Early in my career as a doctor I went to see a patient who was coming out of anesthesia. Far off, church chimes sounded.

“I must be in heaven,” the woman murmured. Then she saw me. “No, I can’t be,” she said. “There’s Dr. Campbell.” 

–       Lenore Campbell, M.D., in Medical Economics.

Sometimes we can get it wrong. Paul addresses this pervasive problem in Titus.

Titus 1:16

They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

Give it some thought.

Gary

John Newton wrote in the song “Amazing Grace,” about life’s trials, “Through many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come.”  That’s about right for most of us who have traveled this planet for several decades. No one is exempt from those three demons.

 The Apostle Paul spoke of his trials in the following:

2 Corinthians 11:24-31

From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; ²⁶ in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; ²⁷ in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— ²⁸ besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. ²⁹ Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?

³⁰ If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. ³¹ The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.

We find the Lord addressing Ananias’s concerns about an encounter with Paul in Acts 9:15-16 “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. ¹⁶ For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

You might not be an apostle, but as a Christian in His service, you will get acquainted with hardships also. Claim what John Newton points out for those of us who’ve recognized, as he did, that we are wretches in need of saving grace and keeping grace. Along with him, let us sing, “It is grace that brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home.”

Give it some thought.

Gary

To Tell the Truth was an American television panel show in which four celebrity panelists are presented with three contestants, all claiming to be the subject of a story read aloud by the host. Each one would give the same name and the members of the panel would ask questions to discover which one was truly who he claimed to be.

The same event happens today in relation to Jesus, The Holy Spirit and the Gospel.

Galatians 1:8-9

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. ⁹ As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

Would the real Jesus, Spirit, or Gospel, please stand up?

Give it some consideration.

Gary

Pat Summerall was born with a severe congenital condition where his right foot pointed backward (like a clubfoot), leading doctors to break and reset it while he was an infant, telling his mother he might walk with a limp but likely never play sports. He overcame this birth defect, which resulted in a shorter right leg, to become a successful college and professional football player, famously kicking field goals and later becoming a legendary NFL broadcaster.

There are overcomers in the world of sports and overcomers in faith.

John 16:33

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

1 John 4:4

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

We have overcome because He has overcome. Give it some thought.

Gary

First, the doctor told me the good news: I was going to have a disease named after me.

–      Steve Martin

Eve thought she was hearing good news: She could be just like God. Some Christian religions propagate that lie right up to the present time. Fake news started in the garden.

2 Corinthians 11:3

But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Don’t be deceived by fake news. Believe the Bible.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Let us endeavor so to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry. 

–       Mark Twain

How can we live that kind of life? Does the Bible address it? Glad you asked.

1 Thessalonians 4:11

“…make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you,”

1 Timothy 6:6-7

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”

Matthew 6:33

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Start today working towards the goal of making your funeral director feel bad.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Once the Devil was walking along with one of his cohorts. They saw a man ahead of them pick up something shiny. “What did he find?” asked the cohort. “A piece of the truth,” the Devil replied. “Doesn’t it bother you that he found a piece of the truth?” asked the cohort. “No,” said the Devil, “I will see to it that he makes a religion out of it.”

2 Timothy 2:15 

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Psalm 25:5 

Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.

Read your Bible. Don’t be taken in by a piece of the truth.

Gary