On a daily basis, a lady with a sick pet dog tried to force a tablespoon of medicine down its throat, but the dog would always resist and pull away.  One day she accidentally knocked over the bottle and the medicine spilled all over the floor.  To her surprise, the dog went over to the puddle and started lapping it up! The dog hadn’t been resisting the medicine.  It was resisting the owner’s method in which she forced the liquid down its throat. 

 Jesus said, “Let your let shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). 

 “In such a way” means that we use the right method. The best way to understand the right way is to study how the Savior interacted with people while He was on earth. After that study, journey with the Apostle Paul as he traveled the old world. Having contemplated these approaches, take part in the great commission.

Think about it.

Gary

If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner.

The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.

We were created to be in a different environment than a pen of our own making. One that holds us captive and miserable throughout our lives. Paul had a better idea that made life enjoyable.

Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Get out of that enclosure and do what you’re designed for.

Give it some thought.

Gary

There are so many different kinds of difficult people in the world! How do you deal with them all? Is there a way? More to the point- is there a biblical way?

1. The Sherman Tank- They like to run right over you.
2. The Star Performer– They believe they are entitled to preferential treatment.
3. The Megaphone– They just talk your ear off.
4. The Volcano– They have a temper like Mt. St. Helens.
5. The Cry Baby– You know them because they are chronic complainers.
6. The Nit Picker– These people are unpleasable perfectionists.
7. The Backbiter– They are masters of calculated rumor.

The prevailing truth of the Bible is that God has a purpose and a plan for all people…
including the most difficult among us!

Matthew 5:43-44

 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Give it some thought the next time you hear the Ford GAA V8 gasoline engine of a Sherman Tank coming.

Gary

Jeremiah 8:20

“The harvest is past, the summer is ended,
and we are not saved.”

There are many sad verses in Scripture, but this is right up there in the top ten and especially for the kingdom of Judah. The Babylonian hordes were coming and there would be no one to deliver them this time. Multiple prophets warned them of this day, but the warnings went unheeded.  The opportunities for taking God seriously were gone.

The time that the children of Israel spent in exile in Babylon would not be pleasant, and it would be seventy years before they had another chance to be in the place where God would meet with them. Seventy years of reflecting about how they ended up in Babylon.

Maybe you have had some setbacks, and upon reflection, you’ve come to the realization it was an act of God. What are you going to do about it?

Revelation 3:19

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent. 

Hebrews 12:5-6

And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 
For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.”

Think about it.

Gary

One Christmas eve, Pete and Jane were driving their Russian friend Rudolph back to his house. The weather outside was frightful. Jane asked Pete, “Do you think that’s sleet or rain out there?”
“It’s rain, Jane” said Pete.

“I think it’s sleet, Pete,” said Jane.

Rudolph chimed in, “It’s definitely rain, Jane.”

“No, I really think it’s sleet, Rudolph” said Jane.

“Don’t argue with the expert, Jane,” said Pete.

“What do you mean, Pete?” asked Jane.

Pete replied, “Rudolph the Red knows rain, Dear.”

Wow! What do you know?

Do you know the Bible is…

• the most stolen book in the world?
• the bestselling book in the world?
• written over the course of 1,500 years?
• written in three languages by authors from three continents?
• silent for 400 years between the Old and New Testament?
• over 600,000 words long?
• over 1,000 chapters long?
• a hymn book with 185 songs in it?
• accurate in its description of the earth as round and hanging on nothing?
• translated into 532 languages?
• composed of a two-word verse in John 11:35, which states, “Jesus wept.”?
• interesting in that women are more likely than men, older people are more likely than younger people, and African Americans are more likely than other races to read the Bible?
• accurate in revealing thar the life of the flesh is in the blood?
• a book where the original writings don’t exist?
• being presented in a 39-month program by the Mountain View Bible Church during which people read a chapter a day and can answer questions over the readings?

Proverbs 30:5

“Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”

What do you think of that, Jane?

Gary

I was just considering the last seventy years and what might be in store for the rest of my time here. My mind considered relationships with those going through this world with me and those who helped fashion me.

I interacted with a lot of different individuals:

• For some, I made life more palatable.
• For some, I made life more miserable.
• For some, they were actually glad I was here with them in the journey.
• For some, I have been a drag on their progress.
• Some have enjoyed my part in their life.
• Some wished I had never been born.

But I’m here because:

• A family loved me every day.
• Gram was my kindergarten teacher.
• Gram was French and put cold pork chops in the oven when we were coming over.
• My first-grade teacher saw something in me that no one else saw and I responded to her efforts.
• My fourth-grade teacher forced me to memorize the multiplication table out of fear.
• My seventh-grade teacher instilled the horror of being left behind when the rest of the class was promoted.
• My eighth-grade teacher taught me how to diagram a sentence.
• Mr. Dunham was off the wall, but held our interest when he taught history.
• I had to write stuff in English class.
• In college, Dr. Kressel also brought history to life but lost his mind along the way.
• I met a girl that would put up with me for half a century.
• After marriage my mother-in-law promoted me to sonship.
• Mr. Dowie taught the book of Genesis.
• Paula corrects all my work.
• The church put up with me for 40 years.

Here are some verses that give me hope for the time I have left here:

Romans 8:28

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 40:31

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

How about you? Give it some thought.

Gary

The testimony of a man who neglected the Lord’s work-

I looked upon a farm one day, that once I used to own;

The barn had fallen to the ground, the fields were overgrown.

The house in which my children grew, where we had lived for years. . 

 I turned to see it broken down, and brushed aside the tears.

I looked upon my soul one day to find it too had grown,

With thorns and nettles everywhere, the seeds neglect had sown.

The years had passed while I had cared for things of lesser worth.

 The things of heaven I let go while minding things of earth.

To Christ I turned with bitter tears and cried, “O Lord, forgive!”

I have not much time left for Thee, not many years to live.

The wasted years forever gone, the days I can’t recall.

If I could live those days again, I’d make Him Lord of all. 

How unfortunate a word like “if” can be!

Matthew 7:26

Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.

Matthew 23:23

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.

Give it some serious thought.

Gary