I don’t know who said it, but I sure like it. Beautiful people are not always good, but good people are always beautiful. Be good and you might make it to beautiful.

Psalm 37:3 

Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.

Micah 6:8 

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Psalm 34:8 

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

Ask me how you look, and I’ll tell you the truth. Give it some thought.

Gary

At the close of World War II, the Russians held a reception for Field Marshall Sir Bernard L. Montgomery. At the reception, he was awarded the Soviet Union’s Order of Victory. Vodka flowed freely at the function. Montgomery was surrounded by a score of imbibing, high-ranking Russian officers. Being a total abstainer, he was “on the spot.” He was embarrassed. Just then, General Dwight D. Eisenhower came near. And Montgomery said: “Ike, get me out of this!” Ike came promptly to his aid. He explained that the British Marshall did not drink.

I look back over my life and remember multiple times someone like Ike came along and got me out of a jam. They are by your side for such a time as this.

For Esther, Mordecai served her well with this reminder.

Esther 4:14 

For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Give it some thought.

Gary

An English publication offered a prize for the best definition of a friend, and among the thousands of answers received were the following:

“One who multiplies joys, divides grief.”

“One who understands our silence.”

But here is the definition that won the prize: “A friend—the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.”

Proverbs 17:17 

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Give it some thought and be a friend. Everybody needs them.

Gary

Former Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson told his football team: “If I laid a two-by four plank across the room, everybody there would walk across it and not fall, because our focus would be on that two-by-four. But if I put that same two-by-four plank 10 stories high between two buildings only a few would make it, because the focus would be on failing. Focus is everything. The team that is more focused today is the team that will win this game.”

Focus is something the Bible directs every believer to do.

Proverbs 4:25 

Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.

Colossians 3:2 

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

Matthew 6:33 

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

You can do it if you stay focused. Give it some thought.

Gary

The devil came to Jesus in Matthew chapter 4 and had a lot to offer Him.  He still appears to have a giving spirit today. He can offer you money through litigation, give you what seems to be a better circle of friends, and even the ability to get your body in shape.  Waylon Jennings sang, “The Taker,” which expresses the concept of self-serving deception well. Similarly, Satan’s gifts are produced to eventually fail and will never be taken into eternity.

2 Corinthians 11:14 

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

1 Peter 5:8 

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

James 4:7 

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Don’t believe him.  Give it some serious thought before it is too late.

Gary

Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation

–       John Wooden

Consider Noah, Jeremiah, and Paul. These men probably made more enemies than friends in their time on the planet. However, it was God’s view of them that remains of tremendous value in eternity. Don’t be kissing up to people, but do kiss God.

Psalm 2:12

Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

Proverbs 27:6

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

Give it some thought.

Gary

There are a lot of Christians doing nothing. But there are no Christians who have nothing to do.    – Anonymous

The Bible makes it abundantly clear that we need to go to work:

Genesis 2:15

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.

2 Timothy 2:6

It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.

Philippians 2:12

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;

If you’re a believer, put down the electronic devices that take up too much of your time and go to work for the kingdom of God.

Give it some thought.

Gary