Warm hellos once again friends, brethren, fellow laborers, spiritual family, and scattered children of God from here on the Gulf Coast. My wife and I pray and hope this finds you doing well, and that again your week has been blessed.

While waiting in a medical office recently to see my orthopedic surgeon, someone began talking to me about how their life had taken a momentous change for the worse in a matter of minutes, and now they awaited the news to discuss with the doctor. They were asking “What to do?”

I began to shortly after that conversation reflect similarly.

In early January of 2013 I penned my weekly letter from Siguatepeque, Honduras. Long time faithful member, Richard Bazemore had died suddenly and unexpectedly of an apparent heart attack late that previous Sabbath evening, early Sunday morning.  My wife and I had flown there as soon as we could get tickets to be with the family, and conduct a private service with them. We were also there trying to help them sort through the numerous details, and give them comfort as we are able. They too asked “What to do?”

Having just lost my own father, the day after Thanksgiving in November, just a few months earlier, I was once again reminded how this life is very fragile, and how much we truly need the Kingdom of God to be set up on this earth!  My own mother asked the same question “What to do?” Our plans, no matter how real, and our hopes, can be shattered in moments when death or other tragedy occurs. Matthew 6:33 must be our bedrock and focus. Paul himself wrote, conveying that if this life is all we have to look forward to with hope, we are most miserable. (I Corinthians 15:19).

I too often ask the same question, “What to do?”

After my wife and I had safely returned from Honduras, where we had spent the last 10 days, I again reflected on our trip there. I still today often go back and ponder details of our multiple trips over the decades. Every country has its unique challenges. I was again reminded of this during our trip to this part of Central America.

For those of us living in the United States we too are troubled with the direction of this country. The institution of marriage continues to be under assault. Same sex marriage continues to be pushed and “normalized.” We are now as a nation in debt to the tune of 34 trillion dollars and there is more deficit spending on the agenda. The U.S. government continues to enforce and push programs and agendas that are adversely impacting our nation, our health care system, our energy producing capabilities, and removing our freedoms and choices. Taxes on the income producers are rising to levels that are causing some citizens to consider relocating! One can feel helpless in the face of these developments.

There is further unrest in the Middle East and more danger concerning Israel and threats from her neighbors and terrorists! We are told to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6) in view of the coming role she will play in leading many nations to the God of Jacob and who will desire to receive knowledge of His way and His word. (Isaiah 2:3; Micah 4:2) I take the instruction here to apply to today also.

So, what to do?

It’s very easy to simply become unsettled, angry, agitated, and miss opportunity to shine as true Christians. We may simply forget what to do.

We are told to offer prayers for the leaders of the nations in which we live. That’s right, whether you like them or not. “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2) We can pray that God may somehow move to change the hearts and minds of leaders to be more aligned with Godly and biblical principles. There are some examples of the kings of Israel and Judah changing their ways and turning at least partly to the LORD. When the house of Judah was sent into exile they were told to live their lives as normally as they could and to pray for peace. “And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace.” (Jeremiah 29:7)

The apostle Peter wrote some challenging instructions to scattered believers in the areas where the tribes of Israel had been taken captive. “Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men–as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.” (1 Peter 2:13-17)

It’s easy to forget these verses.

By being responsible and law-abiding citizens we may avoid some problems of getting into conflict with the authorities. We will also be following our Father’s instructions and will be blessed for that.

The apostle Paul took advantage of his rights as a citizen to seek certain changes in how he might be treated. There’s a place for seeking to have wrongs righted and advocating for changes to be made to improve the conditions of ourselves and other citizens. Daniel sought God’s intervention when faced with Nebuchadnezzar’s decree and then sought an audience with the king. (Dan 2) He acted with humility and respect and also courage. You and I need to act with wisdom, practicality, and need to be realistic about what we might accomplish.

May God give us His wisdom and guidance as this world marches on. May we pray more than ever, “Thy Kingdom Come” and anticipate that day!

Arms up friends! Our sincere prayers and thoughts are with you daily. Thanks in advance for your heartfelt prayers for us.