Why do birds fly south in the winter?

It’s faster than walking!

Now that’s the simple explanation and easily understood. The long process of evolutionary history is much more complex and makes little sense to most people.

The Biblical answer is that the One who created them also programmed them in the migratory course of their existence here. These creatures know intuitively that their Creator has and will manage every aspect of their lives.

Matthew 6:26

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Even a birdbrain knows about God’s provision. Do you?

Give it some thought.

Gary

Time may be a great healer, but it’s also a lousy beautician.

So much time and money are spent in an endeavor to keep the body in pristine condition. Time will catch up to you sooner or later. Let me offer a better and everlasting challenge.

1 Peter 3:3-4 

Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

1 Samuel 16:7 

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Try and be presentable, but more energy needs to be spent looking good before God.

Give it some thought.

Gary

I got a new pair of gloves today, but they’re both ‘lefts’ which, on the one hand, is great, but on the other, it’s just not right.

-Author unknown

Now speaking of right, that is something that concerns God and should bother us. Whatever we put ourselves into in this world should be right.

Ecclesiastes 10:2 

A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right, but a fool’s heart to the left.

2 Corinthians 6:7

by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

I have to hand it to you, I think this devotional is about doing the right thing.

Give it some thought.

Gary

The fire season is coming up in Maine. Smokey the Bear will be out there warning people like he has for the past eighty years: Don’t play with matches; put out campfires and don’t throw out lit cigarettes. One thing not included in Smokey’s list is the tongue which has caused more damage than any fire.

James 3:5-6

Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.

Be careful with that thing between your teeth. Brought to you by Smokey who is always on the job.

Give it some careful consideration.

Gary

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