Our dog loves to roll in anything that stinks.  She seems to think she smells good after such a thing. However, the fact is, it’s quite the opposite. Sadly, she can’t associate the miserable bath with her previous activity. Consequences don’t seem to be a hindrance to the next event.

The interesting thing is that people are like that. How many times did the nation of Israel find itself in a mess? God gave them a bath and they went out and did the same thing again. Then along comes the church, and “whoa” she can give off an odor that reminds you of the town dump.

The Bible warns of this type of behavior.

Galatians 6:7-8 

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

Isaiah 1:4 

Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged.

Don’t get into that smelly stuff, and if you do, confess it and don’t do it again.

Think about it.

Gary

Seventeen years old in the summer of ’69, I was working with my dad in the woods. I never forgot that summer because I had Moon Day off, even though it was without pay. In any case, the lag fell off the little bulldozer I was operating. Considering the author, you’ve probably figured out why. In putting the lag back on, we had to replace a pin we had removed. Dad said, “Hold this pin and I’m going to hit it (the pin) with a sledgehammer. He missed and both my hands sent a message to my brain that I should have thought this through before. I was running for the brook to put my hands in cold water, and my father was chasing me, not knowing if it could have been a head injury he’d inflicted.

Though I still loved my dad, I was much more careful around him. If he wanted help with something mechanical, I was more focused and entered into negotiations with him. The lesson: When someone gives you a command, it can lead to injury.

I didn’t know anything about prayer then. If I had, these verses would have come to mind.

Philippians 4:6 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

 Proverbs 17:22 

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Be careful; even loved ones can be dangerous.

Give it some thought.

Gary

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