Moses spent forty years thinking he was somebody; forty years learning he was nobody; and forty years discovering what God can do with a nobody.

–       Dwight L. Moody

After a call to salvation and service, it takes time to go from crawling, to walking, and finally to running.

1 Peter 2:2

as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,

Ephesians 2:10

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

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,

Let’s grow up and get with it. Give it some thought.

Gary

I had a talk with my organs the other day. I said, “Look, guys, we came into this together in 1952 and I always believed we would leave together. However, some of you seem to be wanting to jump ship before the cruise is over.”  There was no reply which left me kind of shaken. This is a sure sign of trouble ahead.

Psalm 90:12

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

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.”

Give it some thought before the last organ of your existence will be playing “Amazing Grace” at your funeral service.

Gary

Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.

– Henry David Thoreau

Peace of mind and the opportunity to escape reality is what I think Henry had in mind.

Many in our world are searching for that elusive goal. Real and lasting peace is only truly found in the pages of ancient words. Let me give you both sides of this coin.

Ezekiel 13:10

“Because, indeed, because they have seduced My people, saying, ‘Peace!’ when there is no peace—and one builds a wall, and they plaster it with untempered mortar— 

John 16:33

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Nothing wrong with fishing, but if it is peace you’re after, turn to Christ.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.

                                                     – Helen Keller

God created friendships. The greatest example of that is found with the relationship between David and Jonathan in the Old Testament. When dodging the darts of the enemy, it is good to know there are those protecting your back. List them and thank God for them today.

Proverbs 17:17 

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

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

Give it some thought, friend.

Gary

When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.

                         – Corrie Ten Boom

Some of the trials life will hurl at you may cause you to lose sight of the path you are on. However, for the believer it is time to trust, and as painful as it is, move through another day. It’s good that God only deals in 24-hour-periods, one at a time.

Romans 15:13 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Romans 15:4 

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Give it some thought. Just close your eyes and rest on the promises.

Gary

Trials here are sometimes many
And oft times my feet grow weary
‘Til it seems I almost stumble and fall
But the tender hand that leads me
Is the hand that keeps me steady
And gives me faith that I will make it after all

The old hymn resonates in my mind when the winds of trouble blow at hurricane force in my life here on the planet. It is in those times when He makes His presence known and encouragement comes some way, somehow.  I am then assured that it is only a bump in the road and we’re almost home.

Matthew 11:28-30

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Copy and paste this devotional and keep it in a safe place because you’ll need it on occasion.

Give it some thought.

Gary

 Jeremiah 5:6

Therefore, a lion from the forest shall slay them,
A wolf of the deserts shall destroy them;
A leopard will watch over their cities.
Everyone who goes out from there shall be torn in pieces,
Because their transgressions are many;
Their backslidings have increased.

Idolatry and adultery plagued the nation and integrity was totally lacking among those who were to be God’s chosen people. Judgment was coming in the form of Babylon and her allies. There would be no escape and the nation would be mauled. Israel has a sad history.

Let’s bring it from their town to ours: Don’t mess with God and holy things. God has promised His people that judgment would follow compromise.

Hebrews 12:6
For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives.”

Be right with God before one of those beasts starts breathing down your neck.

Give it some thought.

Gary