Video of the Day: Clip from the television series “The West Wing”
Bible Verse of the Day:
Now, Israel, hear the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. 2 Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you. 3 You saw with your own eyes what the Lord did at Baal Peor. The Lord your God destroyed from among you everyone who followed the Baal of Peor, 4 but all of you who held fast to the Lord your God are still alive today, Deuteronomy 4:1-4.
Biblical Connection:
I try to be entertaining in most of my blogs, but recent current events have persuaded me to address serious issues over this coming week. In the previous season finale, Josh is shot during an assassination attempt and nearly dies. Subsequently, Sam takes offense when the topic of gun control is brought up in this conversation. Yet, politicians who remain in office for decades have become experts in centering campaigns on gun control without ever solving this issue.
Today’s featured passage serves as a subtle reminder to the nation of Israel. Like the words of Moses in Deuteronomy 28:1-3, following and obeying God’s commands result in blessings. This doesn’t mean that bad things don’t happen to good people. Yet, in these moments of unexpected trials, God works according to your purpose in life, Romans 8:28. I once endured a crippling ankle injury, with doctors telling me that I would never run again only to fully recover 10 months later.
Closing Song:
As random public shootings have become a weekly occurrence, politicians continue to blame the weapons for this act of terror rather than the troubled soul. Until American leaders in cities and states start addressing the nationwide mental health crisis, gun control will make daily headlines rather than the individual who pulled the trigger.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 