A couple of weeks ago I went to the funeral of a young woman who took her own life leaving two young children behind for her distraught family to bring up. Today I heard of the death of a man who sent a text message to his friends "Where is everybody when I want to say good bye?" Then during the course of the day yet another young woman sent out a distressed text message which friends responded to in time to prevent her from ending it all.
I would have to ask the question "What in the world is the matter with our society when so many seem to have no hope at all?" Where is the support network that our generation grew up with? Where is the Church in all of this?
The scriptures speak of the need to continue meeting together. Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near."
Strong, active churches provide strong support networks to encourage and protect the young people of our communities. Churches that are 'on message' share the gospel, teach sound moral principles, and make the scriptures known to their members, old and young alike.
God uses churches to care for his children from cradle to grave. To save them, baptise them, marry them and to bury them. To develop strong Christian foundations in the hearts of believers. To provide encouragement, support, Christian friendship and fellowship. To wrap a cloak around their hearts and minds protecting them from the attacks of the enemy.
Today if you have suicidal thoughts and are intercepted by friends before you succeed. Your friends call the police who don't want you to harm yourself on their watch. They follow protocol, watch you for a while then call the psychologist. He or she talks to you and also watches and assesses you usually looking to treat you and discharge you as fast as possible. Even if you are incarcerated for a period of time the chances are you will soon be back by yourself faced with depression and loneliness and suicidal thoughts.
The police and psychologist don't even know you. You're just a client and they have only to fulfil the obligations placed on them through professional regulation. They are provided by the state in place of the real and loving church community of yesteryear. Is it any wonder so many seek to take their own lives in hopeless despair.
The time is at hand for Christians to get back to church. The price of not belonging to sound bible believing church can be measured in the shattered lives of our children and their young friends. The cost is simply incalculable for they are our pearls of great price. Priceless and irreplaceable.
I would have to ask the question "What in the world is the matter with our society when so many seem to have no hope at all?" Where is the support network that our generation grew up with? Where is the Church in all of this?
The scriptures speak of the need to continue meeting together. Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near."
Strong, active churches provide strong support networks to encourage and protect the young people of our communities. Churches that are 'on message' share the gospel, teach sound moral principles, and make the scriptures known to their members, old and young alike.
God uses churches to care for his children from cradle to grave. To save them, baptise them, marry them and to bury them. To develop strong Christian foundations in the hearts of believers. To provide encouragement, support, Christian friendship and fellowship. To wrap a cloak around their hearts and minds protecting them from the attacks of the enemy.
Today if you have suicidal thoughts and are intercepted by friends before you succeed. Your friends call the police who don't want you to harm yourself on their watch. They follow protocol, watch you for a while then call the psychologist. He or she talks to you and also watches and assesses you usually looking to treat you and discharge you as fast as possible. Even if you are incarcerated for a period of time the chances are you will soon be back by yourself faced with depression and loneliness and suicidal thoughts.
The police and psychologist don't even know you. You're just a client and they have only to fulfil the obligations placed on them through professional regulation. They are provided by the state in place of the real and loving church community of yesteryear. Is it any wonder so many seek to take their own lives in hopeless despair.
The time is at hand for Christians to get back to church. The price of not belonging to sound bible believing church can be measured in the shattered lives of our children and their young friends. The cost is simply incalculable for they are our pearls of great price. Priceless and irreplaceable.
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