Famous athletes, singers, performers, and politicians can be, in many ways, a focus of one’s worship. I could name many from the sixties and seventies that today have a record of being scoundrels or fakes and were once larger than life. What happened to the individuals who worshipped them so? They either moved on to other deities or live in past memories of the way it was.

Over 2500 years ago there was a man who during insurmountable circumstances centered his worship in the creator God. His name was Jeremiah and he swam against the tide of popular opinion.

This is what he had to say:

Jeremiah 10:6–7

Lord, there is no one like you! For you are great, and your name is full of power. Who would not fear you, O King of nations? That title belongs to you alone! Among all the wise people of the earth and in all the kingdoms of the world, there is no one like you. 

Who or what receives your worship today? Everybody has by nature the need to worship someone or something.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Matthew 5:3–12 is a list of what is known as the Beatitudes. Each of the Beatitudes brings blessings into the life of a Christian.

However, the Beatitudes of Jesus led a certain person to come up with a version that is also quite inspiring to my generation.

“Another Beatitude”

• By Elizabeth Clark

Blessed are they who understand

My faltering step and shaking hand,

Blessed, who know my ears today

Must strain to catch the things they say,

Blessed are they who seem to know

My eyes are dim and my mind is slow,

Blessed are they who looked away,

I spilled my tea on the cloth that day!

Blessed are they who, with cheery smile,

Stopped to chat for a little while,

Blessed are they who know the way

To bring back memories of yesterday,

Blessed are they who never say,

“You’ve told that story twice today!”

Blessed are they who make it known

That I’m loved, respected and not alone,

And blessed are they who will ease the days

Of my journey home, in loving ways.

Think about it.

Gary

He had a banana sticking out of his ear. I didn’t want to say anything because we need to choose our words carefully when confronted by a situation like that. Generally we don’t understand why a person would have a banana extending from his ear. One far-out possibility is that it was a misunderstood prescription from a doctor.  Another explanation is that he comes from a family that practices that as some form of religious expression.  It could also be that he read where a high dose of potassium is good for you and that’s the route he chose. Lastly, the thought struck me that he might just be looking for someone to make a rude comment so he could argue with that person.

In the position I’m in, the banana is of no concern, for I’m only concerned for his soul. My belief is that if he can be made right with God the banana situation can take care of itself.

Paul left us such a thought.

1 Corinthians 9:22

to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men that I might by all means save some.

Look at the soul, not the outward man.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Before the start of a basketball game in high school, the captain from the opposing team and the captain from our team would meet with the referees to review some rules. Our captain would return and give us the scoop.

One gym we played in was so small the rule for taking the ball out was a foot had to be placed against the wall by the player. Any rule broken had a penalty.

Some people erroneously believe that being a Christian means being lawless and nothing could be farther from the truth.

2 Timothy 2:5 

An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

Jesus made it abundantly clear that his followers are not saved by keeping the law but have a healthy respect for it because they are saved.

Matthew 7:23

And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Galatians 2:16

know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.

Listen to the captain and go out there and play an honest game.

Think about it.

Gary

It is a good thing we can’t remember coming into this world. The following trials would have haunted us the rest of our lives: the pain, the pressure, the severance of the lifeline, the slap from some hairy doctor, and then all those strange creatures.  Not many years after our birth, our first painful memory is emblazoned on our minds. Thereafter, it seems like trials were a normal part of life and couldn’t be erased from the hard drive. We became Christians and mistakenly believed the worst of trials were over.  Like Biden would say, “Come on, man.”

The Bible makes it clear that trials are not just time and chance but are woven into our very makeup.

James 1:12 

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

No, we will never get to the place where we enjoy trials, but it is good to know God has said we can make it.

Think about it.

Gary

James Garner was one of my favorite actors as I was growing up.  He liked to gamble, and I just had to learn how to gamble at cards at a young age. There was a teenager five years older than I was, and he taught me all the different card games.  At the time, I believed him to be Maverick.

Strange isn’t it, how actors had such an influence on our young lives.  Dean Martin could have a cigarette in one hand, a drink in the other, and an arm around a girl at the same time. Yes, I wanted to be like him also, but as hard as I tried, I just never could get a handle on all of that as well as Dean did.

“All the World’s a Stage” was written by William Shakespeare. That sounds good. However, like TV programs and the aforementioned actors, it’s a world of make-believe.  If you would like to be in direct contact with the real world, open the Bible. This book contains the history of life’s reality. From the narratives contained in its pages, you can get a real understanding of what part you are to play in life’s drama.

Colossians 3:23-24

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

If you are going to play a part in what God wants to do, study those who have gone on before.

Hebrews 12:1

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

You were made for the part, play it well.

Give it some thought.

Gary

“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” is a song by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, released in 1965. It was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Fifty-five years have come and gone. Can you believe that Mick is still singing that same old song?

There are individuals like that and, unfortunately, many of them are believers. They just seem to always barely miss the ring as they go flying through the air in life’s circus. They are convinced they are playing solitaire with a deck of fifty-one.

The Bible describes it in the following:

Proverbs 27:20

Just as Death and Destruction are never satisfied,
    so human desire is never satisfied.

It really doesn’t have to be that way because God offers us so much more.

You can acquire something from God that can change that environment of frustration and clear up the fog of confusion.

Proverbs 19:23

The fear of the Lord leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil.

Where do you stand? With Mick or those who draw their satisfaction from God.

Think about it.

Gary