Seven of the early churches were addressed by God in Revelation chapters 2-3. Every one of the seven contained this statement:

Rev. 2:2 about Ephesus, “I know your works”

Rev. 2:9 about Smyrna, “I know your works”

Rev. 2:13 about Pergamos, “I know your works”

Rev. 2:19 about Thyatira, “I know your works”

Rev. 3:1 about Sardis, “I know your works”

Rev. 3:8 about Philadelphia, “I know your works”

Rev. 3:15 about Laodicea, “I know your works”

If you’re a Christian, then you have a permanent record. Do works matter? The answer is not for salvation, but certainly for service.

Hebrews 10:24 

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,

1 Timothy 6:18 

They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,

2 Timothy 3:17 

That the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

What’s the message? Work.

 Give it some thought.

Gary

It was the World Series and the New York Yankees were hosting the Milwaukee Braves. Hank Aaron stepped into the batter’s box only to be greeted by the ceaseless chatter of Yogi Berra: “Henry, you’re holding that bat wrong. You’re supposed to hold it so you can read the trademark.”

Aaron never spoke a word. As the next pitch crossed the plate, the home run king put the ball into the left-field bleachers. After rounding the bases and tagging up at home plate, he looked at the cheerless Yogi Berra and said, “I didn’t come up here to read.”

Aaron knew why he was there and he could sure prove it. I wonder how many of us really know why we are here. The Scripture certainly reveals our task on the planet.

Galatians 6:5
For each will have to bear his own load.

1 Corinthians 3:8
He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor.

Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.

Give it some thought and it will improve your batting average.

Gary

In 1982, “ABC Evening News” reported on an unusual work of modern art-a chair affixed to a shotgun. It was to be viewed by sitting in the chair and looking directly into the gun barrel. The gun was loaded and set on a timer to fire at an undetermined moment within the next hundred years. The amazing thing was that people waited in lines to sit and stare into the shell’s path! They all knew the gun could go off at point-blank range at any moment, but they were gambling that the fatal blast wouldn’t happen during THEIR minute in the chair.

Some gamble with eternity, thinking they are ok, nothing can happen to them. An individual who does that is described as a fool in the Scriptures.

Luke 12:20

But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’

Proverbs 12:15

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.

Don’t gamble with eternity.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Alex Haley, the author of Roots, had an unusual picture hanging on his office wall. It was a picture of a turtle on top of a fence post. When asked, “Why is that there?” Alex Haley answered, “Every time I write something significant, every time I read my words and think that they are wonderful, and begin to feel proud of myself, I look at the turtle on top of the fence post and remember that he didn’t get there on his own. He had help.”

What Alex didn’t mention is the fact someone put the turtle there to die an agonizing death. That individual was cruel and had no love for turtles. The real lesson should be – “Be careful, for someone is lifting you up to a destructive position.”

Matthew 4:8-10

 Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.  And he said to Him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,

“‘You shall worship the Lord your God
and Him only shall you serve.’”

The devil is still offering positions. Don’t be caught in his hands.

Give it some thought.

Gary

A father was getting onto his young son for telling lies. He told his son, “When I was your age, I never told lies!” The young boy thought about this for a few seconds and asked his dad, “Well then, how old were you when you started?”

How old were you when you started telling lies? Be honest now. The Scriptures teach us that that is a very common sin with humanity and Christians are included.

Colossians 3:9

Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices

Acts 5:3

Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?

What or who would influence us to lie?

The truth might hurt in the short term, but the consequences of lying can last a lifetime.

Give it some thought.

Gary

We left the logging operation early because of the rain in December. The road was now a glare sheet of ice. My brother had a white-knuckled hold of the steering wheel of our old, rusted jeep. Our cousin was sandwiched between us while I sat by the passenger door. Topping the hill, I knew we were in trouble. The old jeep started doing 360s. When it hit the ditch, the door opened, and I flew out, landing on my back in that trench, flowing with cold water. That vehicle was coming over onto me when the back bumper caught the bank and righted it. Finally, I stood up, soaked and angry, glaring at the jeep which had now stopped at the bottom of the hill.

Another memory prompting the question: Why am I still here? God knows the answer and I don’t, but I owe Him something. I’ll try, as lacking as I am, to pay it back. I’ve been given a lot more life than many.

Psalm 103:4 -5

who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

If you’re going to take a trip through life, make sure God’s in control and not you.

Give it some thought.

Gary

“Like a Rock” is a song written by American singer-songwriter Bob Seger. The single peaked at number one on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks in 1986.

This song’s greatest exposure was in Chevrolet truck television advertisements from 1991 until 2004 which helped make the company very competitive.

The theme of the song was that youth was wonderful. The young man was on top of the world without worries. His body was as solid as a rock. Then twenty years of time changed it all.

 I bought a Chevrolet S-10 in 1998 and it was a rock that didn’t last. The rust bugs came with it from the factory. I took it to a body shop and the owner there told me it was a waste of time and money to paint it. Time took it from a beauty to a disappointment.

The Bible mentions this phenomenon:

Psalm 39:4 

“O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! 

Psalm 78:39 

He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and comes not again. 

Psalm 144:4 

Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.

Give it some thought, Rock.

Gary