Straight roads do not make skillful drivers.

– Lao Tzu

Case in point is the life of Joseph found in the book of Genesis. There is a verse that describes his looking back at the twists, turns, mountains and potholes of his life as he speaks to his brothers.

Genesis 50:20

But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

Child of God, keep your eyes on the road and don’t get caught up in the hazards. Focus. For around the next turn, the journey might end. You’ll be home at last.

Give it some consideration.

Gary

In Genesis, Jacob is on the run because of his sin and deception. However, in a place called Bethel, he comes face to face with God. He’ll never forget Bethel and the words the Creator points directly at him.

Just want to ask you, where did you first meet the Savior? What did He have to say to you and how did you respond? What were the circumstances?

John 10:27-28 

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand.

Proverbs 30:5 

Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.

My Bethel was St. Pamphile, Quebec. Where was yours?

Give it some thought.

Gary

Russel Kelso Carter was a professor in the Pennsylvania Military College of Chester. While there, he was licensed to preach by the Methodist Episcopal Church. This man wrote a hymn that has been a blessing to Christians for over a century.

Standing on the promises of Christ, my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring;
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.

Here are some amazing promises:

Psalm 32:8

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.

Hebrews 13:5

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”  

Great promises. Stand on them. Give it some thought.

Gary

It was a twelve by fifty-foot mobile home and it was our home for five years. The dwelling was purchased at a good price and served us well. It went to Canada with us, and when we sold it, someone built a house around it.  I believe it was a blessing to them also.

Some things we acquire in life are a blessing and some are a curse. One needs to be careful, because both are offered by the world. Abraham had a problem with that principle and so do we.

Genesis 16:1

Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar;

He should never have purchased that maiden, and the ramifications of that acquisition are still being felt today in the Middle East.

Be careful what you buy. Give it some thought.

Gary

There are those who have crossed our path in this life that are predictable. We trust them with our concerns and know when the chips are down, they will be there for us. Time and time again, they have proven themselves faithful.

In my personal experience, I’ve been privileged to have an abundance of them in my corner. However, the One who stands light years above them all is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 10:38

how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

He’ll be good for you. I’ll guarantee it. Give it some consideration.

Gary

This is a very serious question for everyone to face. What’s next? You do understand, life is composed of events. We can plan for some. Sometimes, others take the initiative to plan for us. Then, there are those happenings that come out of the blue and don’t seem to come with any explanation or directions in the box. Hard to put it together when there are no directions.

Paul spoke of that in the final quarter of his life:

Acts 20:22

And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there,

Are you okay with life made up of unpredictable events?  Well, it doesn’t matter, does it? Whatever happens, your attitude won’t stop the world from churning them out. However, putting one’s trust in the One who knows the future seems to be the medicine that is most effective. Be part of that number.

Give it some thought.

Gary

“In real life, I assure you, there is no such thing as algebra.”

 — Fran Lebowitz

I feel sorry for those who had to endure things that were, seemingly, of no value to them just because it was required. Unfortunately, in life there are many occasions when things need to be done because others require it and the choice is not ours.

 Jesus faced that as a man:

Mark 14:36

And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”

I’m glad I had algebra, although it doesn’t make my sermons any better.

Give it some thought.

Gary