The Eve of Destruction

It was called “The Eve of Destruction.” The song came out in 1965 and referenced social issues of its period, including the Vietnam Warthe draft, the threat of nuclear war, the Civil Rights Movement, turmoil in the Middle East and the American space program.

We’re down the road sixty years, and it looks like the prophet was wrong. On the subject of such prophets, this is what the Bible has to say.

1 John 4:1 

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Jeremiah 23:16 

Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.

Man can’t destroy the world. God has a plan for it. Give it some thought.

Gary

Serenity

Serenity is defined as the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled, representing a tranquil existence and inner quietness even amidst life’s complexities. Someone once prayed, “Lord, grant me the serenity to remember who I am.”

Well, here’s what you need to recognize about yourself:

Psalm 139:14 

I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well.

Psalm 119:73 

Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn Your commandments.

Psalm 144:4 

Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.

Rest in who you are and seek what you can become in Him. Give it some consideration.

Gary

Keep Paddling

If you ask me, life is like kayaking through rapids in the dark. So many things can go wrong and uncertainties await at every turn. Sure could use some light as I try and navigate between the shores. Fortunately, God has provided such illumination.

John 8:12 

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 1:5 

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Psalm 119:105 

Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Give it some thought and keep paddling; your destination lies just ahead.

Gary

The Last Time

It’s a line from a song by Casting Crowns:

If I had only known the last time would be the last time
I would’ve put off all the things I had to do
I would’ve stayed a little longer, held on a little tighter
Now what I’d give for one more day with you

The contemporary saying is, “You don’t miss the water until the well goes dry.” There are many who have gone off the scene that we are sorry that more time was not spent with them. The lesson learned would show proper maintenance for the ones we have in our lives now. Make plans and keep them close.

Romans 1:8-9

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers,

Ephesians 1:15-16

Therefore, I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:

Give it some thought and give them a call. Sending a prayer heavenward for them might not be a bad idea too.

Gary

Information

Can Google, Safari, YouTube, and AI replace the advice of our elders? Can the information from our many friends on Facebook give us information on how to bring up children, have a proper marriage, and be a good employee? Do those of the younger generation have all the information about life to make it workable? Whatever happened for the need of Scripture?

Hebrews 4:12 

For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Matthew 4:4 

But He answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Being as to how limited I am, I’ll stick to the wisdom found in His Word. Give it some consideration.

Gary

Feleena

“El Paso” by Marty Robbins tells a story of a cowboy who falls in love with a dancer named Feleena at Rosa’s Cantina in El Paso. He kills another man in a jealous rage, flees the town, but is drawn back by his love for this woman. Upon returning, he is shot by a posse, but dies in Feleena’s arms.

Lesson: What you fall in love with can kill you.

1 John 2:15

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

James 2:5

Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which He has promised to those who love Him?

Be careful if what you love doesn’t love you back. Give it some thought.

Gary

Experiences

I remember swimming the rivers at high water and enjoying the challenge. When we moved near the lake, traversing the lake was a thrill. Now I view them longingly, but my body says, “O foolish one, those days are long past.”

Life just gives you one chance at many things. I’m so thankful the Gospel was introduced to me over a half century ago, and I grabbed it before it slipped away forever. Salvation is something you can’t let slip away.

Romans 10:9 

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Psalm 37:39 

The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.

Don’t fool with this. Give it some consideration.

Gary