“Among the things that are so simple even a child can operate them are parents.”          – Unknown

That wasn’t my statement, but it sure brought back memories. Dad would never want me on that bulldozer, but the brat was persistent. Dad didn’t want me on that skidder, working in the woods with French Canadians, but the youngest of eight was uncontrollable. Yes, there were many times I operated them.

The Biblical case was Sampson.

Judges 14:1-3

Now Samson went down to Timnah, and saw a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines.  So he went up and told his father and mother, saying, “I have seen a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines; now therefore, get her for me as a wife.”

Then his father and mother said to him, “Is there no woman among the daughters of your brethren, or among all my people, that you must go and get a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?”

And Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she pleases me well.”

Are your kids operating you? Give it some thought, for that’s not God’s design for the structure of the family.

Gary

Matthew 9:4-7

 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? ⁵ For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? ⁶ But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” ⁷ And he arose and departed to his house.

Jesus can forgive sins and He made that abundantly clear. We must tell people, like the woman at the well, “I found the Messiah.” The Samaritans, like us, had a sin problem.

Salvation is wrapped up in this account in Matthew and many are discovering that truth even today.

Give it some thought.

Gary

“Life is a book and there are a thousand pages I have not yet read.”  
— Cassandra Clare, “Clockwork Princess”

Now, Cassie, I need to state that everyone is writing a book, but reading them most often is a complete waste of time and effort. However, there is a book that everyone needs to read and reread.

2 Timothy 3:16 

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

James 1:25 

But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Don’t waste time reading someone’s life book, but read the book that gives life. Give it some consideration.

Gary

While Festus was known for his backwoods persona, scruffy appearance, and unique way of speaking in Gunsmoke, Ken Curtis was a talented singer and actor with a diverse background. 

In the Bible, Porcius Festus, was a Roman procurator of Judea who took office around 59 BC when Paul was imprisoned in Caesarea. In Acts 25:1-12, Festus hears Paul’s case and is intrigued.

He is quoted as saying in Acts 26:24, ““You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.” Poor Festus, he was given such an opportunity to hear the gospel clearly, yet he made that statement and only for political reasons.

Don’t be a Festus, an actor or a politician. Give it some thought.

Gary

“Life is just what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.”           —  Allen Saunders

Proverbs 16:3 

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

Proverbs 16:9 

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

If God is your guide, accept the altered courses of your life’s journey.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Life has its struggles, disappointments and hurdles, and that is a fact for every human being that walks this planet. The struggles of the journey, we call life, are seen in Biblical characters throughout Scripture. It is also present in your life and mine. However, for the believer there is a purposed outcome.

Romans 8:31

What then shall we say to all these things? If God is for us, who can be [successful] against us?

Struggles serve a divine purpose. God will weave them into our lives and we can end well. Give it some thought.

Gary

If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find in each man’s life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility.
–       Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Luke 6:27-36 

“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

This is a high commandment. I don’t know about you, but I struggle with this one. Give it some thought.

Gary