Building Back Better 2.0

 

Filters of all kinds perform a great service as unsung heroes in our lives. They help keep us healthy and prolong the life of nearly every machine we use. Air, oil, fuel, water, and many more filters keep equipment clean and operating as they were designed to do. Of course, filters have to be maintained and cleaned as they get dirty. The most important filter in life is God’s Word. Unfortunately, more and more folks are simply throwing their filter away instead of allowing God to maintain its cleanliness through His Word. The world is dying for the lack of truth, wisdom, integrity, and Godly love. The end is near.

[Psalm 19:14] Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, oh Lord, my strength, and my Redeemer. Building a better world begins with me. I must be willing to give my time, talents, money, and energies to make the world in which I live a better place. I truly believe that the only real way to make this world better is for me to be a faithful and dedicated child of God. A faithful and dedicated child of God will proclaim the good news of salvation. Jesus said, “Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). The word "gospel" means good news. We have good news to tell the world. The news of salvation and forgiveness. The news of God's wonderful love and offer of pardon. Are we working to build a better world by preaching Christ? We can build a better world by being positive about life. So many are filled with the critical spirit. They see very little good anywhere. There is so much that is good in our world that we should be thankful for. I don't want to waste my life looking only at the ugly and bad. God has given me so much that is good, and it would be sinful for me to fail to recognize that. In Philippians 4:8 Paul said that the things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report are the things I should dwell on. This does not mean that I will refuse to recognize false doctrine and condemn that which is evil. It does mean that my overall life will be one of a positive and happy nature. Only in tears and a broken heart will I point out the devil. I will do so "in meekness and fear" (1 Peter 3:15b). We can build a better world by prayer. The great force of prayer has in many ways been neglected by many of God's people. The Bible says, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16b). I think of the great prayers of Moses who on several occasions saved the people of Israel by his steadfast prayers. I think of the prayers of David that delivered him time and time again from his enemies. I am reminded of the great prayers of Elijah and that God worked through Elijah to proclaim to the world His great power. God’s people can use prayer to make this world better. Finally, we can build a better world by keeping our heart in heaven! The Bible says, "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:2). This may sound rather strange, but it is the truth. Often, it is the case that people get so caught up in the here and now that they fail to really contribute to the welfare of mankind. By keeping our eyes on heaven, we will be a better people. We will be able to see what is really important and what is of minor consequence. Many are majoring in minors and minoring in majors. We can build a better world by keeping our hearts in heaven! We can build a better world if we will only become partners with God. As our beloved brother Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8 ESV). Think God.