“I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” – Estée Lauder

That’s about the best quote I ever came across when it comes to dreams. However, even that philosophy has its limitations.  Accidents, disease, robbers and relationships can go sour and foil one’s plans.

You see, your control of future events is uncertain at best. Why not put all your investment in the One who knows the future and how you best fit in it?

John 16:13 

When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come.

Psalm 119:105 

Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

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.

The future never looked better. Give it some thought.

Gary

We’re old men now, but we still have all the memories of our youth.  He said to me in a public setting, “Hey, Gary, I still have that picture of you and your best friend standing behind all those beer cans you consumed.” I didn’t have to see the picture because it is still fresh in the hard drive of my mind. I was godless then and beer was king. I’m so glad that Jesus is King now and alcohol is a thing of the past. However, sometimes I appreciate those who remind me that I’m not the kid that started out on this journey.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

1 Peter 4:4

Now those “friends” think it is strange that you no longer join them in all the wild and wasteful things they do. 

Your past is now irrelevant if God has forgiven you. Give it some thought.

Gary

“For What It’s Worth” is a song written by Stephen Stills. Performed by Buffalo Springfield, it was recorded on December 5, 1966. Many meanings have been suggested, but I want to take the thought into the upper room.

Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you’re always afraid
Step out of line, the men come and take you away

The lyrics suggest that people should act with strength instead of fear. The truth of the matter is that paranoia always has an underlying cause, and in the case of Judas, it was an evil heart. The outcome could have been different, but he wouldn’t respond to the warnings of Christ.

Matthew 26:23-25

He answered and said, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me.  The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”

 Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?”

He said to him, “You have said it.”

If you are suffering from paranoia, take it to Jesus. He is the Great Physician and can fix it. Give it some careful consideration.

Gary

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” —Thomas Edison

Proverbs 16:3

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

Genesis 2:15

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

Psalm 90:17

Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!

Quit complaining and go to work. That is how God takes care of our retirement. Give it some thought.

Gary

My buddy had just bought himself a motorcycle. On a night way back in 1968, we had a case of beer that I was holding while sitting behind him. He only had one speed and that was fast. Have you ever tried to hold something while riding on the back of a motorcycle? Today, we are both old men in our seventies. Now can you tell me how we made it through that night and lived?

I’ll tell you that there is only one explanation, and it’s called mercy.

Matthew 9:13 

Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Psalm 23:6 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Give it some thought, because I sure did, and praise Him for it.

Gary

In 1953 Hank Williams sang a song about two wooden Indians. The Indian maid wanted Kaw-Liga, the warrior, to talk to her but he had a problem.

He always wore his Sunday feathers
And held a tomahawk
The maiden wore her beads and braids
And hoped someday he’d talk

Kaw-Liga, too stubborn to ever show a sign
Because his heart is made of knotty pine

That heart of knotty pine was not only found in poor old Kaw-Liga but is indicative of multitudes.

Mark 8:17 

And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened?

Matthew 5:8 

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Kaw-Liga was heading for the furnace. Don’t let it happen to you. Give it some consideration.

Gary

“I came, I saw, I forgot what I was doing. Went back, got distracted and have no idea what is going on. Is this my cup?”

I read that on a cup and I said to myself, I’m that person. If you live long enough on this planet, that will be you. I’ll purchase the cup and you can have it when I leave.

Speaking of cups, here are a few:

Psalms 116:13

I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.

Jeremiah 51:7

Babylon was a golden cup in the Lord’s hand, that made all the earth drunk.
The nations drank her wine; therefore the nations are deranged.

Matthew 26:39

And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.

What does your cup say? Give it some thought.

Gary