The Empty Tomb

Today we celebrate the empty tomb.  However, many in the world have tombs that are full of the distractions this world has to offer.  Resurrection Sunday is to reflect and reengage the fullness of Christ and to be reminded that the tomb he was laid to rest in was emptied for us in order to fill us with real life.  Christ emptied tomb removes the sinful traps this world has to offer.  Traps such as sickness, pain, self-destructive habits, bitterness, guilt, lust, greed, addictions, worry, disease, and much more. 

The tomb of Christ when emptied however, offered to us a glimpse of the fullness of real life such as unconditional love,  encouragement, healing, guidance, forgiveness, peace, hope, sustaining faith, comfort, and much more.  When Mary and Martha went to finish the preparing of Jesus' body they were greeted by an angle telling them the tomb where the crucified Christ was lying was empty and He is risen just like he said it would happen. 

When I read this account (in Matthew 28) I picture that the stone in in front of the grave was the blocking of real life until that stone was rolled away.  You see we allow the world to keep the stone in front of the tomb.  If only we would live a life with the stone removed can we understand that the empty tomb of Christ is a full life for us now and in the future.  It becomes full for us now because when we begin to live life understanding the empty tomb we have the opportunity to share the hope that the empty tomb gives to us.  I ask just one question are you living a life full of the distractions this world has to offer filling up your tomb or an empty tomb life that offers real life in Christ? 

Strat living today an empty tomb life if you desire to live a full life in Christ.  For without the empty tomb we have no salvation in this world.  Without the empty tomb of Christ we do not have real life but a life of trouble and pain.  Martha and Mary went in pain to finish preparing the body. I imagine they traveled to the tomb in great grief.  When they found the tomb empty it was then that they were able to have all grief removed.  It was then that when they found Him on the road that they were able to take hold of his feet and worship the risen Lord.  The empty tomb for me reminds me that Christ empty Himself for me even His tomb in order to offer to me real life. 

Thank God He is risen. For this day forth let us live life with the empty tomb as a reminder that He is risen indeed.

“Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God”

The story of America's Great Seal, we come to understand that a suggested scene from Exodus is particularly relevant to Benjamin Franklin's Christian knowledge and America's Christian Heritage. 

Benjamin Franklin was a self taught scholar.  From humble beginnings to successful businessman, Franklin worked his way up from apprentice to owner of a newspaper. His desire to seek knowledge and understanding  enriched his success.  After retiring from the printing business he he went into politics and in 1757 he traveled to England to represent Pennsylvania in its fight with the descendants of the Penn family over who should represent the Colony.  He also serve as a representative  of Georgia, New Jersey and Massachusetts as well.  He grew concern over the corruption in England and the colonist opposition to the stamp act of 1765.  It was here that Franklin thought that America should succeed from England.  He returned to America in 1775 and provided counsel to the Continental congress of 1775 by advising Thomas Jefferson in the writing of the Declaration of Independence.  

The motto "Rebellion to tyrants is Obedience to God," comes from Franklin's understanding of the Bible.  His father desired for his son to become a member of the clergy but not having the monetary means to send his son to school.  This fact points out that Franklin was raised in a Christian home and was a student of the bible.   Franklin chose the dramatic scene from the bible "where people confronted a tyrant in order to gain their freedom."  The scene was when Moses raised his hand and caused the Red Sea to close in on Pharaoh and the Egyptian army following after them.  The account is found in Exodus 14:26-28.

The motto "Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God," was his suggested motto for separation of the colonies against the King of England. This seal was not used until Thomas Jefferson, while governor of Virginia had a bronze medal stamped made and was used as his seal with the same motto.  This begs the question were they following God as Christians or just being tyrants against the King of England?  

To rebel against the laws that are not in keeping with the faith is to be a tyrant against man's law, but it is to be obedient to God's law.  For us today it seems that we are rebelling against God's law and are tyrants for the next generation of Christians as we remove our Christian heritage from our foundations.  To not educate our children concerning their history is to deny them a true picture of those who called themselves tyrants to the King of England but obedient servants to God.

Guiding a Nation by Submitting to God

We the people often are misguided about the American founding fathers beliefs in God and Jesus Christ as the supreme authority and savior of mankind.  Many Americans are taught that the signers of the Declaration of Independence were Deist or only open to religion, as long as it kept the peace.  We have been taught that Thomas Jefferson was not a Christian, but wrote the words “endowed by our creator” because the majority of the people were Christian in American.  Those who make these claims also make the claim that God is not real.  I believe the statements concerning those who took a stand to establish a nation under God and not under a king to be self evident that they believed in God authority over man’s control, as the only way to establish a new government. 

The opening words of the Declaration of Independence provide proof to a Christian foundation.  It reads: “When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another…”  Jefferson’s words tell the story that a king’s improper authority over a people that deny those people equality with its fellow man is contrary to God’s natural law.  These very words point to the second greatest commandment in scripture, which is to love your neighbor as yourself.  His words of choice are not just for the people of America but words that he sought to live out.  He once said “love your neighbor as your self and your country more than yourself.”  I believe his writings and willingness to commit tyranny against the King of England was his way to love his neighbor and country more than himself.  Thomas Jefferson was the third president of our country and the author of the words that separated us from England.  He was inspired by God though his faith to write our Declaration of Independence.  He was a Christian and those who make the claims that he was not are misleading one of our founding father's intent for his country.   

Our first president George Washington was a trained military leader in the royal navy and reared in the Anglican faith.  His understanding of leadership came from an upbringing based faith and values along with service to God and Country.  His great-great-grandfather was Lawrence Washington and Anglican Pastor. His commitment to God and liberty for all Americans as the first general of our continental army and president is often brought into question.  Some secular scholars suggest that he was a deist, while others say that he only went to church for political show.  Making such claims provides a platform to discredit his Christian upbringing and to lay a foundation of doubt in our christian heritage.  This causes me to question the so called scholars' understanding of our first president’s statements referencing God.  Further if he was a deist why would he order his men to christian church services?  If he did not believe in God’s ability to enter act with the world or mankind any longer; why would he call upon local clergy to become chaplains and to provide worship services that were solely Christian for the continental army?  These questions are not asked nor answered by secular scholars, which goes to show they make these claims about Washington to change history.  Therefore, I question their knowledge and understanding of how our country was formed. 

George Washington’s 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation states:  “Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”  His word of acknowledgement of God’s providence and protection and call to obey his will was the reason that freedom and blessing was bestowed upon this nation. 
Today, we lack God’s blessing, while seeing freedoms being crushed.  His call to obey God’s will in the 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation and others statements need to be taught.  If we are to ever restore this nation again we need to pray like Nehemiah.

Nehemiah 1:1-11 teaches us to confess our sins and the sins of our forefathers.   As you read his prayer I encourage you to take note of his desire to be successful.  We cannot be successful as a individuals or a nation if we are not in right relationship with God. 

George Washington called for obedience to the will of God.  Thomas Jefferson called for us to follow God not a King.  The signers of the Declaration of Independence knew they were committing tyranny against the King.  In the last few weeks our nation has imprisoned the first Christian, Kim Davis for operating her elected office out her faith and convictions.  However, they did not jail a lesbian judge Tonya Parker who refused to marry heterosexual couples when the law stated she had to and she refused.  The difference is that Kim Davis did not break any law because there are not any laws on the books that says she must marry same-sex couples.  The judiciary branch does not write laws they interpret laws.  The call of George Washington’s thanksgiving proclamation to be obedient to God’s will in this nation is not silent.  Kim Davis’ willingness to go to jail is proof.  Therefore, I am calling on all Christians to begin fasting and praying everyday for a return to obedience to God’s will in this nation for those who serve in positions of congress.  Let us like Nehemiah begin the work to rebuild and restore our nation's wall of protection by calling upon the great protector God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit the comforter. 

AMEN...

Dividing a Nation by Aborting God

When I think of the division that is happening in our country and the church I simply just ask why has this happened? How has the church become divided over issues that are clearly revealed in God's word? Last, I ask what does the church need to do in order to get back to living our Christian foundation in the church and in our country?

I have given this a lot of thought.  As a father and husband I can only feel frustrated by what is going on in the church and the country today. I am sure that many of you who may read this are also wondering what we need to do in our church and community to realizing our Christian heritage in this country.

I have found a resource that seeks to provide facts that our nation was founded as a Christian nation. Christian Heritage Fellowship: http://christianheritagefellowship.com/ provides the local church with information concerning the facts of our nation as Christian.

Now back to my humble opinion as to why we have become divided.  The problem of the division in the Christian church of America and the United States is due impart to the secular and progressive movement making issues out of the doctrines of the Christian Church. You see if you want to divide a group of people, you first have to find possible challenges to their belief system. You have to find a way to discredit those beliefs as false or holding back progress as a free society. This is exactly what has happen. Fifty years ago there was no question that the church was not on the side of abortion. January 22, 1973 was the day that Roe v Wade was decided by the Supreme Court.[1] I was just four years old at the time of this land mark decision to allow women to choose to end the life of their child.  You see the argument they used was that it was their constitutional right to privacy, and could terminate a child during the first two trimesters.  The third trimester was the only allowed regulation permitted by the states to not allow abortion. 

Norma Leah McCorvey was Jane Roe.  She filed the law suit in 1970 against the state of Texas challenging the criminal act of abortion.  You can read the facts of the case at: http://www.endroe.org/roebio.aspx. You see the lawyer should have provided her client with the facts, but instead used deceit to make a name for herself.  Sarah Weddington, was just 26 years old when she argued the case before the nine supreme court justices, all who were men.  The sad thing is she used the idea that a baby that cannot survive outside of the mother’s womb is not yet human.  It took 30 minutes for her to argue this case and gain her notoriety. Forty two years now we have allowed this idea to remain true, that a baby is not a baby if it cannot survive without its mother.  I wonder if we the church and the country can survive much longer if we continue to abort God out of our schools, courts, and government.

Division like this is not new, Jesus spoke to concerning this very issue. When we seek fame and fortune instead of being devoted to God  we do so at our own demise.  In Matthew 6:24 it says: ²⁴ “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

You see it was not about protecting the baby, but about making history.  Sarah Weddington can say that a women has the right to treat her body any way she want however, she never went after the the backroom abortion clinics.  Had she done that it would have made her famous as well.  She could have helped to set up homes for the women who were having a hard time making it and guided and encouraged adoption for their child, instead death.  But this would have been harder and surly longer than just 30 minutes until fame came knocking.

Some in the Christian community would judge and place blame Sarah Weddington for the fallout. However, I blame satan for helping her with her argument that a baby is not a baby unless it can survive outside of the mother.  I do not blame the nine supreme court justices for their decision, for they should have never allowed the case to come forward declaring they are not the authority for defining life.  We are endowed by our creator as it says in our Declaration of Independence. Therefore, who are they to define life?  I do not blame the church for falling asleep at the altar.  Because I am sure that satan used the lie, “do not worry the court will never allow that to happen so there is no need to pray.”    

So what does the church and the country, need to do in order to be united again?  In Matthew 22:36-40  ³⁶ “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the great and ^[a]foremost commandment. ³⁹ The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”

You see we cannot love God with our whole heart, soul, and mind along with loving our neighbor as yourself if we continue not to show the love of God for those in need.  We must redefine life because life begins as God desiged it in the mother's womb as the cells divide.  What is awesome about this process is that as the cells divide there is unity between mother and child.  For us I can only image that as we have become divided over the years concerning abortion, we are still dependant upon God to sustain us. The only way through the cries of the unborn children is to show that life begins when the first cell divides. It’s not the mothers’ decision to end life, but natures.  Only then do I believe we can reclaim the lives of the unborn as our future neighbors. 

Therefore, we must encourage our churches to love God with their whole heart, soul, and mind. Second we must love and pray for people like Sarah Weddington, who stood in opposition to God's design.  We need to welcome the opposition into our churches and show them the love of God.  To heal the nation is to love God and love our neighbors as yourself.  We must not abort our love for God with hate speech and condemnation, for those who stand in opposition towards God’s creation.  I encourage you to take up the cause for praying everyday for Sarah Weddington and others with the same views.  Engaged them with the love of God and allow God to move.  As for me and my house we are going to pray faithfully and love those who cross our path.   

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[1] http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/supreme-court-legalizes-abortion

Leadership Principles of Concern and Confession

Leadership today is needed in the church, the community, and the world.  The principles by which we lead today in our society is more self oriented rather than other oriented.  What was considered leadership in the past today is seen as obsolete.  The challenges we face are because we failed to consider the needs of others.  If we would consider the biblical leadership principles given to us by God, lived out by his Son, and revealed through the Holy Spirit our current situation may be different.  However it is never to late to begin the process of rebuilding our leadership principles.

In the book of Nehemiah we find leadership principles that if applied today in all leadership positions in the world we could rebuild and restore better tomorrow.  In chapter one of Nehemiah he asks his bothers out of concern for those who had returned to Jerusalem several years earlier their current situation.  The news he received was dismal, much like our world today.  He was told in verse 3: “The remnant there in the province who survived the captivity are in great distress and reproach, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire.”

Image you were a small society living between a larger society that sought to disrupt and disgrace your way of living, image coming under attack everyday of your life for your faith and God whom you served.  Think for a moment how you might handle the news that your family, friends, and community was living under attack.  Nehemiah was in a position to impact this situation, but certain steps needed to take place. 

The first leadership principles observed in the book of Nehemiah is concern and confession.  Nehemiah being the king's cupbearer was in a position that provided him with opportunity to impact change.  This special relationship was built on a mutual trust.  If he did his job he would ensure the king's safety and his on safety.  If he failed to do his job then the king's life and his would be in jeopardy.  Nehemiah's concern for his people in Jerusalem shows a leader that places the needs of others above his own needs.  Upon hearing the news he did not say I am glad I am not in that situation.  He wept and confessed to the Lord concerning the situation and prayed that the Lord would use him. This shows the law of concern and confession leadership principle.  

Why is the law of concern and confession an important principles to have and understand as a leader?   A leader that does not show concern for those they seek to lead will not lead for change but for self recognition. Second, a leader that cannot confess his wrong doing and his people's wrong doing will fail in the execution of any plan to advance the organization or group.  A leader that shows concern for others and their situation is outer focused.  By confessing all sinful acts of both the leader and the people, the leader can be redeemed by God and used to restore God's glory in a community.  Nehemiah's concern and confession is an example that all leaders should seek to follow.  Nehemiah begins his rise to leadership with a question of concern for his people, followed by a confessing heart not for self but for rebuilding the relationship with God.  Nehemiah's understood the problem and prepared himself to lead his people to restoration and reconciliation before God.   

Are you in a position of influence as a leader?  Do you desire to have influence as a leader? In order to have influence as a leader you must seek to show concern for others, while confessing all sins before God will bless your leadership influence. This is why the principle of concern and confession for leaders is the first step in becoming a leader with influence. 


How is the leadership principle of concern and confession developed? 
In order to develop concern for success a leader must be other focused.  Mentality we must not think of ourselves, but the call to follow God's leading.  If we serve ourselves we will not develop a heart of concern nor a confessing heart.  However, if we seek to be concern for the fallen nature of man as God leads us then our whole heart can be changed with a bent nature towards purity and heart holiness.  

Nehemiah called out to God in prayer confessing his sins and the sins of the Israelite, while proclaiming the promises of God that if they returned and obeyed the principles given by God, God would restore and return them to the land of promise.  Nehemiah's prayer of confession for himself and his people is God's desire for every leader to learn.  How a leader admits his failures and his people’s failures  is the first step towards leading with a heart focused on God's plan not our plan.  To develop this leadership quality ask this question:  Am I leading for my own glory or God's glory?  Answering this question will help you determine what you are more concern about.  Your success as a leader or God's glory being revealed through you.



What is the first step to leading with concern and a confessing heart?  
Concern for our own relationship with God is one thing, but concern for everyone's relationship as a leader shows a heart set on reconciliation and restoration of God's perfect plan. Having a confessing attitude about our sinful ways and wrong doing of not following God's commands is a mark of humility that we cannot lead without God's help.  Therefore, confessing our sins and the sins of those we lead is the first step in developing a confessing leadership paradigm.  

What a fresh and challenging approach to leadership development.  Before we can truly lead our people to rebuild the church, community, and world, we as pastors, politicians, CEO's, small business owners, military leaders, etc... Must show concern for our situation and confess our sinful nature if we are going to lead with influence.  Leadership had failed the children of Israel and they had fallen away from God's commands.  In order for them to be restored to right relationship someone needed to confess their sins and seek to restore their relationship with God.  

Nehemiah had a heart of concern for his people and felt the call to do rebuild and restore the relationship with God.  His willingness to be used by God in accordance with God's principles given allowed him to rise as a leader of influence for God and God's people.  He is not the spiritual leader for the people as the story develops but he becomes the governor of the people.  Those who seek to be leaders need to understand that in order to lead well, you must have a heart that is bent towards the concerns that God has for his people and be willing to be the voice of confession for all.  Nehemiah prayed a prayer of confession for himself and his people and God used him to be a governing leader for the children of Israel. Rebuilding the wall of protection by restoring the relationship with God is the first concern all leaders need to follow, if they desire to be used for the glory of God's influence.    


If you desire to develop the spiritual principle of concern and confession as a leader I give you this prayer. 


Lord I desire to be a leader that impacts your world with the message of restoration.  I confess that I have been inner focused on my own success and not concern for your people.  I confess that I have failed to lead out of obedience for myself, my family and those I seek to lead.  I call upon you now to hear the prayer of your servant leader this day that I will obey your commands and lead with humble heart concerning the needs of your people.  Guide me on my journey to rebuild and restore a relationship with you for myself and your people.  
Amen...

Thoughts on 2 Timothy 3:16-17

¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; ¹⁷ so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

This passage of scripture speaks to the value of understanding the doctrine of God's Word.  At first glance you might consider that this passage is for the called minister.  All ministers should have this understanding, but this passage is for the everyday Christian to understand the importance and profit of studying the word of God. I find that today's Christian is not so in tune with the study of the word of God as a whole but in bits and pieces to justify their thinking.  I will seek to answer three important questions that I hope will guide you to a greater understanding and importance of studying the word of God.   

Why is scripture profitable for: teaching, reproof, correction, training in righteousness in order to adequately equip the Christian? 

Let us first talk about the profit of teaching the will of God.  If we fail to understand the will of God as a Christian we are not really living as a Christian, but a person trying to live out our view of righteousness.  Second, if we fail to understand the will of the Father, then we will not communicate the importance of the salvation offered through Jesus Christ as well as understanding the Holy Spirit as the comforter.  So all scripture should teach the will of the Father and the salvation offered through Jesus Christ as revealed by the Holy Spirit as a foundation to any doctrine. 

When we understand the importance of teaching then we can understand why we need to speak the truth to all those who fail to rightly divide the word of God.  This is the issue that so many Christians do not fully understand today.  We must preach the message of the Gospel in Love by saying this is what the word of God says, and then read the Words of God allowing the Holy Spirit to move in the midst of this conversation.  It is important that the word of God not be used to preach a different Gospel message that is counter to His will.

So many denominations, bible colleges, Christian universities, and institutions of higher learning claiming Christian values have failed to develop real Christians. These institutions have failed because they did not maintain a proper view of scripture or church doctrines.  These new approaches to silencing the message of God has begun to grow a community of people that are far from understanding Godly living.  It seems that the new age philosophy of Christianity today is more in line with heathen immorality of the past than Christian doctrine.  Therefore, the reason why scripture is profitable for: teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness is to equip the Christian to rightly understand the word of God in order to live out the word of God.

How is scripture profitable for: teaching, reproof, correction, training in righteousness in order to adequately equip the Christian?

In the last few years our nation has become divided over many hot topic issues.  These issues once settled by the church are now under fire by some who claim Christ's message of love, but seeks to remove the elevated message of Christ's message of purity and holiness.  The divided message is fracturing the church and causing discord among believers.  By divorcing the message of holiness and purity as an obsolete doctrine and inserting the label of intolerance to true Christianity is resulting in our freedom to worship freely as coming under attack. Lastly this is confusing the church's doctrines that have been founded and established since before 100 A.D.

Therefore, as the traditional church is being viewed as intolerant towards the new progressive message the agenda of progressive tolerance is to demand change from the tradition church seeking to undermine 2000 years of settled doctrines.  The new progressive agenda is to declare certain passages of scripture obsolete not useful for teaching, reproof, correction, training in righteousness, etc... in order to allow for more open community of believers.   The new voice calling in the wilderness for a more inclusive message and a more open doctrine seems to be a political agenda. 

How does this happen?  Because Christians are not teaching the Bible for living, rebuking immoral policies, or correcting within the Body of Christ, or training ministers to rightly divide the word of God.  60 years ago Christian religious education was very much a part of public education.  As we have become more relaxed and comfortable in our pews, the wolf has attacked the flock: through public education, progressive political activism.  Why do this happen?  To devalue and destroy the Christian message.  

How we provide instruction in the things of God is more important than how we build the church.  When we teach the word of God today let us teach the whole not just the parts.  Giving a reproof to those who desire to take away the Old Testament teachings must be done using God's word not man's opinion.  Those who desire to live a different life can do so that is their choice, but I humbly ask that you do not call yourself a follower of Christ.  A follower of Christ seeks to live in accordance to the whole message found between the pages of the Holy Bible.  If you desire to have a different standard or to change the message, then God says you are not living in accordance to my message.  Therefore, He will be your judge not me. The word of God teaches me everyday that I must decrease so He may increase.  Yes, we all make mistakes. We all fall short of the glory of God.  But as a Christian I must examine myself before God, asking Him for the corrections that need to be made in my life.     

What is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, training in righteousness in scripture that will adequately equip the Christian?

A return to Biblical Christian Education is needed that builds up the next generation of believers to live for Christ.  As a new parent my heart breaks each day when I hear about another shooting, a terror attack, a child killed by a parent for no reason, a political law that attacks the church's doctrines, and the list grows.  The richness of the message of holiness will change the community not for our good, but for the glory of God.  

Image a church that is not divided over the message or the doctrines.  Image a church that returns to the message of holiness of heart and mind.  Image a church where those who come broken in spirit are restored with hope and healing.  Image a church that proclaims the message and change begins to take place in those that hear it.  

There are many churches like this, but we need unity in the message not division.  We need clarity in the teaching not confusion.  We need holiness in our living not laziness.  We need revival in the hearts not just in the mind.  We need examination of our inner walk not just our outer actions.  We need spiritual filled worship not just good phases to sing.  We need prayerful warriors not just a blessing during the evening meal.  We need restoration of family values not government assistance.  We need more of God and less of self.  This is why, how, and what profitable biblical teaching is called.  Change comes not from our doing but Christ's response to all call for help.  

Let us begin the work of teaching reproof, correction, training in righteousness by using the whole Bible not just the parts that allow us to continue to fall away.  Let us live in peace not division.  Let us speak clearly the message without confusion.  Let us come together and call upon Christ to restore those who have fallen away from his message of holiness.  Let us start today the call for revival in our family and that God would spark a fire in me to do so.  

Amen.   

Thoughts on Proverbs 15:23

Proverbs 15:23 A man has joy in an apt answer, And how delightful is a timely word!

We are always looking for good advice or the right words to say in difficult situations. The question is, why are we in need of a good word or sound advice in a world that has access to so much information.  You would think that with all the information located on the internet our world would be getting better.  However, it is not. The information or the counsel that sustains a person during hard times is in great need today.  You see good advice or a timely word of instruction blesses both the one in need and the one giving the good word.  Last I checked, the internet gives access to bad advice on life matters as much as it does good advice.  Further, the internet when used wrongly destroys those who are need of peace.

Today's social media outlets are causing problems with the human spirit connecting on the human level.  Now there are some good things that social media offers.  Sharing family photos with family scattered all over the world.  Connecting with old friends that you have lost contact with, from yesteryear.  Storing data or writing an inspiring blog.  These are the good things that social media offers.  The bad thing social media offers are the comparison game.  By comparing our lives against others, we are looking for validation that we are better off, more blessed, more successful, better looking, greater life experiences, and so goes the ego train of comparison. It seems that social media has become the bragging sites on life accomplishments. Last those who use the social media frenzy to bully others do so to destroy a since of worth or belonging. As a society we need to take back our worth by sharing words of inspiration. 
So the next time you are on social media do not seek to compare your life with your friends.  Instead look for ways to give a timely word of hope.  Seek to offer an apt word of inspiration. Ask how you might pray for a person in your friends list.  Look for opportunities to impart the love of Christ not the green monster: Mr. Jealousy or his bride Mrs. Bully.  Do not fall trap to the compare game, rather thank God for the blessings you see in the lives of those on the net.  Encourage those who are struggling or different due to social status placed on them by society.  Share the love of Christ in all things in order to change the world around you one post at a time.  
Remember a timely word goes a long way in shaping the world of peace around you. But bitterness, strife and jealousy, will destroy that peace within the souls of those all around you.  So do not compare, but share the peace of Christ today to change the world around you for peaceful tomorrow.  Amen...