What is the value of human life? or In Whos Hands Are You?

What is the value of human life?
People place a high value on human life. In fact most of us when asked we would say there is not much that is worth more. We would say that a murderer or some terrorist does not “value” human life and that is our way of showing how great a wrong it is. But what is the true value of a human life? In the world today there are, at last estimate, close to 7 billion humans on the earth. We often see things that are rare as having great value but human life is not rare at all, but instead there is an over abundance. But something in us (at least most of us) tells us that human life is precious. People that believe in evolution believe we are just an evolved life form, or just an animal, and that would make a human of no greater value than a cow, pig, dog, lizard, bug, or even a plant. They may argue that the thing in us that tells us that human life is precious is just a survival mechanism that has evolved in us and that animals without this have ceased to exist due to natural selection. Well that is another debate and one that I would choose to take the side of we have more value than just to “survive” as a species.
So back to the question “What is the value of life?” Some would say all people are created equal, and therefore they all have the same value. I would say we actually are all created unequal, because we are not all the same, and each of our lives will have a different value bases on how we use it. We may all have equally potential value, but it has no value as potential, it has to be put to use. In many cases this life we value so much is not used in a way that maximizes its value. So let me put it to you this way.

I have a basketball in my hands, and I am going to ask you “what is the value of this basketball?” If it is an NBA game ball it is around $90.00. If it is a Spalding T1000 it lists for about $55.00. And in my hands, even though I’m a decent basketball player, that’s all it is worth, about the cost of the ball at the local store. But if you put that same ball in Kobe Bryant’s hands or in the hands of Dirk Norwitzki it has a different value all together.

That is the same with my life. If left in my hands it has value for sure, but is it the most value that my life can be worth? You see I feel that we were each made for a purpose, and each of us has a different purpose and that’s why we are all different. And when we are used for that unique purpose we maximize our value. But when we are used for the wrong purpose our value is diminished greatly. It is like a tool that is used for the wrong job. A hammer or a saw both have great value as tools but a hammer has little value when used as a saw. Our lives are much the same as this. It is also who is in control of the tool that is important. A carpenter knows which tool to use for what purpose, but another might not know and put the tools to use for the wrong jobs and thus diminish their value. So how do place my life in the hands of someone that knows my purpose to maximize the value of my life?

Bertrand Russell a self proclaimed atheist once said “unless you assume there is a God, the question of life’s purpose is meaningless.” So I guess all you atheists can just stop reading right here. But really I don’t think that, I think atheist or God believing we all can sense that life is valuable and that there is a deeper meaning than just selfish self fulfillment. It is just hard for an Atheist to come up with the answer to the question, but the question is not meaningless. We can discover what something was made for or be used for (its purpose) by asking the one that made it. Take for example a car part. If you know nothing about cars, and you saw a piston or a valve or cam shaft it would be hard for you to determine their purpose. But if you talked to the designer of the car he could tell you how each one has value and purpose and are important when they are working together , but of little value when not used for their purpose. We are a lot like that, we have all been made for a special reason that fits into a bigger thing and when we are all operating in our purpose it will run smoothly but that has never been realized because so many of us are parts that are in rebellion to the plan and purpose of the designer.

So what did God your creator design and make you for? Colossians 1:16 says, For by Him (God) all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. So for starters you were made FOR Him, not for you. The bible says God thinks about you in this way, (Jeremiah 29:11) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. So God created with peace not evil in mind and has a hopeful future for you if you follow his plan and purpose for your life.

So what was Gods original plan for humans? In the Garden when man was created he had fellowship with God, so one of the main reason God created us is for relationship for God's own PLEASURE (for Him).

Psa 149:4 For the LORD takes pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.

Phl 2:13 For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.

Rev 4:11 You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created.

Eze 18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dies, says the Lord GOD: therefore turn [yourselves], and live.

Luk 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

He created us to share His creation (His kingdom) with us and It brings him pleasure to do so.  But He does not force us to be with Him.  We have to want it and choose to.   

Ephesians 2:10 says, For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. So this is part of God's purpose is for us to do the good works that he places in front of us. Realization of this is the beginning of maximizing the value of your life on earth. But in the end God values our eternal life. He is concerned with if we are going to choose to spend our eternal lives with Him of without Him. Spending your life with him in the end is how to maximize your life, and we get this short physical life to make that choice.

My life in My hands has some value, but my life in GODS HANDS is priceless. The price is God's only Son. For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son. So that whoever believes in Him shall have everlasting life. God must see great value in each of us to give up so much to save us from ourselves.  Just so we can spend forever with Him.

Why Does God Allow Evil like 9/11?

Why Does God Allow Evil like 9/11?
By Rick Warren

The horrific mass murder of innocent Americans on 9/11 left all rational people shocked, angry, grief-stricken and numb. Our tears flowed freely and our hearts carried a deep ache.

With pain that is so heartfelt and so personal, it’s only natural to ask, Why does God allow such evil to happen? If God is so great and so good, why does he allow human beings to hurt each other?

The answer lies in what is both our greatest blessing and our worst curse: our capacity to make choices. God has given us a free will. Made in God's image, he has given us the freedom to decide how we will act and the ability to make moral choices. This is one asset that sets us apart from animals, but it also is the source of so much pain in our world. Every one of us is capable of making selfish, self-centered or even evil choices. Whenever that happens, people get hurt.

Sin ultimately is selfishness. I want to do what I want, not what God tells me to do. Unfortunately, sin always hurts others, not just ourselves.

God could have eliminated all evil from our world by simply removing our ability to choose. He could have made us puppets -- marionettes on strings that he pulls. By taking away our ability to choose, evil would vanish.

But God doesn't want us to be puppets. He wants to be loved and obeyed by people who freely, voluntarily choose to love him and each other. Love is not genuine if there is no other option.

Yes, God could have kept the terrorists from completing their suicidal missions. He could have short-circuited their ability to choose their own will instead of his. But, to be fair, God also would have to do that to all of us. While you and I aren't terrorists, we do hurt others with our own selfish decisions and actions.

In a world of free choices, God's will is rarely done! Doing our own will is much more common -- much easier. Don't blame God for the tragedy of 9/11. Blame people who ignored what God says to do: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

In heaven, God's will is done perfectly. That's why there is no sorrow, pain or evil there. But this is earth, a fallen, imperfect place. We must choose to do God's will every day. It isn't automatic. That is why Jesus told us to pray, "Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven."

The Bible explains the root of evil: "This is the crisis we're in: God's light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness ... because they were not really interested in pleasing God" (John 3:19, Message). We're far more interested in pleasing ourselves than we are in pleasing the one who made us.

Many other questions race through our minds during dark days, but the answers will not come from pollsters, pundits or politicians. We must look to God and his Word for comfort and direction, for answers to our questions. We must humble ourselves and admit that each of us often chooses to ignore what God wants us to do.

I suspect houses of worship across America have been packed this weekend, as they were the weekend after 9/11. In times of crisis we cry out to connect with our Creator. The urge is deep-seated and universal. The first words uttered by millions on Sept. 11, 2001, were, "Oh, God!"

We were made for a relationship with God, but he waits for us to choose him. He is ready to comfort, guide and direct us through our grief. But the choice is ours.


Well said Pastor Warren.

Parable Of The Krispy Kreme

Here is a funny but enlightening video by Louie Giglio.  It's called "The Gospel According to Krispy Kreme".
You see that Louie could tell you all day facts and figures and information about Krispy Kreme.  He could tell you the history of the company, and the mission statement of the company, and describe what their product is.  He could tell you how it tastes, and how they are made.  But until you actually eat one, and experience for yourself you don't really know what a Krispy Kreme is.

So in the bible we see In Luke 10:38-42, two women, Mary and Martha.  Martha has welcomed Jesus into her home in Bethany and she is busy working, and it says in Luke 10:40 "she was distracted with much serving".  At the same time Martha's sister Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus, and Martha tells Jesus "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Therefore tell her to help me."  Jesus responds with "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But ONE THING is needed and Mary has chosen that good part.  Which will not be taken from her." 

You see in this that Martha does invite Jesus into her life, but there is a disconnect.  She is missing the ONE THING.  She is distracted by her work and being busy.  And she as Jesus tells us is worried and troubled about many things, even when Jesus is in her life, just like the disciples worried about the storm when Jesus was in the boat with them.  You see we might invite Him in but we don't get to know Him.  We get busy reading the bible and memorizing scripture, and we can tell everyone all the facts, about Jesus, and God.  We know the mission statement.  We know the history.  But until we sit at His feet.  Until we place Him on the thrown of our lives.  Until we finally get to a place where we realize that all the busy work we do to try to control the things we worry about, just don't quite get it done.  Until we see that the storms of life, no matter how hard we work, cannot be controlled by us.  Until we finally get to that point where we decide to surrender our lives, our problems, and worries to Jesus we are just like the guy who never tasted a Krispy Kreme. 

    Martha latter has a brother Lazarus who dies.  And no amount of work, no amount of worry, nothing in her own power could fix the problem.  At that moment she had an encounter that changes everything.  In John 11 Martha sees Jesus coming and goes out while her sister waits in the home.  Martha confronts Jesus and says "If you had been here, my brother would not have died."  At this point she has "head knowledge" of who Jesus is.  In fact she says "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.".  But when Jesus says to roll away the stone of the tomb where Lazarus is laying dead, Martha is reluctant because she thinks the body will smell.  You see she still does not fully trust, an have faith that Jesus can handle it.  She is still trying to take control of the problem.  And she does not any one to smell the stench.  We all tend to do this.  We want to keep our smelly problem under wraps, and we don't trust that Jesus can and will take care of it for us.  It is because we have never really sat at His feet.  We have never really encountered Jesus.  We are missing that ONE THING that once we have it like Mary will never be taken from us. We have never really "tasted" the Krispy Kreme.   Give it a try, once you do you will finally really KNOW what those who have experienced an encounter are talking about.

Delirious?, Riverside, CA, 11-02-2005

A very good sounding recording of a great show. The band is bringing out new material that the California fans had never heard before. There are some great moments in this show.

Delirious?

Harvest Christian Fellowship

Riverside, CA

11-02-2005

01 Intro

02 Rain Down

03 My Glorious

04 Now is The Time

05 Majesty / Break The Chains

06 History Maker

07 Miracle Maker

08 Bliss

09 Paint The Town Red

10 God In Heaven

11 I Was Blind

12 What A Friend I've Found

13 Paint The Town Red

Total Time: 73:52

http://www.mediafire.com/?jdc6ec1qu7ksuzr