The Effect of Choices

If thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left. Genesis 13:9.
Abraham was tested to see whether he would hear the voice of God and obey. The Lord saw that it was not for his best spiritual interest to remain in his country and among his relatives, where he could not exert that influence over them that would be a blessing. He told him to leave them. Abraham was a rich man, but in the greatest simplicity he obeyed God and went out, a sojourner into a strange country. As he left his home and his kindred, God assured him that he would have earthly greatness and prosperity in the land of Canaan.
Why did not Abraham make use of all his means to bring about this prosperity? Why did he not invest his means to enrich himself with wealth and influence above anyone with whom he was brought in contact? Abraham did not do anything to glorify himself. He did not aim at power. He did not aspire to greatness by building up cities and calling them by his name. He was content.
The record tells us that Abraham took Lot, his nephew, with him, and for a time they lived together. But their families were large, and there was a quarrel between the herdsmen of Abraham and the herdsmen of Lot over their cattle. “And Abraham said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee?” …
Lot’s choice was the land of Sodom. Abraham dwelt in the land of Canaan and Lot in the cities of the plain, and he pitched his tent toward Sodom. But the men of Sodom sinned before the Lord exceedingly.
Here is brought to view another separation. It makes a great difference when and how a separation takes place. It was Lot’s privilege to inquire, to be very careful where he should go, very careful in regard to the society he chose for his family. But without reference to the inhabitants, he chose a land that was beautiful in situation, that promised great returns. Lot went in rich, and came forth with nothing as the result of his choice. It makes every difference whether people place themselves in positions where they will have the very best help of correct influences or whether they choose temporal advantages. There are many ways that lead to Sodom. We all need anointed eyesight, that we may discern the way that leads to God.—Letter 109, 1899.
Christ Triumphant p. 72
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for Hannah who has serious medical issues. Please pray also for my niece who is also having serious medical issues. Rose
—–Please continue to pray for those missionaries who are missing in the Philippines when their medical helicopter went down.
—–Please pray for my sister Julie as she has contracted COVID. Carl
—–Please pray for Sherlyn who is having hip replacement surgery tomorrow. Rose
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Dear Friends,
About twenty years ago, my best friend died of cancer. A month or two before she died, she sent out an email to friends and family. This email was such a testimony of faith, that although I had shared it before, I wanted to share it with all of you again.
Here it is:
“Dear Friends & Family, Wanted to let you know if you had not heard that last week I turn for the worse on my health. My liver became enlarged and caused me such great pain and I became very emotional because of what was happening to my body and mind. I feel the Lord is showing me that I am going into the final stages of this cancer. But I want you to know I believe the Lord has been carrying me in his arms through these times and the wonderful love and support I have from my son, Brian and his wife, Beth. Yes they now are living with me and helping to take care of me through these times. The blessing is my son’s orders were canceled right before all this hit me. Isn’t God good how he takes care of us. I am thankful for the healing my son and I have had and the closeness we have with each other now. When I woke up with such terrible pain from a swollen liver, I walk to the kitchen where my son was fixing to leave for work and I could hardly walk. He was going to help me get a cell phone that same day. I told him don’t bother because I felt I would be gone in a few weeks and walked back to my bed crying. He came into my room and held me in his dear arms and said mom don’t give up, don’t give up. It was a hug from God to me and my dear son and it made me feel so loved. When I am in pain it is hard to think and I am very emotional from it. But God still reaches down with his arms and holds me through those bad times. I have been doing better the last few days and don’t have the pain so bad now. But this is all in the Lords hands and I know He will be with me no matter what happens. I just want to serve the Lord and help others to have hope in the Lord even up to my last breath of life. Its only through the Lord any of us can make it through our trials. Just know even through these times I am in pain and can not think right I know the Lord loves me and is with me. Just know just like the Lord has been there for me he will be there for you also if you trust him with your all. He gave everything to come and save us from sin and took our place and died the second death for us so we could have life through him if we but give our lives to him. His Word gives us much hope in its promises. It is bread of life to our souls from Jesus. Just know you are valued by Him. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. II Corinthians 5:21 God bless you all and thank you for those that have uplifted me in your prayers and love. Love, Darlene”
How easy it is when overwhelmed with pain and sorrow, to turn our eyes away from Jesus and feel very sorry for ourselves. How easy to murmur and complain about the circumstances in which we find ourselves. When we do so, we are murmuring against our Loving Lord. Darlene, like Job of old, “sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” Job 1:22 She held to God’s promises, indeed, she clung to her Saviour for strength and comfort throughout. James exclaims, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” James 1:12
May we, in every trial that we must pass through, have strong faith in our Lord Jesus Christ as did Darlene. May our focus be upon our Lord and Saviour, remembering “that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Rom 8:28 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:3-9.
Rose