The third stanza of Amazing Grace goes like this:

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come:
’tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.

Life has its dangers, toils and snares, and I’m sure everyone reading this can relate to past experiences under these three headings. I can, and knowing life at this juncture I’m convinced there are more to come. However, look at what Paul said about those horrible episodes.

2 Corinthians 12:7-9

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

How else can we learn that God’s grace is sufficient?

Gary

God buries His workmen, but not His work. 

–      Henrietta Mears

What a profound statement! Hebrews 11 and a careful study of church history will attest to that fact. We stand here today on the foundation of those faithful ones who have gone before. I don’t want to forget that.

Ephesians 2:20

having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,

Ephesians 4:11

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

On a cool and misty day around Christmas time, I stood at the gravesite of Luther Rice. It was in a nondescript graveyard hidden in the backwoods of South Carolina. I graduated with a master’s degree from the university named after him. This event was 150 years after his death. This institution has graduated multiple thousands of students along with such notables as Charles Stanly.

Luther Rice was one of God’s workman, and I’m certainly glad he lived.  God used him and others to make my life easier and more meaningful. Give it some consideration.

Gary

The song Sloop John B sung by the Beach Boys comes to my mind when I do things with my grandson, for it’s about a grandfather taking a voyage with his descendant. I never did anything with my granddad but have been blessed to have had many memorable experiences with my grandson. We especially like bowling, and I beat him most of the time. We’ve enjoyed the following activities together: mountain biking, roller- blading, hiking, four-wheeling, snowmobiling and home improvement projects. How I love to hear him say, “What ye doin, Pup?” This means so much to me.

My fervent prayer is that I leave with him what my relationship with God means to me. An old friend once told me what his grandfather had meant to him. He said, “How I loved that old man.”

Psalm 78:4

We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done.

Joel 1:3

Tell your children about it, and let your children tell their children, and their children the next generation.

Build a relationship with them. You both need it.

Gary

“I forgot to post on Facebook I was going to the gym. Now this whole workout is going to be a waste of time.” Whoever said that sure had contemporary beings nailed.

Truth is, speaking of waste, it is your waist that will reveal your intentions when it comes to workouts.

Spiritually speaking, you can’t fool people when you claim exercise in spirituality when reality reveals something totally different. The results of spiritual workouts can be exhibited also.

1 Timothy 4:7-8

Exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

Titus 1:16

They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

Go ahead and exercise; you don’t have to publish it, because people will see it.

Give it some thought.

Gary

“Don’t let a good thing die,” is a line from an old tearjerker from somewhere in the past. The truth of the matter is that we allowed many things to die unnecessarily. We need a clearer vision so that the future doesn’t hold regrets. Let me suggest my optometrist.

Proverbs 29:18

Where there is no prophetic vision, the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.

Jeremiah 29:11 

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Let God put before your eyes the bifocals that make things clear, both far and near. You’ll see better here and better there. Give it some thought.

Gary

Some things I know about today: It has only 24 hours. I can never repeat it. It is made up of some things I can control and some things I can’t. However, the most important thing is the fact God made it.

Psalm 118:24 

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Hebrews 3:7 

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear His voice,

Hebrews 13:8 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

God says, “Here is another today. How do you plan on handling it?” Give it some thought.

Gary

The record on how to lose your life is found in 1 Samuel 17. Sadly, Goliath succumbed to a prideful attitude and suffered the consequences as he fought for the wrong side. You see, he’d placed his confidence in the following: his size, physical strength and weaponry. This never works for a child of God.

Don’t make those same mistakes, because our faith should be in the living God and His power and might.

Psalm 56:3-4 

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

Psalm 37:5 

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.

The things Goliath placed his faith in proved to be totally ineffective. Any Goliaths out there making the same mistake? Give it some thought.

Gary