To my grandchildren, and my daughters [and sons-in-law],

I hope this finds you all well and happy, and that you have peace. (Matthew 10:12) It has come to my attention that some of you are uneasy about your choices, or the choice of others: Choices about home schooling versus public or private schools. That is certainly a serious decision, and I wish I knew the "right" answer.

What it reminded me of is the account of King David in his youth. Most of us are familiar with the account of David and Goliath, and the account of David and Bathsheba; Two among the high and low points of David's life respectively. Sometimes we overlook the years of David's life during which he was hunted by King Saul like an animal. On two occasions during that period, Jehovah maneuvered events so David had opportunity to kill wicked Saul. Once Saul came into a cave to relieve himself, while David and his men were hiding farther back in the cave. David crept up and cut off the hem of Saul's coat, but refused to kill him. (1 Samuel 24:2-15) On another occasion, Jehovah caused a deep sleep to fall upon the camp of Israel while David and Abishai crept in and stood over the sleeping Saul. Abishai wanted to put Saul to death, but David would not allow it. (1 Samuel 26:5-12) Some have suggested David made a bad decision in allowing Saul to live. It is untold what damage Saul did during the remaining years of his rule. Some suggest David would have stopped that damage if he had killed Saul, or at least allowed Abishai to do so. Raising this issue will enlist a knee jerk reaction in most people. You likely feel very strongly about it, one way or the other. [We do not condone the killing or harm of anyone. Those were very different times. It was before Christ, and the people lived under the law code rather than by faith in Christ Jesus. The law provided for capitol punishment against God's enemies so as to allow for true worship to continue and for the production of the Christ through the Jewish nation. Anyone committing an act against Jehovah was to be put to death under law. Thus David killed many of Jehovah's enemies in what they considered holy wars; Goliath included.]

The truth is though, since the Bible does not say one way or the other whether David's decision to spare Saul was correct, we don't know. I personally feel David made the right decision to spare King Saul. As David said when doing so: "Who has ever thrust out his hand against the anointed of Jehovah and come away unharmed?" Truth is though, David had already been anointed as king when these things happened. Others will point out Saul's badness did not take away his anointing as King by Jehovah. We can then, choose to feel strongly about this matter one way or the other. It is our freedom to do so. We must be careful though, about rendering our judgment on this matter as being right or wrong for other people, or in asserting the Bible says it was good or bad. For David it was good. If he had in good faith acted the other way, that might have been good as well. Each one must make such decisions, and those decisions are in turn what define who we are in God's sight. (Romans 2:15) If we maintain a good conscience before our Heavenly Father, no other person is to judge us, and we must not let them do so. The Bible is the only source of light for our feet and is our only judge. (Psalm 119:105 ; John 12:48)

Whether to home school is a serious decision. There probably is not, however, a "right" or "wrong" answer. Each: public, private, or home schooling; has it own strengths and weaknesses. Each parent and child must make the decision which they believe right for them.

What ever choice you or your parents make about home schooling, remember: We today live in a world crumbling down around our ears. If we are witness to the end which Jesus taught us to look forward to, then life as we have known it is over. (Luke 21:28) If you seek to worship the true God, then what is happening is not a bad thing. We must continue on in this old system as best we can of course, because the structure of this would has allowed us to have families and live; including getting an education for our young ones. It would be foolish to ignore what is happening however. The Bible says the days of the establishment of God's will on the earth (Matthew 6:10) will be a parallel with the days of Noah (Matthew 24:37) [wherein few, that is eight souls, were spared alive. (1 Peter 3:20)] Faith in Christ Jesus is for our day, what the Ark was to Noah and his family. Whether you go to public or private school, or you are home schooled; make learning what the Bible teaches the important part of your life. (Matthew 13:44) The only ones who will survive the end of this system, are those blessed by Jehovah through their personal faith in Christ Jesus. (Hebrews 10:36-39) No other person [or group of people,] can give it to you; Nor can any imperfect man take it away. Don't allow them as judges over your faith. (Colossians 2:16) Sincere students of God's word are the upright and righteous ones in the earth today. Be among them!

Jesus said that what ever we ask for in harmony with his Father's will, God hears us; And will give us the things asked [in Christ's name]. To be able to ask in harmony with God's will, we need to first know what his will is. That is where Bible knowledge comes in. Learn all those little Bible stories; about Abraham and David, and the other Bible characters, [and then fit them all together in our mind to paint the picture of truth recorded by our Father in the Bible {learn the Bible theme}; and all those short stories will give you principles to guide your life. When David saw the [baby sacrificing] Philistine Goliath, stand up and challenge the battle lines of the living God, he didn't even hesitate. (1 Samuel 17:26) It wasn't about size or strength in the mind of David, it was about right and wrong. David knew the God who is good had the necessary power, and would help him in doing the right thing. We must all strive to be like that. We must all be careful though, not to develop an arrogant and closed minded view of things which do not have a principled solution; And we must recognize the difference. If someone lies or steals or cheats for example; we have scriptural grounds to judge his actions. If some act is not judged wicked by the Bible, we have no right to assert our judgment in the matter. David was right to judge the actions of Goliath as wicked. Was he right to spare Saul? I don't believe the Bible says, and so, neither will I. I don't believe the Bible says in principle whether we should home school. I could certainly have my own opinion, and I actually do. It's just opinion though, and it's no better than anyone else's.

We must always be absolutely faithful and resolute; as to truth as defined by our Creator in the Bible. (1 Corinthians 15:58) At the same time, we must be cautious not to become unyielding and dogmatic with regard to matters that are only personal opinion. [That is judging others. (Matthew 7:1-2 ; 1 Corinthians 4:5)] Keeping our balance about recognizing and staunchly supporting Bible truth, and at the same time being pliable about personal opinion, is a balancing act which is impossible on our own; but easy enough if we simply rely on God's word the Bible. Learn for yourself what your Bible teaches! In it are the sayings of life. (John 6:68-69)

Salvation through the end of this system will likely be granted us, just as we ask our Heavenly Father's will in our behalf; And perhaps to some degree, in behalf of those we love. (Hebrews 10:38-39) [Each individual person must finally decide whether he or she is a servant of Jehovah, or of Satan. There is nothing else having a more real and lasting significance to our life. (2 Chronicles 25:4 ; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)] In addition to asking for the things our Father has promised to give us in his word, (Isaiah 11:1-12) we can strive to become his friends: To become righteous people. Righteousness is a shield and protection of heart for those who strive after it. (Ephesians 6:14) We gain the protection of Jehovah through righteousness. (2 Chronicles 16:9) As the psalmist said: "I used to be a young man and I have also grown old, yet I have never seen anyone righteous left entirely, nor his offspring begging for bread." (Psalms 37:25) [That is not to imply if bad things happen to you, it is because you are not righteous. The two men who likely suffered more at some point of their life than any others have, were Jesus and Job. Jesus was the perfect son of God, and Job was the most upright man in all the earth. They were not, though, abandoned by God. Jesus has already been resurrected, and Job soon will be.] Learning what the Bible has to say can give us knowledge of what we need do, to be viewed as righteous by our Father. Learn what the Bible teaches, and then learn to apply that knowledge in your life; and thus become righteous. (Matthew 7:24) Home schooling, or private schooling; they both provide you the education to accomplish that goal. In either case, you will eventually come in contact with persons who don't know or worship our Heavenly Father. All such persons will strive to encourage you toward their way of thinking. Whether such individuals are wicked, or simply ignorant of truth; The Bible gives you knowledge to avoid being turned off your course by those you meet who simply do not know the truth. (Colossians 2:8)

I love you. May Jehovah protect and guide you. My best to all of you in Christ Jesus, (John 6:65 ; John 6:44 ; John 11:26 ; John 17:3)


Papa Joe

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