We are faced with decisions every day, most of which are decisions to do right or wrong.  You as well as I are asked to go various places with acquaintances, but I learned discernment early on from mistakes that I made.  Incorrect decisions.  Decisions that placed me in situations that a Christian should never find themselves.  I learned quickly never to do those things again. While in those situations I was miserable.

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:  for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?  and what communion hath light with darkness?”    II Corinthians 6:14

I have had acquaintances that want to socialize with me, but I never allow it.  I know the lives that they live out side of work, and don’t involve myself.  Anything that would destroy my influence for good is a boundary that I don’t cross.  I know what Scripture tells me about influence, and follow that instruction.  Some of these people are involved in divorces, and are looking for some place to go, but their lives are at odds with their spouses, arguments, allegiances, and I do not allow that in my home.  I do not need irate spouses showing up at my door, nor anything else of a questionable nature.

“Be not deceived:  evil communications corrupt good manners.”   I Corinthians 15:33

“Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil;  neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment: . . . .”   Exodus 23:2

Then there are times when other decisions have to be made in which we are asked questions of a business, work related nature, and at times we are tempted not to tell the truth, for it would cost us.  However, the cost of having lost our influence, and integrity far outweigh anything we would gain in this life.  Our souls are much too important than to be tempted in that way.  Judas Iscariot succumbed to temptation by selling his Savior for 30 pieces of silver and then hung himself, for he could not live with the sin of what he had done.  He was always concerned for himself and not others, and especially his Lord.  He could have been forgiven.  “If”

“And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray  Him unto them.  And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money.  And he sought how he might conveniently betray Him.”     Mark 14:10

“Then Judas, which had  betrayed Him, when he saw that He was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders.  Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.  And they said, What is that to us?  see thou to that.  And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple,and departed, and went and hanged himself.  And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.”     Matthew 27:3-6

In our daily lives, let us always use discernment, and do those things that are righteous and pleasing to Him.  Doing right will make for a peaceful life, sleep is much sweeter and His ears are open to our prayers.

“Do right for the sake of right, for there is reward enough in the virtue of doing it.  In the struggle between good and bad, look not at how the world is lining up, but rather at how right and wrong are shaping up.  Let that determine your course.  And then so follow it that you can say each night, ‘I am so glad this day I have done the right.’ ” 

          ~ Leroy Brownlow

Eileen Light

One of the many blessings God gives His faithful child is the avenue of prayer to Him through His Son, for His Son is our Mediator.

“For there is one God, and One Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus; Who gave Himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time.” I Timothy 2:5

It is there that the Christian may find a lifting of the burdens of this life, a great comfort and peace. Where we may address our deepest sorrows, worries, gratefulness and all of the everyday concerns of our lives. He wants to hear from His children. “Prayer defined is Infirmity leaning on Infinity.”

In Philippians 4:6 we read, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

“Pray without ceasing.” I Thessalonians 5:17

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thessalonians 5:18

God loves His children, understands us and gives His best to us.

God wants His children to address Him about all matters pertaining to this life and at times burdens, struggles, hurts, sorrows are so heavy that words will not come to express our hearts nor our deepest emotions to Him. I have been in such situations when the words just wouldn’t come, when my heart knew not how to express the deepest of hurt, sorrow, but He knew my heart. There is no pretending with Him. He knows His child.

In Scripture God’s Word tells us, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the Mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:26-28

I once heard in a sermon that the word “Abba” mentioned in Romans 8:15, is an Aramaic word most closely translated “Daddy”, a common term used by children to address their earthly dads. It signifies the close and intimate relationship of a father to his child; and child like trust that a young child puts in his dad. How beautiful that the faithful child of God has such a connection with the Father!

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” Romans 8:15

“So, when you feel weak, drop to your knees – in prayer. there your burdens will not press you to stumble; there your tired soul can rest; there you can reverently address your needs to a Greater power. Of course, for your words to get through, you should not live too far away.”

Leroy Brownlow

Eileen Light

Why? Why does God allow evil to go on? Why doesn’t God do something? Doesn’t He know? Doesn’t He care?

“Why standest Thou afar off, O Lord? why hidest Thou Thyself in times of trouble?” Psalms 10:1

That question has been asked of me probably more than any other question. My answer to the faithful child of God is always, have faith in Him. He will answer in His own way and in His own time. I had that question myself for a long time and it just now occurred to me while writing this that I may have answered my own question. He wanted me to search for the answer. …and through that search I have learned much of His Word and my faith has grown during that search.

In Scripture, we read, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

My friend asked me this question once, and it was then that I asked him, whose fault was it for all of the sin, problems in the world? He gives us His Word, but we don’t always follow that Word and then when problems bear down upon us, be it family, personal, business, political, then the same question arises. “Why?” …and then we run quickly to place blame on Him, instead of Satan where it belongs.

Yes, God knows. Yes, He cares. Yes, He loves mankind. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

He loves mankind deeply and so much so that He gave His only Son for us, but He has given us His Word and expects us to read and study that Word so that we may come to a knowledge of the Truth. He will not tap us on the head to get us to do what He has given us in Scripture regarding how to conduct our lives. The choice is up to us.

“After asking Why? as humans do, David extols his Maker as the God who answers prayer and helps “the oppressed.” And that is good enough for any of us. Furthermore, some suffering on the part of His children can be chastening and rewarding.”

Leroy Brownlow

Eileen Light