Shine! August 4 2011

Shine!
 
Reading:Philippians 2:15, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.

The statistics are truly staggering. According to compiled numbers from respected news and research organizations, every second $3,075.64 is being spent on pornography. Every second 28,258 internet users are viewing pornography. In that same second 372 internet users are typing adult search terms into search engines. Every 39 minutes a new pornographic video is being created in the U.S. It’s big business. In 2006 Worldwide Pornography Revenues grew to $97.06 billion. Also, over 3 million reports of child abuse are made every year in the United States; however, those reports can include multiple children.  In 2007, approximately 5.8 million children were involved in an estimated 3.2 million child abuse reports and allegations. Number of abortions in the U.S. per year: 1.37 Million (1996). Number of abortions in the U.S. per day: Approximately 3,700. 52% of women obtaining abortions in the U.S. are younger than 25: Women aged 20-24 obtain 32% of all abortions; Teenagers obtain 20% and girls under 15 account for 1.2%.

This doesn’t even scratch the surface of the “crooked and depraved” characteristics in our world today. But, with this verse and the world that we live in, I am reminded of the moment in the movie “the Untouchables” when Jim Malone (Sean Connery), had been shot and was laying there about to die. He pulled Eliot Ness close to him and with all the strength he could muster, said, “What are you prepared to do about this?”

What can you do about the crooked and perverse generation in which we live? SHINE! Shine, men! Shine! It’s not going to take a politician… it’s going to take the men of God rising up and shining!

How can you shine in your world today?

REVIEW
 
How were you able to shine in your world today?



How did this impact you, your day and those around you, to whom you shined?