In 1978, a young seminary graduate named Henry Smith was struggling to find work while coming to terms with a degenerative eye condition that would eventually leave him legally blind. Despite those hardships, Henry found hope in 2 Corinthians 8:9 and penned “Give Thanks,” one of the most beloved songs of our time.

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He’s given
Jesus Christ, His Son

And now let the weak say, I am strong
Let the poor say, I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us

2 Corinthians 8:9

 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

Give it some thought.

Gary

At Disneyland, my sister put her children on a ride, then sat on a bench alongside a lady who had also placed her kids on the same ride. She then started up a conversation with the woman who kept nodding agreement with every statement she made. The lady’s kids got off the ride and started a conversation with their mother in German. She couldn’t speak English. That individual was being friendly, but had no understanding.

Colossians 1:9 

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

Psalm 111:10 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

We talk to some people about the Scriptures, and they are kind, but have no understanding of what we are saying.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Isaiah 25:4

You have been a refuge for the poor,
a refuge for the needy in their distress,
a shelter from the storm
and a shade from the heat.
For the breath of the ruthless
is like a storm driving against a wall

Trial and trouble were on the horizon for the nation. Idolatry and spiritual adultery caused the nation to be driven and defeated. There would be no way to turn this coming horrible event around. Where was the believer in Israel to go? Isaiah painted a clear picture of salvation for the believer in such a state.

The same is true in the New Testament. How could those early Christians face three hundred years of persecution? Sometimes they faced lions and sometimes they were burnt alive.

Give it some thought. Remember He is a refuge in distress, a shelter from the storm, and a shade from the heat. You always have a place to go.

Gary

“If You Could Read My Mind” is a song by Gordon Lightfoot. Written in 1969, it catches the passion of a hurt lover, unused to words that cut too close. The song delves into the complexities of a failing relationship, where the protagonist wishes his partner could understand his unspoken thoughts and emotions.

If you ever want a relationship with a person who completely understands the complexities of your life, try this:

John 3:16 

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

Revelation 21:7 

The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be My son.

Our Lord can read the mind and is perfectly willing to take you on if you are willing. This relationship is not temporary but eternal. Make the first step, with a light foot or not.

Give it some thought.

Gary

When I was young and lacking in common sense, we would go to Quebec to drink. As long as you could put the money on the bar, you were old enough to drink. We thought Mounties just rode horses and we had nothing to fear. All I can say is God protected me during those days of my ignorance. The only verse that causes me to understand my pass on these expeditions is found in the Twenty-third Psalm:

Psalm 23:6

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.

I am living proof that God is longsuffering, merciful and gracious.

Give it some thought.

Gary

In the song “Gypsy Wind,” the term symbolizes both the unpredictability and allure of the unknown. It represents the beckoning call of adventure and the desire to chase after one’s dreams, even if it means leaving behind the familiar and venturing into the realm of uncertainty.

The term speaks of an individual who believes he can figure life out or find peace of mind out there somewhere. The gypsy wind is familiar to the multitude. The Bible describes this phenomenon.

Romans 3:10-11

as it is written: None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.

 Acts 17:27

 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward Him and find Him. Yet He is actually not far from each one of us,

God seeks us out in so many ways, but so many refuse to believe it could be that easy. It wasn’t easy for God.  Remember Jesus’ prayer in the garden.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Years ago, I was in a bar with some friends. At the next table a man was tormenting a waitress and my friend thought he should defend her. He stepped forward, telling the man in no uncertain terms to stop harassing her.  The man stood and punched him so hard he went horizontal. That was the end of the conflict.

Josiah in 2 Chronicles 36 made the same mistake. He was a good king but got himself in a conflict that was none of his business. This mistake led to his death. Read 2 Chronicles 36 and learn the lesson of not sticking your nose in other people’s business.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

and to 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, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Give it some thought.

Gary