Thursday at 888 Bestgate Road in Maryland - The Message for You and for Christians

Today, think about it for a minute, sink it in, please - today, someone who was waiting for their loved one to come back home from work - will not see them - ever again. They are gone. My entire heart stops just at the thought that this someone could have been me when I was just 15 living through some of the hardest times with just my mom and my little brother, waiting for my mom every night to come home from work. But today, someone just like me, wasn't so lucky to see their mom come home safe from work. Today, in Maryland.

Now, you must be prepared. This is not going away on its own. This situation with mass shootings that it feels like now happen almost every month, - isn't going to resolve itself. Neither will the situation with the skyrocketing suicide rate, neither the deaths from drug overdoses - none of these are going to go away with us just continuing to live our lives.

You know, on a related note, I want to bring up the homeless crisis that has been festering for decades in this country. Those homeless people - many of us even know their faces - they live like shadows in our towns, cities, neighborhoods, walk by our homes. These people sleep on the benches or on the ground - when we just go home and go to our comfy beds. I slept on a bench. I felt just fine and happy. I have the Lord. I know who God is and I know His Son Jesus. These homeless people that you might think are losers - think again. They are and have been here for you to notice. They have been the first indication that this country, our society isn't working. It is broken. This is one of the richest countries in the world and it has homeless people? Think about it. God works in mysterious ways, He does. But you know what? I am going to drop some knowledge on you here - HE PUTS THE TRUTH IN PLAIN BROAD DAYLIGHT. Always. He puts it out there. And he puts it in your face!

Now, my friends, brothers and sisters, Jesus, His Son who shed His precious blood (it is more precious than yours, trust me for your own sake, believe it) - He shed it not in vein. You WILL be redeemed. He came here to redeem you. If not YOU (if your ego won't let it!), then your children.

I was preaching at the train station and told a pregnant woman that I would pray for her child. She said, "Please don't". I said - "I still will". Because she does not need it, he just might. As the world is spinning out of control, her baby just might.

When all those people - governors, our president are saying that they will keep those victims in their prayers or that they are praying for those who were shot. Do they really pray? Have you seen them pray? I always have this question, do these people even know how to pray? In today's America my Christian brothers and sisters (not all but a lot of them) - who show up at church on Sunday (only!), I've observed - can't wait to get out of church, can't wait for the service to be over so they can go back to their worldly lives - their phones (they use them right in the church, their TVs, food, ... beds). No, it is not working and this would never work in a million years! Jesus said - love your neighbor. Look up the scripture that He gave His disciples when they asked Him - Who is our neighbor, Lord? He gave a clear, concise answer with all the details about how you must take care of your neighbor.

But you know, I was not going to write this in a critical tone about my broken Christian family because I have seen God change lives of people in profound ways. There are so many testimonies where people have found peace, love and profound satisfaction in life through accepting Jesus. One such example was the homeless guy who would greet everyone on the corner of State street in Chicago all day long with a smile and light in his eyes. He was truly happy while having nothing. He was happy just greeting people - think about it!

It just happened that he passed away on the same day of this tragedy in Maryland. And the kind people, in remembrance of him, put flowers, blessed letters, and candles, and prayers right where he used to stand. And young kids were stopping by to read and take pictures. He would always say - God bless you! I still hear his voice in my head. I knew He got it. I am always happy to see people who get it- who understand that they aren't gonna make it without God, without a relationship with God.

I overheard this lady at the store talking about her late husband and the other lady mentioned that he was at a better place now. How did she know? Where did this idea that everyone who dies goes to a better place, come from? Hey, would you go right now? Would you believe that lady that you are going to a better place? I know there are no fools on here to believe someone that. What knowledge did she have? What authority? How do we know that these poor souls who were shot today, are ending up in a better place? Stop taking chances. God must confirm to you that you are going to a better place. If He did not, you ain't going there.

I am writing this because I care and I love you. I know the truth - it is not what you think or believe. It is powerful and it works. Jesus said I am the truth and the way. He is. Not just the way, your shortcut and a blazing torch in this world full of darkness. And Jesus teaches us that we must take care of each other and pray for each other. But before all that, you must believe in God. And that He sent His only son here into this mess, to help us not to get lost.

So I am going to ask you to join me and pray for all those who perished today in Maryland. That's what Jesus wants us to do. And the 888 number in the address and the street name is exactly that message (request) for us - He wants us to pray FOR US. Please join me:

"Lord, amazing Father,
We are so sorry that we offended you through our neglect of each other and of the most vulnerable of us - all out of our ignorance, please, we pray, save those souls that were killed today and heal those who were wounded so they can become your light in this world and your feet and hands of help, mercy, kindness and all good that You truly ARE. And make us be worthy of Your Name. In Jesus Name, we ask you. Amen."

Thank you so much and God bless you all, Steem family. You can do better, - try to not offend God with using His name in vein. Catch your tongue - just be mindful. Use His name only when you turn to Him with praise, request or prayer.