I’ve been asked how I come up with these devotionals. The basic answer is that God has made me a fisherman. I throw a line in the Word, into past experiences, in the news, in literature and the many resources I’ve been richly blessed with. Also, if you have something worth considering, please send it to me. I milk many cows, but churn my own butter.

1 Peter 4:10 

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

James 1:17 

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Romans 11:29 

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

I pray these devotionals are a blessing to you. Give it some thought and be a blessing to others.

Gary

I didn’t believe I would ever graduate with a master’s degree, but I did. I didn’t believe I could dive off the high board, but I did. I never believed I would climb Mount Katahdin 10 times, but I did. I never thought I could date that girl, but I did. This list could continue, but you might think I’m bragging.

Above all, the before things mentioned are the things I accomplished through Christ. He desires we test things that seem to be, humanly speaking, out of our reach.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

2 Timothy 1:7 

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Put the challenges of the Creator to the test. His Word tells us, ye have not, because ye ask not.

Give it some thought.

Gary

The second paragraph of the first article in the Declaration of Independence contains the phrase “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness”. Jefferson’s “original rough draft” is on exhibit in the Library of Congress.

Does the Bible speak of pursuits? Glad you asked.

James 1:11 

For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

Psalm 34:14

Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.

Proverbs 21:21

Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.

What do you pursue? Give it some thought.

Gary

The term “all” is a versatile English word meaning the whole, the entirety, or every one of a particular group or thing. It functions as a determiner, pronoun, noun, or adverb, depending on the context.

Does the Bible promote this powerful word? Glad you asked.

1 Timothy 2:4 

Who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Luke 10:27 

And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

Matthew 11:28 

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

All of us need to give it some consideration.

Gary

The song “500 Miles,” often a traditional folk song known as “500 Miles Away from Home” or “Railroaders’ Lament,” tells the story of a traveler far from home, out of money, and too ashamed to return.

The Bible has a similar story known as the prodigal son. However, the prodigal did return and was embraced and forgiven by the father. Our Heavenly Father awaits our discovery that the world has nothing to offer and we are returning home, broken.

Luke 15:20-24

“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. ²¹ And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

²² “But the father said to his servants,  ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. ²³ And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; ²⁴ for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

Is it time to come home to our loving Father? Give it some consideration.

Gary

A principle is a kind of rule, belief, or idea that guides you. You can also say a good, ethical person has a lot of principles. In general, a principle is some kind of basic truth that helps you with your life.

I have some:

I am a sinner and Christ is my Savior.

Obedience is the best way to show that I believe.

I have a part in the great commission.

I am a member of the body of Christ on the earth.

What I sow I must also reap. 

I have a light in a very dark world.

Romans 15:4 

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

John 14:15 

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

What are your principles? Give it some thought.

Gary

It was a popup on my computer. Before me was some old guy with bulging muscles and protruding veins. The only thing that looked old on him was his face. The advertisement promised, that without gym or pressure, it would be possible for me to have that physique.  I’ve been around too long to believe that and besides what would I do with such a transformation.

It amazes me the things being offered to people these days. However, the real surprising thing is the number of people always willing to swallow the Kool-Aid.

Galatians 6:7-8 

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

Romans 12:2 

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Give it some thought, and might I add, especially us old guys.

Gary