Our calendar is marked up with potential events of the future. We make plans concerning our responsibilities in approaching days but must always remember the future doesn’t belong to us, but it does belong to our Creator.

Proverbs 16:9 

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

Proverbs 16:3 

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

Here’s my prayer and you can use it. “Lord, this is what I think the future might be, but only You have been there. Please help me so that I don’t mess it up.”

Gary

A half century ago I met a big Irishmen with a strong personal testimony of the grace of God. To me, he was the prime example of what a Christian should be both in church and in the workplace. Now I have come to know his grandson, and I realize they followed a similar road to Emmaus. In God’s perfect timing, they were both knocked off their respective horses and experienced the new birth that can’t be hidden. I’m thankful that I’ve been allowed to see the hand of God which drew these men to Himself in His divine will. What a blessing!

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:

Psalm 78:6 

That the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children,

Pray for your grandchildren—the years pass more quickly than you expect, and you may not be here to see the results of those prayers until eternity.

 Give it some thought.

Gary

The village blacksmith finally found an apprentice willing to work hard for long hours. The blacksmith instructed the boy, “When I take the shoe out of the fire, I’ll lay it on the anvil; and when I nod my head, you hit it with this hammer.”

The apprentice did just as he was told. Now he’s the village blacksmith.

Words are important and you really must be careful how you put them together. We call the Bible the Word of God, and it is made up of words. Christians put the words together and the cults use the same words in a different arrangement. One use is a blessing and the other a curse. Does the Bible address this phenomenon? Glad you asked.

2 Peter 2:1 

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

2 Timothy 2:15

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.

Give it some thought and be careful.

Gary

I was in line at MacDonalds the other day during the dinner time rush.

After twenty-five minutes I finally got served.

The girl at the till said, “Sorry about the weight.”

It’s about time someone at MacDonalds apologized.

– unknown

Speaking of the weight we’re putting on, does the Bible address this embarrassing phenomenon? Glad you asked.

Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Proverbs 27:3 

A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.

Consider the weight that may be clinging to you before someone notices. Give it some thought.

Gary

The story is told that one day a beggar by the roadside asked for alms from Alexander the Great as he passed by. The man was poor and wretched and had no claim upon the ruler, no right even to lift a solicitous hand. Yet the Emperor threw him several gold coins.

 A courtier was astonished at his generosity and commented, “Sir, copper coins would adequately meet a beggar’s need. Why give him gold?”

Alexander responded in royal fashion, “Copper coins would suit the beggar’s need, but gold coins suit Alexander’s giving.”

What does your giving have to say about your character? No, I’m not soliciting. I’m doing fine financially. However, my concern is for others who aren’t living up to their potential. Does the Scripture address this? Glad you asked.

2 Corinthians 9:7 

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Acts 20:35 

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

These folks with needs that we can meet will be placed in our path. What should we do? Give it some thought.

Gary

There are two times in a man’s life when he should not speculate: when he can’t afford it, and when he can.

–       Mark Twain

Mark sure had that one right. He wasn’t much for the Word of God, but God didn’t create stupid. Common sense is not so common, and when we hear it, we’re amazed. How are you doing in that area? If you don’t have it, get an education in Bible principles or consider this prayer.

Proverbs 30:8-9

Remove falsehood and lies far from me;
Give me neither poverty nor riches—
Feed me with the food allotted to me;
Lest I be full and deny You,
And say, “Who is the Lord?”
Or lest I be poor and steal,
And profane the name of my God.

Just enough to get through is probably a safer goal. Give it some consideration.

Gary

When Mahatma Gandhi was the spiritual leader of India, he was asked by some missionaries, “What is the greatest hindrance to Christianity in India?” His reply was, “Christians.” 

Any student of history can understand that statement. The American Indian, Muslims, Anabaptists, Catholics, Mormons and Jews have in the past suffered in what was called Christianity at that time. Even at the present time, it’s the professing Christian that’s the major hindrance to the gospel.

The following words have rung true down through the years.

Matthew 5:13

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt has lost its taste, with what shall it be salted? It is thereafter good for nothing but to be thrown out and walked on by the people.

Don’t add to the suffering of others; be a real Christian. Give it some thought.

Gary