I have a lot on my mind this morning. I just read the book of James and it is FULL of wisdom and conviction. I saw plenty of scriptures I could write a post about, but my heart is burdened by what I witnessed yesterday.
We watched a bank robbery situation on the news. We continued to watch as the situation unfolded. Finally, around supper time when most people were home eating with their families, the robber walked out of the bank with a hostage. He had a gun to her head and it was obvious she was terrified.
As we watched her go to her knees on the sidewalk (while his gun was on her head) the SWAT team shot him. Right before our eyes we watched this man lose his life. Of course, with TiVo — my husband watched it several times because he could see the fire coming from the gun barrels — determining which policemen fired. Just seconds before the robber walked through the doors I began to cry for the hostages. Some had already escaped. One fell to the ground as soon as she exited the bank and continued to look over her shoulder as if the guy was going to shoot her. It was surreal watching this happen live.
I told my husband when that man was shot, “Someone just lost a son” and he agreed. Little did we know at the time that this bank robber was a 19 year old high school student! Isn’t that horrible? He was just a kid — a baby. Apparently he lived very close to this bank that he entered.
Friends of the robber couldn’t believe that he would do this. They said he was a jolly type of person, but has had mental problems.
So sad … Sad for the people who were traumatized by fear. Sad for the policemen who know they took a life. Sad for this boy’s family. Especially sad for this boy’s soul if he didn’t know Jesus.
None of us are promised tomorrow. If you are reading this post and you don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus, don’t wait.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son [Jesus], that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Don’t think that believing in God is enough …
James 2:19
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
Please don’t let this moment go by without asking God to forgive you of your sins. Confess that you believe that Jesus died on a cross to take away your sins. He arose from the grave on the 3rd day and is now seated at the right hand of God — interceding for you. Ask Jesus to come into your heart. Receive Him as the Lord of your life. Find someone to tell that you have asked Him to enter your heart.
Matthew 10:32-33
Whoever acknowledges Me before others, I will also acknowledge before My Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before others, I will disown before My Father in heaven.
We are spiritual beings temporarily living in this world. Eternity is a long time. Be secure in your destination. Please.
It was very sad – I knew about the robbery but I just heard this morning that he was shot. All the more reason for the Church to be in the "freedom & restoration" business.
Amen! I can't imagine what the hostages felt, what the robber felt, what the policeman felt or what the robber's momma is feeling now. Oh my heart breaks when one soul is so lost that their lives impact so many others in such a negative way. May we, the Church, rise up and reach out to those lost, hurting souls before it's too late. May the unlovable be loved by us!
Prayers for all involved.
Much love!
Lisa
So sad Beth – you made such a true statement… regardless of the fact that he was robbing the bank, he was still somebody's baby boy.
My heart hurts for his family. I just pray that he knew Jesus and that He had accepted Him as his personal Savior.
What a tragic thing to hear about, and worse to see it. The young robber, the hostages, the police, the robber's family, there is a lot of heart ache here, and yes, the church has a role to play in helping people find the best path, and in healing.
I couldn't believe what I was watching. Dwight said the very same thing about it being someone's child. I could only feel so sad for the traumatized hostages and just the long road ahead of them but you are right on with this post. Many lives were affected yesterday and to think he was so young and deeply troubled.
What a tragedy, Beth! So heartbreaking! You just have to hope and pray that he was saved. You are so right…we can't take a single day we've been given for granted. NOW is the time to make sure your heart is right with God…you may not get another chance.
That is so very, very sad. Thank you for this post sis, people need the Lord.
I think you had chosen the best topic…despite the sad news, is to remain sharing the Good News. Many teens are lost. Many have psychotic problems because of their drug dependency also. Lots of reasons. I can't imagine the fear for those involved also and the cops that had to stop this evil act. And how easily we take things for granted…even if we know that life is short. God bless you sis.
Oh Beth, this breaks my heart. My heart is grieving for this young man's family. I cannot imagine. And for you to watch it happen. Oh wow.