I erased the last text that I’d received from my son six years ago. It was time to move on from an anchor that only brought pain and regret. Why do we allow the past to haunt us when our future needs to be faced with a hope and clear conscience? Life can’t be lived over again but can be lived from here on for the One who gave Himself for us. Does the Bible address this phenomenon? Glad you asked.

Philippians 3:13-14 

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Do you have stuff that you need to let go of because the past can’t be changed? Give it some thought.

Gary

The first individual who had to pay a price because of his faith was Abel. Those who believe in God but don’t believe God will make those who do believe pay a price. I pray you understand that statement. The Devil believes in God; he just doesn’t believe God. You want some verses? Glad you asked.

James 2:19

You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.

Matthew 7:21-23 

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and cast out demons in Your name, and do many mighty works in Your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”

Maybe it’s time to stop just believing there is a God and start believing God. The best way to know Him is by reading His Word and asking for His leading as you read. Join the ranks of those who have followed in the footsteps of Abel.

Give it some thought.

Gary

“Life is like a dying ember” is a line I heard in a song somewhere.  It hit a note with me, because there is so much of my life that has been burnt up and so little left that’s not consumed. Does the Bible address this reality? Glad you asked.

Psalm 39:4

“Lord, make me to know my end and what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am.

1 Chronicles 29:15

For we are sojourners before You, and tenants, as all our fathers were; our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope.

Job 8:9

For we are only of yesterday and know nothing, because our days on earth are as a shadow.

That’s this life, but not true of the eternal life which God has promised. This life has so quickly burned away, and I am close to stepping into the rest promised for believers just on the other side.

John 4:14

. . . but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

Give it some careful consideration.

Gary

Exodus 3:11

But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”

The reality is that no one is capable of doing what God requires. All God desires is that we put our faith in Him to do what we can never accomplish on our own. Moses did strive to do what God required of him. So can you. Your excuses not to serve have no value because of who it is that called you.

Matthew 19:26 

But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Genesis 18:14 

Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”

God could even use you, yes, you of little faith. Give it some consideration.

Gary

My brother was back from Viet Nam and had borrowed Mother’s Corvair. (Did you know or remember that the trunk was in the front and the motor was in the back?) I’m four years younger and penniless and he has the dough. He opened the trunk and it was full of beer and ice. I thought to myself, I don’t know where you’re going with this, but I’m going with you. Youth has no sense and is easily led by others.

Does the Bible address this phenomenon? Glad you asked.

Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 

Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.

2 Timothy 2:22 

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

I attribute my survival to the grace of God. Did you have a similar experience? Give it some consideration.

Gary

Sometimes in a church service a phone will ring. I try to not embarrass the perpetrator, so I’ll say something like, “Is that call for me?”

Speaking of calls, there are many recorded in Scripture and they are literally for me. Here are some, and I don’t mind you listening in.

What we are called to:

I. Called from labor to rest (Matthew 11:28: Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.)

II. Called from death to life (1 John 3:14: We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.)

III. Called from bondage to liberty (Galatians 5:13: For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.)

IV. Called out of darkness into light (1 Peter 2:9: But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;)

V. Called from bondage to peace (1 Corinthians 7:15: But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace.)

VI. Called to the fellowship of His Son (1 Corinthians 1:9: God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.)

Pick that up and answer that call.

Gary

The High Priest of the Old Testament sure was a busy fellow, leading the congregation of Israel and offering the appropriate sacrifice. However, he could never build an individual relationship and, for the most part, didn’t care to. Thankfully, the New Testament High Priest gets to know us intimately.

Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Let me introduce Him to you:

John 15:13 

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Ephesians 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

He understands me, is never too busy, and gave His life for me and for you. Give it some thought.

Gary