The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

– Lao Tzu

The ancient Chinese sure had that one nailed. Once you started walking, how many steps have you taken? My great-grandson just started walking, and I wonder how his many steps will take him into the unknown.

Great things lie ahead if you make the right steps today. Bad things lie ahead if you make the wrong steps. Military soldiers who clear landmines know what we’re talking about.

Psalm 119:133

Keep steady my steps according to Your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.

Jeremiah 10:23

I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.

Job 14:16

For then You would number my steps; You would not keep watch over my sin?

Like the old song from the sixties, “These boots were made for walking.” Give it some thought.

Gary

The Apostle John used the images of light and life to describe God’s activity in the world. Jesus used illustrations from everyday life to illustrate eternal truth. The vast majority of Scripture is easily understood, and the rest we can leave for another time and place.

2 Timothy 3:16

All Scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Romans 15:4

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Joshua 1:8

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

So get in it, and more than that, let it get in you. Give it some thought.

Gary

Fifty years ago, I was a trucker hauling logs into Canada. If someone wanted to reach me, they would call on the CB and say, “Huckleberry, do you have your ears on?”

Ya, I was the Huck flowing down the river of time.

Fifty years later no one calls me the Huck, but I’m still flowing down the river of time. The only difference is my load is the Church of God and my destination is Home. Time, by an act of God, changes things.

Speaking of name changes and different loads, how about this verse?

Revelation 2:17

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.

I pray it is not Huckleberry. Give it some thought.

Gary

“It`s not how old you are, it`s how you are old.”
― Jules Renard

I’m thankful to Jules for giving me an idea for this devotional. Are there some very old Bible characters that relate to that statement? Glad you asked.

Hebrews 11:11

By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.

Joshua 14:10-11

And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the Lord spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in.

Do us all a favor and end old age as a Sarah or a Caleb. Give it some consideration.

Gary

Having trouble with your thought life? Consider this verse.

Phillippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

I like this comment about thoughts. External events rarely cause distress directly; instead, an individual’s interpretation and internal commentary create emotional responses.

The verse quoted above gives us a healthy way of thinking. Give it some thought.

Gary

You heard this statement, “They’ll drive you nuts.” You don’t want to be a nut because some squirrel will drag you off into his den. Were there people like this in the Bible? Glad you asked.

2 Timothy 4:10

for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica

1 Timothy 1:20

of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

1 John 2:19

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

2 Timothy 4:14

Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works.

Don’t let these folks drive you nuts, because some squirrel will render you useless. Give it some thought and remain steadfast in your calling.

Gary

The saying was written on a tombstone from the days of the wild west. Here lies Lester Moore four slugs from a 44 No Les No More. Someone sure had a sense of humor and an ability to be poetic.

What can we learn from this? Glad you asked.

1. We are only here for a while.
2. We don’t know what the future holds.
3. Others can cut our existence short.
4. We can be mocked even after we’re gone.

Life:

Ecclesiastes 3:1

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

John 10:10

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”

Ecclesiastes 12:13

 “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.”

Consider the matter.

Gary