I was on a hardwood ridge, loading logs in subzero temperatures. Carefully, I placed an ice-covered log on the load, but it slid and went through my back glass, coming to rest on the dashboard. Like the saying, “Momma said there would be days like that.”

My point in this is to emphasize the uncertainty of the next step. Because of the many variables in life, we cannot always predict the outcome of our next move. Does the Bible address this phenomenon? Glad you asked.

James 4:13-15 

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

Proverbs 27:1 

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

Give it some consideration because life will throw stuff at you.

Gary

When is it proper to hate?

Proverbs 6:16-19 

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

Psalm 97:10 

O you who love the Lord, hate evil! 

Psalm 119:163 

I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love Your law. 

Make sure when you hate, it is in keeping with God’s Word. Give it some thought.

Gary

I just threw my snowmobile suit over my exercise bike. Then I took a look at that piece of equipment and my thought was, “Man, we haven’t done anything together for a long time.” Then I thought, “I don’t even miss you.” My energy level is lower and my belly is protruding a little more, so maybe we need to get back together. It’s possible I can’t live without you.

That’s my physical life, but I also have a spiritual life that follows a similar principle.

Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Give it some consideration, and get on that pony and ride. Actually, I’ll need to pedal.

Gary

She told me time and time again she wanted to come out to church. Her excuse was that it was just too far. I told her, “We give gas cards,” but she didn’t bite. She was present at a number of funerals I conducted. Then I had hers. I guess you could say she finally came out to a service. Was it too late? I don’t know, but God does.

The Spirit draws and the Spirit gives opportunities, but God has given us a free will. Some fight His magnetism till death, then it is too late.

2 Peter 3:9 

The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

2 Corinthians 6:2 

For He says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Think about it before thinking about it is no longer an option.

Gary

It’s just a memory without a context. I don’t know why we were in that situation. My brother was probably eleven and I was seven. He held out his thumb and a car pulled over and picked us up to give us a ride home. I was scared, but he was my brother and I thought he knew what to do.

It had a happy ending. I was the youngest of four brothers, so they all had their turn in caring for the nuisance.

Proverbs 17:17 

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Psalm 133:1 

A Song of Ascents of David: Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!

I have some good memories that I bring up once in a while. Do you? Give it some thought.

Gary

As a paramedic, I’ve seen people that looked like they were breathing, but alas they were dead. On the flip side, I’ve observed people I thought were dead, but their eyes opened and they were a living being. You just can’t tell sometimes. Does the Bible mention this phenomenon? Glad you asked.

Ephesians 5:14

Therefore, He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”

Jude 1:12

These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots;

Twice dead is really dead. Look in the mirror of God’s Word. Are you alive or dead?  Give it some careful consideration.

Gary

Storms don’t last forever. After reading that statement, I realized how much our physical world illustrates our spiritual world. You certainly need to clean up after a storm. However, storms are part of the fabric of life. They must be anticipated and handled in a biblical manner. Noah, Joseph, David and Peter will all tell you the same thing.

The following are the realities of life:

Job 30:22

You snatch me up and drive me before the wind; you toss me about in the storm.

Psalm 107:29

He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.

Face the storm, and then thank God when He brings you to the other side.

Give it some thought.

Gary