Helping Others

~ mercyfortheday ~ 1 Comment

I don’t mean to brag, but I helped someone this week. This is someone I met last year at my church. When my husband and I learned that she and her husband lived near us, we told her to let us know if they ever needed help. We’ve repeated that offered multiple times. You see. She and her husband are up in years, and he has been diagnosed with a progressive disease. They both see the signs and issues it causes, and he recently told her that they needed to move. So they bought a house in town and need help packing up their old one. That’s where we come in.

She approached me a couple of weeks ago at church and told me that only the realtor knew of their recent home purchase. She asked if I would be able to help her with the packing. Of course, I’m willing to help. She mentioned that we had kindly offered many other times to help if she needed anything. And she wasn’t too proud to ask this time. She knew she needed the help. That’s what friends are for. To help someone in their time of need.

I’m glad she felt comfortable asking for help. I know it isn’t easy to humble ourselves and admit that we can’t do everything. And that happens more often as we age. We’re just not strong enough or sturdy enough to do heavy work. Her husband surely isn’t able to do physical work any longer. And while she’s still willing and able, cleaning out a house and purging used household items is hard work at any age. Trust me. I know. We just did that two years ago, and it’s a very painful but necessary ordeal.

So, the time has come for her to call on friends to help. And here we are. Ready and able.

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4

I don’t know too much about their family situation, but they seem to have no one else to call on to help. And that’s rather sad, because I know they have family who live nearby. I’m just happy that she felt she could actually ask us for help. Because we’re more than willing. So we went and helped. I cleaned out and packed up the buffet filled with two sets of beautiful fragile china dishes, and my husband kept her husband company. I’m sure she may ask me to come back another day, and that’s ok, too.

Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:32

Many times, older people are shoved aside and left to fend for themselves. Sometimes they have family nearby to help them, but other times they don’t. And there are those whose family members won’t even offer to help. But there are also many people who are afraid to ask for help. They don’t want to be a bother, so they suffer quietly and alone. There’s no need for that. Especially when they have a strong church family who would jump at the chance to lend a helping hand. No one is seeking payment or recognition. It’s just the Christian thing to do to step in when someone is in need.

We never know when we may be in a similar situation. When we can no longer pack up boxes or lift and move heavy items. And we may not have family nearby or anyone we feel comfortable leaning on. What happens then? Who will we call on?

And it isn’t just the older crowd who needs help. At times, it can be a young person who isn’t living near family. And they have no one close by. Perhaps they are new to an area and don’t have any close friends. They may need help. Who do they call? When we see someone in need and we have the time and means to help, shouldn’t we extend a hand?

I recall just two short years ago when I was new to the area where we now live, I only knew my family members who lived nearby. It seemed almost every week I was having a new crisis with the house we bought. And I had no one else to call. My family came through every single time. I’m not sure what I would have done without them.

We don’t have to act all tough and rugged and pretend everything is great, all the while wilting on the inside. That’s no way to live. We aren’t considered a failure just because we need help. No one can do everything all the time. And, no one knows we have a need unless we share it. There’s no reason to protect ourselves and isolate from those around us who would be willing to lend a hand if only we shared our need. Most people are willing to help someone, if only they knew.

God didn’t create us to be totally self-sufficient. He blesses each of us with many different gifts, and then he gives us opportunities to use them. Those gifts can’t be hoarded and kept to ourselves. They are to be used to bless others who have a need for what we have to offer. My prayer is that I will be willing and able to help others the next time I’m asked. I’m sure the day will come again when I will be the needy one calling on others, and I’ll appreciate the help they will give. But until that day comes, I’ll be glad to help when the need arises.

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10

Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:31

When Tragedy Hits Home

~ mercyfortheday ~ 1 Comment

Two weeks ago, members of our family experienced a horrible, horrible tragedy. An unnecessary tragedy, but I’ll keep the details private. Two young people lost their lives. One was in her mid-twenties, and the other just missed his third birthday. A mother and son gone too soon. The eight month old baby survived. The children are distant relatives of mine, and I never met them. That doesn’t soothe the heartbreak for the family members who knew them well. These family members who are in the deep throes of grief know all too well that this tragedy was avoidable. But somehow, here they are mourning lives they’ll no longer see.

I’m sure they’re all questioning why. Why did this terrible thing have to happen? Why this family? Deep down. They know the reason, but still. At this point, we look beyond the why and pray for healing for those who are left behind. The family is hurting and in deep pain and will be for a very long time. I’m sure there are thoughts of “if only”, but reality has a way of telling us that we can’t go back and undo past decisions. Sometimes they have long lasting consequences.

So, now we pray for healing for the family. For the pain and questioning and anger to ease. Looking forward to making memories looks different than it did a couple of weeks ago, and there’s no going back. Oh. It will take time to work through the grief. Grief is a hard place to be, and it escapes no one. I’m sure they’re reliving happier times, knowing the delight the young lives that were taken brought to the family. And the loss is real. The pain is real. The family has unfortunately lost others, so they know the path of grief. But that doesn’t ease the sting of this new monumental loss.

Acknowledging the pain of loss and walking through it is not for the weak, but it’s a necessary step in the healing process. Living with the grief, while difficult, is the only way to heal. We can’t ignore it or dismiss it. We walk in the midst of it and allow ourselves to experience the hurt and anger and loss, so healing is possible. Nothing will bring them back, but healing can lessen the emotional costs that can consume a heartsick soul. And for most days, at least in the foreseeable future, all thoughts will be consumed with the loss. The replaying of the event. The repeating of the story. The questions. It’s a normal part of the grieving process. It will lessen over time, but for now it’s front and center.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

It’s at times like this when many unanswered questions are asked. Many unrealized dreams must be set aside. The new normal has begun. Once a loss has been sustained, you never see life the same. There’s a scar where there never had been before. It’s just a part of life and a piece of your story now.

The hard truth is that everyone of us, at some point in our lives, will be subject to immense grief. We have no way of knowing the reason or the timing or even the severity. We will have loss. Possibly, unspeakable loss. We can’t plan for it or stop it. It will just happen. Sometimes spontaneously and at other times at an eventual pace. The world is full of evil and uncertainty, and we cannot guarantee safety and security for all our days.

It is so important to build a deep-seated faith in God. Building our faith in the solid rock of the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ will be the foundation we stand on during the tempests of life. Our faith must be so strong and solid that nothing, not even the worst tragedy, will sway it. The tragedy will only strengthen our resolve to have full dependence on the God who redeems us.

Someone who doesn’t have a close relationship with the Lord may be questioning why those who do have faith say that it is what sustains them. Here’s the reason. The love of Jesus Christ never leaves us. It is the sustaining force when the waves of uncertainty and loss hit us. Knowing that our Lord suffered a horrific death on the cross for our sins and is waiting for us in our eternal home is more than sufficient when all of life suddenly shifts. Keeping our eye on the future with him is a liberating thought as we face the unknown. Our future is secure with him, because of his sacrifice. And that makes the pain of our loss bearable knowing he’s waiting for us.

And then there’s hope. The hope of spending eternity with Jesus is so comforting that it eases the burdens of loss. It doesn’t mean the grief and the questions and the heaviness aren’t a part of life. It means that my hope doesn’t lie in the life I’m now living, but it lies in an eternity where there is no pain or death or loss or grief. That’s what we have to look forward to when we place our trust in Jesus Christ.

The Missing Dime

~ mercyfortheday ~ 1 Comment

There’s a certain spot on one of the streets I walk in my neighborhood that has something I’ve noticed. What I’ve seen is just a simple dirty dime that someone dropped on the road. And no one has picked it up. I’ve often thought to stop and put it in my pocket, but I never have. And then one morning last week, I noticed the dime was gone. I looked all around the area to see if it had just been moved. But no. Someone other than me had dared to pick it up and claim it as their own. And that suits me fine.

What can a single dime buy these days, anyway? Nothing. And I’ve noticed that now when I walk in that particular area, I don’t even stop to consider that a dime used to be on the road. I don’t even think of it. Before the dime went missing, I would start to wonder if it was still there whenever I approached the spot. Now I don’t have to wonder any longer. I can think on other things.

But I do wonder who might have collected the coin. Who thought a dime was worth saving? Would they add it to their rainy day jar? Or, did they wash it and give it to their child or grandchild? Did someone just push it into the grass? And I see others walking the same path I take, so it could be one of the other walkers who picked it up. I’ll never know. All I know is that it was once on the road and now it isn’t. It’s found a new home.

I also wonder if I would have felt that my life had changed it I had picked up that dime. Well, I already know the answer. It wouldn’t have. I’m not even sure what I would have done with it. I probably would have put it in my coin purse and carried on. I wouldn’t have given it a second thought. But I would have had an extra ten cents to my name. Now I don’t.

I didn’t leave the dime on the road because I felt it wasn’t mine to take. I’m not really sure why I never picked it up, other than the fact that it was only ten cents. Most likely, it was because I knew the dime wouldn’t change a thing in my life. Now, if it was a ten dollar bill, I wouldn’t have thought twice about it. But, a dime? It didn’t entice me.

And the thing is, the person who dropped the dime didn’t return to pick it up. Were they aware they had lost the dime, or did they just shrug and say, “it’s only a dime” and carry on? But here’s the other thing. The location where the dime was located wasn’t a spot where a car would park. And it wasn’t an area where someone would be digging through their pockets or wallet for change. It was close to the stop sign. So, how did they lose the dime in that exact spot? No one just throws a dime out a car window or empties their pocket while walking their dog.

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10

I’m reminded of the parable in the Bible that tells of a woman who lost one of her ten coins. She searched diligently to find the coin. And when it was located, she called everyone to celebrate with her. Her ten coins were safe and sound.

The coin I found but never claimed wasn’t really mine. It didn’t bother me when someone else had picked it up and pocketed it for themselves. The woman in the parable knew the lost coin was hers and desperately searched until she found it. Perhaps the ten coins were all she had left. And she swept the floor and searched until the one was found. She called in her friends, and they rejoiced with her on that happy occasion. I had nothing to celebrate when someone else picked up the coin, but perhaps they thought it was a great find.

I think of the young man who made a decision earlier this year to follow Christ. He had been lost, but when his eyes were opened to his need for a Savior he accepted the call to surrender his life. And then he and his family celebrated his newfound faith. A sinner had been saved.

Every time a lost soul repents of their sins and makes a commitment to serve Christ is a joyous occasion. Even the angels celebrate. The soul of a man is worth much more than a lost coin. Lost coins can be found and then hidden away for safe keeping. A soul that has been found and saved has now entered into a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. There is much to be thankful for in that event. The coin is of little value, but God prizes the soul that calls on him. Those who call on the name of the Lord and are saved will be with him in eternity. Those who don’t will be separated from God.

The coin I found on the road was most likely very dirty. It had been run over time and time again by vehicles as they went their way, never knowing the coin was under their tires. A soul that is completely dirty with sin can be washed white as snow regardless of any type of sin. God’s forgiveness is full and complete and starts the slate brand new. It’s a liberating feeling to be cleansed by the blood of the Lamb in forgiveness.

Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:8-10

Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:7

When Truth is Suppressed

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Have you ever been in a conversation with someone who mentioned “my truth”? As if, their truth was something special and different from the plain old truth. Without coming right out and saying it, they were telling you that their belief in something was truth to them — even though their belief might be based on a lie. And you may have wondered how they could have ever arrived at that particular viewpoint, because in your mind it just didn’t add up. You knew the actual truth, and they had just skewered it with their opinion. Only they see it as truth, not just a biased opinion.

Those who believe “their truth” is the real truth are searching for something. They believe they’re living in freedom, but in reality they’re living in bondage to a lie they’ve been taught or imagined. Imagine living like that and thinking life is great. You’ve most likely seen photos of those who are living their own truth. Not to stereotype, but they typically look miserable and uptight. And they’re usually scowling or very angry. Honestly, they look like every last shred of life has been sucked out of them. At least, that’s what I see in the photos and videos I’ve come across. I wonder if this is a result of hiding from the truth. I never see a lighthearted attitude that shows them enjoying life. Are they happy or fulfilled? Or are they searching for true meaning? If that’s the case, do they think they’ve found it?

I don’t know their religious beliefs, but I just wonder if they believe in God. Are they atheists? Or socialists? Or communists? Or Marxists? They’re certainly not Muslims. Not this group. But on what do they base their “truth”? I really wonder.

But this question of speaking your own truth doesn’t apply only to those with purple hair and nose piercings. It could be the person dressed in the finest apparel and latest hairstyle sitting in church on a Sunday morning. They may use a “perfect” appearance in public to hide their private, unsettled beliefs and questions. They may be living like the devil during the week, only to appear angelic sitting in the pew. It happens more than we like to think. Double standards don’t escape many people.

We have to stop and ask ourselves if building a life on our own terms is really worth it in the long run. What are the consequences, both earthly and eternal? At what point, do we set aside our truths and start a deep dive into the truth of life and eternity? Some never reach that crucial point, and yet others hit rock bottom and face a reality they never imagined. With their eyes and minds suddenly wide open, they face the truth they’ve been suppressing. Reality has a way of opening up the truth once and for all.

If you would test the character of anything, you only need to enquire whether that thing leads you to God or away from God. ~Watchman Nee

They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Romans 1:25

When we knowingly and deliberately exchange the truth of God for a lie, we are putting ourselves before God. Creation over Creator. It’s idolatry and in a manner of speaking, we’re calling ourselves God. That’s rebellion. Rebellion and disobedience are deliberate arrows aimed directly at the heart of God.

When we choose ourselves over God, we can claim everyone’s doing it, or it’s not really that bad of a sin, or we only did it “just this once”. Do we think that makes it right with God? We can’t call evil good and good evil. Because, deep down we know the true. We just won’t admit it, because then we’ll have to change. And we don’t want to change. Life is good and comfortable, and we want to keep it that way. When we throw God in the mix, we know that life will never be the same for us. And we don’t want to give up our sinful ways.

According to AI, modern secularism is the ideological framework that seeks to organize society around non-religious principles — not merely separating church and state, but actively displacing transcendent moral frameworks from public life in favor of purely materialist, procedural, and technocratic governance. It’s not the same thing as the classical liberal separation of church and state. That was a structural arrangement. Modern secularism is a comprehensive worldview.

As Gavin Ortlund says in The Gospel After Christendom, “God himself is the antidote to modern secularism.” And Alexandr Solzhenitsyn says that “men have forgotten God; that’s why all this has happened”, in reference to the twentieth-century violence.

But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. Romans 1:18-22

Man has repressed the truth of the everlasting power and the divinity of God. It has been exiled to his unconscious, to the crypts of his existence. That does not mean though that it has vanished forever. Still active, it reveals itself again and again. But it cannot become openly conscious; it appears in disguise, and it is exchanged for something different. ~Johan Bavick, The Church Between the Temple and the Mosque

The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. Acts 17:24-25

The open hostility which sinners express by their lives does not provoke God so much as the vile dishonor they give to His truth, which He sent to make them free. When God sees men scorn His truth by imprisoning it from having any command over their lives, this sight kindles the fire of His wrath into a consuming flame. It is a dangerous choice to walk contrary to the light of God’s truth. ~William Gurnall, The Christian in Complete Armour

Dear friend, if you have chosen your truth over biblical truth, dare to open the Word of God and seek the truth that will liberate you. If you haven’t repented of your sins and asked Jesus Christ to be the Lord of your life, there is time today to do so. You may think you have all the time in the world to acknowledge and accept the truth of biblical teachings, but that may not be the case. We’ve seen the news this week of the senator who seemed healthy one day and was dead the next. We don’t know when God will call us to account for our lives. Now is the time to set aside the truths we’ve created in our minds or been told to accept by those who will intentionally mislead us. It’s time to bow to the Lord of the universe and follow him. There is freedom in the truth of God.

Self Control vs. Self Entitlement

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Self Control: The control of oneself; the ability to master one’s desires and impulses.

Self Entitlement: A mentality where an individual believes they inherently deserve special treatment, privileges, or favorable outcomes simply because of who they are, without having earned them through merit, effort or contribution.

I recently read an interesting article about self control. It told the story of a traveler on a train from London to Paris who encountered a group of young women traveling the same route. Of the seventy-two passengers on the train, only the six young women were noisy. In fact, they were talking and laughing loudly in a way that showed their self importance. They showed no regard for anyone else’s comfort on that train. Until the writer of the article approached them, that is. When called out for the rude behavior, one young woman answered with an attitude of belligerence. Yet, another woman in the group answered apologetically and said she didn’t realize they were too loud.

Six loud voices against sixty-six quiet people. What would you do if you were in the quiet group? Would you have dared to speak up? If you did, would you have been kind or demanding? The sentence in the article that impressed me was “I spoke much more mildly than my inner thoughts might have prompted me to speak.” The one who confronted the young women showed restraint in his approach to an awkward situation. He made a judgment call to kindly point out the trouble the group was causing without causing trouble himself. That in itself is an act worth noting.

Read the article here.

This story got me thinking about the way I treat others. Do I always think I’m in the right when someone challenges my position? Do I struggle to see their point of view? Do I assert my “rights” and scoff unapologetically at their insensitivities? Do I think I’m always right? Does my conscience ever challenge my sense of entitlement? Does my conscience still work? Do I conduct myself in a thoughtless manner that leaves others offended?

And if someone dares to correct me, how do I respond? Do I act or speak aggressively, knowing that one of my flaws has been discovered? Do I present an attitude of entitlement? Or, do I quietly and kindly consider the words that were spoken in a challenging moment? Do I thank them for their honest assessment of my untoward behavior? And then change that behavior?

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies! Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it. Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds. Psalm 141:3-5

A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. Proverbs 25:28

In I Samuel 24:1-7, David and his men were hiding in a cave when his archenemy, King Saul, entered it alone to relieve himself. At the strong urging of his men, David crept up and cut off a piece of Saul’s robe — unbeknownst to Saul. David’s men saw the moment as a divine intervention and wanted him to kill the king. And he could have. But for one thing. David’s conscience got the best of him. He knew he couldn’t harm the king. It was that simple for him. God didn’t want him to harm the king in any way, shape or form. So he didn’t.

Was David wrong to cut the piece off of Saul’s robe? It isn’t mine to say. Only God knows. David felt convicted by his action and vowed not to harm the king. Why? He knew Saul had been anointed by God, and who was he to harm God’s chosen leader? Even though the soldiers around him urged him to finish off the king, David refused. He knew that he was forbidden to touch the king in a way of harm. So David stepped back and waited for King Saul to walk out of the cave before letting him know that his life had been spared.

Actually, David’s actions that day showed us that good can overcome evil. He didn’t bow to the pressures of his men who wanted the king dead. David served a much bigger King, and he wouldn’t allow the death threats Saul was throwing his way to deter him from his mission. Oh. He knew God had already chosen him to replace Saul as the next king of Israel, but he also knew that it wasn’t his place to decide when Saul breathed his last breath. He would wait patiently for the day of his own coronation before taking the throne.

Even Jesus had what seemed to be a too good to be true offer from Satan himself. Satan shows all the kingdoms of the world to Jesus and promised he could have authority over all of them if only he would worship Satan. Jesus politely refused and reminded Satan that we must worship only the Lord God.

Read about Jesus’ refusal to succumb to Satan’s efforts to tempt him in Luke 4:1-13.

Perhaps it’s time to examine ourselves and our motives. Maybe we need to ask ourselves if we have a tender conscience. Do we ever feel convicted about something we’ve done or said? Do we ever feel convicted to withhold judgment or harsh words or improper actions? Or, do we forge ahead as if we have the right to do or say anything we want without considering the ticking of our conscience? And again, do we ever feel convicted to speak up and risk the aggressive acts of the listener?

He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. Psalm 25:9

A Nation That Has Forgotten God

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I have lived on this earth long enough to remember our great nation’s two hundredth birthday. Yes, I’m of that age. It was the summer before my senior year of high school. I recall being slightly jealous of the senior class that graduated that year, because they could say they graduated the year of the big birthday of our nation. It was a trivial thought, but I thought it. And now somehow fifty years have passed. Far too quickly, I might add. But here we are.

As I reflect back on the last fifty years, I’ve seen many changes in this land. In the people. Some good changes. And some not so good. Progress is good if it’s done with the best intentions and in the best interest of the people. Some ideas for change should never even pass the lips of the one with the idea. They’re that bad. But again, here we are. Good and bad changes have transpired in the fifty years since we last celebrated a big birthday for our country.

As those Englanders boarded that ship to America, they were hoping for change. Good change. They were looking for freedom to express their own faith and beliefs without fear of persecution. They wanted the freedom to govern themselves with equality and justice for all. So they moved.

And we know that freedom isn’t exactly free. It comes with a great price. Just ask those pilgrims who traveled so far to enter this land and make it their home. They lost many of their people after they arrived. Life was hard. They came with nothing to a place with nothing. They had to build their lives from scratch. And look at us today. Many of us just want handouts. Or we give handouts to those who come wanting something for nothing.

I don’t watch soccer, but I’ve been seeing stories of visitors from Europe traveling our great country. They’re here for the World Cup, and they’re just in time to celebrate our nation’s birthday with us. And they’re in awe. They’re seeing the results of the hard work of their forefathers who sacrificed to move here. And they like what they see. We who have lived here for generations take our freedom and what they call luxuries as a right. We demand our rights, even if they are dangerous and damaging. And we think nothing of it. We’ve become desensitized to the wealth that we have. Our middle class lives far beyond what the upper class of other countries does. In some ways. And we take it all for granted. Perhaps when they return home, they’ll be as jealous of Americans as I was of the class that graduated fifty years ago.

When I say “we”, I’m speaking of a collective we. Not all Americans have turned their back on this county, but some have. That group seems to have the loudest voices, and they’re being heard. And yet they stay here. Really. They’re a minority, but they’re changing the culture of this great country. And we’re headed down a dangerous path if they have their way. Mark my words. And it’s interestingly refreshing to hear the Europeans praise our land as they have fallen in love with it. And yet we don’t seem to do the same. We’ve become hardened to the good that we have. And we want more. Or we want something else that is a bit more unseemly.

Two hundred and fifty years ago, a group of men signed a document declaring their independence from their native land. And history was set in place. As we look back, we have much to be thankful for and much to still accomplish. You could say we’ve come a long way, baby, but it now seems as if we’re backtracking instead of moving forward. Oh. I’m not talking about industrial inventions and progress. I’m talking about cultural swings into a perverse belief system that reflects nothing our founding fathers set forth. We can do better. We must do better. And there’s no better time than the present.

How grateful we ought to be that we can meet together to worship God after that form which best satisfies our consciences without any fear of being hunted down by the authorities of the land…We worship God in unlimited liberty, and we ought to be exceedingly glad of the privilege, and infinitely more grateful for it than we are…Blessed is the land in which we dwell, and blessed are the days in which we live, when in all peace and quietness we worship God in public and sing his high praises as loudly as we please. Great God of peace, thou hast give us this peace, and in remembrance of our hunted forefathers we bless thee with our whole hearts! ~Charles Spurgeon

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage! Psalm 33:12

The state of our country reminds me of the Israelites who left Egypt to pursue God’s call to a promised land. It was a hard road for them, because time after time they turned their back on him. They tried to do things their way. And it backfired every time. Unlike the pilgrims who sailed for over two months to cross the ocean to this land, they wandered in the desert for forty years because of their disobedience. And everyone who left Egypt on that fateful night died before they were able to enter Canaan, the land God had promised to them. All but one of the one hundred two passengers on the Mayflower survived their trip.

The Israelites were God’s chosen people. And yet, they’re a great example of a nation that turned their back on God. God chose Canaan as their new home, because he knew it would give them a life of abundance. They had multitudes of fresh food and water. They conquered cities and took over the land. Each of the twelve tribes moved to their designated areas of the country. And they settled in. But settling in wasn’t enough for them. Instead of fully obeying God by destroying everyone who had lived in Canaan, they allowed some to live. And over time, the original inhabitants of the land persuaded them to abandon God and worship their idols. They married and had families with the people they were slated to annihilate.

Each time the Israelites found themselves at a crossroad of hardship and desperation, they remembered how God had led them on the journey to this new homeland. And they turned their backs on their idols and once again worshipped God. But their commitment would continue to wane until finally God had had enough. He allowed them to be conquered by the Babylonians. Many of the elite Israelites were sent into exile in a foreign land where they had to identify as someone they weren’t. This continued for seventy years when they were allowed to return home to rebuild their land.

I think of the state of our nation and how what had started as a nation under God has become a nation that ignores God. We are on the same destructive path that Israel walked, and we seem content to do it. No remorse. Oh sure. They are plenty who are enraged that our nation has fallen so low in our morality and ethics. It seems that everything goes these days. We freely kill unborn babies and applaud men in women’s sports. We overlook the unethical behavior of elected leaders and call it good. We ignore the laws of the land and welcome those who enter our country without proper authorization. We are a country wallowing in deep decay.

In his Farewell Address to the nation the first president of this country, George Washington, discussed religion and morality as a means to support political prosperity. His view was that while some individuals of “refined education” might maintain morality without religion, the same couldn’t be expected to hold true for a nation as a whole. How right he was.

Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle. ~George Washington

I believe George Washing was onto something, but I believe religion alone isn’t the answer. We can be religious about anything. It is a personal relationship with God and a commitment to serve and obey him alone that will turn individual lives around. Godly leaders in our country can right the ship that has been steadfastly sinking over these past decades. Prayer and commitment to God Almighty can save this nation and delay any judgment and punishment that is headed our way. Oh. We as a nation won’t get off easy when God judges us. But we can repent today and commit to following him. One person at a time can help turn the tide and get the country back on course to being a Christian nation.

The Hounds of Hell

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It was an overcast morning as I started out on my daily walk. It’s a very, very small town where I live, and I passed five people who waved and said “good morning” as I walked my familiar path. Not bad for friendliness in small town USA. As I came upon one corner where I would turn to head east, I noticed a young mom pushing a stroller my way. She, however, took the shortcut through the church parking lot, and I headed toward the end of the street. We raised our hand in greeting as we moved on down the path.

Later in the walk as I was heading down the long stretch going west, I saw her in the distance. Once again, she was heading toward me. As I said hello to the older gentleman sitting on the tailgate of his pickup truck, I noticed the three dogs that lived on the opposite street corner out in their yard. They heard my greeting and ran to the fence barking wildly. Then they noticed the young mom and turned to run in her direction, once again barking wildly. As we met on the street, she said that the dogs seemed as if they weren’t sure which of us to bark at. I laughingly noted that it was obvious to the dogs that we both were a huge threat to their existence. Then we moved on down the path once again.

I’ve noticed these dogs on other mornings. They’re not always outside, but when they are they make their presence known to anyone passing by. They want to make sure someone coming near their territory knows that it’s their territory. I wave to their owners if they happen to be outside, but no other contact is made. I’m not sure if these dogs are friendly or aggressive. I’m just thankful they’re behind a fence while I can walk freely.

Oh. I come across other dogs on my morning walks. Some are friendly. Others aren’t. And still others pay me no attention. Some are behind a fence and others aren’t. There have only been a couple of incidents where the dogs came close enough to touch me, but no harm was done. A couple of the owners make sure to pull their dogs closer to their side as I’m walking past. They don’t want any ugly incidents, either.

Oh. The dogs at the fence may look harmless, but their bark sounds menacing. If the dog doesn’t know you, you just don’t know what it may do. Is it friendly or ferocious? Who wants to find out? If you’ve ever been attacked by a dog, and I haven’t, it’s not a pretty picture. Great harm can be done.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. 1 Peter 5:8-9

Imagine yourself going through a busy day, and a pack of dogs started following you. You can see them. You can hear them. You don’t know their intent. But they sound like they mean business. Do you run or stand perfectly still? What should you do to avoid harm?

Do you ever stop to consider what you should do when you realize Satan is pursuing you? Do you run in the opposite direction or straight toward him? Do you stand perfectly still hoping to avoid detection? Do you flirt a little, trying to appease him? Do you introduce yourself, so there’s an air of familiarity the next time you meet? Do you make a scene and hope someone standing nearby notices and helps rescue you? What do you do? Do you want to be rescued?

Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” Matthew 16:23

In 1 Peter, Paul compared Satan to a lion. He knew that Satan was a great deceiver and usually works under the cover of darkness. He’s sly and sneaky. He’ll attempt to trick anyone who isn’t paying attention. And sometimes, we’re easily fooled by what seems to be good intentions. He knows who he’s looking for. The weak follower of Christ. The one who isn’t in the Word of God on a regular basis. The one who is weary when their prayers aren’t answered in a way that pleases them. The one who is losing their way because they are following the wrong crowd. The one who is angry. The one who feels betrayed. The one who is proud and self important. I have to ask. Are you a weak target?

Don’t think that Satan is targeting those who aren’t following Christ. He’s not. He’s already got them where he wants them. They’re not a problem. He’s going after the ones who have rejected him outright. He wants them back, and he’ll do anything to get them.

Oh. Don’t worry. Satan doesn’t go instantly for the jugular. Once you’re in his grip, he likes to toy with his prey. It will be painful for the victim, but they won’t succumb to the wounds early on. He’ll continue clawing and biting to see how much he can get from you before he strikes the deadly blow. It’s a game for him. He wants to take another one to his lair with him. He’s aiming for a large den of victims.

But, just so you know. Satan doesn’t have to be the winner, just because you’re his prey. There is a way out from his manipulating power. He doesn’t hold all the keys. Even when in his death grip, the vilest sinner can call out to the Living God for rescue and salvation and they will be heard. God hears the sincere sinner’s cry, regardless of their situation. He will answer and he will save them from their sins.

The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them. Psalms 145:18-19

The World Will Know That There is a God

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We’ve heard it all over the news. The United States has struck a deal with Iran. Oh. The negotiations were headed by a team from Pakistan. One Muslim country worked with another Muslim country and a “Christian” country to sign the memorandum of understanding. For the record, it’s not a peace deal. We can only hope that it results in peace. We have to wonder if there will actually be peace. Will Iran forever put aside their plan to make a nuclear weapon? Or, are they just playing games? Were they just saying the appropriate words they knew everyone wanted to hear? Are they sincere? Only time will tell, but we had better hope that this is the real deal. If not, I’m afraid the consequences will be far worse than we could even imagine. Again, time will tell.

Apparently, there are still ongoing negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program and other issues. One news article I read quoted a well-known senator, who expressed concern that the U.S. and Iranian governments had different definitions of what they had agreed to. Could be. Not everyone has the same definition for the same word these days. And cultural practices and expectations can also thwart true understanding of an issue.

I’ve been reading reports about this truce and the potential fallout. There was already a hiccup when Israel struck Beirut. Iran threatened to retaliate, and the US made a statement against Israel. It was a back and forth and back and forth in the negotiation process. Not everyone wants to play nice. And here’s the main thing about the entire deal, the US knows that Iran follows a religion that approves of lying. So, trust is on very shaky ground. Even now. And Pakistan stood steady trying to prevent sabotage of any kind from either party. American diplomacy alone could not seal the deal. It took an outside force to finalize the truce. The formal signing was set for Friday, June 19th in Switzerland, but was then cancelled when the documents were signed electronically earlier in the week.

Now, some may ask which side won. You can be sure each side will take ownership of the winning bracket, regardless of the reality. In this situation, are there any winners? Is that the point? Peace is the point. No nuclear weapons or capability for a country known to brutalize its own people, let alone the rest of the world, is the point. But somehow, that main issue has been set aside. For what? People have been killed and persecuted for years by a hedonistic regime, and many knew it was time to stop them. For years, no one did any thing to stop the horrific treatment of a Persian people by an Islamic regime. This war has been costly on every side. And it impacts the world in ways we haven’t really seen yet. We must hope and pray that the issue is settled once and for all, but let’s not hedge our bets on it.

Here’s the main problem. Iran has definitely been weakened, but not defeated. The leadership regime has not been removed from power. The people of that Persian nation are still at risk of persecution and death. Is the country better off now than it was before the conflict began? Will the nation still be able to rebuild nuclear capabilities at some point in the future? If so, what was the point of all this conflict? The nation of Iran also has a history of not keeping their word. And they haven’t agreed to eliminate their nuclear capabilities.

These global issues may seem to be manmade. They are long standing and deeply rooted in darkness. Deep down, there’s a dark spiritual aspect that’s being played out. When global leaders and nations turn against God, it can only be expected that evil will prevail. The world needs to know that there is a Savior. There is still a God who is in control in evil times and even when evil leaders pursue those who stand against them. No one is above God’s commands, and all will answer to him. No one nation has all the answers and performs fully in line with God. That’s the nature of mankind. Unfortunately. We can’t trust any one in power to be God for us. We must look to God alone. There will come a day when all mankind will bow to God Almighty, and the world will know without a doubt that there is a God.

The whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 1 Samuel 17:46

You may know the story of David and Goliath. David was from the tribe of Judah in Israel. Goliath was from the country of Philistia. The history of the two countries’ disagreements starts long before these two men faced off. The conflict between the Israelites and Philistines was initially about the territory of Canaan and religious and cultural differences between the two nations. When the Israelites left Egypt under Pharoah’s hot pursuit, God promised the land of Canaan as their future home. God also required the Israelites, once they arrived in their new land, to eliminate everyone living there. Everyone. God didn’t want his chosen people to be enticed to worship any other god but himself. He knew the failings of mankind, and he wanted his people to have no part of idol worship.

The story, of course, has a twist because the Israelites didn’t eliminate every last person from Canaan. And the remaining people worshipped other gods. As the Israelites moved into their designated territories in Canaan, they met and befriended the locals. And, of course, they intermarried and began worshipping gods other than the One True God. Just as God had forewarned, his chosen people headed down a dark and evil path moving further from him.

Throughout the years, Israel’s army fought different battles with the Philistines. Some they won. Others they lost. And now Saul, the first king of Israel, had led his men to a battle with the opposition. A giant in the Philistine army would come out to taunt the Israelite army every day. He was big and bad and had killed many men. He seemed fearless and egotistical. All of Israel’s army ran from his presence. Until the day David came along bringing fresh supplies to his brothers and saw what was happening. He saw the men’s fears, and he wanted a piece of the action.

David had a deep faith in God, and he was also a mighty warrior in his own right. Oh. He had never fought a battle with other men. But he had killed lions and bears preying on the sheep in his pasture. He knew how to defend what was rightfully his, and he did it willingly and skillfully. He had no fears about facing the giant all his fellow warriors ran from. So he offered himself to fight this giant named Goliath. If you know the story, you know that he stood facing this warrior with only a few stones and a sling. But when he pulled that stone back in the slingshot and let go, it found its mark. Right in the middle of the giant’s forehead. Goliath came toppling down. David then picked up Goliath’s sword and finished him off. Israel had won the battle. All because a young man had faith in a God he couldn’t see, but knew that this God would stand with him in the toughest fight of his life.

Before David shot the fateful stone into the forehead of Goliath, he gave the speech of a lifetime. He let Goliath know that God would be the victor that day, and no one else could claim the victory. I’m sure Goliath scoffed as he heard David claim victory before it actually occurred. But after that stone pierce his forehead, the giant fell face forward into the soil. What Goliath thought was an innocent act of bravery by a shepherd turned into his face to face meeting with God Almighty. It was in that moment that he stood in front of his Maker giving an account for his life and every action he had taken and every word he had spoken. There was no time to repent. Goliath was dead.

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 1 Samuel 17:45-47

David knew the match up between himself and Goliath wasn’t about his skill. It was a statement to let everyone watching know that God was real and active. David didn’t wait for conditions to be favorable or for Goliath’s daily threats to make sense. He stepped into an impossible situation and trusted in the God he knew and who had defended him in the past. He trusted that God would show up in his moment of need, just as he had every other time David called on him. And God led him to defeat a self-important giant of a bully. God saved the nation of Israel that day, using a young man who was obedient in the time of trouble.

The situation in Iran has few similarities to David and Goliath’s story. In one situation, both parties claim victory. In the other story, there was a definite victor and a definite defeat. Headless bodies don’t get up and walk away. But parties that haven’t been eliminated live to fight another day.

What does this say to us today? There will always be factions at war with each other. Country against country. Man against man. Man against evil. Man against good. And man against God. Does the world that you inhabit know that you serve a real and active God? Do the people you associate with on a regular basis see God working for you and through you in every battle you face? Have you bowed to the God of the universe and vowed to follow him and eradicate all sin from your life? Do you turn your back on temptations and ungodly desires? Do you stand strong in the face of giants who want to destroy you and what you stand for? God is on your side and will defend you and strength you in your times of trouble.

Does the world that you live in on a daily basis know that there is a God because of the way you live your life?

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalms 46:1

You can read the full story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17.

Knee Injury

~ mercyfortheday ~ 1 Comment

I got the MRI results a week ago. All suspicions are now laid to rest. I didn’t know that one knee could have so many issues all at the same time and still function normally. Torn meniscus. Sprained MCL. Deteriorating cartilage because the knee doesn’t track correctly. Whatever that means. And a Baker’s cyst on top of all that. That’s all happening to my knee at any one given moment. And I’m not really in pain. Should I be?

The doctor advised me to schedule physical therapy, so that starts next week. But I don’t think that physical therapy can heal a torn meniscus. The chiropractor said he couldn’t and stopped all treatment. So I wait. And I don’t play pickleball, which by the way, was the initiator of the injuries last fall. I just thought the tightening of the calf was my only problem until it didn’t heal. And it became aggravated every time I tried to play. If only I’d had the MRI back then, I could have been ready for spring pickleball season.

I’ve come to the conclusion that someone needs to tell people who are growing older not to try to act too young. It will catch up with you. But here’s the thing. I wasn’t trying to act young. I was trying to learn a new hobby and stay active. And now look what it’s done to me. I just want to play pickleball. And no. I’m not athletic. I’ve learned a fun sport in my older age, and I love it. And now I can’t shouldn’t play.

I read that a compression sleeve won’t help, even if it is made with copper or bamboo. I’m told to wear a hinged knee brace if I want to play. And yes, I’m trying to avoid surgery. But we’ll see what happens down the road. The chiropractor told me that if I wanted to play pickleball again, I would need surgery. My doctor says to forge ahead with physical therapy, and then we’ll talk.

For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives. Hebrews 12:6

The Christian lives a life of constant pruning. It’s a sanctifying life that we live, once we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. And by that, I mean it is a continual growing in our faith. We don’t become a Christian and then stop learning. We must read our Bibles and pray. We must attend church and spend time with fellow believers who can disciple and mentor us. A new Christian will have many questions about their newfound faith. They will possibly have habits and interests that God prunes out of their lives. They may have to extend their friendships to people who will challenge them to grow and not turn away from God. They will experience temptations that they will need to resist. It will not be an easy process, but it is a fulfilling life that’s lived in obedience to Jesus Christ.

During times of trial, our faith is pruned in ways we never imagined. Trusting God throughout the deepest, darkest times may seem ridiculous to those outside the faith. But to those who are true followers of Christ, there is no other way to live. There are moments when God is the only constant in life, and He is enough. During those dark moments, we have to ask ourselves if God is enough even if life never improves. Can we trust God in those moments not knowing what the future holds? And the answer is a resounding “yes”. Always yes.

You may ask how pruning in the Christian life compares to a knee injury. My knee is suffering the attempts I’ve made to establish a new activity in my life. I pushed it to its limits, and it rebelled. Now I have to rebuild the knee in order for it to heal and function normally. The same is true in our walk with Christ. When all our efforts at being the commander of our own life miserably fail, we can turn to God and he will guide us through recovery and healing. Oh. Our sinful attempts at living life our way may have lifelong consequences. But there can be a freeing, trusting relationship with God knowing that he is now the guiding source in life.

I may never completely trust my knee again, but I can work toward as thorough a healing as my body will allow. And I have to be comfortable knowing that. Sure. I should be able to play pickleball again, but I will be cautious knowing what could happen if I twist my knee into an uncomfortable position. The same holds true for my faith. If I try to twist my conscience into thinking that my ways are better than God’s, I will see very uncomfortable results when I stand before God on judgment day.

The soul-master of sin has so marred man’s sweet countenance that it is no more like the comeliness God created than the fiend of hell’s similarity to the holy angel which he had been in heaven. But by His grace Christ has undertaken to heal this wound which sin has given to man’s nature. His healing power is at work in his elect, but the cure is not yet so complete that no scars remain; this, then, is the uncomeliness which sincerity covers. ~William Gurnall, The Christian in Complete Armour

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:1-5

Where is Your Treasure Stored?

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I pulled in the driveway after getting home from church last Sunday. I noticed a new four-wheeler sitting in the yard of the house next door. And it’s bright blue. Brand spanking new. A young man from the neighborhood bought the house a year ago, and is remodeling it with his dad. It’s a great father son project, but the house is still unlivable a year later. Who knows when he’ll actually move in. But it’s this new “vehicle” that got my attention. The young man already owns four vehicles, and he’s only twenty-five years old. Why does he need so many cars/trucks/jeeps/whatever they are? I get it. He loves cars. He’s an auto mechanic. And now he’s bought this toy. If he ever gets to move into this house, he could walk to his parent’s house. I walk by their house on a regular basis, and it’s not that far away. Maybe a block on a good day.

Here’s the thing. I’ve noticed his “need” for toys comes honestly. That’s how he’s grown up. His parents own a very modest home. There could have been room on their lot to build a garage for their two vehicles, but instead they built a barn of sorts that houses two of their son’s vehicles which he never drives. And who knows what else is stored in there. The son works on other people’s cars in his off hours in that garage, and there’s room to store other tools and toys. And they have three, yes three, sheds on their small property. Each of these are packed full of things. Multiple air conditioners. Tubs filled with who knows what. Tools of all sorts. Tiling tools that have been used only once. And the dad has his own four-wheeler. Plus, they have a camper in the back yard. They also have a tractor mower and multiple other lawn tools. They also own at least two trailers to haul equipment. One is an open bed, and the other is enclosed. The parents also built a cabin in the southern part of the state where they go to relax and unwind. Needless to say, they’ve spent a ton of money on things. Some of these things have been used only once and then set aside. Others are used on a regular basis. They have every kind of toy a man could want. And now the son is following in his father’s footsteps.

I just don’t get it. I often tell myself that I hope they’ve saved as much money for retirement as they have spent on needless hobbies and interests. But I don’t know. I’ll probably never know. Maybe the dad has a good pension that’s he’s counting on. I’ll never know that, either. I don’t need to know those things. And these are not wealthy people. They most likely aren’t college educated, not that one needs to have a college degree in order to be highly compensated. But they don’t live as if they’re highly compensated. Or, do they? I hope they’re not deeply in debt, but I’ll also never be able to confirm that. I definitely don’t want to know if that’s the case. But I watch and notice these things, and I’m just in terrified awe of their spending habits.

I wonder about this family. Do they ever step back and just look at all the earthly possessions their hard money has bought for them? Do they fondle and admire it? Do they worship all those manmade objects that sit used or mostly unused? Is that what brings them fulfillment? Do they ever contribute money to a charitable cause? Oh. I know they willingly loan out their equipment to friends and family. I’ve been the recipient of their generosity. But in the whole scheme of things, do they think more about what they can do for themselves over what they can do for others with that paycheck they get? I just wonder.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21

Yes, it’s true that we do need to save money for emergencies and retirement. For vacations and extracurricular expenses. It isn’t wise to spend every cent of our expendable income on fun and unnecessary entertainment. As Solomon says in Ecclesiastes, there is a season for everything. And that includes saving money. We must be wise in how we make money, spend it and then save it.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

Earthly treasures will moth, rust and decay, of that we can be sure. Also, thieves can break in and steal every last material treasure we have stored up on this earth. It’s a known fact. Nothing is safe if it isn’t protected and stored correctly. And I must say, these “treasures” that the neighbor has stored in all his sheds aren’t necessarily bad. I’m sure, at one point, they were deemed necessary. But now they sit stored away never being used. The man has told me that he has bought items and then used them only once. And he keeps them lying around. Just in case.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

But I’ll tell you what these treasures or toys or whatever you want to call them can’t do for this family. These “things” can’t bring peace in times of trouble. They can’t give eternal life to the souls of these family members. Sure. They can be sold and the money used to help someone in need or pay an unexpected bill. But that’s not what’s happening.

I wonder if this family has ever considered storing up treasures in heaven. Treasures that will not doom them to an eternity in hell. Have they considered the eternal cost of placing their bets on material possessions on this earth? I don’t know. We haven’t had those conversations.

We spend too much time pursuing the things we think will make us happy or fulfilled without considering our need to pursue God.  Toys and earthly treasures will only fulfill us for a short time, and then we’re on the hunt for the next big thing. But the lifelong pursuit of a relationship with Jesus Christ provides a lasting fulfillment that keeps getting richer and stronger with each breath we take. And it isn’t dependent on the size of our bank account or the number of stuffed sheds on our property. It’s the steady building of a close relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It’s in the daily decision to obey our Heavenly Father and doing his will. If you haven’t done so, repent of your sins today. While you still have time. And then begin storing eternal treasures that will never rust, rot or decay.

For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? Mark 8:36