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1)# ’The Lord has heard.’

Psalm 6:8 (4-10)

Sometimes we’re not sure. We ask for help, but it doesn’t come; an easing of pain, but it only gets worse; any answer - but instead silence. It’s hard to believe that the Lord has heard. David’s cry is ‘How long, O Lord, how long?’ He is worn out from groaning and weeping ‘all night long’. His eyes are weak with sorrow. He’s in the darkest valley. Yet he declares twice, ‘The Lord has heard’  and ‘the Lord accepts my prayer.’ So where does his confidence come from?

God’s hearing is not diminished by our circumstances, though our awareness of his response might be. And when God hears, he does respond, often with his presence, rather than words. ‘I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff they comfort me’ - in the valley of the shadow of darkness. No words, just his being there. Jehovah Rohi, the Lord my shepherd; Jehovah Jireh, the Lord my provider; Jehovah-Ropheca, the Lord who heals; Jehovah Shammah, the Lord is there. So we can be assured that the Lord who hears is with us through whatever happens today.


2)# ’In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin.’

Romans 6:11 (8-14)

In the same way as what? Paul is linking our situation with that of Christ. His death and resurrection have an impact on all who follow him. In the same way that ‘death no longer has mastery over him (Christ)’, so sin no longer has mastery over us. It sounds simple, but is quite a challenge to live out. Being cleansed and forgiven is one thing, but living out the reality of being ‘dead to sin’ is quite another.

In fact we may feel that the more we try, the more the ‘old nature’ kicks back. But this is where we can live according to facts, not feelings. Paul spells out these facts in the surrounding verses and his advice is to defeat the old nature by focussing on the new nature. A new way of living is now available to us and the more we live it out, the more the old nature will die. By attending to the one, we will neglect the other. So let’s make a conscious choice today to live in the reality of our salvation.


3)# ’Listen to advice and accept instruction.’

Proverbs 19:20 (20-23)

Remaining teachable goes hand-in-hand with humility. The more senior our position or greater our qualifications, the harder it can be to listen to advice and accept instruction from others.  Advice and instruction are more than facts and figures. They relate to how we live, our attitudes, our actions. They are learnt from experience. Someone else has been there before and is now able to teach others.

The ‘school of life’ is a great leveller and allows us all to give as well as to receive, irrespective of titles or certificates. Listening allows someone else to speak. Accepting allows someone else to give. In the Body of Christ, every part matters and is of equal importance so we can all learn from one another. So let’s be ready to listen and accept as well as to speak and give. And the reward? ‘In the end you will be wise’.


4)# ’But because of his oaths and his dinner guests.’

Matthew 14:9 (6-12)

In the heat and excitement of the moment, Herod wanted to impress his guests, to show off his wealth and power, and it all went to his head, like the wine. He made a rash promise which he soon came to regret. But, in front of his guests, he chose to sacrifice John the Baptist, rather than sacrifice his reputation.

The passing praise of people and a desire to impress, makes us all vulnerable to say things that we may come to regret. Our obligations to others must not put us at odds with our obligations to the Lord Jesus. Self-control is a great help at these times and is part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit working within us (Gal 5:23). Being ruled by him is better than being ruled by our desire to impress others. We’ll do well to learn from Herod’s mistake.


5)# ’Only acknowledge your guilt.’

Jeremiah 3:13 (11-15)

For some, this can be the hardest part of receiving forgiveness. Acknowledging guilt is more than words. It’s a realisation deep within us that we have done wrong and it leaves us at the mercy of the one we have wronged. Guilt is followed by judgement. That’s why we shy away from admitting it.

But in the previous phrase, the Lord God has paved the way for forgiveness rather than condemnation. ‘ “I am merciful” declares the Lord.’ If he longed to forgive and restore the people of Israel after their habitual rebellion, how much more does he want to forgive and restore you and me? Because Christ has taken our guilt on himself on the cross, we can be forgiven and set free. But admitting our wrong is a necessary part of receiving that forgiveness and freedom. So let’s acknowledge, confess and receive forgiveness today.


6)# ’She broke the jar.’

Mark 14:3 (3-9)
 
This wasn’t an accident, but a deliberate act. It wasn’t done out of aggression, but out of love. It wasn’t to get rid of rubbish, but to give the very best. It wasn’t demanded, but offered and in so doing Mary made herself vulnerable. What some saw as a waste, was spoken of as of eternal worth by Jesus.

The value of what Mary did, lay not in the costly perfume, but in her complete devotion to Christ. The breaking and pouring out was not only symbolic of her devotion to Christ, but also of what Jesus would do with his own life for our salvation. It’s also a reminder of what we can now do in offering ourselves, including those things most precious to us, as living sacrifices to the Lord. Let’s not hold back, let’s not worry about what others might think or say. Let’s pour out our lives in worship to the Lord.


7)# ’Do not be wise in your own eyes.’

Proverbs 3:7 (5-10)

It’s all too easy to think we know best. The Bible is littered with people who thought they knew best only to regret the folly of their words or actions. Many of us can gain wisdom ‘in hindsight’, but sadly it comes too late to help what has already been done. Having the humility to seek advice and learn from others’ mistakes, is wise - and King Solomon shares some God-given insights here.

Solomon adds to his cautionary words simple, but sound advice. ‘Fear the Lord and shun evil’. The first enables the second. Having a right reverence and fear of God is beneficial for life. In the surrounding verses, these benefits are listed: long life (v2); a good witness (v4); clear guidance (v6); well-being (v8); blessing to share with others (v10). This does not mean an easy life, as verses 11 and 12 make clear, but it does provide the assurance and peace for life now and beyond
the grave, that cannot be found elsewhere. Let’s be wise and heed this advice.


8)# ’For he already had in mind what he was going to do.’

John 6:6 (5-13)

For Philip, and the other disciples, the problem was that they didn’t know what Jesus had in mind. But Jesus isn’t playing games with them. The ‘test’ was to find out if they could see beyond what they did or didn’t have and instead see what Christ could do with what was available. They discovered that human limitations are no limit to what the Lord can achieve. Whilst the disciples were bothered by what they didn’t have (v7), Christ was looking to use what they did have (v9).

We might find ourselves in a similar situation where the challenges we face are beyond our human abilities or resources. Whether it’s work or family, we may feel overwhelmed by what is being asked of us, especially if we are trying to honour the Lord in each situation. Just because our resources are limited, let’s not hold back from offering them to the Lord and then seeing him use them for his glory and for the good of others. When faced with a challenge, we may not know what to do, but thankfully he does!


9)# ’So I have come down.’

Exodus 3:8 (7-14)

Not for the first time, nor for the last. Here is the Lord Jehovah coming to rescue the enslaved and oppressed. He’d heard their cries and felt their sorrow and was stirred to act. Legions of angels were available, but God himself comes to help. His coming is linked with their plight, and his coming is to make things right, between himself and his people. That’s the plan of God from start to finish.

He came down to Adam and Eve to cover their nakedness and shame in the Garden of Eden. He came down to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. He came down in the person of Christ Jesus to save us from sin and death. And God’s plan of salvation and redemption will be consummated when Jesus comes again, down to earth. And in the new heaven and earth God comes down to dwell with his people forever. Until then, let’s tell people about our God who is not remote or removed, not distant or disinterested, but One who has ‘come down’ to rescue us.


10)# ’Then should not this woman … be set free.’

Luke 13:16 (10-16)

The indignant response of the synagogue ruler brought this swift riposte from the Lord. The hypocrisy of helping animals to be watered on the Sabbath, but not helping a woman to be healed was evident to all, except the hypocrites themselves. Yet how often are we in danger of a similar mistake? Speck and plank come to mind which Jesus spoke about in Luke 6.

To protect what is sacred for us, we can become narrow and unrelenting. Instead of letting ‘holiness’ out to make a difference in the world, we shut it up out of fear of contamination. We can make ‘holiness’ become more negative than positive, restrictive more than liberating, what we can’t do instead of what we are now free to do, as a result of what Christ has done for us (Gal 5:1). But ‘the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath’ and if we follow the example of Jesus, both on the Sabbath and during the rest of the week, we’ll be looking to set people free, not keeping them bound up.


11)# ’His heart was devoted to the ways of the LORD.’

2 Chronicles 17:6 (3-6)

If our heart is devoted to the ways of the Lord, then our actions will be right as well. This was true for King Jehoshaphat for most of his life and, as a result, the Lord blessed him and the people of Judah during his reign.  

For you and me, we may have good intentions, but if our heart is susceptible to other influences, then we are at risk. The Bible tells of many who started well, but let their hearts go after other gods, after other things and they fell into sin. No wonder the armour of God provides us with a breastplate of righteousness to protect our hearts.

The heart is where our deepest desires and longings are found and these can be revealed by our words and actions. Jesus spoke of the link between the desires of our heart and the sort of treasure we invest in (Matt 6:19ff). Paul encourages us to ‘set our hearts on things above, not on earthly things.’ It’s a daily challenge, but one worth taking on - and winning. May our hearts be devoted to the Lord today, tomorrow and always.


12)# ’We are Christ’s ambassadors.’

2 Corinthians 5:20 (16-21)

Ambassadors are chosen to represent their country and its government. This may be through speeches and meetings, or simply to live in a way that reflects well on their home nation. It may include looking after the needs of their fellow nationals or sorting out local difficulties. All this requires wisdom and experience and is done with the full authority of their home country.

As ambassadors for Christ, this is also true for us. All we say and do should be on Christ’s behalf and our aim is to encourage others to want to know him for themselves. Our message is of reconciliation between God and mankind. We live in a world that is hostile to Christ, so we have work to do. But unlike any earthly ambassador, our resources are supernatural and available to us all. We don’t need to do any ‘name dropping’, but we do need to be ‘name uplifting’ as we speak and act in a way that brings honour and praise to the Name of Jesus.


13)# ’Unless you go with us.’

Exodus 33:16 (12-17)

Going into the promised land with the presence of an angel instead of the Presence of the Lord was not good enough for Moses. The Israelites needed to sort things out with the Lord to ensure that his Presence went with them. A right relationship was more important than simply getting the promised reward as quickly as possible.

Sometimes we can become so caught up with achievements - whether in our personal life or in our church life - that our relationship with the Lord becomes secondary. Being busy or successful in any area of our lives, may impress other people, but it will have an emptiness to it if the Lord is not with us. We can pretend our spiritual life is okay or cover things up so as to reach our goal quickly, but it’s better to make sure that we are walking with Jesus all the way, even if it takes a little longer.


14)# ’Out of her poverty, put in everything.’

Mark 12:44 (41-44)

We’re never too poor to have nothing to give. This poor widow had lost her husband and, given her situation, may have had no family to care for her. What she did have were two small coins and an undivided love for God, so she ‘put in everything’. This was more than a tithe. It was a complete sacrificial offering.

Two coins could have been divided fifty/fifty, between herself and God, but she gave them both to the Lord. One hundred percent. It left her with nothing to live on, according to Jesus, but total reliance on God to provide. We’re not told what happened next, because what happened next, is not necessary to what we can learn. Giving to God is not done for what we might get in return, but because of our total devotion to him. And, as Jesus makes clear, total devotion is not marked by just how much we give, but by how much we keep back for ourselves. This widow gave everything and kept nothing back, and leaves us all with a challenge to follow her example. Let’s rise to that challenge today!


15)# ’Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink.’

2 Kings 6:22 (18-23)

This is a wonderful example of why we should ‘love our enemies’. It concludes an exciting series of events when the Lord miraculously delivered the Arameans into the hand of the Israelites, via Elisha. The King of Israel wanted to kill them, but Elisha proposes an alternative way of dealing with their enemies. Killing the captives would only escalate hostilities. Blessing them with food and water and returning them to their families would bring peace (v23).
 
You and I may not be in a physical fight, but, as disciples of Christ, we will encounter opposition. Doing good in the face of hostility can be a big challenge, especially if it’s rejected. But out of obedience to Christ, we must at least try, in order to bring about peace. Irrespective of other people’s response, we will have done right and it may just provoke them to change their ways. This is the same advice that  Paul gave to the Roman church, ’If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.’ (Rom 12:20-21)


16)# ’Mary has chosen what is better.’

Luke 10:42 (38-42)

We all face choices every day and decisions have to be made. Choosing what is better is not always easy, especially when other people are involved. Mary’s choice did not please everyone - especially her sister! But it was a question of priorities; the best use of time. Jesus was no ordinary visitor and time with him was limited, so for Mary, the choice was not so difficult.

Most of us feel the pressure of time, whether at work or with friends and family, and fitting everything in as well as keeping people happy, can be a challenge. Like Mary, a priority must be our relationship with the Lord and as that develops, the Holy Spirit will help us to make the most of the time we have with other people or doing other things. Then, whether it’s just a cup of tea, or a three-course meal, time spent with other people will be time well spent as our love for Jesus rubs off on them.


17)# ’They did not respond to correction.’

Jeremiah 2:30 (26-30)

Correction is meant for good, not harm. It’s more than being told we are wrong. It instructs us as to how we can put things right. But whilst someone else may instruct us, if we are to benefit from correction, then we need to put it into practise. This is something that the Israelites failed to do. In fact they deliberately continued to do wrong and suffered the consequences.

Ignoring correction, in any aspect of life, will have consequences. But so too will accepting correction. Sometimes it comes through a change in our circumstances, sometimes it’s through other people and sometimes it’s through physical or mental struggles. The book of Hebrews speaks of discipline as being painful, but producing ‘a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it’. It also says that ‘the Lord disciplines those he loves’. With this in mind, when correction and discipline from the Lord comes our way, let’s accept it and make the necessary adjustments. It’ll produce a Christ-like character in us, if we do.


18)# ’Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.’

Matthew 14:27 (22-33)

These words of encouragement and reassurance have relevance for us today, because of the present situation in the world. The disciples were struggling in the dark with the wind and waves against them. It was tough and when Jesus appeared in the half-light of dawn, walking on the water, they thought, not surprisingly, that he was a ghost! Whilst their sight might have been impaired, their ears weren’t and they could hear this reassuring call and welcomed Jesus into the boat.

There are many storms around us today which affect us all in one way or another. Whether it’s on a personal, national or international level, we may wonder if we will survive. Well, it’s at these times that Christ’s words become relevant. ‘Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.’ Keeping our attention on Christ can be hard when things are falling apart all around us, as Peter found out. But Christ has authority over all that is happening today, just as he did in this storm.  As we look to him, he will lift us up when we are sinking and bring peace and calm into our lives, especially in troubled times. And it’s a peace that we can share with other people too.


19)# ’Spread it out before the Lord.’

Isaiah 37:14 (14-17)

Knee-jerk reactions can be dangerous, especially when we are weak and vulnerable. Hezekiah, king of Judah, had been besieged and belittled by Sennacherib for some time and now received a threatening letter that not only dismissed him, but also ridiculed his trust in the Lord God. Instead of lashing out or running away, Hezekiah brings the letter, and the whole situation, to ‘spread it out before the Lord’.

How this describes what we must do in similar situations. When faced with challenges beyond our control, let’s lay things out before the Lord. Let’s not think we’re being silly or that we should sort it out ourselves. Don’t just put on a brave face or give in to circumstances. Spread things out before the Lord. He knows what is going on anyway, but it needs us to ask for his help. When we do, we’ll find that the Lord will intervene and provide deliverance, just like he did for Hezekiah and the people of Judah.


20)# ’Jesus ... gave them authority.’

Matthew 10:1 (1-10)

Being given authority doesn’t give us the right to do as we please. Authority comes with responsibility to carry out the very work of the one whose authority we have, so we need to make sure we use it correctly. But having authority does enable us to do things we wouldn’t otherwise be able to do!

Christ gave his disciples and his Church his authority to enable and empower us to build his Kingdom and to make disciples. It’s given and received as a gift to achieve the purposes of God, not for our own glory. Christ’s authority is about demonstrating the Kingdom of God here on earth. A Kingdom that sets people free from sin and death; that restores and repairs the hurting and damaged; that brings light and dispels the darkness. It’s what this world needs, and it’s what we have. So let’s use Christ’s authority to manifest Kingdom living in the world today.


21)# ’I will frown on you no longer.’

Jeremiah 3:12 (11-13)

We all know what it’s like to be frowned at. Nothing is said, but we get the message. A frown is linked with things going wrong, mistakes being made, displeasure, even anger. This is how it was between God and his people. Time and again, they rebelled and provoked him with their idolatry and hypocrisy. Yet even in his anger and judgement, God did not forget his promises and his mercy. His frown would be lifted and their relationship restored.

As much as it was true for the Israelites, it is even more true for us. As Christ hung on the cross, he took the full force of God’s ‘frown’, because of our sin, so that we could enjoy his ‘smile’ of forgiveness and adoption as his children. But let’s not become casual or arrogant in our relationship with God, like the Israelites did, which Paul warns against in Romans chapter 11. Ingrafted branches must remain ‘in the vine’ and be fruitful, if they are to survive (see Jn 15), Manifesting the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives, is a blessing of God which we can enjoy for ourselves and then share with others (Gal 5).


22)# ’You’re out of your mind.’

Acts 12:15 (11-17)

Rhoda’s excitement was such that not only did she leave Peter standing outside, but she was dismissed as ‘out of her mind’ by the other believers. As a simple servant girl, Rhoda could have been ignored and Peter could have been left outside, somewhat vulnerable. But prayers had been answered, Peter was free and Rhoda had been the first to find out. Thankfully she wasn’t put off and her insistence paid off. Disbelief was turned to astonishment as they opened the door and in walked Peter!

When the Lord does something in our lives, what do we do? How do we respond? Is there an excitement, a passion and a desire to tell others or are we restrained and cautious in case others think we are mad. Maybe Rhoda has something to teach us all and maybe, if we show some passion and excitement about what Jesus has done for us, it will actually make other people want to find out about him for themselves.


23)# ’Deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.’

Psalm 33:19 (12-19)

The psalmist is comparing the vanity of trusting in human effort with the blessing of trusting in the loving kindness of the Lord. He speaks of the Lord’s care for his people even in the face of extreme hardship. For us, famine can describe more than just a shortage of food. It can include the lack of employment, a shortage of money, the effects of physical and mental sickness. It can describe the despair and low self-esteem we feel from a broken relationship or from failure to achieve, and we can even feel like we’re withering up inside.

As Christians we are not immune from the struggles of life. In fact the struggles can increase as we seek to walk in obedience to the Lord. But we can have this reassurance that the Lord will help us through times of suffering and hardship. It can be easy to talk about Christ’s ’unfailing love’ when things are going well, but much harder to keep our hope in him when we are in a famine of one sort or another. But it’s then that we know the Lord to be our help and our shield (v20).


24)# ’To make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’

Luke 1:17 (11-17)

If something is already prepared, how can it be made ready? In God’s divine plan, worked out through the Old Testament, Israel was chosen, prepared, to be the people, the nation, through whom the Saviour of the world would come. Then, at this particular right time, John the Baptist’s message was to make ready the generation into which Christ would become incarnate.

So how is this relevant for us? Now in Christ, Jew and Gentile believers have become one people of God, the Church of Jesus. In Revelation 21 John sees the Church in the heavenlies, already prepared as the bride of Christ. However, in earthly time, through the work of the Holy Spirit, we are now being made ready, sanctified, to be that bride, for when Jesus comes again.

And one more thing. The omniscience of God doesn’t cancel out our free will. Instead, it underlines the importance of keeping ourselves right with him, and living in the light of his return. So let’s submit to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives today, so that we can be ready to serve God’s purposes and be an effective witness for Jesus now.


25)# ’And his wives led him astray.’

1 Kings 11:3 (1-6)

None of us is above temptation, It seems that for all his wisdom, Solomon had a weakness which became his downfall. God had forbidden intermarriage with foreign women ‘because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods’ (v2). But Solomon ‘loved many foreign women’ and found them irresistible. It seems that he started with one wife, Pharaoh’s daughter, then took another and another, until he had seven hundred wives! With each one, Solomon allowed the influence of foreign gods to grow and this was his undoing. ‘His wives turned his heart after other gods,’ and ‘led him astray.’

We may not have a problem with relationships, unlike Solomon, but whatever or whoever becomes irresistible to us can turn our hearts away from the Lord. A weakness can become the strength of something else in our lives if not checked, and this is why we need the help and protection of the Holy Spirit each day. Acknowledging our weakness is the first step to dealing with it and receiving that help from the Lord as well as from other people. Let’s act today, so as not to be ‘led astray.’


26)# ’She has been a great help to many people.’

Romans 16:2 (1-7)

The apostle Paul is finishing his letter to the Church in Rome, but not before mentioning some individuals. It’s interesting to see how many women made an impression on Paul. Phoebe is one of them, noted for her ‘great help to many people’. The Greek word for ‘great help’ speaks of overseeing the care of others. It seems that Phoebe managed some sort of charitable work, providing for the needs of other people.

Paul, who had benefitted from Phoebe’s help, asks the Christians in Rome to help her with her work. This is an encouragement to us all to use whatever we have; money, time, skills, encouragement for the good of other people. And even more so during times of escalating costs and economic uncertainty. Whether it is giving help on our own or alongside others, it won’t go unnoticed and can have eternal impact when done in Jesus’ name.


27)# ’I have ordered the ravens...’

1 Kings 17:4 (1-6)

This gives ‘pigeon post’ a whole new meaning! Elijah was on a mission and the Lord provided food for him by carrier raven. It shows us that the Lord is well able to look after and provide for his people, even when ‘normal’ means are not available. Elijah’s obedience meant that he experienced God’s provision in an extraordinary way.

Sometimes, our liking for creature comforts can prevent us from experiencing the Lord in a new way. Living in a materialistic world means that we have many things that we might take for granted and that we come to rely on. We struggle to consider life without them and they can become a hindrance in responding to God’s call on our lives. We may even make them an unspoken condition in our service for the Lord. Well, Elijah didn’t, and it meant that he was ready to get up and go and experience God’s amazing delivery service. Maybe we can learn something from his example.


28)# ’So she came running.’

John 20:2 (1-8)

There are some things that should so excite us that our priority is not our dignity - but to tell others. Mary Magdalene had discovered an empty tomb and ran to tell Peter and John. The events of that first resurrection Sunday must have been a blur, but Mary didn’t wait to get everything sorted and thought through before telling other people. She ran, she hurried, to share the news.

The empty tomb was the start of something new for Mary, for the disciples and for the whole human race. Sacrificing our dignity in order to let others hear the good news of Jesus, is a price worth paying. Mary must have caused a stir as she ran through the streets early in the morning. It’s worth a few comments or strange looks to let others know that Jesus is alive, sins can be forgiven and a new life is available in Christ. So let’s be quick to tell other people today.


29)# ’They do not even know how to blush.’

Jeremiah 8:12 (8-12)

Blushing reveals what is unseen, but deeply felt. It may be out of embarrassment, modesty or shame. But it shows that there is some measure of morality within a person. For the prophets and priests of Judah, they felt no shame. Their greed and selfishness had dulled their sense of right and wrong so that they no longer blushed at their actions. It had happened gradually, as it often does.

Their godliness had been eroded and they chose what was popular over what was right. It’s happening within our society today and it is easy to be swayed by fine argument and clever reasoning, commonly called ‘spin’. The popularity of social media, offering an open window on people’s lives, has eroded society’s moral dignity, and there is a lack of corporate and individual blushing, even when wrong-doing is exposed. As the Church of Jesus, we must not lose the ability to blush, for our own wrongs as well as for the wrongs of society. It’s a God-given safety valve and helps us to repent and turn back to him.


30)# ’Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.’

Romans 12:9 (9-16)

These two encouragements are part of a series of injunctions that the apostle Paul gives to the Christians in Rome. A choice is required, followed by action to see it through. The Greek word for for ‘hate’ means ‘to abhor’, ‘to have a horror of’. It speaks of shrinking away from that which will do us harm. Evil is all around us, so we cannot be passive about it. We must actively step away from, and avoid that which is evil. The trouble is that evil can be well disguised, so we must be alert.

In contrast the word cling, or cleave, speaks of being ‘glued to’ or ‘set on attaining’ something. Again, it is not passive, but active, and as God’s people we are to be going after those things that are good. However, sometimes what is good and right, is not always popular with society around us, so we must trust in the strength of the Holy Spirit to help us. Since evil and good are opposites, going after the one (good) will result in moving away from the other (evil). The choice is ours. The consequences couldn’t be more different. Let’s make the right choices today.