“You cannot change what you refuse to confront.”

–       Author unknown

Does the Bible support that proposition? Glad you asked.

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Proverbs 28:13

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

Luke 12:8

“And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges Me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God,

Step out from the crowd and step up to the plate. Give it some careful consideration.

Gary

Gideon Bibles are found in many hotel rooms and are given out to the military and to school children. How many will we see in heaven because the Word of God was planted by someone? The rationale for their efforts lies in the belief that if an individual would read Holy Scripture, he or she would connect to the Creator.

Hebrews 4:12

For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Psalm 119:105

Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Just prayerfully give out the Word and the Holy Spirit will do the rest. Give it some thought.

Gary

A monkey on your back is an idiom that means you have a heavy, annoying problem that will not go away. It feels like a small animal is holding on to you and won’t let go.

To solve the issue or heal from the load is to “get the monkey off your back”.

The Biblical way of handling the monkeys of life:

Matthew 11:28-30

Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

1 Peter 5:6-7

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.

Give it some thought.

Gary

A guy spots a sign outside a house that reads, “Talking Dog for Sale.” Intrigued, he walks in.

“So what have you done with your life?” he asks the dog.

“I’ve led a very full life,” says the dog. “I lived in the Alps rescuing avalanche victims. Then I served my country in Iraq. And now I spend my days reading to the residents of a retirement home.”

The guy is flabbergasted. He asks the dog’s owner, “Why on Earth would you want to get rid of an incredible dog like that?”

The owner says, “Because he’s a liar! He never did any of that!”

It’s sad when someone is the owner of something of great value but doesn’t recognize the potential and as a result gives it very little value.

Case in point: There are an estimated 5 to 7 billion Bibles in the world. However, the majority holders of these sacred books consider them of no value. Do you know what you hold in your hands?

1 Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.

Luke 12:7

 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Psalm 139:14

I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful; I know that full well.

Don’t be like the majority. Treasure what you have. Give it some thought and don’t be barking up the wrong tree.

Gary

When I was a boy, I was told that anybody could become President. I’m beginning to believe it.

–       Clarence Darrow (1857-1938)

I wonder if Darrow was reflecting on the Old Testament prophets’ comments on leadership.

Isaiah 1:23

“Your rulers are rebels, partners with thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them.”

Ezekiel 34:2-3

“Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock.”

Considering the fact that we’re 40 trillion dollars in debt, I agree with Clarence. Give it some thought; don’t put much faith in politics and be led by God’s Word.

Gary

I tried having my mother’s phone disconnected, but customer service told me that since the account was in my dad’s name, he’d have to be the one to put in the request. The fact that he’d been dead for 40 years didn’t sway the rep. Then a solution hit me: “If I stop paying the bill, you can turn off the service, right?”

“Well, yes,” she said reluctantly. “But that would ruin his credit.” – Jeannie Gibbs

What about after death?

Ecclesiastes 12:7 

And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

Revelation 21:4

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.

Poor credit or a credit score of 850 won’t make any difference. The only score that counts is whether you are saved or that you chose to remain in your lost condition. What’s your rating? Give it some thought.

Gary

I don’t know where this statement came from, but it sure sounds like the human experience of too many. “I’m a prisoner of the wind.”  Now does the Bible address this theory? Glad you asked.

Ephesians 4:14 

So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

Hosea 8:7 

For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. 

Jude 1:12

These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead.

Yes, be careful out there in the wind. Give it some thought.

Gary