"You know the next commandment pretty well, too: 'Don't go to bed with another's
spouse." (Matt 5:27, MSG) To many, this is not a problem. However . . . "But
don't think you've preserved your virtue simply by staying out of bed. Your
heart can be corrupted by lust even quicker than your body. Those leering looks
you think nobody notices-they also corrupt." (Matt 5:28, MSG)
This is revolutionary. It's not only our actions that condemn us, but also our
hearts, our thoughts. What is lurking secretly in our hearts will eventually be
divulged!
Jesus made it clearly: "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are
healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy,
your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is
darkness, how great is that darkness!" (Matt 6:22-23, NIV2) Wherever our focus
is, it will either destroy us or be a blessing to others. There are no
alternatives. We either live light or we adore darkness. After all, "No one can
serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will
be devoted to the one and despise the other." (Luke 16:13a, NIV2)
From there we are encouraged to, "Do what is right and good in the LORD's
sight." (Deut 6:18a, NIV2). This is confirmed numerous times all over the Bible.
Why? If at every moment we would contemplate what would be right and good, we
would never enter into temptation. We would be honoring our Father continually.
Unfortunately, there are not many in this world who follow this advice…
August 9, 1974 was a hot, sweltering day with nearly no wind. A cargo aircraft
with unarmed U.N. Peacekeepers from Canada were heading to Damascus, Syria, to
deliver much-needed provisions. The hearts of these workers were to help these
people. They certainly were doing what is: "right and good in the LORD's sight".
Many people would wholeheartedly thank them for their free services.
Not everyone thought that way, however. As soon as the plane crossed into Syria,
a Soviet-made surface-to-air SA 2 missile hit the plane, to be followed by two
more. The hits were head-on, killing everyone on board and destroying the
so-needed provisions. No one took responsibility of this cowardly attack. This
was truly an act of darkness.
Unfortunately, hardly anyone in Canada even heard about this catastrophe. Just
the day before, Richard Nixon had given his resignation as the United States
president. As a result of this news, the slaughtered heroes did not even receive
the honor they were due. It was truly a dark day in history.
The event was not entirely forgotten, however. The Canadian Association of
Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping pestered the Canadian government
relentlessly until finally, on June 18, 2008, 34 years later, they gave in. In
memory of these nine U.N. Peacekeepers who had given their lives for the cause,
the single largest loss of life suffered by Canadian Peacekeepers, August 9 was
set aside as National Peacekeeper's Day. It was a bright and shiny day for the
Canadians.
In everything we do, we either bring light or darkness in our surroundings. What
will we broadcast? After all, darkness is always swallowed wherever light
shines!
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.