We would always agree with God if we knew what He knows.
     In the Old Testament God required that immoral people be severely punished. Does that sound reasonable? What if we knew and understood what God knows? Today millions of people suffer because society has decided that God’s moral and spiritual codes are no longer relevant to our more sophisticated society. The opinion that is growing around the world is that people should have the right to decide for themselves what they want to do. We recently heard the report that one out of every four teenagers has a sexually transmitted disease. They are doing what they want to do.
      When a child suffers because an adult acts in irresponsible ways, how long does the child experience problems? Sometimes for an entire life! If you were suffering because your parents, or another adult misbehaved, how would you feel? Some children are born with infirmities because their mother or father chose to do what they wanted to do.
      Most of the time I like to fill Praise News with good news, but this month I’m led to consider the suffering we cause others when we decide to disagree with God’s laws. He wants His creation to be happy but our fallen nature wants to rebel. Mankind’s nature says, "If I want to do it, I will do it.” But none of us knows what suffering may result for others when we do what we want to do.
      God designed us so that it takes a man and a woman to produce a child. He planned that children should have both a mother and a father. God has great love for children so He designed His laws to protect and help them. But men and women will sometimes decide that they have the right to choose what is best for themselves.

     God’s laws are designed to help all of us. When societies decide to ignore His laws then people gradually become increasingly lawless. When people turn away from Him they soon go on their own way regardless of who may suffer. Other civilizations have been destroyed because their citizens decided to do what they wanted to do.
     Our government originally determined to obey God’s laws. Over many years the U.S. grew to become the strongest nation, ever. Gradually some citizens have decided that they wanted laws to be changed so people could do whatever they want to do without restrictions. We are now on a stairway leading downward as people demand that God’s laws be rejected and ignored.
     We can center our hearts on trying to be what God wants us to be. Obeying God’s will is the best way to receive the good things that He wants to give us. He knows what hurts His people. And He knows that what we think we want is often not good for us! Our best plan is to decide to agree with Him.
     In spite of the bad things that happen in this world we have a mighty weapon. As we do our best to serve God He uses His power to force evil to work for our good (see Rom. 8:28). Evil men tortured and murdered Jesus but He believed that His Father would use His suffering and death to provide our salvation. All over the world Christians are striving to help others. You and I can do the same!

Mary is taking a break from writing so this month we are reprinting her article from May, 2006.

    Have you ever had a scripture suddenly mean more to you than ever before? It
can be a verse that’s very familiar, or one you don’t remember. Whenever this happens,
linger and meditate on it. The Holy Spirit longs to quicken God’s Word to us.
    I’ve read Psalm 8 many times, but recently the verses seemed to have new meaning to me. Right at the beginning it starts with O Lord . . .When I read that, I thought of how holy God is. He is mighty. He is the creator of the earth, even of the entire universe. He is compassionate, slow to anger and His mercies are new each morning. He is also righteous
and just. In Isaiah 45 God tells us five times that He is the Lord and there is no other God. If you read the whole chapter, it will be a blessing to you.
     The next words in the psalm are, our Lord . . . This means to me that God is your Lord and my Lord. He is not just Lord of the “good” people − those who seem to always say and do the right thing. God is the Lord of all His children, even those - like me - who make lots of mistakes and who many times fail the tests that come along in our lives. If we trust Jesus to be our Savior, we are God’s children and He is our Lord.

     Next, verse one says how majestic is your name . . . God’s name should be considered as holy as He is. Because God is the mighty Creator, with all power, all wisdom and all knowledge, we need to revere His name. In the Lord’s Prayer Jesus taught us to hold God’s name in reverence. To speak His name reverently, not carelessly. In Leviticus God told us many times that we must not profane His name. In fact, in chapter 24, God commanded that anyone who profaned or blasphemed His name must be put to death. Wow! I’m glad we don’t do that today!
     When Jacob wrestled with the “man” in Genesis 32, He refused to tell Jacob his name. Why? Many theologians believe He was God in the form of a man. In Exodus 3 God told Moses His name was to forever be known as I Am. Many years later, when Jesus told His fellow Jews in John 8:58 that before Abraham was born, I Am, they understood that He was claiming to be God. That’s why they wanted to stone Him. They didn’t like the message Jesus brought that we need to humble ourselves and repent of our sins.
     There are so many scriptures that God can use to speak to us. This is just a small sample. Each time you open God’s Word, ask Him to speak to you and teach you whatever He wants you to learn and understand. He loves to answer that prayer.
     Lord, open the eyes of our understanding when we read Your loving words to us. Amen.

You and I are getting a little older – but you are still writing wonderful articles in the Praise News. Shirley, OR

Thank you for Praise News. It is such a blessing for my husband and me. We pray for ‘ears to hear the Holy Spirit’ before we read it. Thank you for your words. Jane and Alan, ME

Your ministry has meant so much to us through the years. My husband works at a Correctional Center and you sent books for distribution to the detainees. These books were a blessing to the men and women at this facility. I lost my job so our personal finances have been very tight. The gift I am sending is very small, but a token of our appreciation and gratefulness. Bonnie, FL

Merlin’s article in the January 2010 Praise News, “Absolutely Impossible” was a fantastic article! Please send me ten copies. I’m positive it will thrill my friends like it did me. Anne, FL

Praise News is a guarantee for a smile of gratitude at my mailbox every single time I receive it! Elizabeth, AZ

You spoke at a retreat in Ohio in early 1970 when I was in the 8th grade. You might think that kids don’t listen but I remember your teachings and you were so uplifting to me. You were great and taught me at a young age it was okay to be happy and joyful! I just wanted to tell you how much you blessed my life. Fran, E-mail

Your books have put a big time blessing on me. They made me look at my life, and helped me to turn it around. These books showed me how much God loves me and what He wants to do for me. I have given all my worries to God. Nadine, FL

I have all your books and I do love Praise News. I’m sorry I can’t regularly support you financially ‘cuz’ I live on Social Security, but I pray for y’all daily. Robert, VT

I work as a police advisor and am embedded with the 101st in Afghanistan. I picked up Prison to Praise at the chaplain’s office. Chapter six about Vietnam really touched my heart. In 2005 my 16 year old daughter was killed in a car accident. My wife has been mad at God ever since. It has really been hard on our marriage. Will you please pray for my wife? I pray that I can have the miracle those soldiers had in your book. Tim, E-mail