There are those who have crossed our path in this life that are predictable. We trust them with our concerns and know when the chips are down, they will be there for us. Time and time again, they have proven themselves faithful.

In my personal experience, I’ve been privileged to have an abundance of them in my corner. However, the One who stands light years above them all is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 10:38

how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

He’ll be good for you. I’ll guarantee it. Give it some consideration.

Gary

This is a very serious question for everyone to face. What’s next? You do understand, life is composed of events. We can plan for some. Sometimes, others take the initiative to plan for us. Then, there are those happenings that come out of the blue and don’t seem to come with any explanation or directions in the box. Hard to put it together when there are no directions.

Paul spoke of that in the final quarter of his life:

Acts 20:22

And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there,

Are you okay with life made up of unpredictable events?  Well, it doesn’t matter, does it? Whatever happens, your attitude won’t stop the world from churning them out. However, putting one’s trust in the One who knows the future seems to be the medicine that is most effective. Be part of that number.

Give it some thought.

Gary

“In real life, I assure you, there is no such thing as algebra.”

 — Fran Lebowitz

I feel sorry for those who had to endure things that were, seemingly, of no value to them just because it was required. Unfortunately, in life there are many occasions when things need to be done because others require it and the choice is not ours.

 Jesus faced that as a man:

Mark 14:36

And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”

I’m glad I had algebra, although it doesn’t make my sermons any better.

Give it some thought.

Gary

“It is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change.”
—Queen Elizabeth II

I don’t know how much the queen knew about the Bible, but that is a general theme the book will support.

Proverbs 4:12 – Literal translation

“As you go, step by step I will open up the way before you”

Isaiah 28:10

For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept,
line upon line, line upon line,
here a little, there a little.”

Directions for eating an elephant: one bite at a time. Give it some thought and fill yourself with the Scriptures.

Gary

There was a cost to raising a boy in the Allagash in the 60’s. My dad had to pay the price for one son in particular because of damaged vehicles, hospital stays, liquor, gambling, movies and dates. That was on top of the price my brother incurred. Luckily, I don’t think Dad considered the drain on his finances. He was just struggling through life.

Never did repay Dad for raising me. Too late now, he’s been gone for forty-one years.

Do you have anyone you owe a debt to?

Romans 13:7 

Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

Matthew 6:12 

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Pay your debts before it is too late. Give it some thought.

Gary

Mom and Dad taught me to hate fishing. They were avid outdoorsmen.  I had to be with them until I got old enough to stay home alone. To me, fishing was boring and the heat was oppressive, along with the swarms of hungry blackflies. Even after almost seventy years, I won’t eat fish. I love canoeing and hiking, but if anyone brings a fishing pole, they can’t come with my group.

From my previous paragraph, do you get the impression there’s an activity I despise?  Amazing what words can do.

Psalm 19:14 

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Matthew 12:37 

For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Too many long fishing trips traumatized me as a child. Did my words allow you to feel my exasperation? Words can be powerful.

Give it some thought.

Gary

I feed birds during the winter months and they aren’t even thankful. Seed and suet I provide for them at my expense and they could care less. I wonder if they realize that, if I weren’t doing this, God would just use another resource of His to supply their needs.

I then consider us as believers. Do we acknowledge God’s provision or do we believe it’s just our own ingenuity or time and chance that meets our needs?   Scripture certainly makes it clear.

Luke 12:24

Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?

God’s caring for you. Thank Him and give it some thought.

Gary