As the story goes, a pollster walked up to a house, rang the doorbell and was greeted by a man, his television blaring in the background. After introducing himself, the pollster asked this question: “What is the biggest problem in our nation today _ ignorance or apathy?”

Just before he slammed his door in the pollster’s face, the man answered, “I don’t know and I don’t care!”

I’m almost certain most Americans feel this way, and unfortunately, so do most Christians. However, we must take note as to what the Bible has to say on the subject.

Revelation 3:16 

So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Give it some thought unless apathy has you in its grip.

Gary

Joe Louis was the world heavyweight boxing champion from 1937 until he retired in 1949. In 1946 Louis prepared to defend his title against a skilled fighter named Billy Conn. Louis was warned to watch out for Conn’s great speed and his tactic of darting in to attack and then moving quickly out of his opponent’s range. In a famous display of confidence, Louis replied, “He can run, but he can’t hide.”

God said the same thing about you:

Jeremiah 23:24

“Can a man hide himself in hiding places, so I do not see him?” declares the Lord. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the Lord. 

Luke 8:17

For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light.

Like Adam, stop hiding from God. It didn’t work for him, and it won’t work for you.

Think about it.

Gary

Bob Vernon, formerly with the Los Angeles Police Department, tells of how the department would test bullet-proof vests—and demonstrate to rookie officers their value—by placing them on mannequins and then shooting round after round at them. They’d then check to see if any of the rounds penetrated the vests. Invariably, the vests would pass the test with flying colors. Vernon would then turn to the rookie officers and ask, “So who wants to wear it now instead of the mannequin?”

When faith is put to the test, and even though there is much evidence to support its results, the heart can fail. How can you refuse to practice what you profess to believe? The answer is that you need to step out and prove it. People have a lot to criticize about Peter walking on water, but as far as we know, apart from Christ, he is the only one who ever did.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 

But test everything; hold fast what is good.

James 1:3 

For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 

Proverbs 17:3 

The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.

The test will come, but are you ready to challenge it?

Give it some thought.

Gary

Sign – Why Walk Around Half Dead?

Dr. Park Tucker, former chaplain of the federal penitentiary in Atlanta, Georgia, told of walking down the street in a certain city, feeling low and discouraged and worried about life in general. As he walked along, he lifted his eyes for a moment to the window of a funeral home across the street. He blinked his eyes a couple of times, wondering whether his eyes were deceiving him. But sure enough, he saw in the window of that funeral home was this sign, in large, bold words: “Why walk around half-dead? We can bury you for $69.50. P.S. We also give green stamps.” (Source Unknown)

Don’t be dead. God gives us a choice and it doesn’t cost you anything.

Ephesians 2:1

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,

Galatians 5:1

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Give it some thought before they lay you out.

Gary

I can’t sing it like Allan Jackson, but here goes.

The older I get
The more I think
You only get a minute, better live while you’re in it
‘Cause it’s gone in a blink

And the older I get
The truer it is
It’s the people you love, not the money and stuff
That makes you rich

And if they found a fountain of youth
I wouldn’t drink a drop and that’s the truth
Funny how it feels I’m just getting to my best years yet

The older I get
The fewer friends I have
But you don’t need a lot when the ones that you
Have always got your back

And the older I get
The better I am
At knowing when to give
And when to just not give a damn

And if they found a fountain of youth
I wouldn’t drink a drop and that’s the truth
Funny how it feels I’m just getting to my best years yet

The older I get
And I don’t mind all the lines

From all the times I’ve laughed and cried
Souvenirs and little signs of the life I’ve lived

The older I get
The longer I pray
I don’t know why, I guess that I’ve
Got more to say
And the older I get
The more thankful I feel
For the life I’ve had and all the life I’m living still

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.

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.

Look ahead and don’t look back.

Think about it.

Gary

USAA was founded in 1922 in San Antonio by a group of twenty-five U.S. Army officers as a mechanism for mutual self-insurance when they were unable to secure auto insurance because of the perception that they, as military officers, were a high-risk group. They took it upon themselves to do collectively what was impossible otherwise. Today it is a major player in the fortune 500 companies.

Christians were admonished to do similar acts as the need arose:

Acts 20:35 

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Hebrews 13:16 

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Let’s get together and do something for the common good.

Gary

A five-year-old said, “I learned that I love my teacher because she cries when she sings “Silent Night.” Then there was a seven-year-old who said, “I’ve learned that our dog doesn’t want to eat my broccoli either.” Finally, there was a 92-year-old who said, “I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.”  What have you learned?

Proverbs 1:5 

Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,

Philippians 4:9 

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Then sadly:

2 Timothy 3:7 

Always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.

Which set of verses fits you best?

Give it some thought.

Gary