Possible Choices

Possible Choices by Julia Prins Vanderveen

Scripture Reading: Genesis 3:1-20

“But God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden. . . .’” Genesis 3:2

In the garden of Eden, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil represented the possible choices people could make to do the wrong thing—the opposite of whatever was good, true, and lovely.

It’s a gut-wrenching type of foreshadowing to see Adam and Eve make the choice to eat from that tree, and this points to all the times when God’s people would make sinful decisions in the future.

As other stories in the Bible show, some people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes, to satisfy their own appetites and interests, while others trusted in God and obeyed, doing what was right.

One of the challenges we face as we read the Bible is to ­realize that even though people were created good, they were able to do evil, and even though people can be bad, that doesn’t mean they don’t have any good in them. For we are all created in God’s image, which is good, but ­every one of us can disobey and sin against God, breaking our relationship with him.

As we will see, sometimes situations are murky and have layers of meaning. However, all the nuances and complexities of sin are finally confronted in Jesus’ death for our sake on the cross.

Instead of continually experiencing the estrangement brought about by eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, we are reconciled with God by Jesus’ gift of his own life on the tree of the cross. Through his death, Jesus brought us reconciliation, restoration, and renewal.

Lord, we are often tempted to do only as we please. Rescue us from our willful and harmful decisions, and help us to pursue what is good and true. Amen.

Trans Athletes / Girls' Sports

 PA Gov. Tom Wolf Threatens to Block GOP Effort to Keep Trans Athletes Out of Girls’ Sports - Brietbart

 
Wolf took to his Facebook page to warn statehouse Republicans that he will veto “discrimination” against trans athletes. “I’ll veto this discriminatory ban if it reaches my desk,” Wolf said of the GOP-led effort to restrict trans athletes in the state’s schools.
 
To Pennsylvania’s trans youth: You belong. You are valued. Participate in the school activities that make you happiest. I’ll be cheering you on,” Wolf concluded.
 
The gov. was responding to a story in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporting on the effort to ban transgender athletes from participating in the sport of their gender choice and to restrict them to the categories corresponding to their birth gender.
 
According to the paper, the sponsors say “the proposed measure would protect gender equality in sports and ensure a level playing field for girls and women. Some Democratic lawmakers say the measure is damaging and promotes discrimination.”

Quote from Sgt. A.C. York

 "The fear of God makes a hero; the fear of man makes a coward." Sgt. Alvin C. York

Prayer in a Pandemic

 Prayer in a Pandemic by Bill Keller

Dear Lord, our nation is in the grip of FEAR over the current health crisis.

We know fear is not of You.

You actually tell us in Your Word, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

We live in a nation, a world, that has turned its' back on You, forsaken You and Your Word for the false gods and lies of this world.

Please help me as a believer in Christ who is washed in His blood to be a living testimony in these fearful days as you enable me to reach out to the lost, hurting, and afraid that You are Lord...You are on Your throne....You and not man will always have the final word!

May this current health outbreak here and in nations around the world be a wake-up call that we MUST turn back to You and Your Truth!

You and You alone are our answer in this life and Jesus alone is our hope for all eternity.

May sinful man bow his knee to You at this time and find true hope and peace in the midst of our trials. May fear give way to faith...in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior of all who believe; of everyone who lays his life at His feet.

In the mighty, matchless name that is above all names -- in the name of JESUS I pray...AMEN!!!

Thoughts on Today's Verse

 "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. " Philippians 4:7

Thoughts on Today's Verse by Phil Ware

What guards your heart?

What protects your mind?

Did you know that the peace of God can stand guard over our hearts and minds?

That's the apostle Paul's promise to us in this passage. If we will present our requests to God, with thanksgiving, then God's peace that is greater than any explanation and that transcends our ability to comprehend it, will stand sentry over our hearts and minds.

You want an example of how this is true?

Look at the book of Job. All that befalls him. All that wounds him. Yet he doesn't become hard of heart or go insane.

What is the key to his survival?

His ongoing conversation with the LORD. He will not relinquish that relationship no matter how badly he hurts, how much he is confused, how much he loses, nor how badly he is ridiculed.

My Prayer...

Father, I need your peace. There are wounds that pierce my heart, but I don't want it to become hardened and callused.

There are times my mind is so confused that I fear I may lose my rationality.

Dear Father, I trust that as I cling to Jesus, and as I speak openly with you about my life and your grace, that you will bless me with your peace and will protect my heart and my mind from destruction.

Thank you, dear Father, for the reminder that even as I struggle with my troubles, I also need to give you thanks for all the good things that you have blessed me with in my life and my walk with you! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

The Integrity Test

The Integrity Test

From: Today God Is First by Os Hillman

April 7, 2021

"God, who gets invited to dinner at your place? How do we get on your guest list? 'Walk straight, act right, and tell the truth. Don't hurt your friend, don't blame your neighbor; despise the despicable. Keep your word even when it costs you, make an honest living, and never take a bribe. You'll never get blacklisted if you live like this.'" (Psalm 15 :1 THE MESSAGE).

In 2002, U.S. companies Arthur Andersen, Enron, and Salomon Brothers were all brought down by the rogue actions of a few who failed the integrity test. Their corporate integrity code failed to equip front-line employees to make the right decisions without supervision.

Lack of integrity is nothing new. The Bible is full of examples. One of these involves Gehazi, the assistant to the most famous prophet of his day, Elisha. It's hard to imagine that anyone working with such an anointed man who saw firsthand the power of God would fail the integrity test. But he did.

When Elisha healed Naaman (a general in the army) from leprosy, he didn't expect to be compensated and he didn't ask for money. When Naaman insisted that Elisha take some form of payment, the prophet answered, "As surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will not accept a thing" (2 Kings 5:16).

Gehazi, however, did not agree with his employer. He saw this as a great opportunity for gain and took matters into his own hands. "Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, 'My master was too easy on Naaman, this Aramean, by not accepting from him what he brought. As surely as the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him'" (2 Kings 5:20).

As a result of his sin, God judged Gehazi. Elisha fired him and God struck him with leprosy, and his life was never the same. He was removed from serving one of God's most extraordinary prophets.

Each of us has the potential of being a Gehazi if we do not have a foundation built into our lives that makes us willing to receive only what God gives us through the fruit of our obedience.

Ask God to keep your motives pure in all you do.

The Old Rugged Cross

 On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross

The emblem of suffering and shame

And I love that old cross where the dearest and best

For a world of lost sinners was slain

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross (rugged cross)

Till my trophies at last I lay down

I will cling to the old rugged cross

And exchange it some day for a crown

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true

It's shame and reproach gladly bear

Then he'll call me some day to my home far away

Where his glory forever I'll share

And I'll cherish the old rugged cross (rugged cross)

Till my trophies at last I lay down

And I will cling to the old rugged cross

And exchange it some day for a crown

I will cling to the old rugged cross

And exchange it some day for a crown