The word, aspirations, means a hope or ambition of achieving something. Examples: I want to preach like Billy Graham, No, that’s out – definitely unattainable. I want a body like Arnold Schwarzenegger had when he was thirty.  No, that’s out. My goal is to be rich and famous. Both of those endeavors are also impossible. I long to be president of the United States. You might ask, as I do, whatever for?

Is there anything that I can aspire to and be successful in?

2 Timothy 2:1 

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,

Ephesians 6:16 

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

Romans 10:17 

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Life is a leaf of paper white
Whereon each one of us may write
His word or two, and then comes night.

Greatly begin! though thou have time
But for a line, be that sublime–
Not failure, but low aim, is crime.

                                                             James Russell Lowell

Have realistic goals. Give it some thought and head in that direction.

Gary

My life shall touch a dozen lives before this day is done;
Leave countless marks for good or ill, ere sets the evening sun.
This is the wish I always wish, the prayer I always pray:
Lord, may my life help other lives it touches by the way. 

I am a part of all that I have met.

   Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892)

Romans 14:15

 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.

1 Corinthians 5:6

Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?

If you can’t make yourself better, at least don’t make others worse.

Give it some thought.

Gary

After the American Civil War, the managers of the infamous Louisiana Lottery approached Robert E. Lee and asked if he’d let them use his name in their scheme.  They promised that, if he did, he would become rich.  Astounded, Lee straightened up, buttoned his gray coat, and shouted, “Gentlemen, I lost my home in the war.  I lost my fortune in the war.  I lost everything except my name.  My name is not for sale, and if you fellows don’t get out of here, I’ll break this crutch over your heads!”

I would rather make my name than inherit it.

   — W. M. Thackeray

Proverbs 22:1

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.

Ecclesiastes 7:1

A good name is better than precious ointment.

 Thank God for the influence in our lives of those with a good name.

Give it some thought.

Gary

A beggar knocked on the door of an English pub called “George and the Dragon.” A woman opened the door. He asked, “Could I have a bite to eat?” The woman screamed at him and began to curse and malign him. Finally, she slammed the door in his face. He knocked again and the woman opened the door. “Now,” he said, “could I have a few words with George?”

Sometimes you just don’t know who is going to open the door. Many times, knocking twice with trepidation is necessary.

God Himself stands and knocks on doors like that. What response did He receive at your door?

Revelation 3:20

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me.

Give it some thought.

Gary

From an unknown source comes an article titled, “How to Be Miserable.” It says, “Think about yourself. Talk about yourself. Use “I” as often as possible. Mirror yourself continually in the opinion of others. Listen greedily to what people say about you. Expect to be appreciated. Be suspicious. Be jealous and envious. Be sensitive to slights. Never forgive a criticism. Trust nobody but yourself. Insist on consideration and respect. Demand agreement with your own views on everything. Sulk if people are not grateful to you for favors shown them. Never forget a service you have rendered. Shirk your duties if you can. Do as little as possible for others.”

This is just the opposite of what the Bible offers as a recipe for a happy and productive life. It’s about others. Jesus’ thirty-three years on the planet were consumed by the great need of others. The Apostle Paul’s three missionary journeys were about others. His epistles were about others. Peter’s final correspondence was about others.

So, what does the Word have to say…

Hebrews 6:10

“God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.”

Galatians 5:13

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”

Galatians 6:2

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Give it some thought.

Gary

There is nothing in Pompeii that invests it with a deeper interest than the spot where a soldier of old Rome displayed a most heroic fidelity. That fatal day on which Vesuvius, at whose feet the city stood, burst out into an eruption that shook the earth, a sentinel kept watch by the gate which looked to the burning mountain. Amidst the fearful disorder, the sentinel had been forgotten; and as Rome required her sentinels, happen what might, to hold their posts till relieved by the guard, or set at liberty by their officers, he had to choose between death and dishonor. Pattern of fidelity, he stood by his post. Slowly, but surely, the ashes rose on his manly form; now they reached his breast; and now, covering his lips, they choked his breathing. He also was “faithful unto death.” After seventeen centuries, they found his skeleton standing erect in a marble niche, clad in its rusty armor, the helmet on his empty skull, and his bony fingers still closed upon his spear.

1 Corinthians 4:2

Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Hebrews 3:5

And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;

Stand your ground.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Satan promises the best, but pays with the worst;
He promises honor and pays with disgrace;
He promises pleasure and pays with pain;
He promises profit and pays with loss;
He promises life and pays with death.

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

John 11:25-26

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Numbers 23:19

God is not human, that He should lie,
Not a human being, that He should change His mind.
Does He speak and then not act?
Does He promise and not fulfill?

Whose promises are you banking on?

Give it some thought.

Gary