There was a man who worked in the construction of a prison and years later found himself a prisoner in that institution.  He became a prisoner in the prison he helped to build.

In a song by the Eagles a stanza states, “”We are all just prisoners here of our own device.” The last stanza warns, “You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.”

Secular songs with very spiritual meanings are often quoted by me.

Is the life we are building and living becoming a prison?

Jesus has the answer to all of these incarcerations.

John 8:36

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

Paul speaks of the imprisonment of trying to keep the law to be justified.

Romans 3:28

Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.

If you know Christ, you know the liberty He brought to us through His shed blood.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Every time I consider the wreck of the Titanic it makes me feel sad: first, because of the 1500 people that died unnecessarily in that cold north Atlantic water; secondly, because the owners were more concerned about the speed record than the safety of the ship; thirdly, there were only lifeboats for one-third of the passengers and many boats that did escape were not filled to their limit; lastly, the owners and passengers believed the ship to be unsinkable. The only thing it ever did was sink.

Looking back over one hundred years we can see it all clearly. However, at the time they were deceived into thinking they were safe.

We are all sailing through life at tremendous speed, and for most they are totally unconcerned. The question is what happens when it all stops?

Bad information and unjustified opinions given to us in life can lead to tragedy.

Paul gave it to us straight.

Galatians 1:4

who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

Make a spiritual examination of that vessel you’re going to sail through life on.

Give it some thought.

Gary

I found this profound quote, “Be careful whom you start dating. A lot of people aren’t looking for love. They’re looking for help.”

“Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places” is a song sung by Johnny Lee.  The road of life is littered with the wrecks of those looking for love when they should have been focusing on the dangerous highway before them.

There is a route that holds real love and it’s not Route 66. We discover that GPS information in Holy Writ.

1 Corinthians 2:9

But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Fire up your engines and let us run this course to the finish.

Give it some thought.

Gary

I can still see that porch light. I’m a ten-year-old kid walking home in the cold and dark and that old lightbulb is beckoning me home. Moving past that storm door, I find the warmth of a wood fire, the smell of mother’s cooking, and family that loves me in spite of my many faults.

That was a long time ago and I’ve had many places I’ve called home since then.

Jamey Johnson sings a spiritual song that resonates with my frame of mind now on many occasions.

I have seen my last tomorrow
I am holding my last breath
Goodbye, sweet world of sorrow
My new life, begins with death

I am standing on the mountain
I can hear the angels songs
I am reaching over Jordon
Take my hand, Lord lead me home

All my burdens, are behind me
I have prayed, my final prayer
Don’t you cry, over my body
Cause that ain’t me, lying there

No, I am standing on the mountain
I can hear the angels songs
I am reaching over Jordon
Take my hand, Lord lead me home

I am standing (Lord, I am standing) on the mountain (on the mountain)
I can hear (I can hear the angels songs) the angels songs
I am reaching over Jordon, (over Jordon)
Take my hand, Lord lead me home
Take my hand, Lord lead me home

Hebrews 11:13-14

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.

Home, give it some thought.

Gary

“Don’t Mess Around with Jim” was done by singer-songwriter Jim Croce and released in April of 1972. It was an account of the local bully who meets his match in a smaller guy with better weapons.

I found the song humorous because it relates the fact there is always someone better and being famous or infamous is short-lived.

You don’t tug on superman’s cape
You don’t spit into the wind
You don’t pull the mask off that old lone ranger
And you don’t mess around with Jim

Big and important from whose standpoint? It is what we are before God that counts. You’re not that great, so let the Creator tell it to you straight.

Psalm 103:14

For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.

Give it some thought, superman.

Gary

The doctor’s advice can sometimes seem to lack any hope for your future. One doctor asked his patient, “Did you think you were going to live forever?”  He did not display a good bedside manner, although he was being realistic.

Living in the Roman Empire at the time of the apostles was no picnic. However, Paul promised the Gentile believers that there is always hope because our God is the God of hope.

Romans 15:13

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

How do we tap into that hope? We do that by daily consuming copious amounts of the Word of God. Consuming information from the newspapers and on national televised newscasts will not give you hope. Hiding in some time-consuming hobby or habit will not give you hope. Hope only comes from one resource.

Think about it.

Gary

How can one find peace in the midst of a storm? Some resort to drugs or alcohol, and some try to run away, but the end result makes the situation worse.

Peace sounds good, doesn’t it? However, it is so elusive.

Reminds me of the song, “My Elusive Dreams”

I know you’re tired of following
My elusive dreams and schemes
For they’re only fleeting things
My elusive dreams

Paul’s advice to Roman Christians who faced wars within and without was not elusive but sure.

Romans 15:33

Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Want peace? Connect with the God of Peace.

Think about it.

Gary