--FAITH CHALLENGE ~
----NO FEAR IN LOVE ~~

--"There is no fear in love, because perfect love casts out all fear." --[1 John 4:18]

----Overcoming Evil ~~

---"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers...against
spiritual wickedness in high places." --[Ephesians 6:12] --

--When Mrs. Foulweather planned to open a liquor store on the property adjoining our church and school, our congregation prayed that the Lord would help us know what to do. A public hearing before the State Liquor Commission was required for the necessary permit, so our deacon attended the hearing and made a respectful appeal. He specifically cited a state law forbidding the establishment of any business that sold alcohol close to a school . The commission quickly denied the permit.

Our relief was short lived, however, when several days later Mrs. Foulweather was seen walking around the grounds of her proposed liquor store with the local representative to the state legislature. Shortly thereafter the commission reversed its original decision and issued a permit to Mrs. Foulweather, who immediately began to fill the vacant building with her vile products.

The congregation was disappointed and discouraged, but wisdom prevailed, and they kept praying for the Lord's intervention. Within one year the store went broke, the doors were closed, and the unsold devil's brew was hauled away. A mechanical engineering company purchased the property and their business is still there today, some twenty-five years later.

Righteous indignation at perceived injustices often results in character attacks, protests, and even lawsuits, yet our Lord reminds us that, "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways" (Isaiah 55;8) . The solution to every trial that we ever face is available from the One who gave his only Son. Let's be sure to always seek His will and HIs way. ~~

"Vengeance is mine, I will repay saith the Lord --[Romans 12:10]
--BSW/PL~