Max Lucado says, “The Bible has been banned, burned, scoffed, and ridiculed. Scholars have mocked it as foolish. Kings have branded it as illegal. A thousand times over, the grave has been dug and the dirge has begun, but somehow the Bible never stays in the grave. Not only has it survived, it has thrived. It’s the single most popular book in all of history. It has been the best-selling book in the world for years.”

Hebrews 4:12 

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Matthew 4:4 

But He answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

 What does it mean to you? Do you know Him as Lord, Savior, Counselor, and Enabler? Give it some careful consideration.

Gary

Reaching the end of a job interview, the Human Resources Officer asks a young engineer fresh out of university, “What starting salary are you expecting?”

The engineer replies, “$200,000 a year, depending on the benefits package.”

The interviewer says, “Well, what would you say to a package of five weeks’ vacation, full medical and dental, gym membership, all meals provided and a Lamborghini company car to use?”

The engineer sits up straight and says, “Wow, are you kidding?!”

The interviewer says, “Yeah, but you started it.”

What are you expecting from Christianity? Is it wealth, health and a problem-free life? Then, do you want to die peacefully in your sleep? Now that’s funny.

Hebrews 11:35-38

Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.  Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment.  They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented — of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Recently, we sat in a restaurant on a Sunday night, enjoying hotdogs and french-fries. Almost exactly fifty-five years earlier, on our first date, I had ordered a hotdog with the works then too. Unbeknownst to me, that’s not how Paula liked her hotdogs.  To make matters worse, as she waited in the 65 Corvair I was driving, she ended up in a haze of blue smoke because oil had apparently fallen on the manifold.

They said our teenage marriage wouldn’t work out. They forgot we could call out to One who could help when we found ourselves in the troubled waters of life’s sea.

Anytime you’re against the current thought and public opinion, have a little talk with Jesus.

Matthew 6:33 

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

Matthew 7:11 

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Give it some thought and always order with the works.

Gary

Handcuffed to a gurney, a young man in his early twenties was in the back of the ambulance with me, for I was the paramedic responsible for his safe arrival to a mental institution. We talked freely during the transport, and I couldn’t figure out why he was in such a state.  I clearly shared the gospel with him, and now the decision to reject it or embrace it lay before him. I related to him that it was no coincidence that we’d been brought together at this time, and if he believed, God would bring others along to open the eyes of his understanding. Tears were in his eyes as I asked if he desired a different course of living.

I do, however, feel guilty because of the many I didn’t share the gospel with. Thankfully, this opportunity with this young man wouldn’t leave me feeling that I’d come up short in my responsibilities. Due to confidentiality, I don’t know what happened after that day, but I do know I did what I was called to do that time.

Romans 10:14

How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

Give it some thought.

Gary

The officer asked, “You drinking?”

I answered, “You buying?” The officer and I just laughed and laughed.

I need bail money.

– Anonymous

This reminds me of the foolish thoughts of man towards the authority of the One who rules the universe. Man believes God is deaf and God laughs at such thoughts.

Psalm 59:7-8

See what they spew from their mouths—
the words from their lips are sharp as swords,
and they think, “Who can hear us?”
But You laugh at them, Lord;
You scoff at all those nations.

Do you make God laugh? I pray that is not the case. Give it some thought.

Gary

TO MY CHILDREN: DON’T MAKE FUN OF ME FOR ASKING QUESTIONS

ABOUT MY CELL PHONE. I ONCE TAUGHT YOU HOW TO USE A SPOON.

-Anonymous

How come children don’t want to acknowledge where they came from? How come they don’t want to consider the One who brought them into this world? How come they think they have it all together? How come they believe God has dementia?

Psalm 49:15

Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely, they may forget, yet I will not forget you.

God put you here and doesn’t forget it. Don’t you forget it. Give it some consideration.

Gary

“Mr. Bojangles” is a song that drew the portrait of a down-and-out traveling man named Bojangles who danced a lick across his jail cell, yet still mourned his dog after twenty years. Its lyrics were inspired by a stranger Jerry Jeff Walker met during his time in a New Orleans jail after being arrested in the French Quarter on July 5, 1965.

The lesson from the song is that when one has all the talent to live life to the fullest, alcohol can take it all away like a thief. How does the Bible describe this tax-revenue-making drug?

Proverbs 20:1 

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

Hosea 4:11 

Whoredom, wine, and new wine, which take away the understanding.

Proverbs 23:31-32

Do not look on the wine when it is red,
When it sparkles in the cup,
When it swirls around smoothly;
At the last it bites like a serpent,
And stings like a viper.

Give it some thought before it is too late.

Gary