When a woman called 911, complaining of difficulty breathing, two EMTs rushed to her home. One placed a sensor on her finger to measure her pulse and blood oxygen. Then he began to gather her information. “What’s your age?” he asked.

“Fifty-eight,” answered the patient, eyeing the beeping device on her finger. “What does that do?”

“It’s a lie detector,” said the EMT with a straight face. “Now, what did you say your age was?”

“Sixty-seven,” answered the woman sheepishly.

The Bible describes another way in which a sin can be revealed:

Numbers 32:23 

But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out. 

Luke 12:2 

Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.

Don’t mess with sin because it’ll turn on you, producing embarrassment.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Wrecked cars, trucks, trains, marriages, churches and lives have a common thread. Listening to bad information and allowing the speed of life to control destiny can wreak havoc.

“Wreck of The Old ’97”

Well they gave him his orders at Monroe, Virginia,
Said: “Steve, you’re way behind time,
“This is not 38, this is Ol’ 97,
“Put her into Spencer on time.”

‘Cos he was going down a grade making 90 miles an hour,
The whistle broke into a scream.
He was found in the wreck with his hand on the throttle,
Scalded to death by the steam.

Poor old Steve is lying there dead because he allowed the impossible demands of others to guide his day. It was a wild ride, but where did it end up?

Here’s what Scripture has to say:

John 16:13 

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

Psalm 25:4-5 

Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.

Give it some thought.

Gary

A Confederate rifle ball ripped through Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain’s pelvis at the siege of Petersburg, Virginia, in June 1864. It ruptured his bladder and severed his urethra. The bullet mangled his guts beyond repair — but it took 50 agonizing years before he finally succumbed to his injuries.

Some well-known and significant people in history accomplished much even though in daily pain. It comes as a surprise to some that Charles Spurgeon had a lifelong battle with depression. His reputation as a famed and powerful preacher, his cheery wit, and his cigar-smoking manliness might lead us to imagine there could never be a chink in his Victorian Englishman’s armor. It shouldn’t be a surprise, of course: being full of life in a fallen world must mean distress, and Spurgeon’s life was indeed full of physical and mental pain.

Don’t quit.

2 Corinthians 12:8-9

Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 

It hurts, but you can do it.  It has a divinely appointed purpose.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Did you ever have days in which you wished you would have just stayed in bed? On those days, it seems you’ve spent way more than you made in that twelve-hour period. You broke more things that would require days to repair. Your orders came in and they were the wrong size, and free returns was not part of the transaction. You thought you ordered one box of crackers from Sam’s, but missed the fact that they came in a case of six. On top of that, the computer paper you got a deal on was for those old machines with the perforated holes where you have to remove the borders. Many times, it is because you were trusting in yourself to make the right decisions.

God’s view of our decision-making:

1 Corinthians 3:19

For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” 

Proverbs 3:7

Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

Just when you think you have it all figured out, something crazy tells you, you don’t. Pray before getting out of bed and pray about every situation that requires a decision.

Think about it.

Gary

Come on, thoughts, it’s almost time for you to pull the trigger on today’s devotional. You’ve been AWOL too long and it’s time to step up to the plate and do your duty. You have a repertoire of resources that can prompt something of value. Think! But how should I think, Lord?

Philippians 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.

Thank you for this answer to prayer. I’ll send this out now. It could be a real help to the person reading this.

Think about it.

Gary

Genesis is the first book in the Bible.  It is a book of beginnings.  So many truths are recorded there for our discovery, but we’ll only discover them if we prayerfully ask the Author to reveal them to us.

2 Timothy 3:16 

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

Genesis is the book of firsts. It’s the first time creation is mentioned. The reader also learns the fact that man can’t keep one commandment, let alone the hundreds of others recorded throughout the Scriptures. Salvation is pictured in the sacrificing of animals and the offering up of Isaac. We learn more about Abraham, who is the great illustration of how God chooses a man to represent all who come to God by responding to His call. In addition, the reader will meet Joseph and learn how one man can honor God in spite of tremendous challenges.

You should give it a read and see if you can find yourself in its pages.

Give it some thought.

Gary

I was sitting, half-slouching, in high school English class. The teacher was droning on about something which most of the time had nothing to do with English. I never took my eyes off him even though my mind was in some other dimension.

Younger kids were slowly going by our open door and some would look in occasionally.  The teacher was walking around as he was waxing eloquently on some subject. He walked past the open door, reached his arm out, and slammed a kid’s head against the wall. I froze and came out of my stupor. I never trusted him, but had never seen him get physical before. This educator continued as if nothing had happened and the line in the hall kept progressing to the cafeteria. I looked around, but no one had a facial expression that coincided with the one that was in my head.

Did he get away with that? No, no one ever does unless that individual places wrongdoing under the cross.

Hebrews 9:27

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

Matthew 12:36

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,

Give it some thought and be ready.

Gary