I have received memos so swollen with managerial babble that they struck me as the literary equivalent of assault with a deadly weapon.

–       Peter Baida, Management Babble, American Heritage, April 1985.

Sounds like a lot of preaching which leaves one with the following questions: Where are they coming from? How did they get here? Where are they going? Do they think I am going with them?

Like the account in Genesis 4 there are only two religions. One points to a blood sacrifice and the other to man’s imagination. So it is today. God only accepts the first. Which one are you embracing? Give it some consideration.

Ephesians 2:8-9 

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Acts 4:12 

“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Gary

Twenty centuries ago, the Spirit of God gave this prophecy to the prophet Isaiah and he gave it to the children of Israel. They didn’t improve their future much because of unbelief in the Word that Isaiah received and shared.

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a Child is born,
to us a Son is given,
and the government will be on His shoulders.
And He will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

We’re down the road twenty-seven hundred years later, and I wonder how many in our day have embraced this prophecy. Human nature hasn’t changed much. You can have religion, but do you have a relationship with God? Have you been born into His family?  Give it some thought.

Gary

The following has been said:

“When you come to a roadblock, take a detour.”

“When you come to a dead end, don’t cry because it’s time for you to take another direction.”

“When Plan A does not work, fall back on Plan B.”

“When Plan A does not work… …keep calm, take a deep breath, and remember: the alphabet, for sure, has one or the other letter left for you.”

“When there are bumps on the road, we hang in tightly but keep on driving.”

“Keep calm and plan on.”

“If life throws you a few bad notes, don’t let them interrupt your song.”

Let me add a critical element to the previous statements. This comes from the Creator of all things.

Philippians 4:6 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Prayer is the key to making any of the aforementioned statements workable. Give it some thought.

Gary

The renowned Quaker scholar Rufus Jones was speaking of the importance of having a radiant countenance. After his address, a woman “with an almost unbelievably plain face” came up and asked him what he would do if he had a face like hers. He replied, “While I have troubles of my own of that kind, I’ve discovered that if you light it up from within, any old face you have is good enough.”

Strange isn’t, how sometimes a beautiful face can be a curse and a plain face can be a blessing.

Does the Bible address such things? Glad you asked.

Ecclesiastes 8:1 

Who is like the wise? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.

Proverbs 15:13

A joyful heart makes a cheerful face,

But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.

Putting on a little makeup could help your situation – that is, makeup with God.

Give it some thought.

Gary

“You’re Going to Miss This” is a song sung by Trace Atkins. This is one of those songs that brings regrets for a life that was constantly hurried through, an existence where there was seemingly not enough time to smell the roses, perhaps while chasing that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The concept is not new; we find it all through the Scriptures.

Ecclesiastes 1:2-4

Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher,
vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
What does man gain by all the toil
at which he toils under the sun?
A generation goes, and a generation comes,
but the earth remains forever. 

Psalm 144:4

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

Take time to consider what God has given you before life slips through your fingers.

Gary

The sign says, “no trespassing,” but I know of people who ignored that sign and suffered the financial and embarrassing consequences. The question that comes to our mind is, “What were you thinking after you read that sign?”

The Scriptures are full of commandments – statements like that. However, learned individuals read those inspired words and just pass on like it doesn’t matter. Does the Bible address that phenomenon? Glad you asked.

Galatians 6:7-8 

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

James 4:17

Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

See the signs? Give it some consideration.

Gary

During one of his political campaigns, a delegation called on Theodore Roosevelt at his home in Oyster Bay, Long Island. The President met them with his coat off and his sleeves rolled up. “Ah, gentlemen,” he said, “come down to the barn and we will talk while I do some work.” At the barn, Roosevelt picked up a pitchfork and looked around for the hay. Then he called out, “John, where’s all the hay?”

“Sorry, sir,” John called down from the hayloft. “I ain’t had time to toss it back down again after you pitched it up while the Iowa folks were here.”

He was caught in a lie. Ted wasn’t the first president to have that happen and won’t be the last. How are you doing in the lie category?

Proverbs 19:5 

A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.

Proverbs 12:22 

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are His delight.

 Give it some thought the next time you’re trying to impress someone.

Gary