The test was in Algebra 1 my freshman year of high school and I aced it.  A week later, the teacher gave the exact same test, and I failed it. He accused me of having cheated on the first test, and I hadn’t. It’s not that I hadn’t cheated before because I had. Maybe it was just a way that karma works. That’s how most would describe that event.

Looking back on that now, I don’t believe it was karma. However, I really don’t have an explanation for it. I did finish the course but not without some problems with him.

Today, I’m not so concerned with the things in my life that can’t be explained because of the mountain of things that I can explain. I really need to capitalize on them and not be so concerned on the former.

Colossians 3:2

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

There are things here we just must leave alone because there is no explanation. Give it some thought.

By the way, 3x+7=22 and x is 5.

Gary

He pushed the hundred-dollar bill across the table and said to me, “This is to preach my funeral.”

I said, “I won’t take the money, but I will do your funeral.” He was an old friend, a veteran, a man who had pushed through some difficult days and was now facing the demon of cancer, and it was winning.

He said emphatically, “You will take the money, and you will do what I asked.”

I said to myself, “Suck it in, Gardner, and don’t get emotional.”

In the journey God chose for me, there are many scenes just like that. I don’t like being in them, but who will be there for my friends and acquaintances? If someone leaves behind something worth remembering at a funeral service, I’d like to be part of it for their sake and those left behind.

Maybe you feel like he did. I’ll be there for you, and you can pocket the hundred dollars. Give it some thought.

Hebrews 11:4 

By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.

Gary

In football, progress is measured in yards with the goalpost always in view. It takes planning, knowledge of rules, practice, injuries, memorization of plays, force, equipment and perseverance to reach the goal post and win.

Such is Christianity.

2 Timothy 2:5 

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

2 Timothy 4:7 

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

1 Timothy 4:8 

For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

Pray to win. Give it some thought.

Gary

My friend Al sent me this from his memory bank and I thought it would make a good devotional.

Me boy, you are on point and 100% accurate !

I shared this before without this reference…  I got into a “Graveyard Spiral” in a Cessna 185, while flying in an extreme condition.   These are non-recoverable and almost certain death.  While in the clutches of this death spiral, from somewhere in the recesses of my mind, the Spirit of God had me recall a statement in the 185’s ” PILOT HANDBOOK” which says, “The Cessna 185 is inherently stable” Believing that guidebook, I released FULL control of the aircraft!   This happened just before the wings came off or the nose of the aircraft hit the earth/water!  We are talking SECONDS here! The Pilot Handbook for any aircraft is the “Bible” for every pilot.  The Word of God is the ONLY “Handbook” a believer needs!

You want to be “inherently stable” in ALL of life’s venues?  Here it is!  

Give it some thought.

Daniel 4:35

All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;
He does according to His will in the army of heaven
And among the inhabitants of the earth.
No one can restrain His hand
Or say to Him, “What have You done?”

Gary

“If You Don’t Know Me by Now“ is a song written by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, and recorded by the Philadelphia soul musical group Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes.  It’s about a man trying to convince his wife that minor conflicts shouldn’t keep them at a distance. That is so true in the human experience even with those we love.

Now let’s consider our relationship with God. How would you describe it on a scale of one to ten, with ten being the best?  Is there some room for improvement and who needs to make that step?

Would God say to you, “If you don’t know Me by now?” Give it some thought.

John 17:3 

And this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

Philippians 3:10 

That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death,

Matthew 7:23

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

Give it some thought.

Gary

It was just a comment on a news story about the rise in immoral activity affecting Christian colleges in America at graduation time. The person wrote, “I’m sorry, I was at work and paying taxes. What happened?”

It reflects the fact that the ones keeping our American way of life afloat are too busy to get involved in this radical transformation of culture. Does the Bible address this phenomenon? Glad you asked.

Isaiah 5:20

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Will we return to decency? I don’t think that will happen until the Lord returns. In the meantime, be a light and don’t add to the darkness. Give it some thought.

Gary

Most people don’t have one best friend through life. I did. He was always faithful to me, but I wasn’t to him. Haunts me even after half a century that he was hurt by me, yet he chose to remain best friends. I’ve done that terrible sin to more than one individual for which I am truly sorry.

While I’m in the confessional, let me tell you of another Friend that I’ve developed a relationship with. I’ve hurt Him many times also, but He has remained faithful.

2 Timothy 2:13 

If we are faithless, He remains faithful— for He cannot deny Himself.

Proverbs 18:24 

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a Friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 17:17 

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Give it some thought and bask in His faithfulness.

Gary