God judges what we give by what we keep.

–       George. Mueller

Days before the crucifixion Jesus was at the temple watching the people give. The ones with a large share of this world’s goods were giving, but Jesus gave no comment. Then a poor widow put in her two mites, which in today’s currency would be one dollar and two cents.

Mark 12:41-44

And He sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. ⁴² And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. ⁴³ And he called his disciples to Him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. ⁴⁴ For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Jesus still watches what people give. What does He think of you? Give it some thought.

Since He’s watching, if you don’t give your dollar and two cents cheerfully, keep it.  He loves a cheerful giver.

Gary

Horse sense is what keeps horses from betting on what people will do.

–       Oscar Wilde

The horse has it, but many people don’t. I hate standing there in line with coffee in hand while people choose their scratch tickets. I have even offered that they give me the money because it would give them the same return.

Chances of winning the lottery

• Powerball: 1 in 292,201,338.
• Mega Millions: 1 in 290,472,336 (as of updated April 2025 rules).
• EuroMillions: 1 in 139,838,160.
• Super Lotto Plus (California): 1 in 41,416,353.

5 Card hand in stud poker

• Royal Flush: ~0.000154% (1 in 649,740).
• Straight Flush: ~0.00139% (1 in 72,193).
• Four of a Kind: ~0.024% (1 in 4,165).
• Full House: ~0.144% (1 in 694).
• Flush: ~0.197% (1 in 509).
• Straight: ~0.393% (1 in 255).
• Three of a Kind: ~2.11% (1 in 47).
• Two Pair: ~4.75% (1 in 21).
• One Pair: ~42.26%.
• No Pair (High Card): ~50.12%.

1 Timothy 6:9-10

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

I’ve never stood behind a horse while waiting to pay for my coffee. Give it some thought and don’t be someone who should send me his money since he will never see it again.

Gary

A man rushed into the doctor’s office shouting,

“Doctor! I think I’m shrinking!”

The doctor calmly replied, “Now settle down; you’ll just have to be a little patient.”

Speaking of patience, does the Bible address it? Glad you asked.

1 Corinthians 13:4 

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant

Romans 12:12 

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Galatians 6:9 

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Be more than a little patient. Give it some thought.

Gary

I shook my brother’s hand as I rose to leave the veteran’s home, a necessary but lonely place.  We both had a firm grip that we wished could last.  Fifty-seven years ago, he squeezed my hand like that as the emergency room’s doctor pulled broken teeth and sewed up the face of a drunken kid. Yes, tears are falling as I type this.

I owe a lot of what I am today to him, a debt which I can never repay. How many like him have been a part of my life’s journey? I can’t calculate that, but I know my greatest debt is to my Heavenly Father.

Psalm 107:1 

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!

Psalm 23:6 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

I feel my Heavenly Father’s hand at times like this and am grateful. How about you? Give it some thought.

Gary

So, the local hospital called and the spokesperson said, “Gary, your brain scan has returned, and everything is normal.” It was good to hear that information because there were so many who believed otherwise. Just joking, although some of you might be discouraged by that information.

What if others did have all the information in our tête (That’s French for those 25 pounds on our shoulders.)? We wouldn’t want that because the embarrassment would be too hard to bear. However, there is One who has access to a complete scan and that is God. You can’t protect that information with a difficult password.

Psalm 139:1-4

 O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.

Embarrassing, isn’t it? Turn to Him; He can take care of both mind and body. Give it some thought.

Gary

Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped.

–       Elbert Hubbard

The Bible doesn’t use the word stupidity but the words foolish, fool or folly appear over 300 times.

Proverbs 18:2 

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

Proverbs 29:11

A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

Proverbs 18:6 

A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.

Proverbs 28:26 

Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

Proverbs 26:19 

Is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”

 Try not to be stupid (I mean a fool) today. Give it some thought.

Gary

There are two verses in Scripture that the vast majority of professing Christians don’t believe:

Daniel 4:17

‘This decision is by the decree of the watchers,
And the sentence by the word of the holy ones,
In order that the living may know
That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men,
Gives it to whomever He will,
And sets over it the lowest of men.’

Romans 13:1

 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

How did I come to that conclusion about denial? I listen to them before and after elections. Please go and vote, but remember the results lie in the capable hands of God. Do you trust in His decisions? Give it some consideration.

Gary