It is a common statement through the centuries from the older generation about the younger: “They don’t know the value of things.” However, in my very cursory research, the older generation doesn’t do much better.

God inspired the writers of Proverbs to enlighten His children as to what has the most value.

Proverbs 8:10
Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold;

Answer these four questions:

• How do you value things?
• What hour of TV is of more value than Bible Study?
• What recreation is of more value than prayer?
• When is the broad road more relevant than the narrow road?

Use us, Lord, and make us humble,
Rescue us from foolish pride;
And when we begin to stumble,
Turn our thoughts to Christ who died. 

When figuring out your assets, do you include all that God has given to you?

Give it some thought.

Gary

In a world where truth is elusive, the way uncertain and life challenging, God can be a guide.

John 14:6

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

I don’t know if you are like that sometime, but Thomas needed for it to snow again before he could get the drift. Jesus is patient and will always give a clearer explanation to those sincere seekers who are spiritually challenged.

Give it some thought.

Gary

A friend of mine was relating a story from his youth. When he was very young, his aunt and uncle would have him over to do some yardwork. If he stayed over for lunch, they would prepare a meal and have him join them. At this particular meal, she placed a platter on the table with a cow’s tongue on it. He waited for her attention to be drawn away from his person and made his move quickly to the door, flung it open and didn’t stop running till he was in sight of home, almost a mile away.  His mother told the aunt later never to serve cow tongue to her boy again.

The Bible does say to eat whatever is set before you, asking no questions. However, I’d have a hard time to concentrate on chewing when the tongue of some animal would be sliding over mine.

Here is what Ezekiel was told:

Ezekiel 3:1-3

 And he said to me, “Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the people of Israel.”  So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat.

Then he said to me, “Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it.” So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.

The meaning was obvious.  God’s messenger must first internalize God’s truth for himself, and then preach it.

Don’t be sticking out your tongue on this one. Give it some thought.

Gary

Norman Rockwell’s paintings have been a blessing to many over the last eight decades or so. The thing that most people don’t realize is the fact that he had tremendous bouts of depression. He even moved to be near a psychiatric hospital.

D.L. Moody was one of the most profound evangelists and Bible teachers of all time. Moody said once, “I am the most overestimated man in America.” He even started a Bible institute that continues to the present. It has educated a multitude of missionaries and pastors throughout its history. Yet depression almost destroyed him.

There is one thing that these two men had in common.  In spite of depression which haunted them, they were willing to be a blessing to others.

The Apostle Paul spoke of Timothy’s tears:

 2 Timothy 1:4

greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears

Individuals who work to be a blessing to others in spite of the drag on their lives are to be admired.

Philippians 2:3-4 

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Think about it.

Gary

If my heritage came through the Maliseet, Micmac, Penobscot, or Passamaquoddy, I think I’d have a difficult time with the historic reason for Thanksgiving. However, in 2021 it doesn’t matter our lineage, we can be thankful for the country we live in and all the opportunities it has given us. Many have sacrificed much to allow us the many blessings we have today.

For all the individuals tracing their ancestry back to Noah, let us give thanks to our Creator.

2 Corinthians 4:15

For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. 

As you stuff your face with turkey, don’t be one. Give thanks to God for all you have.

Think about it.

Gary

If you’re going to get involved in a riot, make sure it pays off in the end. Today we have BLM and WOKE which ignite strong emotions. In the first three centuries of the early church, it was Christianity that evoked such strong reaction. Paul the apostle got caught up into such a fracas in Ephesus because of what the idolaters referred to as the way.  Christianity was what they were mocking.

Acts 19:23

 And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way.

Christianity was making inroads into the Roman Empire and the multitude didn’t like it.

This is how Jesus put it:

John 14:6

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Christianity was illegal according to Jewish thought:

Acts 9:2

(Paul)… asked him (High Priest) for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.

Demon-possessed individuals added their two cents:

Acts 16:17

She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.”

Some excelled in persecuting the church:

Acts 22:4

I (Paul) persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison,

Some came so close to salvation they could taste it, but missed it:

Acts 24:22

Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.”

Some embraced it and we will spend eternity with them:

Acts 24:14

However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets,

Which way are you involved in?

Think about it.

Gary

The sixth grader was asked by the teacher to spell Mississippi. His reply was, “Do you want the river or the state?” Now this was a young man who still had a lot to learn.

To get by in this world, there is a plethora of information that needs to be digested and applied.

Of course, you realize I’m heading to the Word of God with this one.

Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.

Lack of knowledge can be an embarrassment down the road. Make sure you get it right.

I called out to my wife one time about the spelling of a word. I asked, “How do you spell it?” She replied, “I-t.”

Think about “it.

Gary