“Procrastination is not laziness,” I tell him. “It is fear.”

“Call it by its right name, and forgive yourself.”
― Julia Cameron, The Prosperous Heart

Fear keeps us from so many responsibilities.  It adds to the haunting regrets that fill a folder in our hard drive. Does the Bible address it? Glad you asked.

Proverbs 29:25 

The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

Psalm 34:4 

I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

Get over this thing by first calling it what it really is. Give it some thought.

Gary

The French believe that kids feel confident when they’re able to do things for themselves, and do those things well. After children have learned to talk, adults don’t praise them for saying just anything. They praise them for saying interesting things, and for speaking well.

–       Pamela Druckerman

Pam had that one nailed. Most everyone can talk, but many can’t be understood. Proper training in appropriate speech is absolutely necessary. Does the Bible address it? Glad you asked.

Psalm 49:3 

My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.

Ephesians 4:29 

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

 Before you open your mouth, give this some consideration.

Gary

“Don’t It Make You Want to Go Home Now” was a song by Joe South that I first heard in 1968. My eyes still water up when I hear it. It is about someone who wanted to go back to his hometown. When he finally did, he realized it no longer existed. It was only a memory and not a reality of the present. The past had evaporated like the morning fog at the beginning of a sunny day.

Joe was being shortsighted. The home that we should be desiring, intently and with longing, is the one being prepared for us. It will be perfect and never washed away with the tide of time.

John 14:1-4 

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”

Again, focus on the eternal home Christ offers, for it has a great view, never needs repairs, is rodent proof, and is situated in an outstanding neighborhood.  “Don’t it make you want to go home?”

Give it some consideration.

Gary

“You may delay, but time will not.”  ― Benjamin Franklin

It has to be addressed today because the repository of tomorrows is being milked dry at an alarming rate. You shouldn’t just tackle it today because you fear what others might think of you. Truth is, you have much energy for the things you enjoy doing, but this requires work, so it’s put off. What is it? You know.

Proverbs 13:4 

The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.

Ephesians 5:15-17 

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Consider these verses and listen to old Ben Franklin, then go out and do it.

Gary

If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.

–       Albert Einstein

God agrees with Albert.

2 Corinthians 1:12 

For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.

1 Corinthians 2:2 

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

The gospel message in the early church was simple. You are a sinner and Christ is a Savior. That amazing love is hard to understand, but it’s true.   Give it some thought.

Gary

The statement “Because that’s where the money is” is the famous, though possibly apocryphal (legendary with doubtful authenticity), answer attributed to notorious American bank robber Willie Sutton.  Now Willie spent more than half of his life in jail. The longest period of his legal employment lasted eighteen months. My question is, “Was a life of crime worth the trip?”

Here’s something profitable to seek with all your heart.

Proverbs 8:19 

My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and My yield than choice silver.

Psalm 119:127 

Therefore, I love Your commandments above gold, above fine gold.

Willie never did find out where real wealth resided, but you can. Give it some thought.

Gary

“Everything Is Beautiful” is a song written, composed and performed by Ray Stevens. It came out in 1970 and was at the top of the charts. I remember thinking, as someone’s dime played it on the jute box, what is that first part doing in there?   It was children heard singing the chorus of the hymn, “Jesus Loves the Little Children“

I considered myself an atheist at the time and didn’t care for that sort of thing. Down the road fifty-five years now, I know Jesus loves all of us even though many don’t appreciate it.

John 3:16 

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

1 John 4:8 

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

I wouldn’t judge Ray as to where he’s heading, but there is no evidence that he believes God loves anyone, including him.  He even mocked old fashion revivals. How about you? Give it some thought.

Gary