A friend recently asked how I come up with the material for these devotionals. Being on the planet for almost seventy years is the short answer. Forty-five years of sermons provides me with a lot of material. Possessing a memory that goes back to sometime in 1955 is a treasure trove.  Remembering songs that had meaning and were not just noise are a part of that. Growing up in a wonderful community was a real asset. Finding myself in a safe and loving family, although a spoiled brat, didn’t hinder. I was blessed to have teachers who knew I didn’t want to learn but didn’t give up on me. Outstanding friends, that were unique and true, paved the way. Inheriting a church that has an appetite for the Word of God made success a possibility. The English teacher who is committed to checking my final drafts is an asset.  On top of everything else, a Savior who loved me, gave Himself for my soul, and is the Vine to which I cling is my ultimate source. I’m sure I’m leaving out other things, but I’m trying to keep this short.

Numbers 6:24-26

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. 

Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Ephesians 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,

Thanks to a friend who caused me to think about it.

Gary

“I would trade all my tomorrows for one single yesterday” makes for a popular country and western song. However, if that’s your philosophy on life, then you don’t have a future. It may be that some thinking needs to be readjusted. It could be that some new goals need to be instituted. The possibility exists that the wrong voices have influenced you.

The hope of the Christian is to get out of this place and enjoy eternity.

Revelation 21:1-4

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

What a day that will be
When my Jesus I shall see
And I look upon His face
The One who saved me by His grace
When He takes me by the hand
And leads me through the Promised Land
What a day, glorious day that will be

Think about it.

Gary

Those forty years of wandering for the children of Israel contain a strange tale. After God had delivered them from slavery and future extinction in Egypt, they wanted to return there. I guess memory can play tricks on you.

Exodus 16:3

and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

That certainly was not an accurate description of life in Egypt. Babies being thrown into the river and hard labor were the reality.

The same phenomena was true with the church and Peter addressed it:

1 Peter 1:14

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 

Another translation puts it like this:

So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then.

Those weren’t the good old days. Give it some thought.

Gary

There is a very sad account given in Numbers 20:2-13. Here is a shortened version of the sad tale of defeat and eventual destruction of a generation.

Now there was no water for the congregation. And they assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.  And the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Would that we had perished when our brothers perished before the Lord! Why have you brought the assembly of the Lord into this wilderness, that we should die here, both we and our cattle? And why have you made us come up out of Egypt to bring us to this evil place?

These are the waters of Meribah, where the people of Israel quarreled with the Lord, and through them he showed himself holy.

This is more than just a place on the map. It is where bad decisions are made. The whole course of life can be tragically altered in the situation that confronts one here. You see, they were blaming Moses for the way in which life was unfolding. It wasn’t Moses but God who was building the stage for this scene. 

Don’t be blaming others when God is trying to get your attention.  My heart goes out to anyone who has been called to lead God’s people. Sometimes it’s easier to herd cats.

Give it some thought and quit complaining.

Gary

Make this a happy Mother’s Day if your mom is still living. If that is not the case, let your wife know that you appreciate the way she mothered your children. Even if your mother is gone and your wife is a terror, I’ll bet someone mothered you somewhere along the way. Show that person appreciation.

Some memories that remind me of my mother’s love: My mom cooked meat just the way I liked it, fried until all the moisture was gone. The chicken stew had only white meat. I never used an alarm clock because she was the alarm. She didn’t put raisins in my food. Her molasses cookies lathered with butter melted in my mouth. Dirty clothes just stayed on the floor and mysteriously reappeared clean, folded and placed in a drawer. My bed was always made when I crawled in. I never gave that a thought. Christmas included a variety of nuts and fruits, plus a real feast at mealtime. All friends were welcomed and could readily join us around the table.  As you can see, I had a good mom.

Isaiah 66:13

“As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you.”

Proverbs 31:31

“Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

Isaiah 49:15

 “Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?” 

Think about it.

Gary

“A Horse with No Name” was a hit that came out in 1971. Writer Dewey Bunnell said, “It is a metaphor for a vehicle to get away from life’s confusion into a quiet, peaceful place.”

The world doesn’t offer a peaceful place because conflict, division, hate, pride, greed, and jealousy reign supreme. I believe the horse had a name, but the owner was ashamed of it. So, he rode through life on a horse he was ashamed of.

My question to you is, what is the name of your horse as you travel through life? Let me offer you a different means of locomotion.

John 16:33

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Little Eva sang “Locomotion” in 1962. I’ll pass on doing the locomotion with her and stick with Jesus.

Give it some thought.

Gary

In 1946 a cartoon character started using a state-of-the-art, two-way wrist radio while fighting crime. His name was Dick Tracy. Many today look back and state that, if man can make it up in the funny papers, then it can become a reality.

The same is true of Star Trek fans. They believe that someday man will sail right out of the Milky Way and beam down to visit some Klingons. They would like their bodies put in a super-frozen state and thawed when that future date materializes. Reality seems to be a concept that they struggle with.

Humans since the garden have been placing their bet on a fig leaf. God put us here and we will be accountable to Him. We are His creation.

Romans 14:12

So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Matthew 12:36-37

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Look, Dick Tracy, this is reality

Think about it.

Gary