A beggar knocked on the door of an English pub called “George and the Dragon.” A woman opened the door. He asked, “Could I have a bite to eat?” The woman screamed at him and began to curse and malign him. Finally, she slammed the door in his face. He knocked again and the woman opened the door. “Now,” he said, “could I have a few words with George?”

Sometimes you just don’t know who is going to open the door. Many times, knocking twice with trepidation is necessary.

God Himself stands and knocks on doors like that. What response did He receive at your door?

Revelation 3:20

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me.

Give it some thought.

Gary

From an unknown source comes an article titled, “How to Be Miserable.” It says, “Think about yourself. Talk about yourself. Use “I” as often as possible. Mirror yourself continually in the opinion of others. Listen greedily to what people say about you. Expect to be appreciated. Be suspicious. Be jealous and envious. Be sensitive to slights. Never forgive a criticism. Trust nobody but yourself. Insist on consideration and respect. Demand agreement with your own views on everything. Sulk if people are not grateful to you for favors shown them. Never forget a service you have rendered. Shirk your duties if you can. Do as little as possible for others.”

This is just the opposite of what the Bible offers as a recipe for a happy and productive life. It’s about others. Jesus’ thirty-three years on the planet were consumed by the great need of others. The Apostle Paul’s three missionary journeys were about others. His epistles were about others. Peter’s final correspondence was about others.

So, what does the Word have to say…

Hebrews 6:10

“God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.”

Galatians 5:13

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”

Galatians 6:2

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Give it some thought.

Gary

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