The headlines read "Chicago Shootings: 11 Dead, More than 40 Hurt in Memorial Day Weekend Gun Violence."

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This is just one headline, one story of crime and violence in our great country.  There's not a day that goes by without hearing about crime and violence.  The news media reports one story after another and for some, it is too much bad news and they have to stop listening to the news.  Unfortunitly turning turn off the news doesn't stop crime and violence from happening.

Why is there so much violence in our country?  Experts have all kinds of explanations.  Some say it is the lack of a strong family structure, others say it is the bad economy, many believe it is because we have poor schools with rotten lazy teachers, and still others believe violent offenders are born that way.

I think it is very simple really.  I think people turn to crime, which is just another word for sin,  because they don't know who they are.  They don't know how important they are.  They have no idea that they were bought for a price.  They are clueless to the fact that they are blessed and highly favored.  You see if people truly understood how much God loves them and that He sent His only son Jesus to die for them and that He had a plan for them before He created the world, I believe they would behave differently. 

God created man in His own image, so that means that we reflect His physical, intellectual and emotional characteristics.  God hates sin.  He is righteous.  We should hate sin and be righteous as well.  When we are not righteous we act outside of the character of God and the result is sin.  When we sin we hurt ourselves and others.

It is important for those that believe in Christ and live the Christian life style know the characteristics of our loving Savior Jesus and then imitate them.  If we do others will know love, peace, compassion, and forgiveness instead of violence and pain.

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus,
Help us today to be more like you.  Fill us with your loving kindness.  Help us to be good to ourselves and to others.  Let us receive all you have for us so that we may be a blessing to others.  Thank you so much for all you have done for us.  Amen.

Bible Verses

 Genesis 1:27

New International Version (NIV)

27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Jeremiah 1: 5a

The Message (MSG)

5"Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you.Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you: