My boss was standing there looking at the broken saddle under the logging truck that I was operating.  He asked me, “You know what your problem is, Gary? You drive too slowly and load too lightly.” As he was walking away, his statement was processed and the meaning came to my frontal lobe. Then I realized he wanted me to load lighter and slow down. That’s the way he communicated with me and it hurt my head. I never liked riddles. Just give me the facts.

Speaking of facts, here are a few. See if you can understand them.

Romans 3:23

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:8

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 10:9

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Is that clear? Give it some consideration.

Gary

My son who ended up with four masters’ degrees never had geometry. He never understood how that happened, because anyone on a trajectory for college would definitely have had high school geometry. He told me he often would have dreams that the authorities would catch up with him and make him go back to high school.

The message in this illustration is the fact that many things can be missing from our youth, but not be a deterrent to our successes in life.

Case in point is Sampson. He certainly messed up his formative years, but ended his life successfully. He prayed at the end and did the will of God. We find him on the wall of faith in Hebrews 11.

Hebrews 11:32-33

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

End well. Success is only a prayer away. Don’t let wasted years hinder you. Give it some careful consideration.

Gary

There is nothing that can be said by mathematical symbols and relations which cannot also be said by words.  The converse, however, is false.  Much that can be and is said by words cannot successfully be put into equations, because it is nonsense.  C. Truesdell

This was stated by a mathematician, natural philosopher, and historian of science. Don’t worry if it hurt your head, because it hurt mine also.

Thankfully, God didn’t give us algebraic equations to understand Him. He gave us words. Case in point:

Hebrews 4:12 

For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Matthew 24:35 

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will not pass away.

With heartfelt prayer on our parts, Scripture can be understood even by a caveman. Give it a read.

Gary

Just before a long holiday weekend, a minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas. The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars also in the queue. Finally, the attendant motioned the minister toward a vacant pump. “Reverend,” said the young man, “I’m so sorry about the delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip.”

The minister chuckled, “I know what you mean. It’s the same in my business.”

Hebrews 2:3

how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,

Psalm 13:5

But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.

Ready or not, the last minute is approaching. Give it some thought.

Gary

We had a ministry at the local nursing home and I told the CNA’s, “When I’m admitted here, don’t play that country music because it’ll drive me nuts.” Case in point is a song that contains the words, “God is great, beer is good and people are crazy.” I agree with that statement although I don’t drink beer because it adds to my craziness. However, it does amaze me the depth of truth some of these good-old-boys come up with. God is great and people are crazy.

Isaiah 40:28 

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable.

1 Timothy 1:17 

To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

If two good old boys sitting at a bar can acknowledge that truth, how much more should it come from those of us who stay away from there?  Give it some thought.

Gary

Dr. Harold C. Urey, Nobel prize winner in chemistry, was walking along a sidewalk one day when he ran into another professor. They chatted for a few minutes, then, as they parted, Dr. Urey asked the other: “John, which way was I going when I met you?”

“That way,” said the other, pointing.

“Oh, good. That means I’ve already had my lunch,” muttered the professor as he walked away.

I’m not quite there yet, but I do sense it coming. However, this man was still being productive even with some serious deficits. Now he is my example. Until they tell me in the old age home, “Gary, this is your home now.” I’ll keep out pumping out these devotionals.

Isaiah 46:4 

Even to your old age I am He, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save. 

Philemon 1:9 

Yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus—

Give it some consideration.

Gary

Never buy a portable TV set on the sidewalk from a man who’s out of breath.                                               – Quoted in Funny Funny World.

Some things are so obvious, yet billions of dollars are being stolen each year by unscrupulous scoundrels. Open your eyes; don’t be deceived. There is a master thief who delights in selling stolen goods.

1 Peter 5:8 

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

James 4:7 

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Give it some thought when approached by someone with a story that doesn’t match reality.

Gary