Michael Whitaker Smith is an American musician who has charted in both contemporary Christian and mainstream charts. He produced one of the most inspirational hymns of our generation.

Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world
They resound with God’s own heart
Oh, let the Ancient words impart

Words of Life, words of Hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e’er we roam
Ancient words will guide us Home

Ancient words ever true
Changing me, and changing you
We have come with open hearts
Oh, let the ancient words impart

The writer of Hebrews put it the following way:

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Be very careful if you ever take the Word of God seriously because it could transform your life. One thing for sure, the Scriptures will draw you in or send you away disgusted. The problem is never the Ancient Words; the problem is always the individual.

Think about it.

Gary

I miss the rose-colored lenses of youth. Joe South (born Joseph Alfred Souter; February 28, 1940 – September 5, 2012) was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. In 1970 he sang “Children.” Here are a couple of stanzas.

Children, Go and run and jump and play
You’ll be men and women someday
Then you’ll have to leave your world of make believe
Now children

Children (children), Need someone to understand
Children, Need someone to hold their hands
Yeah, To cheer you when you’re sad
To spank you when you’re bad now, Children

Haughty (children), Naughty (children), Children

Pride goes before destruction
A holy spirit goes before a fall
Don’t you know that we’re all children
And it’s all for one and one for all mmm

The smartest man in the world had this to say about children in the Book of Ecclesiastes:

Ecclesiastes 11:9 

Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.

Existence can be pleasurable for a time and a life running from God is highly possible, but in the end we must stand before Him. He created us and we will answer to Him. Are you ready?

Think about it.

Gary

I was a sixth grader coming in off the playground after the bell had rung. I was stuck in the herd when a pair of hands reached in and picked me out and held me against the wall as accusations about my conduct were assailing me. It was a male teacher that no one argued with. Walking into my classroom, I informed my teacher as to what had just happened and related that I had done nothing to deserve such treatment. (Aunt Clara), I mean Mrs. McBreairty went straight down the hall to demand an explanation. Come to find out, the kid who committed the punishable crime had the same first name as I had. The executer of justice came and gave me a public apology. I would rather have had him give me a get-out-of jail-free card, but that was enough for me.

There is a verse about that happening:

1 Peter 2:20

For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.

I didn’t know anything about that Biblical policy in my youth, however I do now.  Every once in a while something similar still happens to me. I’m not always successful at handling it, but sometimes I take it, and when I do, that pleases God.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Peter, a fisherman who knew how to curse, met a man who changed his life. Saul, a religious Pharisee, who would kill for the faith, met a man who changed his life.

In the days of zealots, Simon was master. Zealots hoped to gain Jewish independence and accomplish this by inciting the people to rebellion, driving the Romans from Israel, and establishing a Mosaic theocracy. He met a man who changed his life. We have many zealots on the left and right who would desire to have their own way with the government.

What a transformation came into the lives of the aforementioned men. They came to realize their kingdom and citizenship was not of this world. When men come to realize that truth, they set their affections on eternal things.

“God is looking for those with whom He can do the impossible — what a pity that we plan only the things that we can do by ourselves.”—AW Tozer

God did the impossible with these men who came from a wide variety of beliefs. He accomplished something they could never do by themselves. Would you like for Him to change you?

Matthew 4:19

 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

God did the impossible with these and He can do that with you.

Think about it.

Gary

A strange phenomenon is that God will use those who truly lack in self-confidence. Case in point is the man Moses who thought himself to be a washed-up Hebrew. He probably believed his people were destined for destruction and there was nothing anyone could do about it, especially him. Man, was he wrong. When he made the following statement, you could just see defeat written all over him.

Exodus 4:10

 And Moses said unto God, WHO AM I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

Is it possible that you fit into this same category of human beings? Your thinking is that age and past mistakes have nullified any possibilities that God would consider you for a divine assignment.

I told a friend of mine once, “Look, you have all the talent in the world but have no confidence. I, on the other hand, have all the confidence in the world but lack any talent.” The amazing thing is that God will use either personality trait or some who are in between both extremes.

God loves less-than-perfect people. Because we fall in the same category as so many biblical characters, He can certainly use us. Quit offering excuses, come before God and seek His will.

IF NOT YOU — THEN WHO?
IF NOT HERE — THEN WHERE?
IF NOT NOW — THEN WHEN?

Do what you can, where you can, when you can.

Give it some thought.

The next time you see a burning bush, pay attention.

Gary

Rahab’s middle name was THE; her last name was Harlot. She belonged to a very old and lucrative profession. Not the kind of individual you’d think would be in the genealogy of Christ, but there she is.

How did that happen? First of all, she heard about the God of Israel. Secondly, she saw the proof that He was actively involved in Israel’s deliverance and journey on the planet. Lastly, she was given the opportunity to make a commitment to the people of God.

Her statement was quite profound:

Joshua 2:9-11

 “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you.  We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed.  When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.

I don’t think I’m addressing any harlots, but whatever your sinful condition, there is a future with God.  She not only came to know the one true God, but enjoyed a future with one man who had also found refuge in the Almighty.

Like Paul Harvey might say, “One day we will meet her and get the rest of the story.”

Think about it.

Gary

Fifteen years ago I officiated at a wedding of an active-duty Marine and a woman whom I’d known since she was a child. The years passed with many military moves for the family, and war duties challenged them along the way as their family grew. During that time, he got a degree in Christian studies and retired in his early forties from the Marine Corp. He became an assistant pastor in Massachusetts and made the decision that ordination would be part of his Christian journey.

He asked me to be on his ordination board, and I considered that a privilege.  Seeing this couple grow over the years, even during difficult circumstances, has been a wonder to behold.

This brings me to a couple of verses fitting for their ministry:

Philippians 1:6

 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

1 Timothy 1:18

This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,

God is still equipping and calling proven, capable individuals into the ministry. What a blessing this is for those of us in the last quarter of the game.

Think about it.

Gary