“Great Is Thy Faithfulness” sounds great when sung at your wedding reception. Now, it’s something else to sing it when your husband announces he is leaving you for another woman.

I know you had a hard time to swallow that concept. However, a study of the life of Hosea and Job, plus many others, reveals the fact that on some occasions God will ask us to do that which we would never choose to. Don’t believe the prosperity preachers, because they’re not on our team.

Hosea 1:2

When the Lord began to speak by Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea:

“Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry and children of harlotry,

That was not my assignment, nor could it be yours, but some were called to cross the Rubicon, that limiting line of things they’d want to do, and they did. Do situations dictate when you can sing such a song? Give it some consideration.

Gary

You’re a junior in high school and the English teacher announces that you’re going to write a 1000-word essay, and the title will be “Life.” You are only sixteen, and what experience have you had on the subject? What does she want? Maybe you could just make something up. Can’t google anything, because the internet hasn’t been invented. Would that freshman girl work on it for me? No, I don’t think so. There goes my chance of being salutatorian. Just thinking about it makes me tired. Too many things to worry about now; I’ll put that off till tomorrow.

That was life in 1968. Glad that’s gone. The assignment was indeed an inconsequential thing to worry about!

Life, now there’s a subject. Does the Bible address it? Glad you asked.

John 10:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

James 4:14

Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.

Oh, I still get assignments, but the “fret factor “is greatly diminished. Give it some thought.

Gary

“Let us sacrifice our today so that our children can have a better tomorrow.”

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

I don’t know much about Abdul, but I do know that statement is certainly true when it comes to Christianity.

Galatians 6:2

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

1 John 3:16

“By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”

Philippians 2:17

“Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.”

How much do you give? Think about it.

Gary

Our world offers a variety of gods to worship. One major religion features a god of power and revenge; another offers a god that is silent and indifferent to the suffering of people; still another offers a god that is mysterious and unknowable, absorbing all of humanity into a great cosmic ocean of oneness. Some people worship “gods” of possessions, fame and entertainment. Only one faith worships a personal God known primarily for His sacrificial love.

–       Unknown Authur (Wish it were me.)

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Acts 4:12

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Make sure you know the right God. Give this some consideration.

Gary

As assistant director, I tore into a paramedic once because he stopped an emergency transfer because a yellow engine light came on in the unit. He needed to be reminded that a yellow light meant when you have the time, this issue should be addressed. There is no hurry but do have the mechanic plug me in to check out the potential problem. For now, keep going. A red light, however, means turn the ambulance off and call for backup.

I’ve also experienced this type of negligence among professing believers. They think they have a great excuse for not finishing with their responsibility. You think I’m off? Look at these verses.

1 Corinthians 4:21

 “What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?”

2 Corinthians 13:2 

 I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them—

Give it some thought and be careful out there, because we are responsible for others.

Gary

A pastor stated that what he wanted on his tombstone was the following:  He was a man after God’s own heart!

Please don’t put such a statement on my grave marker. Most will say they beg to differ; some will laugh and even more will hate me even though I’m dead. Only God is in a position to say such things. Don’t go putting words in His mouth.

Psalm 46:10

Be still, and know that I am God…

Habakkuk 2:20

Let all the earth keep silence before Him

In James 1:19 we are advised to be quick to listen, slow to speak,

Study the accounts of Job and his “friends” in the book that bears his name, and guard against presumption.

Give it some thought.

Gary

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

– Lao Tzu

The ancient Chinese sure had that one nailed. Once you started walking, how many steps have you taken? My great-grandson just started walking, and I wonder how his many steps will take him into the unknown.

Great things lie ahead if you make the right steps today. Bad things lie ahead if you make the wrong steps. Military soldiers who clear landmines know what we’re talking about.

Psalm 119:133

Keep steady my steps according to Your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.

Jeremiah 10:23

I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.

Job 14:16

For then You would number my steps; You would not keep watch over my sin?

Like the old song from the sixties, “These boots were made for walking.” Give it some thought.

Gary