I had the privilege of walking around the grounds where Custer took his last stand and sensed the aura of that place. The Seventh Calvary sure looked good as they rode into the Little Big Horn. The horses were well-groomed;  uniforms were worn with pride as those soldiers were led by a war hero.  The silk, swallow-tailed cavalry battle flag was carried proudly and they had plenty of ammunition. Not one of them would see the sun set on that day June 25, 1876. You never know what a day can bring forth.

James 4:14

whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

In light of the above, what should you be doing to prepare for the day. By the way, every day is created by God who gives you the opportunity to be in it.

Give it some thought.

Gary

When I was a kid, my friend had a 33¹/₃ comedy album of Bill Cosby. We must have listened to that recording ten times. Then there was a show called “I Spy” starring Bill Cosby and later a sitcom called “The Cosby Show.” I really looked up to him until it was exposed what his real-life character was all about. What a disappointment that was.

Many Bible characters are also a disappointment. According to the Biblical record, Solomon, Lot, Noah, Judas and many more didn’t end well. Men can disappoint. However, one stands out a million miles above the rest, and that is Jesus, the God-man. Paul presented the sum of His life here in Acts chapter 10.

Acts 10:38

how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

Study His life here and His life after He left here. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Allan Jackson sang it at the funeral service of George Jones. There was not a dry eye in the place. The title was, “He stopped Loving Her Today.” Now death sure is the cure for many of the broken-hearted, but without the salvation that Christ offers, that poor soul is still feeling the pain.

The cure for all of the tragedies of life is found in the embrace of God through His Son. The former things will all be gone when death calls.

Revelation 21:4

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Give it some thought and make sure “Amazing Grace” is sung at my funeral.

Gary

Acts 3:6 

But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”

This account is tremendous. The man Peter was addressing was lame from birth, but with this command, he jumped up and praised God that day. Peter could perform such an act because God had given him the gift of miracles. God hadn’t given Peter money, but He gave him the gift of healing.

Those gifts aren’t available today, but are replaced by a multitude of gifts that can be seen when God’s people use them. What are your gifts and how are you using them? You say you don’t have any.  Strange.

Romans 12:6

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: 

Give it some thought and go shine your light.

Gary

The doctor said, “The blockage is so bad that stents won’t be enough, and something needs to be done sooner rather than later.”

 I could no longer live in denial if I were to live. Of necessity, my heart had to be turned over to the physician.

God has this message for mankind, “You have a heart problem.”

Jeremiah 17:9 

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

Genesis 6:5 

The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

We are diseased and God provided the cure by sacrificing His Son. He wanted us to see His plan for our redemption, so He painted pictures throughout the Old Testament of what was to come, such that when John the Baptist first saw Jesus, he called Him the Lamb of God.

Give it some careful consideration.

Gary

I’ve had some feedback about using secular songs to illustrate spiritual truths. It seems the song stays stuck in the recipient’s head and can’t be removed. I’ve studied this matter and found the solution. Listen to “Amazing Grace” two times and follow that by listening to “How Great Thou Art” three times which will result in deleting the hard drive which contains the problem lyrics.

Ephesians 5:19

speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,

Colossians 3:16

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Give it some thought and sing out.

Gary

There is a so-called Christian religion that believes drinking coffee is a sin. I wouldn’t belong to that for many reasons, and morning coffee is one of them. As a matter of fact, caffeine is helping me produce this devotional this morning.

Speaking of mornings, here is what a psalmist had to say about his start of the day:

Psalm 5:3 

O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for You and watch.

Lamentations 3:22-23 

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.

Start your day with God and have a coffee with me. Give it some thought.

Gary