Human beings are incurable optimists. They believe they have a pretty good chance to win a lottery, but that there is hardly any chance of their getting killed in a traffic accident.

Your chance of winning a major multi-state lottery jackpot in the United States is roughly 1 in 300 million. Your chance of dying in a car crash is 1 in 107. My point is, keep your eyes on the road and not the lottery.

Right thinking:

Philippians 4:8 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Colossians 3:2 

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Check out your rationale according to God’s truth. Give it some thought.

Gary

A ventriloquist is performing with his dummy on his lap. He’s telling a dumb-blonde joke when a young platinum-haired beauty jumps to her feet. “What gives you the right to stereotype blondes that way?” she demands. “What does hair color have to do with my worth as a human being?”

Flustered, the ventriloquist begins to stammer out an apology.

“You keep out of this!” she yells. “I’m talking to that little jerk on your knee!”

Sometimes when we don’t fully understand the situation it is best to be quiet. I’ve put my foot in my mouth many times and it always left a lasting bad taste.

Does the Bible address this phenomenon? Glad you asked.

1 Peter 3:15

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

Colossians 4:5-6

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

To avoid addressing the wrong jerk, use your head. Give it some consideration.

Gary

My brother was a paratrooper in the 60’s. You should have seen him with those bloused boots and paratrooper cap. Now he is an old man in the veteran’s home. I didn’t know what to say that first day he was there, so I told the staff he had been a paratrooper so they could leave the window open so he could jump out occasionally. No one thought it was funny, not even me.

The Apostle Peter had that problem at times.  One occasion was at the Mount of Transfiguration.

Mark 9:6

He said this because he didn’t really know what else to say,

Lesson: If you don’t know what to say, keep your mouth shut. Think about it.

Gary

A skeleton walks into a bar. The bartender says, “What’ll you have?”

The skeleton says, “Gimme a beer and a mop.”

That’s a problem with the vast majority of humanity. They sure are capable of leaving a real mess behind.

Make contact with the One who can clothe you with perfection and there will be less trouble along the way.

Isaiah 61:10 

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation; He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Romans 13:14 

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Don’t be drinking of what this world has to offer. It can cause a real mess.  Give it some thought.

Gary

Little faith will bring your soul to heaven, but great faith will bring heaven to your soul.

–       Unknown

If you bought a new vehicle, wouldn’t you want to road test it to see if it lived up to its advertised possibilities? So, it is with God. Is He what He claims to be as revealed in Holy Writ?

Malachi 3:10 

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house. And thereby put Me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

This command was to Israel about putting God first. Try that for yourself. Time is slipping by.

Gary

Two hunters are out in the woods when one of them collapses. He’s not breathing and his eyes are glazed. The other guy whips out his cell phone and calls 911.

“I think my friend is dead!” he yells. “What can I do?”

The operator says, “Calm down. First, let’s make sure he’s dead.”

There’s a silence, then a shot. Back on the phone, the guy says, “OK, now what?”

Lesson: be more specific when giving directions about life and death because God does.

John 3:36

He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

John 5:24

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

Is that specific enough? Give it some thought.

Gary

“Never Been to Spain”—written by Hoyt Axton and famously recorded by Three Dog Night (and later Elvis Presley)—is an anthem of daydreaming and wanderlust.

One stanza states, Well, I’ve never been to heaven, but I’ve been to Oklahoma.

I’ve never been to heaven either, but I’ve been to Oklahoma. However, I will go to heaven and unlike the before-mentioned song, it’s a reality and not a dream. I say that because of the following verse:

1 John 5:13

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

Going back to Oklahoma doesn’t interest me, but heaven is on my travel plans. How about you? Give it some thought.

Gary