Sing it like you mean it, for this song puts forth the basics of salvation and the commitment expressed from an appreciative heart.

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross
The emblem of suffering and shame
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross
Till my trophies at last I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged cross
And exchange it some day for a crown

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true
Its shame and reproach gladly bear
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away
Where His glory forever I’ll share

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Give it some careful consideration.

Gary

The kindergarten teacher put that test on my desk. We were directed to circle the one which didn’t belong when there were three basketballs and a bicycle. It took me seven decades to figure what the point was to that exercise when it appeared to me to just be harassment of a five-year-old. Life is full of things which don’t belong and they must be recognized if you are to go on to the next level.

Christians are given similar tests. The following things don’t belong in the life of a Christian.

Ephesians 4:31

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.

Colossians 3:8

But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

Take a close look at your life and circle what doesn’t belong.

Give it some thought.

Gary

“Yesterday” is a song by the English rock band the Beatles.  It was written primarily by Paul McCartney in 1965. Even in this present time, many continue listening to that song because they would like to go back to that time. The problem is time erases so many things. You can’t go back and you can’t fast forward because you are tied to the present. You can only work with the present.

Ephesians 5:16 

Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Colossians 4:5 

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.

You are given just so much time now, so use it wisely. I’m sorry to say that seventy-five-year-old Beatles’ fans are outdated and sometimes quite pathetic. Get with the present.

Give it some thought.

Gary

“Needs improvement.” That middle school English teacher wrote those two dreadful words on the top of the first page of my essay. Just when I thought I was done with the thing and could go my way to other pursuits, bam, I met up with a roadblock. Now I had to look this work of mine over again.

Do you know the apostle Paul had the same problem with life in general?

Philippians 3:13-14

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

So be willing to do it again and strive to do it right this time. It’s not the teacher’s fault, but yours.

Give it some thought.

Gary

I sat next to him in kindergarten. He amazed me with his ability to color between the lines. As the years rolled by, we always considered each other best friends. He was found dead in bed at the age of forty-nine. I preached his funeral services in Texas, Ohio and Maine and every place was packed. He made sure before he died that I would do that for him.

I’m truly thankful for the people who came into my life, for the places I’ve been and the services I’ve been asked to render. Life’s experiences are a gift from God and we should be thankful.

Isaiah 46:9

Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me,

Psalm 143:5

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.

Be thankful for others. Give it some thought.

Gary

A man was interviewing his uncle about his having been a ball turret gunner in World War 2. The uncle said, “The ball turret gunner was the cruelest job on that plane: first, you were exposed to be shot at. Secondly, if the plane got shot down, you couldn’t get loose to parachute out. You went down with the plane.”

The nephew interjected, “That didn’t sound like a very good job.”

The uncle added, “They didn’t ask me what I thought about it.”

That account is defined as true service. Does the Bible mention that? Glad you asked.

1 Peter 4:10 

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

Galatians 5:13 

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

 Give it some thought and take your place in the battle.

Gary

Is there a place where you could go and forget about all the struggles and pressures of everyday life, especially if life hasn’t turned out the way you wanted and the dreams you had were fading away?

Glad you asked because the psalmist had the same question. He found himself in an environment in which he didn’t belong.

Psalm 102:6

I am like a pelican of the wilderness; I am like an owl of the desert.

That feeling of just-not-seeming-to-belong might make one consider another world.

John 14:2

In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

This life is not so bad, but the next one has been prepared by the Master Creator and will be perfect.  Have you made your reservation?  Give it some thought.

Gary