Who can get us through this maze called life? Considering the best scenario is to die in your sleep, what can make sense of it all?  Can life and assured hope go hand in hand? Glad you asked because this is what the hymn writer and the Word of God has to say.

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine
Heir of salvation, purchase of God
Born of His spirit, washed in His blood

Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior, am happy and blessed
Watching and waiting, looking above
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love,

This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long
This is my story, this is my song
Praising my Savior all the day long,

2 Timothy 1:12 

Which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.

1 John 5:13 

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

Life can be tough sledding, but keep in mind what the end of the run brings.

Give it some thought.

Gary

… Born in the heat of the desert
My mother died giving me life
Deprived of the love of a father
Blamed for the loss of his wife
You know, Lord, I’ve been in a prison
For something that I never done
It’s been one hill after another
I’ve climbed them all, one by one

… But this time, Lord, you gave me a mountain

Marty Robbins and Elvis both made a killing off this tearjerker. However, the song doesn’t stand the test of biblical interpretation of what comes from God in relation to human experience.

Take Caleb for example. He desired a mountain and at 80 took the mountain God gave him.

Joshua 14:11-12  

As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. ¹² Now therefore, give me this mountain …,

If God gives you a mountain, then take it.

Give it some thought.

Gary

What do the Scriptures say about the world since man decided to run it? Glad you asked.

1 John 2:15-18 

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore, we know that it is the last hour. 

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. 

You are here for a brief period of time. Give the next world some thought and stay away from antichrists.

Gary

If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. 

-Henry David Thoreau

Henry tells us if we hear something from far away, we should walk in step to it. Now I can handle his poetry, but not his philosophy. The reason for that is because of my age and time in the Word. Here are some bad actors to prove my point.

2 Timothy 4:10

For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica.

2 Timothy 4:14

Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.

Mark 4:19

but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.

No, I’d be careful of that foreign music. Remember the Pied Piper.

 Give it some thought.

Gary

I believe Ray Prichard is one of the great Bible teachers of our time. He knows how to put the cookies on the bottom shelf so the kids can have easy access. I’ve picked his pockets many times in putting a sermon together and he stated he didn’t mind a bit because he picked someone else’s pocket to make it. There is nothing new under the sun. Here is one of his quotes:

If you just happen to jump out of an aircraft (for ANY reason), don’t forget your “chute”!

Life can be a rut, but it is usually a safe rut. Just make sure when you make a jump, the presence of the Holy Spirit is with you. Once you jump, you can’t return.

Psalm 16:11 

You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Exodus 33:14 

And He said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Even the daily grind can be better than the alternative.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Boy, those French, they have a different word for everything!
~ Steve Martin

Does the Bible have something to say about words? Glad you asked.

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.

Matthew 12:37 

For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Matthew 12:36 

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,

Careful, that mouth of yours is a clip of dangerous projectiles.

Give it some thought.

Gary

You know there is a problem with the education system when you realize that out of the 3 R’s only one begins with an R.
~ Dennis Miller

That’s probably where the system started failing. Let me give you the three R’s of reality. The first is rigor. You are going to have to work now and until death comes for you. Secondly, relevance, i.e., the connection of subjects you’re learning and the practicality of putting them into your daily experience. Then lastly, relationships: life is made up of others, including God.

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.

Ecclesiastes 9:10

Whatever you do, do well, for in death, where you are going, there is no working or planning, or knowing, or understanding.

Give it some thought and sweat it out.

Gary