CRIME PT.2

TURNING POINT MINISTRIES

It was Tuesday, June 19, 2007 when The Nassau Guardian showed the pictures of nine (9) young men who are apart of the “Bahamas most wanted murder suspects” list. It is stories like these that let’s us know that this “Epidemic of Crime” is a sobering reality. Friends, those men who were listed may not be guilty of committing a single murder. But, someone, in our land are committing these murders which are taking place, because, our murder death toll stands at sobering 41, and, with 6 months left in this year, how many more will be killed? But, was always this way? NO! In fact, there was a time when Bahamians used to be peaceful, loving, kind and even longsuffering towards someone whose were an enemy! But… not anymore! I remember when, the LOVE “…thy neighbour as thyself…” concept used to be apart of our Bahamian culture? But… not now! Notwithstanding, there were times when someone would tell you they were going to kill you, and wouldn’t do it! But… not today! Friends, there are many sad, but true stories, where murder victims were told by the one who killed them that they will be back, and when they returned, someone’s father, mother, sister, brother, boy, girl, or a family member was killed. Yes, these killing have become the sobering reality of life, in our today’s world! Therefore, the question must be asked: “ARE YOU READY; AM I READY, TO MEET OUR MAKER?” If you run by that ‘statement’ you need too ‘backup,’ and read that line once again, for once we close our eye’s, that’s it, our case of our life’s work is set, and its over. Hence, when we come up from the grave, it will be to live forever, or, we’ll be lost forever. When Jesus walked among men: “His disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.” LUKE 11:1-4. Did you ‘notice;’ Jesus never once told them to pray for ‘PEACE?’ But, He told them that they should pray that they be “…delivered …from evil…” And when it was the ‘will’ of the father, the disciples were “…delivered …from evil…” As a matter of fact, over 2000 year ago Jesus told His disciples: “And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the ‘days of vengeance,’ that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! For there shall be ‘great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.’ And they shall ‘fall by the edge of the sword,’ and shall be ‘led away captive into all nations:’ and ‘Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles,’ until the ‘times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” LUKE 21:20-24. Yes; and when the time came: “Josephus said, more than ‘one million people perished’ during and after the ‘siege of the city’ and ‘97,000 more were taken captive.’ However, during a temporary respite, when the Romans unexpectedly raised their siege of Jerusalem, ‘all the Christians fled,’ and it is said that ‘not one (how much? Not one) of them lost his life.’ According to Josephus, Titus, commander of the Roman armies, confessed that neither his armies nor his siege engines could have been successful in breaching the walls of Jerusalem unless God Himself had so willed it. The stubborn defense of the city so infuriated the Roman soldiers, that when they finally entered, their desire for revenge knew no bounds.” Friends, God is still able to “…deliver US …from evil…” today, if… yes if, it is His will! So; why are you so fearful? Why? “For thus saith the LORD of hosts; …for he (or she) that toucheth YOU toucheth the apple of God’s eye.” ZECHARIAH 2:8. Friends, the end is near, and ‘every-one’ of us must ‘NOW WALK’ carefully, humbly, meekly with Christ Jesus, our precious Saviour, from whom all the rays of truth radiate to the world! May I remind you, that Christ Jesus ‘told us NOT to put our trust in princes, NOR in the son of man, in whom there is (what?) no help!’ But, to lean wholly upon “The King of Kings and Lord of Lords!” Why? For “Without Me (says Jesus) ye can do nothing.” JOHN 15:5. So then, my friend, let’s continue to: “…behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the ‘SIN’ of the world.” JOHN 1:29. Then, you and I will be able to reveal Christ to a lost; and dying world! AMEN!