“And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:39-43 hThree crosses on the hillside. Jesus, the one on the middle cross, was innocent. Those who had falsely accused him did not realize who He was. He had all the power of Heaven behind Him. He could have called for angels to come and deliver Him. He willingly suffered because of His love for the world He had created. The men who hung on the crosses on either side of Jesus were guilty of murder and insurrection. They deserved to die. One of them joined in with the jeers of the crowd, crying out: “If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.” But the other one made a different…

“And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes; Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.” Daniel 1:3-4 At fifteen years of age, I enrolled in Vocational School in Saint John to take Business classes. A couple of months later, my parents moved to pastor a different church, so I had to board away from home for the next three years. Fortunately, I was able to live with a Christian family and mostly went home on the weekends. Life certainly changed for me, and I had to grow up in a hurry. In Daniel, we read about four teenagers who suddenly found themselves in a strange country, living a completely different life from what they had known. First, their names were changed, which would mean adjustments for them. Then they were told that they had to eat food to which…

“Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread. Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.” Ruth 1:6-7 Three women standing at the crossroads. Naomi had made her decision. There was nothing left for her in Moab. Her husband and her two sons were dead. She would return to Bethlehem. Her two daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah, had a decision to make. They were young and had their life before them. Naomi encouraged them to return to Moab, find other husbands, and raise a family. We do not know how long they stood there weeping, and discussing what was best for them to do. Finally, Orpah made her decision, kissed Naomi, and made her way back to the city. We never hear of her again. Ruth had great love and respect for her mother-in-law. She decided to go with her. We know that the Lord guided her to…

“And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.” Genesis 13:10-11 When Abraham left to follow the Lord, he had no idea where he would end up. He had taken his nephew Lot along with him. God had promised to give the land to Abraham and to his seed forever. Both Abraham and Lot had accumulated large flocks and herds. Conflict developed between the keepers of their flocks, and something had to change. Abraham gave Lot first choice. Lot looked to the East at the well-watered plain of Jordan. His flocks would flourish there. It would be a pleasant place to live. There is no mention that he asked the Lord for directions. He made his choice based on what his eyes could see. As we read the rest of Lot’s story, we realize that he did not make the best choice. He eventually…