Devotional by my friend Al:

Late one night over Lake Superior, I was flying from Green Bay, Wisconsin, to near Thunder Bay at the Ely airport.  Storms can arise there with no warning! This one was so violent; I literally feared the wings would break away (attested to by the black & blue marks over my body the next morning).

In the pitch-black darkness, except for the flashes of lightning, I faintly saw that rotating beacon all those miles away.  Unbelievable how comforting that was!  I experienced that very thing in the vast Amazon landscape. As our end comes near, we face a lot of inner dark hours, and we cry out for the fulness of the light of Christ available only in our Savior and Friend.

John 8:12

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.”

Are you flying in a storm right now? Look to the light. Give it some thought.

Gary

The song writer declared, “Not everyone gets the chance to grow old.” My mind traveled back in time and reminded me of the many in my life who didn’t get that chance. Why am I now an elderly man and not them? That question just hangs in the air because here there will be no resolution to that perplexing statement. However, it should stimulate us to inform the youth of today that while it is today, they should not forget the Creator.

Ecclesiastes 11:9 

Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.

2 Timothy 2:22 

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Give it some consideration.

Gary

Two frogs fell into a churn of milk while trying to escape the rain. One frog lost hope and drowned, while the other continued swimming and churning the milk into butter, which allowed it to climb out of the churn to safety.

So many give up on life and go down without a fight, never giving a thought as to how we got into this mess in the first place. Thankfully, there are those who fight on.

Matthew 7:7-8

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Are you on your way up or down? Whom are you looking for to help you through? Give it some thought.

Gary

The singer of “Stand by Me” is Ben E. King. Originally released in 1961, the song became one of King’s most iconic hits, showcasing his powerful voice and emotional delivery.

Using the transistor radio tucked under the blankets of my bed, I listened when I was a young teen—before I had experienced the heartache of people I trusted not standing by me as I believed they would. Later, I discovered the One who would stand by me whether I was winning or losing at the game of life: This is without a doubt my Savior. His promises are trustworthy because He is faithful and true.

Hebrews 10:23 

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Philippians 4:19 

And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

The weather is unpredictable and storms will blow in from nowhere, but He will never leave or forsake us. Give this some consideration.

Gary

As you get older, three things happen. The first is your memory goes, and I can’t remember the other two.

–       Norman Wisdom

I don’t know when it started to slip, but it sure has. Things get done, but it just takes a little more time. A house repair project must include the time spent looking for the hammer. I know neither one of us left the room, but that tool just disappeared.

Now there are some memories we can’t afford to lose. Here is a list before I forget.

Psalm 145:7

They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness, and shall sing of Your righteousness.

Proverbs 10:7

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

Now if you recall these verses, they will help you finish well.  Give it some thought.

Gary

People wonder what is wrong with humanity but never search for a reason.

That’s like the captain of the Titanic being slightly concerned about a possible anomaly off the right bow of the ship!!!

No, no, there is something seriously wrong here. Prepare the lifeboats for this thing is going down and many will be lost.

Revelation 3:20 

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to Him and eat with him, and he with Me.

Matthew 10:28 

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Get in the unsinkable boat that offers salvation from the present circumstances. Give it some thought.

Gary

A bar is burning to the ground, and a team of firefighters rush in to put out the fire. When they get inside, they see an Irishman passed out from smoke inhalation. They drag him out of the bar, and eventually the Irishman comes to. The firefighter asks, “You were there. How did this whole thing get started?!”

The Irishman responds, “I don’t know; it was burning when I walked in”

Habits can be hard to break and sometimes even detrimental to life itself. We should run a scan over our activities to see if they line up with what a Christian should be.

2 Corinthians 5:17 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

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.

Give it some consideration before you get burnt.

Gary