For Those Desiring a Deep Christian Faith...
  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
  • Daily Meditation
  • Past Daily Meditations
    • 2022 Meditations
    • May Meditations >
      • May 2
      • May 5
      • May 8
      • May 13
      • May 15
      • May 17
    • April Meditations >
      • April 2
      • April 4
      • April 6
      • April 8
      • April 12
      • April 14
      • April 16
      • April 18
      • April 20
      • April 22
      • April 24
      • April 26
      • April 28
      • April 30
    • March Meditations >
      • March 1
      • March 3
      • March 6
      • March 9
      • March 11
      • March 13
      • March 15
      • March 17
      • March 21
      • March 23
      • March 25
      • March 27
      • March 29
      • March 31
    • February 2022 Meditatons
    • 2021 Meditations >
      • January 2021 Meditations
      • February 2021 Meditations
      • March 2021 Meditations
      • April 2021 Meditations
      • May 2021 Meditations
      • June 2021 Meditations
      • July 2021 Meditations
      • August 2021 Meditations
      • September 2021 Meditations
      • October 2021 Meditations
      • November 2021 Meditations
      • December 2021 Meditations
    • 2020 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2020 Archive
      • February 2020 Archive
      • March 2020 Archive
      • April 2020 Archive
      • May 2020 Archive
      • June 2020 Archive
      • July 2020 Archive
      • August 2020 Archive
      • September 2020 Archive
      • October 2020 Archive
      • November 2020 Archive
      • December 2020 Archive
    • 2019 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2019 Archive
      • February 2019 Archive
      • March 2019 Archive
      • April 2019 Archive
      • May 2019 Archive
      • June 2019 Archive
      • July 2019 Archive
      • August 2019 Archive
      • September 2019 Archive
      • October 2019 Archive
      • November 2019 Archive
      • December 2019 Archive
    • 2018 Daily Meditations >
      • December 2018 Archive
      • November 2018 Archive
      • October 2018 Archive
      • September 2018 Archive
      • August 2018 Archive
      • July 2018 Archive
      • June 2018 Archive
      • May 2018 Archive
      • April 2018 Archive
      • March 2018 Archive
      • February 2018 Archive
      • January 2018 Archive
    • 2017 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2017 Archive
      • February 2017 Archive
      • March 2017 Archive
      • April 2017 Archive
      • May 2017 Archive
      • June 2017 Archive
      • July 2017 Archive
      • August 2017 Archive
      • September 2017 Archive
      • October 2017 Archive
      • November 2017 Archive
      • December 2017 Archive
  • Special Bible Studies
    • Do you hold a grudge?
    • Amazing Grace!
    • Spiritual Warfare
    • Stubborn?
    • Emotional Black Holes
    • Unanswered prayers?
    • Have you compromised your faith?
    • Life in the pits...
    • Is your life in a rut?
    • Let God Ease Your Burdens!
    • Danger of Success
    • Feeling alone
    • Are you broken-hearted?
    • Feel vulnerable?
    • Is God pushing you?
    • Do you lack faith
    • Being Tested
    • Your Place in Heaven
    • Does your past haunt you?
    • Is worldliness creeping into your life?
    • What is acceptable worship?
    • Angry?
    • Spiritual Radar
    • Can you be obedient to God?
    • Courage in the Face of Trials
    • Does Hell Exist
    • A Sin of Omission
    • When Life Gets Crazy
    • When God is Silent
    • Weakness
    • On Death and Dying
    • Feeling Guilty for no Reason?
    • Satans Games
    • Death and Eternal Life
    • Depression
    • Family Problems
    • False Guilt
    • Food Issues
    • A Lack of Forgiveness
    • Frustration
    • Jealousy or Envy
    • Life out of Balance
    • Lying to Yourself or Others
    • Getting Married
    • Missions and Outreach
    • Prayer Life
    • Repentance
    • Sharing the Faith
    • Socialism
    • Stressed out
    • Impatience
    • Too Hard on Yourself
  • Uplifting Video for the Day
  • Videos for Reflection
    • Videos for Reflection 2
    • Videos for Reflection 3
    • Videos for Reflection 4
    • Videos for Reflection 5
    • Videos for Reflection 6
    • Videos for Reflection 7
    • Videos for Reflection 8
    • Videos for Reflection 9
    • Videos for Reflection 10
    • Videos for Reflection 11
    • Videos for Reflection 12
    • Videos for Reflection 13
    • Videos for Reflection 14
    • Videos for Reflection 15
    • Videos for Reflection 16
  • COVID Vaccine
  • Standing up for God
    • Jatya
    • Archbishop Mouche
    • Pastor Andrew Brunson
    • Our Coptic Christian Friends
    • Petr Jasek
  • Bible Challenge Gateway
  • Faith Issues in the Modern World
    • Christians Attacked by ISIS in Mozambique
    • The Pope Changes Lord's Prayer
    • Museum of the Bible Washington DC USA
    • Persecution at All-Time High
    • Suicide Bombing in Pakistan Christian Church
    • Attack by Muslim terrorists against Egyptian Church
    • Underground Christians in China
    • More Persecution of Chinese Christians
    • The Growing Church in Iran
    • Christian Parenting Failing God
  • Video Studies
    • Video Bible Study Introduction
    • Prayer in the Bible
    • Faith Hebrews 11
  • Walls of Inspiration
    • Wall of Inspiration 1
    • Wall of Inspiration 2
    • Wall of Inspiration 3
    • Wall of Inspiration 4
    • Wall of Inspiration 5
    • Wall of Inspiration 6
    • Wall of Inspiration 7
    • Wall of Inspiration 8
    • Wall of Inspiration 9
    • Wall of Inspiration 10
    • Wall of Inspiration 11
    • Wall of Inspiration 12
    • Wall of Inspiration 13
    • Wall of Inspiration 14
    • Wall of Inspiration 15
    • Wall of Inspiration 16
    • Wall of Inspiration 17
    • Wall of Inspiration 18
    • Wall of Inspiration 19
    • Wall of Inspiration 20
    • Wall of Inspiration 21
  • Bible Helps
  • Stories of God's Power
  • Comments
  • Bible Challenge Badge Earners
  • Yearly Meditations Template

April 8

“There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.” (Job 1:1, ESV)
Picture
A young man named Justin went to stay with his grandparents for the summer.  Justin’s parents, being college professors, often took tour groups to Europe during the summer months when they weren’t teaching.  Justin didn’t like traveling with the groups.  He didn’t like the long hours and all the interruptions, so it was his choice to stay with his grandparents.  He didn’t like it, but it was better than being stuck with a “bunch of touristy folks”.  

During the second week of summer vacation at his grandparents, Justin visited the local youth center.  There, he was introduced to a good number of people.  He found two guys that he “clicked” with right off.   They spent the afternoon discussing Warhammer 40K miniatures and board gaming.  They even had the chance to play a few games together.  Justin loved his new friends.  At least three or four days a week, Justin went down to the youth center to meet with them.  They had a blast. 

In mid-July, Justin found out the city was sponsoring a festival.  He asked his friends about it.  They were excited about going.  The two friends did warn Justin that some people often showed up drunk or on drugs and ruined the festival, with fights breaking out almost every year.  The police were often called late in the evenings and even had foot patrols at the park where the festival was held.   When Justin told his grandfather he was going to the festival, his grandfather pulled him aside, pointed right to his face, and said, “Promise me, Justin.  Promise me, now.  If you see anything wrong or illegal or someone gets rowdy, I want you to leave and come home immediately.  You have to promise me!”

Justin was surprised at his grandfather’s insistence.   He promised to come home right away if something “went down”.   Later that night at the festival, a fight did break out.  Justin and one of his friends left for home right away.  Justin’s other friend wanted to stay and “watch what happened.”   A block away, Justin heard gunshots.  He quickened his pace.  The next morning, Justin found out that during the melee that occurred at the festival, several people were injured.  One person was in critical condition at a local hospital.  The one who was in critical condition was Justin’s good friend.  A stray gunshot pierced his leg.  It was a hard thing for Justin to take.  For days after, Justin woke up at night in a sweat thinking of how close he came to being there when the gunshots rang out.   He was so glad he listened to his grandfather. 

Justin’s grandfather knew well enough that when something evil is about to happen, it is best you are not there.   The scripture for today reaffirms this understanding.  In the very first sentence of the book of Job, it teaches that the prophet Job was “blameless and upright”.  We are also told that Job “feared God”.   Job was a faithful man, very close to God in heart and soul and mind.   At the end of the verse, we are told one other characteristic of Job.   He “turned away from evil” (Job 1:1).  Job knew about good and evil enough to realize that when evil is present, the best thing you can do is shun it, walk away from it, leave, or resist it.   There may come a day when you will have to stand up against evil.  However, most of the time, the best thing you can do is stay away from evil.  A wise man knows to keep himself from evil places and people, or simply to refuse to participate in evil practices.

The story about Justin is a true one.  This next story is true as well.  In a small town in Pennsylvania, a group of teenagers got together at a Stephanie's house for a sleepover.  Around midnight, they looked for something to do.  For Christmas, Stephanie had received a Ouija Board.   She suggested the friends turn out the lights, light a few candles, and see if they could talk to some spirits using the board.    The five girls did just that.  In the darkness of the flickering candlelight, Stephanie asked that some of the spirits come to answer their questions.   She invited the spirits to guide their hands on the Ouija Board.  The girls were surprised when the pointer on the board started moving and answering their queries.  After an hour or so of “fun”, the girls decided to go to bed. 

During the night, several of the girls had nightmares of a dark shape wanting to hurt them.  Over the next days, one of the girls became physically ill and had to be taken to the hospital.  No discernable illness was found.  All the girls felt “watched”, “frightened to be alone”, or “uneasy in the dark”.   Two weeks later, several of the girls’ parents got together when it was revealed what the girls had done with the Ouija Board.  The board was burned, but several of the girls continued to have nightmares for months.  One of the parents asked her daughter, “Why did you participate in a séance-kind-of-thing?  We didn’t raise you to do stuff like that!”  The girl replied, “I didn’t want to be the only one to say “no””.    So, she just went along with it. 

In a desire to fit in or belong to a group, people just “go along with things”, even when it will lead to evil.   It takes a faithful person to refuse to participate in evil.  Few, like Job, have the guts to turn away when evil comes calling.  Often, they will just go with the flow and regret it later.

When interviewed after World War 2, a good number of concentration camp guards and staff were asked how they could ever participate in the murder of Jews, gypsies, poles, Russians, POWs, and others who were incarcerated there.   Excuses like “it was my job”, “I didn’t want to be singled out for going against the Nazi party”, or “I didn’t think they would actually murder these people!” were often brought forth.   The simple fact is that because these people didn’t walk away, they were partially responsible for the evil done to these prisoners.   They lived with that guilt and shame.  Some were executed for their part in the suffering. 

If you do not “turn away from evil” like Job, you may find yourself participating in the Devil’s works.  You might find yourself going down paths straight to hell.  It is so easy to fall in with the wrong crowd, be talked into something unsavory, or cajoled into participating in an evil plan.  Why chance it?  When something in your soul tells you to walk away, you need to do it.  If the Holy Spirit is screaming at you that something bad is about to happen, it is best to get out of that situation as soon as possible.  Otherwise, you too may find yourself participating in evil.
​
Have you ever been “talked into” doing something wrong?  Did you ever rightfully walk away from an unholy situation?   Being faithful to God requires the ability to discern right from wrong, good from evil.  Loving God requires you turn away from doing wrong.  Don’t go along with the crowd, even the church crowd.  Do what God tells you to do.  Don’t ignore it when the Holy Spirit is urging you to change directions.   It might be what saves your soul from torment.

click here to See other april Daily Meditations
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
  • Daily Meditation
  • Past Daily Meditations
    • 2022 Meditations
    • May Meditations >
      • May 2
      • May 5
      • May 8
      • May 13
      • May 15
      • May 17
    • April Meditations >
      • April 2
      • April 4
      • April 6
      • April 8
      • April 12
      • April 14
      • April 16
      • April 18
      • April 20
      • April 22
      • April 24
      • April 26
      • April 28
      • April 30
    • March Meditations >
      • March 1
      • March 3
      • March 6
      • March 9
      • March 11
      • March 13
      • March 15
      • March 17
      • March 21
      • March 23
      • March 25
      • March 27
      • March 29
      • March 31
    • February 2022 Meditatons
    • 2021 Meditations >
      • January 2021 Meditations
      • February 2021 Meditations
      • March 2021 Meditations
      • April 2021 Meditations
      • May 2021 Meditations
      • June 2021 Meditations
      • July 2021 Meditations
      • August 2021 Meditations
      • September 2021 Meditations
      • October 2021 Meditations
      • November 2021 Meditations
      • December 2021 Meditations
    • 2020 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2020 Archive
      • February 2020 Archive
      • March 2020 Archive
      • April 2020 Archive
      • May 2020 Archive
      • June 2020 Archive
      • July 2020 Archive
      • August 2020 Archive
      • September 2020 Archive
      • October 2020 Archive
      • November 2020 Archive
      • December 2020 Archive
    • 2019 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2019 Archive
      • February 2019 Archive
      • March 2019 Archive
      • April 2019 Archive
      • May 2019 Archive
      • June 2019 Archive
      • July 2019 Archive
      • August 2019 Archive
      • September 2019 Archive
      • October 2019 Archive
      • November 2019 Archive
      • December 2019 Archive
    • 2018 Daily Meditations >
      • December 2018 Archive
      • November 2018 Archive
      • October 2018 Archive
      • September 2018 Archive
      • August 2018 Archive
      • July 2018 Archive
      • June 2018 Archive
      • May 2018 Archive
      • April 2018 Archive
      • March 2018 Archive
      • February 2018 Archive
      • January 2018 Archive
    • 2017 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2017 Archive
      • February 2017 Archive
      • March 2017 Archive
      • April 2017 Archive
      • May 2017 Archive
      • June 2017 Archive
      • July 2017 Archive
      • August 2017 Archive
      • September 2017 Archive
      • October 2017 Archive
      • November 2017 Archive
      • December 2017 Archive
  • Special Bible Studies
    • Do you hold a grudge?
    • Amazing Grace!
    • Spiritual Warfare
    • Stubborn?
    • Emotional Black Holes
    • Unanswered prayers?
    • Have you compromised your faith?
    • Life in the pits...
    • Is your life in a rut?
    • Let God Ease Your Burdens!
    • Danger of Success
    • Feeling alone
    • Are you broken-hearted?
    • Feel vulnerable?
    • Is God pushing you?
    • Do you lack faith
    • Being Tested
    • Your Place in Heaven
    • Does your past haunt you?
    • Is worldliness creeping into your life?
    • What is acceptable worship?
    • Angry?
    • Spiritual Radar
    • Can you be obedient to God?
    • Courage in the Face of Trials
    • Does Hell Exist
    • A Sin of Omission
    • When Life Gets Crazy
    • When God is Silent
    • Weakness
    • On Death and Dying
    • Feeling Guilty for no Reason?
    • Satans Games
    • Death and Eternal Life
    • Depression
    • Family Problems
    • False Guilt
    • Food Issues
    • A Lack of Forgiveness
    • Frustration
    • Jealousy or Envy
    • Life out of Balance
    • Lying to Yourself or Others
    • Getting Married
    • Missions and Outreach
    • Prayer Life
    • Repentance
    • Sharing the Faith
    • Socialism
    • Stressed out
    • Impatience
    • Too Hard on Yourself
  • Uplifting Video for the Day
  • Videos for Reflection
    • Videos for Reflection 2
    • Videos for Reflection 3
    • Videos for Reflection 4
    • Videos for Reflection 5
    • Videos for Reflection 6
    • Videos for Reflection 7
    • Videos for Reflection 8
    • Videos for Reflection 9
    • Videos for Reflection 10
    • Videos for Reflection 11
    • Videos for Reflection 12
    • Videos for Reflection 13
    • Videos for Reflection 14
    • Videos for Reflection 15
    • Videos for Reflection 16
  • COVID Vaccine
  • Standing up for God
    • Jatya
    • Archbishop Mouche
    • Pastor Andrew Brunson
    • Our Coptic Christian Friends
    • Petr Jasek
  • Bible Challenge Gateway
  • Faith Issues in the Modern World
    • Christians Attacked by ISIS in Mozambique
    • The Pope Changes Lord's Prayer
    • Museum of the Bible Washington DC USA
    • Persecution at All-Time High
    • Suicide Bombing in Pakistan Christian Church
    • Attack by Muslim terrorists against Egyptian Church
    • Underground Christians in China
    • More Persecution of Chinese Christians
    • The Growing Church in Iran
    • Christian Parenting Failing God
  • Video Studies
    • Video Bible Study Introduction
    • Prayer in the Bible
    • Faith Hebrews 11
  • Walls of Inspiration
    • Wall of Inspiration 1
    • Wall of Inspiration 2
    • Wall of Inspiration 3
    • Wall of Inspiration 4
    • Wall of Inspiration 5
    • Wall of Inspiration 6
    • Wall of Inspiration 7
    • Wall of Inspiration 8
    • Wall of Inspiration 9
    • Wall of Inspiration 10
    • Wall of Inspiration 11
    • Wall of Inspiration 12
    • Wall of Inspiration 13
    • Wall of Inspiration 14
    • Wall of Inspiration 15
    • Wall of Inspiration 16
    • Wall of Inspiration 17
    • Wall of Inspiration 18
    • Wall of Inspiration 19
    • Wall of Inspiration 20
    • Wall of Inspiration 21
  • Bible Helps
  • Stories of God's Power
  • Comments
  • Bible Challenge Badge Earners
  • Yearly Meditations Template