“Is minic a rinne bromach gioblach capall cumasach?” Do you know what that means? No, probably not, but here it is in English “An awkward colt often becomes a beautiful horse.” It is an old Gaelic saying. Maybe that refers to you. Not much to start out with, but you turned into a profitable old nag.

My grandparents would never have imagined this awkward child would have spent forty-three years in the ministry. Treat all children well because you can never tell when the hand of God might be on one.

Horses need to be broken and become submissive to their owner if they are going to be of any benefit. The horse doesn’t appreciate the process, but the purchaser sees something of value in the outcome.

Psalm 51:17

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.

Someone once said to me, “I would just like to belong to a church of broken people.” My heart went out to him because I felt the same way.

Give it some thought.

Gary

What causes an individual to be subject to any other person or philosophy?  Why should animals be in subjection to man? If you meet a hungry grizzly bear, why not just subject yourself to his appetite.  Someone said when confronted by a grizzly, the best course of action is to run. When asked why, the expert stated it gives you something to do until the carnivore gets its paws on you.

We can read multiple books on the phenomenon of subjection until the cows come home and still be in the dark. The Biblical truth is that in spite of how we may be offended or chafe under subjection to another entity, it is a principle that has its roots in God.

When Jesus was on this earth and a youth, He made Himself subject to His parents:

Luke 2:51

Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart.

We are to be in subjection not only to our parents but also to God:

Hebrews 12:9

Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?

We are even to be in subjection to each other:

Ephesians 5:21

submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Finally, we are to place our bodies under subjection:

1 Corinthians 9:27

But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

You are a free agent, but only free to subject yourself to truth or error.

Give it some thought.

Gary

As you probably noticed by reading these devotionals, I would not have been selected most likely to become a pastor someday. My wife was a seventh grader when we first met. I never expected that we would date, marry and have a fiftieth wedding anniversary. So many events in life start out as an unexpected possibility, but God has a purpose and a plan that can be pleasantly revealed as the river of time flows. God can bring about a blessing that we would least expect.

That was the experience of Jacob when he was thoroughly convinced that he would never see Joseph again. I believe that was also the opinion of Joseph’s brothers; however, God had a different plan.

Genesis 48:11

Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face again, and now God has allowed me to see your children too.”

We don’t know what the Creator has for us just around the corner, but it can be worth the wait.

Think about it.

Gary

She sits there in that car seat, beautiful eyes wide open. Her mind just trying to comprehend what kind of strange world she’s in. Only weeks old, there is a personality already forming in that small body. Signs of intelligence show for she knows that, when she starts to cry, someone out there will come and meet the need of her heart. For me, it was love at first sight.

My prayer for her is that in this evil world she will be protected, that at a young age the need of a Savior will be revealed, that she will receive His gift by faith, that her mind will be appreciative of the many opportunities life has available, and that she will choose the right ones. I also pray that she will love her parents, friends along with enemies, and the church of God. In addition I pray that the Lord will make it possible that when her end comes she can say, “I fought a good fight, I finished my course and I kept the faith.”

Proverbs 3:1-6

My child, do not forget my teaching,
    but keep my commands in mind.
Then you will live a long time,
    and your life will be successful.

Don’t ever forget kindness and truth.
    Wear them like a necklace.
    Write them on your heart as if on a tablet.
Then you will be respected
    and will please both God and people.

Trust the Lord with all your heart,
    and don’t depend on your own understanding.
Remember the Lord in all you do,
    and he will give you success.

Life has to be lived on a cursed earth with fallen mankind, and because of that, everyone needs a guiding light.

Give it some thought.

Gary

I guess it is just the way I’m designed, but except for “The Ventures”, I only appreciate the words of a song and not the music. Case in point is, “Red Rubber Ball” sung by the Beetles in 1966.

The story is about a young man who became a temporary ornament in a devastating relationship that stole precious time from him. He states it was a roller coaster ride that came to an end and he really didn’t need her at all.

That sounds good in theory but doesn’t hold up in the test tube of life. The severance of what appeared to be a meaningful relationship will always leave scars and regrets.

Also, he believes the sun is welcoming a new set of experiences much better than the past. How could he possibly know that? The fellow said, “Cheer up. It could be worse.” So I cheered up and, sure enough, it got worse.

Those of us who have been around for more decades than we want to mention realize the emptiness and unreliability of these songs of our youth.

God offers a relationship much more reliable and lasting than any we will find on this planet. Actually, it is the only truly secure relationship we will take with us. Jesus instructing the Sadducees in Matthew 22 made that abundantly clear.

Here is the verse where our Creator reveals the best and most lasting action a human being can take:

John 1:12

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:

It is not about the sun, but it is about the Son.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Uncle Lee was an old man well into his eighties who would, on occasion, stop for a brief visit. He would always go to a window overlooking the river and focus on a particular rock to see if the river had risen or fallen. He didn’t wear glasses and I certainly couldn’t see that rock without mine and that always amazed me.

He’s gone now and that rock is still there. It was there a long time before he came on the scene and it will be there a long time after I’m gone.  There are some things in this world that are temporary and some things created for the ages. Memories, like the above mentioned, cause one to realize the brevity of life.

A distraught patient phoned her doctor’s office. Was it true, the woman wanted to know, that the medication the doctor had prescribed was to be taken for the rest of her life? She was told that it was.

There was a moment of silence before the woman continued, “I’m wondering then, just how serious my condition is. This prescription is marked “No Refills!”

Ecclesiastes 12:7

Then the dust will return to the earth as it was,
And the spirit will return to God who gave it.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Journeying through life, we find we are blind to so many things.  Much of our education is trial and error.  God has revealed Himself in our conscience and through creation, but we refuse to let the light in. He gives us experience after experience that should make us fall down before Him, but it doesn’t happen. We give up, but he doesn’t, because He loves us.

Case in point was the nation of Israel during their wilderness journey:

Deuteronomy 29:4-6

But to this day the Lord has not given you a mind that understands or eyes that see or ears that hear. Yet the Lord says, “During the forty years that I led you through the wilderness, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet. You ate no bread and drank no wine or other fermented drink. I did this so that you might know that I am the Lord your God.”

The hymn writer expressed it this way:

Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free

You have the key in your hand. Start unlocking the doors of Scripture. In every book He has a blessing just for you.

How do I know it’s possible? You’re still here.

Give it some thought.

Gary