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

I received a Governor’s Award once because my peers put my name in for my contribution to EMS. Looking back, I don’t think I contributed that much to that service. My personal opinion is that my years in that arena produced many friends and close relationships. Shaking the governor’s hand, I felt bad for the ones more deserving than I was, but what could I do? One thing that the Lord blessed me with is the ability to make friends and on occasions an enemy or two.

Philippians 2:3

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Give it some thought. It might lead to your shaking the governor’s hand someday.

Gary

How many times in the past have you had a second chance? Who gave it to you and why? It is certainly good to recall these events. Here’s a poem to remind us of second chances.

If we might have a second chance
To live the day once more,
And rectify mistakes we’ve made
To even up the score.

If we might have a second chance
to use the knowledge gained,
Perhaps we might become at last
As fine as God ordained.

But though we can’t retrace our steps,
However stands the score,
Tomorrow brings another chance
For us to try once more

Jonah messed up and God gave him a second chance. Peter messed up and God gave him a second chance. You messed up and God….?

Luke 22:32

But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

Get back in the saddle and ride. Give it some thought.

Gary

When I was young and went to school

They taught me how to write

To take the chalk and make a mark

And hope it turns out right

It was just an old love song from the 50’s and the rest of the song doesn’t matter. The philosophy of the first stanza is what I want to consider.  “And hope it turns out right” is the fatalistic view of the multitudes. Luck or karma seems to be their driving force. However, that’s not the case with the teaching of Scripture.

Ps 13:6 I will sing the Lord’s praise, for He has been good to me.

Ps 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

I am so glad God is in charge of my future so I don’t have to chance it.

Give it some thought.

Gary