Gumption: That’s what Sampson had in the last minutes of his life. He brought the house down because he had it. He could have shown that characteristic in his youth, but it just wasn’t in the cards.

When I mention gumption, I am referring to the impetus that leads a person to communicate with the Creator of the universe.

Judges 16:28

Then Samson called to the Lord, saying, “O Lord God, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!”

God hasn’t called you or me to do what Samson did, but He has called us to do something. That something cannot be accomplished without Biblically-based prayer.

Philippians 4:5-7

 “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Have some gumption. Don’t wait until the final minutes of your life. It could bring the house down.

Think of it.

Gary

Thoughts, they come fast and furiously. Sometimes they are concerned for the future but, sometimes they dwell on the past. Discouragement can be a byproduct but sometimes they help to improve our lives. One thing for sure they never cease.

The psalmist addressed them in:

Psalm 104:34

May all my thoughts be pleasing to him,
    for I rejoice in the Lord.

I know what you’re thinking and that is my thought, also. We both fall short when it comes to this principle. However, God knows our frame and is willing for us to start over today in the pursuit of thoughts that please Him.

Think about it.

Gary

Who are you and what makes you tic? Why are so many struggling with this introspection these days?  One upside to such an exploration is the fact it keeps so many counselors employed. Finding yourself is a long and complicated journey into the unknown.

If you desire to shorten the trip, take the divine road, and avoid madness. My suggestion is to open the Bible. You will discover yourself in most of the characters in the Scripture. Besides all of that, there will be an awakening as to how you got here in the first place.

Jeremiah 1:4-5

Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:

 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

You can spend time in the lotus position if your legs can take it or climb a mountain in India and talk to a guru if you can afford it. Then again, you can open God’s Word and without cost or pain be enlightened.

Think about it.

Gary

Myra Brooks Welch wrote this poem in 1921.

The Touch of the Master’s Hand

Twas battered and scarred and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin
But held it up with a smile.

“What am I bidden, good folks,” he cried,
“Who’ll start the bidding for me?
A dollar, a dollar then two! Only two?
Two dollars and who’ll make it three.

Three dollars once. Three dollars twice.
Going for three—But no
From the room, far back, a gray haired man
Came forward and pick up the bow.

Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening the loosened strings
He played a melody pure and sweet
As a caroling angel sings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low
Said, “What am I bid for the old violin?”
And he held it up with the bow.

A thousand dollars, and who’ll make it two.
Two thousand and who’ll make it three.
Three thousand once—three thousand twice
And going and gone,” said he.

The people cheered but some of them cried
We do not quite understand.
What changed its worth? Swift came the reply
The touch of the master’s hand.

And many a man with life out of tune
And battered and scarred with sin.
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd
Much like the old violin.

A mess of pottage, a glass of wine,
A game—he travels on.
He’s “going” once, and “going” twice
He’s going and almost gone.

But the Master comes and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and change that’s wrought
By the touch of the Master’s hand.

Philippians 1:6

being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

Give it some thought.

Gary

Some people in Ephesus were getting into some crazy stuff, including myths and endless genealogies.

Timothy’s responsibility was to warn them of the dangers of getting off course.  Let’s keep it simple because God loves us to such a degree it should stimulate us to love others. It is a commandment. When this is not happening, check the information fueling your life.

1 Timothy 1:5

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Love

It is silence — when your words would hurt.

It is patience — when your neighbor’s curt.

It is deafness — when a scandal flows.

It is thoughtfulness — for others’ woes.

It is promptness — when stern duty calls.

It is courage — when misfortune falls 

• Source unknown

Think about it.

Gary

“Nowhere Man” is a song by the English rock band the Beatles. It was released in December 1965 on their album Rubber Soul. It was written by John Lennon and revealed that he was moving away from love songs to more of a philosophical point of view. Right or wrong he hit a financial home run with this one.

He’s a real nowhere man
Sitting in his nowhere land
Making all his nowhere plans for nobody

Doesn’t have a point of view
Knows not where he’s going to
Isn’t he a bit like you and me?
Nowhere man please listen
You don’t know what you’re missing
Nowhere man, the world is at your command

He’s as blind as he can be
Just sees what he wants to see
Nowhere man, can you see me at all

Nowhere man don’t worry
Take your time, don’t hurry
Leave it all ’til somebody else
Lends you a hand

Doesn’t have a point of view
Knows not where he’s going to
Isn’t he a bit like you and me?
Nowhere man please listen
You don’t know what you’re missing
Nowhere man, The world is at your command

So many young people at the time looked around and said to themselves, “This is the world I live in.”

Two and a half centuries prior to John, Isaiah the prophet described such a people:

Isaiah 1:13-15

Stop bringing meaningless offerings!
    Your incense is detestable to me.
New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—
    I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.

 Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals
    I hate with all my being.
They have become a burden to me;
    I am weary of bearing them.

 When you spread out your hands in prayer,
    I hide my eyes from you;
even when you offer many prayers,
    I am not listening.

John didn’t have an answer, but Isaiah did. Give his book a read.

Think about it.

Gary

Zig Ziglar tells about his brother who was traveling and came to a hotel and asked for a room for the night. The manager told him they were fully booked and there were no rooms available.

Ziglar’s brother said, “Now be honest with me. If the president of the United States walked through that door just now and requested a room, would you have a place for him to stay?” The manager replied, “Well, if the president needed a room, we’d find one for him.” Ziglar’s brother said, “That’s great.  I know for a fact he is not coming, so I’ll take his room.”

That holy family two thousand years ago knew something about not finding a room.

Luke 2:7

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

How about you?  Do you have room for Him or are you booked?

Think about it.

Gary