Rescuers located the bodies of four Italian divers deep inside an underwater cave in the Maldives, days after the group vanished during a dangerous dive far beyond recreational limits, Italy’s Foreign Ministry said Monday. Sadly, in the same article, information that a rescue diver also died trying to retrieve the amateurs was provided.

My interest in this story was spurred by the response of a reader of this article: “Their skill did not match their ego. A deadly combination.”

The same is true of so many on this planet. They avoid the no trespassing signs put up by God and experience an unnecessary death. Yes, Freud pointed this out: the ego and the Id: The primal, unconscious part of the mind that seeks immediate gratification and desires.

Pray first before you go into areas beyond your qualifications. Judah failed to do exactly that in Genesis chapter 38. Give it some thought.

Romans 8:7 

For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.

Deuteronomy 30:15 

“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil.

Give it some thought.

Gary

With my early morning coffee in hand, I examine the maple tree outside the living room window. Maple seedlings follow a consistent, predictable growth progression during their first spring. After shedding their winged samaras (helicopter seeds) and rooting into the soil, they quickly develop their first foliage.

How can anyone believe that just evolved? No, that beautiful maple did not become a tree through time and chance. Let me give you a more plausible explanation.

Hebrews 11:3 

By faith we understand that the universe was created by the Word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

Psalm 90:2 

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.

God put that maple tree there for me so I could enjoy it while sipping my coffee. Give it some consideration.

Gary

The “prosperity gospel” (or prosperity theology) is a widely debated teaching that true faith in God inevitably leads to material, financial, and physical well-being. Its core theological errors stem from how it distorts foundational Christian principles.

Could the lives of the apostles or the early Christian community validate this erroneous theology? No, many were martyred for their faith and forced to live in catacombs.  it is a demonic deception by the devil that makes for a religion for those hooked on the lottery system of theology.

Here’s a reality check:

1 Peter 5:10 

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Hebrews 11

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.

My prayer is that you do prosper in the truth of God’s Word. Give it some thought.

Gary

Our calendar is marked up with potential events of the future. We make plans concerning our responsibilities in approaching days but must always remember the future doesn’t belong to us, but it does belong to our Creator.

Proverbs 16:9 

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Proverbs 16:3 

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

Here’s my prayer and you can use it. “Lord, this is what I think the future might be, but only You have been there. Please help me so that I don’t mess it up.”

Gary

A half century ago I met a big Irishmen with a strong personal testimony of the grace of God. To me, he was the prime example of what a Christian should be both in church and in the workplace. Now I have come to know his grandson, and I realize they followed a similar road to Emmaus. In God’s perfect timing, they were both knocked off their respective horses and experienced the new birth that can’t be hidden. I’m thankful that I’ve been allowed to see the hand of God which drew these men to Himself in His divine will. What a blessing!

Psalm 145:4 

One generation shall commend Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.

Psalm 102:18 

Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord:

Psalm 78:6 

That the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children,

Pray for your grandchildren—the years pass more quickly than you expect, and you may not be here to see the results of those prayers until eternity.

 Give it some thought.

Gary

The village blacksmith finally found an apprentice willing to work hard for long hours. The blacksmith instructed the boy, “When I take the shoe out of the fire, I’ll lay it on the anvil; and when I nod my head, you hit it with this hammer.”

The apprentice did just as he was told. Now he’s the village blacksmith.

Words are important and you really must be careful how you put them together. We call the Bible the Word of God, and it is made up of words. Christians put the words together and the cults use the same words in a different arrangement. One use is a blessing and the other a curse. Does the Bible address this phenomenon? Glad you asked.

2 Peter 2:1 

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

2 Timothy 2:15

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.

Give it some thought and be careful.

Gary

I was in line at MacDonalds the other day during the dinner time rush.

After twenty-five minutes I finally got served.

The girl at the till said, “Sorry about the weight.”

It’s about time someone at MacDonalds apologized.

– unknown

Speaking of the weight we’re putting on, does the Bible address this embarrassing phenomenon? Glad you asked.

Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Proverbs 27:3 

A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.

Consider the weight that may be clinging to you before someone notices. Give it some thought.

Gary