[ampaterry]

and when you think about it, that too is a miracle, BlackEagle -

For today:

As you know, we had a new jail built here in Houston County several years ago. Now I don’t remember the figures exactly, but I do know that the construction of a jail is much more expensive than the construction of normal buildings; It used to be $10,000 per occupant. Imagine! In order to house criminals (not to rehabilitate them), that much money must be spent. A detention building for 100 prisoners twenty years ago would cost about a million dollars! And this is just one of many facets of crime control. We have a Sheriff’s election, another cost. And beyond the inflationary spiral involving personnel, there is equipment and litigation. We all pay higher insurance premiums due to crime, before we even get to the higher prices at the store which they must charge due to the cost of goods shop-lifted there. Then we have the higher taxes - - Crime costs! Such is always the story of sin. From the very beginning of humankind, man's transgression has demanded a price. Far beyond the dollar cost, its penalty is eternal death -- separation from God. No man sins cheaply. Even in the life of the believer, transgressions not confessed bring chastisement and loss of joy.

James 1:13-18 (KJV);
“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”

Luke 14:28 (KJV);
“For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?"

So – when temptation comes upon you, remember that sin does indeed cost – and you need to stop, and consider the cost VERY carefully before proceeding. If you do this, you will find that it is NEVER worth the price you will pay for it.

May God bless each one of you -