The person who can swim has no need to fear deep water. That person can stay on top and survive. The one who can’t swim has reason to fear.

The same is true spiritually. In situations of life that sink others, believers can focus on the One who can keep them afloat and thus survive. Does the Bible address it? Glad you asked.

James 1:12 

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.

1 Peter 4:12-13 

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed.

Let Him keep your head above water.  It’ll soon be over. Give it some thought.

Gary

If I could go back to the sixties, I wouldn’t make the same mistakes. I’d put every effort into making different ones. That’s just the way life unfolds.

James 3:2 

For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.

James 1:14 

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.

It’s best to do what the song says:

Precious Lord, take my hand,
lead me on, help me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
Through the storm, through the night,
lead me on to the light:
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.

Give it some thought.

Gary

A negative mindset is known to trigger or heighten stress and anxiety — and new research has revealed other trickle-down effects on mental and physical health. Does the Bible address this revelation? Glad you asked.

Romans 8:5-6 

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Colossians 3:2 

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Isaiah 26:3 

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.

Put these concepts in your mind.

Gary

Who was the greatest financier in the Bible?

Answer: Noah — he was floating his stock while everyone else was in liquidation.

Noah preached for 100 years and had little takers. Interestingly, the minority was right and the majority was left. Don’t get lost making the same mistake.

2 Peter 2:4-6

For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 

Give it some thought.

Gary

Jim Croce wrote a song about a man he meets in basic training. With a little imagination, he came up with this line in 1973:

And it’s bad, bad Leroy Brown
The baddest man in this whole town
Badder than old King Kong
And meaner than a junkyard dog

Matthew 7:17

Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

Matthew 7:18

A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.

Matthew 12:33

Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.

What words of a song will be written of your life? You’d better be considering it.

Gary

You’ve heard the statement, “I’m just killing time.” It is not a true statement. Time can’t be killed. Time can only be used for good or bad. Time processes us, and when time here ends, we’re gone to a land without time.

Revelation 10:6

And swear by Him that lives for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:

Ephesians 5:16 

Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

God gave you time and you’re doing what with it? Give it some time for thought.

Gary

Who was the first drug addict in the Bible?

Answer: Nebuchadnezzar — he was on grass for seven years. (Daniel 4:23- 33)

How did he find himself in such a state? He thought he was really something, and God had nothing to offer. Big mistake made by a multitude. Don’t get hooked on grass when God promises to give you a real and everlasting high.

Daniel 4:30

The king spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?”

His sin was lying to himself. God was the one who made him king over Babylon. No, he wasn’t smoking. Give it some thought.

Gary