In 1969 Elvis Presley sang, “Long Black Limousine”. It was about a young man who expressed the desire to be chauffeured around in one someday. After a godless life, he ended up in one.  I should say, his remains got to ride in one. What are your goals for the future?

Psalm 144:4 

Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.

Job 14:1 

“Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble.

It is not about whom you’ll be riding with later, but about whom you’re riding with now.

Give it some thought.

Gary

The history of leadership is an interesting study. Both in Biblical history and secular history there have been recordings of more bad leaders than good leaders. Many in our world have lost faith in any leader.

Now the good news is that God has provided a leader for His church who is flawless. He has never sinned and resignation will never be part of His being.

Colossians 1:18 

And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent.

Ephesians 1:2–23

And He put all things under His feet and gave Him as head over all things to the church, For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, His body, and is Himself its Savior.

We will never be disappointed in the One we’ve chosen to lead us, Church.

Give it some thought.

Gary

The young man told his mother, “Mom, if something happens to me, I want you to know I’m ready.” Something did happen and I believe he was ready. I base that on the looks of his Bible and his comments on significant passages. He believed God.

I’ve seen Bibles of religious people who have departed and they look like they never were opened. How does yours look?

Psalm 19:7-11 

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

Don’t leave the planet without opening His Word. After all, it’s the manual God ensured we’d have access to.  Give it some thought.

Gary

With a downcast look on their faces, Mom and Dad stood at the foot of my hospital bed. Their seventeen-year-old son lay there with his face full of deep cuts, missing teeth and a broken jaw. I told them I would never drink again. It wasn’t a week after my hospital stay, and I was plastered one more time. Fifty-five years later, that still haunts me.

What neither I nor my loving parents could do is deliver me from my love of alcohol. Three years later God did what no man could do and I am eternally grateful. I’ve had relatives and friends that didn’t make it. The gospel singer belted it out best, “It is no secret what God can do.”

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.

Romans 12:2 

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Give it some thought.  It could change the trajectory of your life here on the planet.

Gary

A man in a bar is drinking whiskey and says: with what I have, I shouldn’t be drinking so much. Then he turns to the bartender and says: give me another one, even though… with what I have, I shouldn’t be drinking so much. As soon as he finishes drinking, he goes back to the bartender and asks for another whiskey, still murmuring: with what I have, I shouldn’t be drinking so much.
At that point, the bartender, intrigued, asks: what do you have that you keep saying you shouldn’t be drinking so much?
— What do I have? I only have 1 dollar!

Does the Bible address complaining? Glad you asked.

Philippians 2:14-15

 Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

Don’t be a complainer. Make our lives easier. Give it some thought.

Gary

I saw my old French teacher in the supermarket parking lot. I hadn’t seen him in decades. Gaining eye contact with him, I declared, I’m one of your old French students.

He responded, “Yes, the one who skipped the French test and was seen getting on the bus that afternoon to go play a baseball game.”

That happened in 1967 and I was that perp.

He’ll never forget that and confronted me again 57 years later. I must have left a real impression on him.

Now God, on the other hand, is capable of forgetting all my transgressions.

Hebrews 10:17

Then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”

Psalm 139:7

Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?

My former teacher is a nice old man with a good memory. Thankfully, God chooses to erase some memories.

Give it some thought.

Gary

“Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears.”                                                                                      – Les Brown

Isaiah 41:10 

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

2 Timothy 1:7 

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

You need not be afraid; live, knowing He will uphold you.

Give it some thought.

Gary