The job of a football coach is to make men do what they don’t want to do, in order to achieve what they’ve always wanted to be.  

–       Tom Landry

Jonah thought he could run away from responsibility, but God was directing his path. Elijah felt the same way once, but God was directing his path. If you are a child of God, be careful with your personal plans.

Jeremiah 29:11 

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Proverbs 16:9 

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

The Christian is coached by the best. Give it some thought.

Gary

Overheard at the bus stop: “Joe’s chronically late for everything. His ancestors came over on the Juneflower.”      –       Shelby Friedman in Quote Magazine.

Some things you can be late for and some things you can’t. Does the Bible address it? Glad you asked.

Isaiah 55:6

“Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near”.

2 Corinthians 6:2

Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation”.

Matthew 25:10-12 is the parable of the ten virgins, where the door is shut and the bridegroom who represents Christ tells those who were late, “I do not know you.”

How many were too late for the ark in Noah’s day? How many were too late in entering the promised land in Moses’ day? Don’t be late. Give it some thought.

Gary

Some people would do anything to be able to do nothing. 

–       Frank Tyger

That should never be said of a believer. Does the Bible address this topic? Glad you asked.

Proverbs 6:9 

How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?

Proverbs 10:4 

A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

We’re not talking of physical work here, because most are good at that. We’re referring to spiritual work that so many neglect. Don’t wait for the Judgment Seat of Christ where a believer’s works are rewarded for faithful service or discounted as wood, hay or stubble.  Get busy in His service now.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Crying is a natural, biological, and emotional response to intense feelings like sadness, joy, anger, or pain, functioning to soothe the body by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. It releases stress-related chemical tears, including toxins and feel-good hormones like oxytocin and endorphins, providing stress relief.

I understand that, but I sure hate to cry. One thing about this life I’m not going to miss at all is shedding tears. That’s me – blue-eyed and crying in the rain. I want a world where that doesn’t exist and, thankfully, I’m on my way there.

Revelations 21:4

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.

What an amazing promise given to those who’ve embraced the One who is the way, the truth, and the life! Give it some thought.

Gary

It was time to move out of that crib and into your big boy bed. The first day of kindergarten was a tremendous step too. Then there were two numbers in your age. You couldn’t wait to be a teenager. You graduated, then you stepped into the work force. Now you lie in a bed at a nursing home and realize it all came and went so quickly.

Does the Bible address this? Glad you asked.

James 4:14 

Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

1 Peter 1:24 

For all flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls,

Don’t blink because your life on the planet might be terminated. Are you truly ready for the next? God’s Word can give you assurance. Give it some consideration.

Gary

“Wash me!” was the anguished prayer of King David.

 “Wash!” was the message of John the Baptist.

“Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me,” said the towel-draped Jesus to Peter.

Without our being washed clean, we all die from the contamination of sin.

The hymn writer put it like this:

Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing pow’r?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Revelation 1:5

…Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,

What a blessing!  Give it some thought.

Gary

One Arkansas farmer discourages trespassers with this admonition:  “Please do not trample the poison ivy or feed the bull.”

Did you know the Bible contains many a warning?

Isaiah 5:20–21

 “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! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!”

Matthew 16:26–27

 “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.”

Give it some thought.

Gary