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

I’m traveling through a secondary road in Canada when I come to a construction site. There were traffic lights and the light was red. I stopped, waiting for the light to change. Cars started lining up behind me, and I heard the tooting horn of an angry driver. Then a school bus passed me, along with all the other traffic that had formed a queue behind me. My mind was in a state of confusion when I realized I was the only vehicle waiting for the light to change. I said to myself, “You had better follow them.”

What would you have done? What do you do when life just doesn’t make any sense, when the rules just don’t seem to apply anymore? How do you live in a world without rules?

Romans 13:1 

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

Acts 5:29 

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

Proverbs 29:2 

When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

Did they do the wrong thing? Did I do the wrong thing?

Give it some thought as you move through a crazy, mixed-up world.

Gary

According to new research from the University of Copenhagen, poisonous Caribbean box jellyfish can learn at a far more complex level than ever imagined, despite only having 1,000 nerve cells and no centralized brain. If that creature can accomplish what it does without a brain, can you imagine what we can accomplish with one? It is the will of God for us to put our gray matter to good use.

Philippians 4:8 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Proverbs 18:15 

An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

 Give it some thought with your tête or gray matter.

Gary

As a paramedic I witnessed some humorous things. A memorable incident involved four old ladies attempting to back out of a downhill driveway. The driver put it in gear while stepping on the accelerator, instead of the brake. The car sped down the driveway, across the street, over the ditch and stopped up against the railroad bed. We arrived to find three very disturbed elderly females.  One, however, was as calm as a cucumber and she was the driver. Some people just never seem to lose their head in spite of circumstances.

Peter was in prison chained to two soldiers and death was imminent, but just take a look at his demeanor.

Acts 12:6

The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 

That lady probably had a medical reason for being so calm, but Peter had a spiritual reason. He knew that God was in charge of his life and not the government.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Someone once said to me, “Your shoe is untied.”

 I replied, “Yes, I know and the next time I’m down there, I’ll take care of it.”

Translation: I’m on a mission and that is not the priority at the present time. Not being sidelined from a mission takes quick thought.

It’s found in 1 Kings 13. There was a prophet sent on a special mission from God. However, another prophet distracted him by giving a deceptive message. This led to his untimely death.

Here’s the result of the false prophet’s urgings:

1 Kings 13:26

And when the prophet who had brought him back from the way heard of it, he said, “It is the man of God who disobeyed the word of the LORD; therefore the LORD has given him to the lion, which has torn him and killed him, according to the word that the LORD spoke to him.

If you have clear direction from God, I would strongly suggest you be found doing it.

Give it some thought.

Gary

“Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes.”                                           — Jack Handey

Criticism – Everyone seems to be an expert on dispensing it, but few seem to appreciate being the recipients of it. It can be a character builder or it can lead to a fight. It almost never builds friendships, but has destroyed many a friendship never to be mended. Does the Bible address it? Glad you asked.

Galatians 6:1 

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

Proverbs 27:6 

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

Easy with criticism. It usually creates anger and defensiveness in the person you criticized.

Think about it.

Gary

The cartoon pictured two tyrannosaurus walking through New York City, eating people. One looked at the other and said, “Of course you feel good; these things are full of anti-depressants.”

Some people do need these medications, but I believe the distribution of them has gotten out of hand. People should try the Word of God first.

Joshua 1:9 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

2 Timothy 1:7 

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control 

Philippians 4:13 

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Try the Scriptures before you leave a funny taste in some monster’s mouth.

Give it some thought.

Gary