“And I still have other smothered memories, now unfolding themselves into limbless monsters of pain.”

                                                                                 – Vladimir Nabokov

What a statement!   We all have those hideous characters that can never, in this life, be erased from our memory. They haunt us at the most inappropriate times and are a drag on our progress. Almost every character in the Scripture has a testimony relating to this very subject. Yes, the Bible addresses it.

Philippians 3:13-14

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 12:13

and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.

If God uses scared individuals like Abraham, Jacob and Paul, He certainly can work through you.

Give it some thought.

Gary

He looked her straight in the eye and said, “I’ve seen salads dressed better than you.”

That was probably a true statement, but wasn’t one that could be digested. However, the Bible does have something to say about the way we dress.

1 Timothy 2:9 

Likewise, also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire,

Leviticus 19:28 

You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord.

Yes, God is concerned about the way we present ourselves.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Eliphaz was not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but he made an astute observation about investing.

Job 15:31

Let him not deceive himself by trusting what is worthless,
for he will get nothing in return.

Be skeptical if investment opportunities come with guaranteed high returns and low or no risks. The return is that it goes from your pocket to theirs.

Let me give you some strong advice. The things invested in eternity will never lose their reward.

Colossians 3:23-24

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Ephesians 6:8

Knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.

Give it some thought and then start investing.

Gary

Nobody in pulpit or pew needs a revival more than a bitter-spirited fundamentalist with his dispensations right and his disposition wrong.

–Vance Havner

That statement was made well into the last century. However, it is as relevant today as it was then. Be fundamental, but stay away from the character that closes all communication with a lost world, especially characters who would lead you to attack the capitol of the United States.

Here’s what Scripture has to say about conduct.

Proverbs 10:9 

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.

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.

1 Corinthians 15:33 

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

 Give it some thought.

Gary

A New York family bought a ranch out West where they intended to raise cattle. Friends visited and asked if the ranch had a name.
“Well,” said the would-be cattleman, “I wanted to name it the Bar-J. My wife favored Suzy-Q, one son liked the Flying-W, and the other wanted the Lazy-Y. So we’re calling it The Bar-J-Suzy-Q-Flying-W-Lazy-Y.”

“But where are all your cattle?” the friends asked.

“Well, none survived the branding!”

You just can’t satisfy everyone. There are times that an intelligent decision has to be made for the good of all. Here are some helpful verses.

2 John 1:8 

Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.

James 1:5 

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Psalm 86:11 

Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name.

Give it some thought and, before God, make a decision that will help instead of hurt.

Gary

A thirsty man sees a water pump in the middle of the desert. His water bottles are empty and he comes upon this pump. Tied to it is a hand-written note put there by someone before him. The note reads “I have buried a bottle of water to prime the pump. Don’t drink any of it. Pour in half of it to wet the leather. Wait, and then pour in the rest. Then pump. The well has never gone dry, but the pump must be primed to bring the water up. When you are through drawing water, refill the bottle and bury it in the sand for the next traveler.” Warning! You are going to be tempted to not believe this note and want to just consume the bottle. If you do, you’ll soon be thirsty again, and so will be everyone else that follows you!

Philippians 2:3 

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

Luke 6:31 

And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

Give it some thought and pass it on.

Gary

There was a cartoon several years ago in the Saturday Review of Literature in which little George Washington is standing with an axe in his hand. Before him, lying on the ground, is the famous cherry tree. He has already made his smug admission that he did it — after all, he “cannot tell a lie.” But his father is standing there, exasperated, saying, “All right, so you admit it! You always admit it! The question is, when are you going to stop doing it?”

There are many like George who feel bad about what they do but can’t seem to turn away from it. There are multitudes of organizations set up to help such individuals, but they experience limited success. If only they would trust in the One who gives victory.

Deuteronomy 20:4 

For the Lord your God is He who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’

1 Corinthians 15:57 

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 4:13 

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Give it some thought concerning your addiction.

Gary