There is nothing in Pompeii that invests it with a deeper interest than the spot where a soldier of old Rome displayed a most heroic fidelity. That fatal day on which Vesuvius, at whose feet the city stood, burst out into an eruption that shook the earth, a sentinel kept watch by the gate which looked to the burning mountain. Amidst the fearful disorder, the sentinel had been forgotten; and as Rome required her sentinels, happen what might, to hold their posts till relieved by the guard, or set at liberty by their officers, he had to choose between death and dishonor. Pattern of fidelity, he stood by his post. Slowly, but surely, the ashes rose on his manly form; now they reached his breast; and now, covering his lips, they choked his breathing. He also was “faithful unto death.” After seventeen centuries, they found his skeleton standing erect in a marble niche, clad in its rusty armor, the helmet on his empty skull, and his bony fingers still closed upon his spear.

1 Corinthians 4:2

Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Hebrews 3:5

And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;

Stand your ground.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Satan promises the best, but pays with the worst;
He promises honor and pays with disgrace;
He promises pleasure and pays with pain;
He promises profit and pays with loss;
He promises life and pays with death.

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

John 11:25-26

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Numbers 23:19

God is not human, that He should lie,
Not a human being, that He should change His mind.
Does He speak and then not act?
Does He promise and not fulfill?

Whose promises are you banking on?

Give it some thought.

Gary

On a daily basis, a lady with a sick pet dog tried to force a tablespoon of medicine down its throat, but the dog would always resist and pull away.  One day she accidentally knocked over the bottle and the medicine spilled all over the floor.  To her surprise, the dog went over to the puddle and started lapping it up! The dog hadn’t been resisting the medicine.  It was resisting the owner’s method in which she forced the liquid down its throat. 

 Jesus said, “Let your let shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). 

 “In such a way” means that we use the right method. The best way to understand the right way is to study how the Savior interacted with people while He was on earth. After that study, journey with the Apostle Paul as he traveled the old world. Having contemplated these approaches, take part in the great commission.

Think about it.

Gary

If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner.

The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.

We were created to be in a different environment than a pen of our own making. One that holds us captive and miserable throughout our lives. Paul had a better idea that made life enjoyable.

Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Get out of that enclosure and do what you’re designed for.

Give it some thought.

Gary

There are so many different kinds of difficult people in the world! How do you deal with them all? Is there a way? More to the point- is there a biblical way?

1. The Sherman Tank- They like to run right over you.
2. The Star Performer– They believe they are entitled to preferential treatment.
3. The Megaphone– They just talk your ear off.
4. The Volcano– They have a temper like Mt. St. Helens.
5. The Cry Baby– You know them because they are chronic complainers.
6. The Nit Picker– These people are unpleasable perfectionists.
7. The Backbiter– They are masters of calculated rumor.

The prevailing truth of the Bible is that God has a purpose and a plan for all people…
including the most difficult among us!

Matthew 5:43-44

 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Give it some thought the next time you hear the Ford GAA V8 gasoline engine of a Sherman Tank coming.

Gary

Jeremiah 8:20

“The harvest is past, the summer is ended,
and we are not saved.”

There are many sad verses in Scripture, but this is right up there in the top ten and especially for the kingdom of Judah. The Babylonian hordes were coming and there would be no one to deliver them this time. Multiple prophets warned them of this day, but the warnings went unheeded.  The opportunities for taking God seriously were gone.

The time that the children of Israel spent in exile in Babylon would not be pleasant, and it would be seventy years before they had another chance to be in the place where God would meet with them. Seventy years of reflecting about how they ended up in Babylon.

Maybe you have had some setbacks, and upon reflection, you’ve come to the realization it was an act of God. What are you going to do about it?

Revelation 3:19

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent. 

Hebrews 12:5-6

And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 
For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.”

Think about it.

Gary

One Christmas eve, Pete and Jane were driving their Russian friend Rudolph back to his house. The weather outside was frightful. Jane asked Pete, “Do you think that’s sleet or rain out there?”
“It’s rain, Jane” said Pete.

“I think it’s sleet, Pete,” said Jane.

Rudolph chimed in, “It’s definitely rain, Jane.”

“No, I really think it’s sleet, Rudolph” said Jane.

“Don’t argue with the expert, Jane,” said Pete.

“What do you mean, Pete?” asked Jane.

Pete replied, “Rudolph the Red knows rain, Dear.”

Wow! What do you know?

Do you know the Bible is…

• the most stolen book in the world?
• the bestselling book in the world?
• written over the course of 1,500 years?
• written in three languages by authors from three continents?
• silent for 400 years between the Old and New Testament?
• over 600,000 words long?
• over 1,000 chapters long?
• a hymn book with 185 songs in it?
• accurate in its description of the earth as round and hanging on nothing?
• translated into 532 languages?
• composed of a two-word verse in John 11:35, which states, “Jesus wept.”?
• interesting in that women are more likely than men, older people are more likely than younger people, and African Americans are more likely than other races to read the Bible?
• accurate in revealing thar the life of the flesh is in the blood?
• a book where the original writings don’t exist?
• being presented in a 39-month program by the Mountain View Bible Church during which people read a chapter a day and can answer questions over the readings?

Proverbs 30:5

“Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”

What do you think of that, Jane?

Gary