“Liberty means responsibility. That is why most people dread it.”
– George Bernard Shaw

The people who signed the Declaration of Independence knew this. Those who served in the military were also well aware of that fact. Those who have faithfully gone off to work every day in our country were undergirded by this principle.

Does the Bible address it? Glad you asked.

Galatians 5:13

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

1 Peter 2:16

As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

What principles have you embraced? Think about it.

Gary

“It is an old ironic habit of human beings to run faster when we have lost our way.”      -Rollo May

I’ve experienced that in my own life and have observed it many times in others. The habit is illustrated in Luke 10 with Martha running to serve while Mary sat. Mary was right and Martha erred.

Luke 10:40-42

But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore, tell her to help me.”

 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Maybe running is not working, so try sitting at the feet of Jesus for a while. Give it some thought.

Gary

I heard about a man who is walking a pit bull down the road. The dog got away and walked up to a preacher and bit him on the knee. Then the dog went across the street and bit a beautiful young woman. The owner was brought before a judge who asked, “Why did your dog bite the preacher?”

The man answered, “I don’t know, he’s never done anything like that before.”

Then the judge asked, “Well, why did he bite the young woman?”

The owner replied, “Oh, that’s easy to answer!  He wanted to get the taste of that preacher out of his mouth.”

This is one preacher that hopes that you are not like that dog, looking to get the taste of me out of your thoughts.

My mandate from the Lord:

2 Timothy 4:2

Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

Give it some thought.

Gary

“Anyone who thinks sitting in church can make you a Christian must also think that sitting in a garage can make you a car.”
― Garrison Keillor

Garrison sure had that one nailed. However, the truth of that seems not to have pushed him towards a saving knowledge of Christ. I can’t judge him, however, there is not enough evidence from his life to convict him of being a Christian in a court of law.

Matthew 3:8 

Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

John 15:8 

By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples.

Gather up a jury of your peers and see if they can convict you of being a Christian. Give it some thought.

Gary

“Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?” — George Carlin

Many identify with what George has to say, but we must always remember George is a strange duck at times. His observation is certainly not true and can be proven so with little research.  People certainly shouldn’t be judged by the way they drive. Many have waved to me in an unmentionable hand gesture because of the way I was driving, and I’m no idiot or you wouldn’t be reading these daily devotionals. So don’t be judging that way.

Does the Bible address this concept? Glad you asked.

John 7:24 

Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

Ephesians 5:11 

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

Give it some thought.

Gary

“God has promised forgiveness to your repentance, but He has not promised tomorrow to your procrastination.” ― St. Augustine of Hippo

That old guy from Hippo sure had that right. The Bible is clear on the fact that what God expects of His children needs to be addressed sooner, rather than later.

Ephesians 5:15-17 

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Proverbs 27:1 

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

James 4:17 

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

When it comes to cans, get off your “can” and do what you can. Give it some consideration.

Gary

“I’m here to contribute. We all depend on each other. I depend on people in generations prior to me. People in generations after me will depend on me.”
– Bryan Nwafor

Bryan understood a principle that most fail to comprehend. Many before our arrival paved the way for life to be more doable for us. Also, we have a responsibility to make life more workable for the generation that follows.

Does the Bible address this concept? Glad you asked.

Psalm 145:4 

One generation shall commend Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.

Psalm 102:18 

Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord:

Does praise for our mighty God not make for a more profitable, happy life?  Give it some consideration.

Gary