Starting in 1955, a sitcom called The Honeymooners aired on TV. Ralph would say to his wife Alice, “One of these days, Alice, bam, right in the kisser.”

She would reply, “Go ahead, Ralph. I dare ya.”

He never hit her, but they both had a severe case of “bad attitude.” I pray you are not afflicted by that malady, but if you are, here is the cure.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Give it some thought, and if you can’t be like Jesus, at least try and be like Ed Norton.

Gary

God hath not promised skies always blue

Flower strewn pathways, all our lives through;

God hath not promised sun without rain,

Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

But God hath promised strength for the day,

Rest for the labor, light for the way,

Grace for the trials, help from above,

Unfailing kindness, undying love.

 …. Annie Johnson Flint

Case in point is the life of Joseph in Genesis.

Psalm 105:16-19

When He summoned a famine on the land
and broke all supply of bread,
he had sent a man ahead of them,
Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
His feet were hurt with fetters;
his neck was put in a collar of iron;
until what he had said came to pass,
the word of the Lord tested him.

Note it was the Word of God that made it possible. Give it some consideration.

Gary

Johnny Cash could sure sing it. It was not a gospel hymn, but the principle is sure Scriptural.

I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you’re mine, I walk the line

Did you know the Bible mentions such a philosophy of life? It sure does, and here’s the concept for every serving Christian.

1 Corinthians 9:25-27 

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Keep that body in check and don’t be sidelined.

Give it some thought.

Gary

It was not until Uncle Sam drafted him during the Korean War that he left Maine for the first time. While with the 3rd Armored Division, Company B, 86th Heavy Tank Bn., he operated a tank before even knowing how to drive a car.

It always amazes me how the men and women from the greatest generation left their secluded country homes and served when their country called. However, there was an even greater generation that rose up to serve their Savior when the Great Commission called.

Mark 16:15

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

Acts 17:6

But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.

Volunteer to turn the world upside down, for God is calling you.

Give it some consideration.

Gary

This ain’t my first rodeo is a colloquial expression used to imply that someone has a ton of experience in a particular situation or activity. It indicates that the speaker is not a novice and has been through similar scenarios before.

This doesn’t necessarily help with life on this planet. Life can be like a bucking bronco and you won’t be released until life is done with you. However, if you hang on tightly to the reins and offer a sincere prayer to God, He’ll give you comfort and assurance till the rodeo is over.

1 John 5:13 

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

2 Timothy 1:12 

Which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.

 Come on, you old buckeroo. God has a plan for you. Give it some thought and hold on.

Gary

Why did the student eat his homework? Because the teacher told him it was a piece of cake.

There are some things in the Bible that cannot be taken literally. Case in point:

Matthew 5:29

 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

Interpretation: anything that keeps you from heaven or in a state of constant guilt should be cut out. Our parents would yell at us, “Cut that out.”

Whatever keeps you from Christ, cut it out.

Whatever sin leaves you with guilt, cut it out.

Make some cuts before it is too late.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Some would have you believe that all you need is to have faith in God, and it doesn’t matter what god it is. That sounds really good to the multitude, for with that belief system, everyone makes it. Just don’t read the Scriptures because it blows that philosophy out of the water.

1 Corinthians 3:11

For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

If you are going to rest secure in the promise of eternal life, you had better check the foundation.

Give it some thought.

Gary