. Thinkof all the things that stop you from fellowship with God. Sports, video games, television, and many other things come between us and our Creator. None of them are mentioned in the creation account in Genesis. Trust me, God didn’t create baseball or video games.People need to take time to rest from life’s pressures and to have time with God. Families need to spend time together in God’s word instead of being separated by things of the world. No matter how much you love a particular hobby, take time to allow yourthoughts to be filled with Jesus. Instead of becoming a couch potato, pick up your Bible, go outside and sit on your porch, and begin reading. You’ll find that God cares for you and gave His life for your salvation. The Psalms were written by men who spenttime with God and knew how important it was to know His ways. "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wonderous things out of thy law." Psalm 119:18. Christians aren’t under the Jewish Law, but we are under God’s Law. The Apostle Paul makes it clear that theLaw was a teacher. “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” Galatians 3:24-25. A child goes to school and learns the ABCs, thenbuilds upon knowledge until graduation. Those basics of education are never outdated. So, it is with God’s truth. God’s standards taught in the Old Testament are not outdated. Putting other gods before the one true God is still a sin, murder is still sin,adultery is still a sin, and so on. Faith in Christ doesn’t change the fact that sin is still sin, but that faith brings forgiveness. The more time you spend in God’s word, the more convinced you will become of the fact that He loves you and cares for you. King David and the other Psalmists understood howimportant it is to walk with God. “ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.” Psalm 119:1-2. The Hebrew word “eser” is translated “blessed”, and means happy or happiness. When you walk in the way of the Lord, you’ll find great happiness. Any unhappiness you may feel when walking the strait and narrow path only comes from allowing Satan to tempt you to sin. You may be walking barefoot down thatpath of righteousness. You need God’s armor. “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;” Ephesians 6:15. Make God’s way, your way by studying His word and applying it to your life. We all make choices in life, and if we choose to fight against God, we fight a losing battle. He cares about all of His creation, and mostly cares for people. “Behold thefowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” Matthew 6:26. Birds are beautiful and add music to nature with their songs. God provides them with food,but they never sit back and wait for the food to come to them. They do what they can, and God provides. The welfare system of today takes dignity from people and disallows the satisfaction of earning a living, which adds to discouragement. Since God caresfor the birds, how much more does He care for you? You need to do your part. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33. Are you discouraged in life? Stop seeking your own way,and start seeking God’s kingdom. Then be content with what He provides. Our salvation is a free gift from God; no works on our part is involved in salvation. Once we understand our need for Jesus, then a change should take place and our desireis to walk in His ways. “BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.” Psalm 119:9-10. Young men, old men, young women,and old women all need to measure our lives by God’s standards, not by the ways of the world. The Holy Spirit will guide you as you study Scripture from Genesis through Revelation. You are never too old to become a child of the King. Many pulpits today havepreachers who don’t want anybody to feel uncomfortable, so God’s word is watered down. Sin is not an issue to these pastors. The congregation may fill the collection plate with money, but it would be much better to preach God’s truth line upon line ratherthan allow sin to flourish. “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” Romans 10:14. Many pastors will have a lot to answer forwhen standing before Christ. So will their congregations. If you are a person who thinks “Who cares if I cheat on my wife?” or “Who cares if my life is filled with things of the world?”, then you need to know the truth. God cares.The Genesis account of Creation is the truth. Evolution is a lie. God designed the earth, the sun, and all of creation to support life. Zebras, cattle, and birds were created by God, but only Adam was created in His image. Are you teaching that truth to yourchildren? Or do you think “Who cares? It isn’t a big deal”? Do some research and you’ll find that believing the lie that you evolved from a monkey brings about the idea that you don’t matter and nobody cares. On the other hand, knowing that God not only caredenough to provide all that’s necessary for life, and that He also cared enough to set rules, gives you purpose in life. It’s a sad truth that all of us sin. Some sin seems worse than other sin, but to God all sin is worthy of death. That may seem harsh, butHe has done everything to let us know what is and isn’t sin, so it’s a choice we make when we ignore His word. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23. God didn’t leave us in our sin.Jesus was God incarnate and entered His creation to give us the only way of salvation through faith in His death, burial, and resurrection. “And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which diedfor them and rose again.” 2 Corinthians 5:15. Live for Him instead of living for yourself. Instead of watching your favorite sports team on television, organize a Bible study with your family or with friends. Maybe even at a homeless shelter where many peopleare in dire need of hope that’s only found through Christ. Many people face depression because they have all the things money can buy, but they don’t know about Jesus. “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world,and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:26. Is there someone you care about who desperately needs to know Jesus? If so, do you want them to continue in sin with no hope of salvation? Tell them about Jesus. Theyhave a choice and you can’t force anyone to believe, but if you don’t share the Gospel then you take away their choice. The psalmist, who lived long before Christ, understood how important it was to serve God and share His truth. “With my whole heart haveI sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD; teach me thy statutes.” Psalm 119:10-12. God cares, but most people ignore Him. Seek Him with your wholeheart and then live your life as a living sacrifice. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1. If you’re embracing sin,you aren’t being a living sacrifice for Christ. You’re not seeking Him with your whole heart. Are you living “in sin” with your girlfriend or boyfriend? If you claim to be a Christian then shame on you. Are you unequally yoked in any relationship, whetherpersonal or business, with a non-Christian? "Be not deceived: Evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.". 1 Corinthians 15:33. Get out of unequal partnershipsso the ways of the world won’t corrupt your Christian walk. Better yet, witness to the non-believer about Christ. God does care. You matter to Christ. He didn’t enter His creation only to heal the lame, or give sight to the blind. Those miracles were added benefits. He entered His creation to give Hislife as the perfect and final sacrifice to take your sin away if you place your faith in Him. If you keep holding onto your sin or keep taking it back, you will be continually in despair. Who cares? God cares. God bless you all, Nathele Graham