I went into a McDonald’s yesterday and said, “I’d like some fries.” The girl at the counter said, “Would you like some fries with that?”
                                                                                          ~ Jay Leno

I know businesses are suffering with this labor shortage. Also, employers are lowering the bar for their hirees just to get a warm body to fill a position. Then there is that four-letter word feared by many called “work”. Work has to be fun and full of financial benefits. Does the Bible address this phenomenon? Glad you asked.

Genesis 2:15 

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.

Proverbs 18:9 

Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 

For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.

Give it some thought and go to work, people.

Gary

“When in doubt, tell the truth.”

– Samuel Langhorne Clemens (Mark Twain) (1835-1910), American Writer

Politicians and preachers have a real problem with this subject. The reason, truth that has some substance to it is found in Scripture. Most people would rather have someone tell them what to believe than to examine it for themselves.

One person came to my door with a Bible under his arm. I said, “I am glad to see you. I have some questions about that book.”

 He was excited.

I asked, “How many books are in the Old Testament?”

He didn’t know.

I then asked, “How can you tell me about the Bible if you don’t even know how many books are in it?”

John 8:32 

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

John 17:17 

Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

Read it for yourself. Don’t trust anyone to interpret it for you.

Give it some thought.

Gary

It would be kinda embarrassing trying to explain what an appetizer is to someone from a starving country.  “Yeah, the appetizer, that’s the food we eat before we have our food…No, no, you’re thinking of dessert; that’s food we eat after we have our food.
~ Jim Gaffigan

Interesting that Scripture teaches that there is something worse than human hunger. The point is made in Amos 8:11-12.

Amos 8:11-12

“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord God,
“when I will send a famine on the land—
not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water,
but of hearing the words of the Lord.

They shall wander from sea to sea,
and from north to east;
they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of the Lord,
but they shall not find it.

We’re not there yet, but it can be seen on the horizon.

Give it some thought.

Gary

My wife said, “What do you mean God is calling you into the ministry? You don’t want to study now.” She was right. I didn’t like studying. However, I knew I was called and studying would be a big part of my future. I still don’t like to study, but I have to because it is commanded of me.

2 Timothy 2:15

Study to shew yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

Joshua 1:8

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Studying is work and seldom fun, but the rewards are eternal.

Give it some thought and dive in.

Gary

They say such nice things about people at their funerals that it makes me sad to realize that I’m going to miss mine by just a few days.
~ Garrison Keillor

Garrison knew humor, but there was a thread of truth in his comic side. When we’re alive, people remember the situations we messed up on. However, at the funeral they only want to capitalize on the bright side.

God didn’t do that. Here’s what He had to say about some kings of Israel:

1 Kings 16:25

Omri did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and did more evil than all who were before him.

1 Kings 21:25

There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited.

I’m not concerned about what the preacher will say about my demise, but what God has to say.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Lady Astor to Winston Churchill “If you were my husband, I’d put poison in your coffee.”
To which Winston Churchill replied “Madam, if I were your husband, I would drink it.”

Winston had a real sense of dry humor and alcohol seemed to fan it. The tongue can be a sharp instrument for evil or for good. It depends on the condition of the deliverer.

Ephesians 4:29 

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 

Proverbs 18:21 

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Give it some thought the next time you blurt out something.

Gary

We are all carrying something we wish would go away. There are things that stick to us like walking through a field of burdocks that cling to our clothing.

The regrets of life:

• I should have spent more time with family.
• I should have dumped that friendship.
• I should have secured that friendship.
• I should have listened to my doctor.
• I should have spoken up at the time.
• I should not have sweated the small stuff.

You can add to the list.

Instead of the all-too-familiar notion of living a life with no regrets, what if we embraced them? What if we used the past as a guide for better living?

Does the Bible address that? Glad you asked.

Philippians 3:13-14

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Aren’t you glad that first date didn’t amount to anything?

Give it some thought.

Gary