A neighborhood kid was looking for ways to earn money.
He knocked on the door of one house, and when the man
answered, the boy asked, “Hey, mister, got any odd jobs
I can do?”

The man indeed had a job for the boy to do. He handed
the boy a can of red paint and a brush. “Paint my porch.”

The boy was eager to do a good job and the man went
back inside.

A couple hours later, the boy knocked on the door again.
“Okay, mister, I’m done painting. But I gotta tell ya,
that’s not a Porsche; it’s a Lamborghini.”

It is so important that communication is clear and completely understood. Do the Scriptures teach that? Glad you asked.

Isaiah 28:10
For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little.”

 Luke 6:40

A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.

Make it clear and give it some thought.

Gary

After submitting to X-rays, electrocardiograms and
blood tests, the anxious patient waited for the
doctor’s opinion. “Howard,” the physician began, “I
have good news and bad news.”

“What’s the good news?” Howard asked.

“My son has been accepted to the Harvard School of
Medicine.”

“And the bad news?”

“You’re going to pay for it.”

We all have difficulty as we advance in years, but there is a silver lining. God has a purpose for us in every stage of life and we can still benefit others. Does the Bible address this? Glad you asked.

Isaiah 46:4

Even to your old age I am He, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.

Psalm 92:14

They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green,

 Psalm 71:9

Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent.

 Go get ‘em, you old geezer. Give it some thought.

Gary

“Inside us there is something that has no name; that something is what we are.”

                                                                                      – Jose Saramago

For the Christian, there are two forces at work: the flesh and the Spirit. These two forces are contrary to one another. Because of this, only we know what we really are as we walk through life. Does the Bible address this? Glad you asked.

Galatians 5:16 

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Romans 8:5 

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

Romans 8:7 

For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.

You make the decision as to the kind of Christian you want to be. Give in to the flesh or give in to the Spirit? Choice is yours.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Discernment is God’s call to intercession, never to faultfinding.

-Corrie Ten Boom

Criticism is no way to help anyone. It just makes them worse and you look bad.

James 1:19-20 

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Galatians 6:1 

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

We all could use a little help. Are you willing? Give it some thought.

Gary

A lot of Christians are like wheelbarrows — not good unless pushed. 

   Some are like canoes — need to be paddled.

   Some are like kites — if a string isn’t kept on them, they fly away.

   Some are like kittens — more contented when petted.

   Some are like balloons — full of wind and ready to blow up.

   Some are like footballs — you can’t tell which way they’ll bounce next.

   Some are like trailers — they have to be pulled.

   Some are like neon lights — they keep going on and off.

Many, thank goodness, are like the North Star — there when you need them, dependable and ever loyal.

Philippians 1:27

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

Be a North Star. Give it some thought.

Gary

Did anyone ever say to you, “That was a good job you did.”? You were thankful for the ability and opportunity you had to deserve such a compliment. The sweat, tears and time added up to such a tribute. 

Here is a Biblical photograph of such a one who accomplished salvation for every one of us.

Hebrews 1:3

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

He can sit now because His work is finished.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Christians should live in the world, but not be filled with it. A ship lives in the water; but if the water gets into the ship, she goes to the bottom. So Christians may live in the world; but if the world gets into them, they sink.

–                                     –  Dwight L. Moody

Does the Bible address this view? Glad you asked.

1 John 2:15 

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

Romans 12:2 

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

We live in the world but must guard against becoming like the world.

Give it some thought.

Gary