It was Christmas Eve when the mother opened the door and the devil was standing there. She turned to her eight-year-old son and said, “I think you misspelled Santa, Tommy.”

He can show up at any time and you sure don’t want him in your life or in the life of your kids. The great problem is he doesn’t have a pitchfork, a tail or horns which would make him readily identifiable. As a matter of fact, he is quite attractive, but deadly.

1 Peter 5:8 

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

2 Corinthians 11:14 

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

James 4:7 

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Be careful as to whom you open that door for and don’t let appearances fool you.

Give it some thought.

Gary

My niece’s husband is a retired navy pilot. On many occasions, he had to land and take off on an aircraft carrier. He revealed, that on approaching the ship, the pilot sees what looks like a toy boat some kid placed in the lake. He sent me the following quote.

“Courage lifts an aircraft into the air

Caution returns it to the ground”

The Bible has a lot to say about both acts:

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.”

Ephesians 5:15 

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,

Courage and caution need to be well mixed into the fabric of life.

Give it some thought.

Gary

To the writing of love songs, there will be no end.  If there is no end of love songs, nor will there be an end to somebody–done–somebody–wrong songs. So, where oh where can you be secure in a love song?

Glad you asked:

Psalm 119:165

Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.

Desiring to be secure in love, we should take on the challenge of loving the Word of God

Psalm 4:2

O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah

Psalm 32:10

Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.

Give it some serious thought.

Gary

I got some negative feedback on yesterday’s devotional, so I’m led to defend my taste.

Most, obviously, have never tasted the combination of salt and vinegar chips with whole milk. Ask yourself: How did the banana-split come into being? Who put peanut butter on chocolate to create the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup? What would the baked potato be without sour cream?  How many other combinations have tickled our palettes?

Application:

Psalm 34:8

O taste and see that the Lord is good;

How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

Psalm 119:103

How sweet are Your words to my taste!

Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

1 Peter 2:3

if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.

Let me know what you think after you try it. This might become a national taste sensation.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Doc said my weight is okay, but I need to put on six more inches of height. I thought that over carefully and then purchased an inverter. It was advertised on TV at 2:30 in the morning. After hours of hanging upside-down, I didn’t gain an inch.

Thinking of my taste for salt and vinegar chips with whole milk, the occasional banana split and french-fries with a quarter pounder, I decided to call it a day and expire fat.

Life is all about decisions. Concentrating on long-term ramifications or short-term goals that can be accomplished give me a migraine.

I’m just going to spend my closing years focusing on spiritual exercise.

1 Timothy 4:8 

For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

Git off that couch and grab your Bible.

Give it some thought.

Gary

The 142nd regiment of the United States Army was one of the most decorated of all during World War II. It was made up of Japanese Americans, some of whom were recruited from internment camps where Japanese citizens had been placed after Pearl Harbor. The 142nd served with extraordinary distinction, fighting in Europe. Some of these soldiers helped liberate Dachau, the concentration camp where thousands of Jews had been executed.

These young men went to great lengths to show to our country that they were true Americans.

As Christians, we should spend as much effort proving our citizenship by the way in which we live.

Philippians 3:20 

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Ephesians 2:19 

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

Give it some thought.

Gary

In our country we have the far left and the far right and never the twain shall meet. Even our news outlets are divided between the left and the right. Where can we get information that is guaranteed to be accurate?

Glad you asked:

 Mark 4:24

And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear:

John 16:13

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

Every time I open the Word, I am assured of handling the truth.

Give it some thought.

Gary