The Paradox of Our Age #2

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly,
Laugh too little, drive too fast, get angry too quickly,
Stay up too late, get up too tired,
Read too seldom, watch TV too much,
And pray too seldom

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often
We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life
We’ve added years to life, not life to years

A better way:

Galatians 6:7

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Give it some thought.

Gary

The Paradox of Our Age #1

We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers,

Wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints

We spend more, but we have less

We buy more, but enjoy it less.

We have bigger houses, but smaller families,

More conveniences, but less time,

We have more degrees, but less sense,

More knowledge, but less judgment

More experts, but more problems

More medicine, but less wellness.

God offers something better:

Galatians 5:1 

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

John 8:32 

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Think about it.

Gary

The Pathfinders were target-marking squadrons in RAF Bomber Command during World War II. They located and marked targets with flares, at which a main bomber force could aim, increasing the accuracy of their bombing.

Identifying targets and accuracy are also two of the main functions of every Christian. What is your target and how accurate are you? These are two points of consideration every one of us should take seriously. Paul made it clear in his letter to the Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 9:26-27

 Therefore, I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus, I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Pick your target in the Christian experience and then hit it. We need to defeat the enemy of our souls.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Paula and I were standing in front of my cousin’s casket when she said, “He looks like you.”

 I peered in for a better look and came to the same conclusion. We both looked like we were dead. Now I had trouble digesting the fact that we held the same opinion on the matter. However, it was not the first time I looked dead.

Ephesians 2:1

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,

Ephesians 2:5

even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

Ephesians 5:14

Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”

You that have peered into this devotional, are you dead?

Give it some thought.

Gary

That kid in grammar school who was laughed at still haunts my memory, though it happened years ago. I really wasn’t one to make fun of others, but on the other hand, I didn’t step in to help that poor individual. Now I understand that makes me just as guilty. The underprivileged could use our help to get through their unfortunate situation in life. We shouldn’t turn away if God has gifted us to make a difference. We should not worry about our standing in the eyes of those bent on hurting others.

Galatians 6:2 

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Luke 6:38 

Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Give it some thought.

Gary

On my way to the furnace room, I pass a sports equipment rack. There’s my favorite softball bat and that Wilson basketball. I won’t be swinging that bat or dribbling that ball again real soon.

Maybe if I moved to Florida to some rest home, there would be teams there consisting of those over seventy years old playing those sports. However, I really don’t want to live where such teams are located. This is just the musings of a man who has watched too many sunsets.

Proverbs 20:29 

The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.

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.

No, I can’t be playing sports. However, I still have a role to play and I’d like to be good at it. How about you?

Give it some thought.

Gary

Memories – some are so good you never want to get far away from them. Then, some are so bad you wish you could take a pill to dissolve them.   My childhood memories are so precious to me that I go back to the old home town just to water them once in a while. The Bible has a lot to say about the memories of a believer. Here are a few verses in that regard:

John 14:26 

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Proverbs 10:7 

The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.

How about your memories? Maybe it’s about time to get out the photo album, stored in the old grey matter, and take a look at a few.

Give it some thought.

Gary