We were driving through town when I saw a contraption containing a motor with a seat and a parachute strapped on it. I said, “Hey, Paula, can I buy that thing?  Look it has a for sale sign.” I can’t remember her exact words, but it translates to, “Grow up and act your age.” You have a position in this community.” I was deflated, but as usual, she was protecting me from myself.

When my grandsons were young, they would sing the song, “Dumb Ways to Die.” If I had bought that contraption, they could have sung that at my funeral service.

How should we die? Good question.

Romans 14:8 

For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 

Psalm 116:15

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”

No, I don’t want to go to my eternal rest because of a failed parachute, but I desire to go in service to the Lord.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Cribbage was my game of choice in high school. It was an afterschool time-killer which I played with a girl in the neighborhood. On many a ball trip, the cribbage board was on a seat in the bus with someone yelling,” I will take on the winner.” It was one game I was well-above-average in. What did the game accomplish in my life? Nothing, I guess. Like so many games in life, it is just a way to waste time. I still play some of them and often feel bad about the time wasted.

Does the Bible address the subject? Glad you asked.

Ephesians 5:16-17

Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Psalm 90:12

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

Hosea 10:12

Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.

Let’s cut down our time with foolish games and get into the real game of faith.

Think about it.

Gary

I’m not weird; I’m a limited edition.

Genesis 1:27 

So God created man in His own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female He created them.

Psalm 139:13-14 

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well.

Isaiah 43:7 

Everyone who is called by My name, whom I created for My glory, whom I formed and made.”

Give it some thought.

Gary

I couldn’t believe the statement he made, “Here I am! What are your other two wishes?”

Listen carefully to me; there are individuals whom you just don’t want in your life. They will rob you of your potential. They will consume your energy. They are not your friends.

Psalm 57:6 

They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit in my way, but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah

Psalm 71:10

For my enemies speak concerning me; those who watch for my life consult together 

Psalm 23:5 

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

Give it some thought and be watchful.

Gary

Dedicated to all the individuals that will be there for you when the chips are down: low-maintenance, high-value people. They know your faults but don’t capitalize on them. In other words, they don’t use your faults against you. They know how God has worked in your life. They are more than gracious. Longsuffering is a trait that characterizes them. They’ll be there when you are cornered. Thank God for them. As a matter of fact, God doesn’t forget them.

Romans 16:3-4

Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

We make it through life because of such people. They are truly the air beneath our wings.

Give it some thought.

Gary

I need to follow up on yesterday’s devotional because some of you will be wondering why these girls lack the “fear factor.” It’s probably the gene pool they came out of. When their mother was seven, she was coaxing me to follow her and her brothers down a double-diamond ski trail. They made it and I didn’t.

In addition, their father was probably on hockey skates before he could walk. He was in a sport where it wasn’t uncommon for players to sacrifice their incisors to the game, nor was it uncommon to see a puck fly at them at speeds close to one hundred miles per hour.

So, there you have it. This is what one generation of sports-minded people can pass on to their progeny. You might be thinking, what does that have to illustrate from the Bible? Glad you asked.

Joel 1:3 

Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children to another generation.

Psalm 145:4 

One generation shall commend Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.

Give it some thought and pass it on.

Gary

Our grandniece was six years old when she climbed a 25-foot rope in her gymnastics class, rang a bell and shimmed back down. I have it on video and show it off once in a while. When her sister started gymnastics class, she, like her sister, went to the top of that rope and rang the bell. She was five years old. It sends a chill through me when I see those unbelievable accomplishments.

When we endeavor to accomplish different feats, one can never tell who might follow in our footsteps. Always be cognizant of blazing a trail for others. Does the Bible address such things? Glad you asked.

1 Corinthians 11:1

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Philippians 2:4

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 

Just to let you know, that first grandniece gets these devotionals because she asked for them. Don’t you just love it?

Give it some thought.

Gary