The following was placed in Readers Digest by Edward Rouse of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania:

Military personnel are an optimistic bunch. During an ROTC class on defensive positioning, someone asked our instructor: “What do we do if we’re surrounded?” Son, the instructor said, never think of yourself as being surrounded. Look at it as being a target-rich environment.”

The Lord made a statement like that in a very difficult and hostile environment:

Mark 16:15

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 

Give it some thought the next time you are surrounded.

Gary

I had the privilege today of listening to two French people relating funny stories about a loved one. It was intriguing to watch their animations as the accounts were being given. I didn’t understand a word they were saying but was drawn into their presentation. Sometimes when they would give the punchline, I would turn to Paula and ask, “What did they say? What did they say?” It is a benefit to be married to a bilingual person.

The Bible describes similar situations in Scripture. Corinthians states if one speaks in a different tongue an interpreter must be present. On this occasion, I had more than one interpreter present which made the time much more memorable.

Nice to have the Scripture in our language, so we don’t need an interpreter other than the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:9-12

but just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him. “For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God

I was blessed by what they were saying in their language, but much more when I heard it in my language.

Give it some thought. Je t’aime avec tout mon cœur. (I love you with all my heart.)

Gary

When I was a paramedic, there were occasions when I would have to start an IV on little old French ladies. They would be uncomfortable with me because they were ashamed of their limited English or, maybe, they thought I was a dumb Englishman. In any case, to break the ice I would tell them I took a French course and learned one sentence. That would get their curiosity up and usually they would want to know the sentence I acquired in their language. Then I would say, ”Je t’aime avec tout mon coeur.” After that, they didn’t care how many times it took to get the IV started.

I always prayed for a key to get the job done. I see in the Scriptures Paul also needed a key. Sometimes it was the local synagogue, a prayer meeting by the river, an earthquake, imprisonment, or a ship about to go down. Every one of the aforementioned locations or situations was a key to a clear presentation of the gospel.

Acts 13:13-16

 Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down.  After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.”  So Paul stood up,

If you leave home without your keys, look to God to provide them.

Give it some thought.

Gary

People used to blush when they were ashamed. Now they are ashamed if they blush. Modesty has disappeared and a brazen generation with no fear of God before its eyes mocks at sin. We are so fond of being called tolerant and broadminded that we wink at sin when we ought to weep.
                                   ― Vance Havner

Our world has become consumed by evil. Surprisingly, that evil is now supported and encouraged by the government. Our moral environment has certainly deteriorated in the past few years at an alarming rate. However, the commands for Christians remain the same.

1 Corinthians 15:33 

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

Isaiah 5:20 

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!

Judges 17:6 

In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

 Give it some thought.

Gary

In the cartoon “Peanuts” we see Lucy behind her desk. The sign over her head says, psychiatric help 5 cents. The sign below her desk says, the doctor is in. This young girl with an oversized imagination is waiting for a consumer of her advice to present himself. In the course of the cartoon’s run, enumerable souls seek her advice.

It always amazes me how many believe they can understand and solve other people’s problems when, in reality, they can’t solve their own. Do you want the best in counseling? Here it is:

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.

1 Peter 5:7 

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Those are poor individuals who relied on the experience of Lucy’s couch.

Give it some thought.

Gary

One reporter talked to Ellis Vincent, a 76-year-old retired airline executive from Australia, who was on a cruise with his wife. When asked how they were spending their time in the tiny stateroom on the ship, Mr. Vincent made this comment about his wife:

“She has an excellent memory. She is able to bring up every transgression I’ve ever had. I believe she is not finished.”

Poor Ellis. I think he was in for a long cruise. His wife didn’t know about forgiveness and forgetting the past.

Ephesians 4:32 

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Philippians 3:13

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,

Give it some thought.

Gary

When 16-year-old Eliza married the 20-year old tailor, he had never been to school. Others might have written his education off as a lost cause, but Eliza didn’t. She taught him to read, write, and spell. Those days were difficult, but he proved to be a fast learner. In fact, he learned so well that years later he was elected president of the United States! When he ran for a second term, he lost, but refused to give up. Instead, he won a seat in the U.S. Senate. Who? He was our 17th president, Andrew Johnson.

We made it through life because there were others who believed that with a little help we could do better. This was a discussion that I had on more than one occasion with my high school principal. He helped me, and along the way, there were others, more than I can count. I am certainly not a self-made man. My greatest investor was God Himself.

Philippians 2:4 

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Galatians 6:2 

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Give it some thought and invest in others.

Gary