That the Taliban is encountering resistance in their quest to be recognized as the official government of Afghanistan should not come as a surprise. That they want to be legitimized on the global level, however, is an even more important development.
Instead of looking at the world around us and lamenting at how lost they seem to be, what if we shifted our focus instead to asking God how we can best bless the lives of those around us?
It should not come as a surprise that social media companies like Facebook have an outsized influence on the way their users see the world. But the degree to which that’s the case—and the extent of the issues it’s now causing—are starting to become more widely known.
You and I were made to need intimacy with our Maker. In our anti-Christian culture, we need the power of God to embrace and defend the truth of God. As Charlie Chaplin wisely observed, “You’ll never find a rainbow if you’re looking down.”
For hundreds of years, theologians have asserted that pride is a great and destructive sin.
Solomon once observed, “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper” (Proverbs 28:13a). The main reason we “will not prosper” is that so-called secret or 'private' sins “grieve” and “quench” the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit is the means by which God empowers, leads, sanctifies, and prospers his people.
Sin hinders our spiritual life by isolating us from the Holy Spirit and the power source God intends for our lives. But, living in genuine community functions as a guard to prevent such strain. We hold each other accountable for our failings and encourage each other to be and do our best. Three interrelated consequences follow.
As we consider the twentieth anniversary of 9/11 tomorrow, let’s close the week by identifying four lessons from that tragic day that show us how much we need our Master’s leading and care today.
