Have any trouble in your year in kindergarten? Sorry for asking, but I’m trying to get folks to admit to the fact that life presents everyone with problems. There is no escaping this reality.

Over four thousand years ago, Job, a man who was well acquainted with trouble, made the following statement:

Job 5:7

Yet man is born to trouble,
As the sparks fly upward.

I guess that means it is a sure thing. However, when God is in the equation, trouble has a divine purpose and interestingly enough can lead to blessing.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Statements like: “No one saw this coming.” or “It’s hard to believe.” are revelations of the unpredictability of life. This deep philosophical topic was addressed by the writer of the short Epistle of James.

James 4:14 

whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

The question, What is your life? is a soul-searching one. Certainly this is one that should be considered by every human being. The only One who is completely familiar with tomorrow is God and we should make Him our Guide.

Give it some thought.

Gary

I don’t know about you, but I really enjoy food. Jesus took something we are very familiar with to teach a tremendous lesson.

We need to consume spiritual food.

Matthew 4:4 

 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

When people don’t have an appetite for an extended period of time, there appears to be a serious medical problem.  The same is true spiritually. Those professing Christianity should naturally have an appetite for the Word of God.

Think about it.

Gary

Have you noticed as we travel this journey called life we come across some broken and injured people.  The buck can’t be passed to anyone else; the emergency requires us to take complete ownership.

Luke 10:33

 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 

I’m so glad the Lord Jesus saw me as beaten up by life’s circumstances and was willing to enter into my condition and save me.

What a tremendous narrative is the account of the Good Samaritan.

Give it some thought.

Gary

I would have never made it this far in life if it had not been for people who encouraged me along the way.  They are like that special additive placed in your car engine that makes the motor run efficiently. At the time, they might not have been recognized, but as the years flew by, I realized the tremendous input they had made on my life.

Acts 4:36

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”),

Because of Barnabas, others were encouraged to go above and beyond the call of duty.

Are you a Barnabas or a recipient of the power of his presence?

Think about it.

Gary

Your greatest asset is belief; it can get you through the most adverse of circumstances. However, you must make sure it is placed on the foundation of the Word of God.

Matthew 17:20

So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

We fail when the power of belief is not placed into the equation. Add it today and wait for a much better outcome.

Think about it.

Gary

Some of God’s promises I don’t like. The promise of tribulation is one. Like me, you have probably experienced difficulties in relationships during those formative school years, stressors brought on in college, in marriage, in raising children, and in the battles involved in aging.

John 16:33

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

The blessing in this promise is that we can be a winner because Christ was a winner. He served the Father perfectly and has been a blessing and encourager to many.

Give Him some thought.

Gary