Returning from a long distant transport with the ambulance, I had the misfortune of having a black cat jump over the snowbank and land under one of the wheels. I looked at my partner and said, “That must have been the ninth time he did that.”

Superstitions are beliefs in luck and omens, often with no logical basis. Common examples of such include: opening an umbrella indoors, walking under a ladder, black cats crossing your path, and breaking a mirror.

Leviticus 19:31 

“Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God.

1 Timothy 4:7 

Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;

That cat didn’t finish crossing my path.  As some might say, he had no lives left in his bank.  Ultimately, we had to concentrate on finishing our journey.

Give it some thought.

Gary

There are an estimated 45,000 different Christian denominations worldwide. This number is based on the Global Center for the Study of Christianity.

How would you like to dig through all of that to find the right one? I believe the account in John chapter 4 answers that important question.

John 4:23-24

But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Christianity is not about religion, but a relationship. The Samaritan woman the Lord was speaking to didn’t need religion, but she did need a relationship with Christ.

How about you? Give it some consideration.

Gary

Nitroglycerin has been used as an active ingredient in the manufacture of explosives, namely dynamite. It is also a vasodilatory drug used primarily to provide relief from anginal chest pain. So, it can blow up a bridge or save a life.

Jesus also has a dual role. Jesus is often referred to as both Savior and Judge. He is considered the Savior who offers forgiveness and redemption through His sacrifice, and the Judge who will condemn some to the lake of fire.

1 John 4:14 

And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world.

Ecclesiastes 12:14 

For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Is He your Savior now or will He be your Judge later? Give it some thought.

Gary

Despair… Been there done that is the contemporary statement. If you are a Christian and haven’t been in that place of anguish, you probably will before life concludes. Does the Bible address the subject? Glad you asked.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

2 Corinthians 12:9 

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

He knows what we can handle, and most times it is more than we believe we can. When we see Him provide for us then, we appreciate Him all the more for the strength He is giving.  Give it some thought.

Gary

“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