Yes, gifts for Christmas can be disappointing. I got the red sled with the four wide runners, just like it looked in the Sears catalog. I pulled it across John’s field and up the mountain trail that Joe used to cut pulp. Placed myself in a sitting position and believed it would be the ride of my life. After pushing, jerking and pleading, this thing just wouldn’t slide.

The vision of a kid pulling a beautiful sled back home is a scene in my mind from sixty years ago. That sled never did speed down a hill with a happy kid on board. Since that time there have been a few gifts without any real practical purpose.

Thank God He has given us a gift that is valuable for the present and good for eternity.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Claim the greatest Gift ever given.

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Do a study on New Testament Gifts.

Think about it.

Gary

“Make Your Bed “is a speech given by US Navy Admiral William H. McRaven. He addressed the graduating class of the University of Texas at Austin on their commencement day. Taking inspiration from the university’s slogan, “What starts here changes the world,” he shared the ten principles he learned during Navy Seal training that helped him overcome challenges, not only in his training and long Naval career, but also throughout his life. He explained how anyone can use these basic lessons to change himself and the world for the better.

I would strongly suggest you go to YouTube and listen to his short but powerful motivational speech.

God’s Word suggests to us, as believers, that we can overcome the obstacles of life. Life is made up of “all things “so I am giving you some biblical references to consider:

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Philippians 4:12

I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Whatever you are facing, it is just a thing from life’s “all things.”

Think about it,

Gary

In Old Testament times there was the constant irritation because of prophets for profit. The same thing can be said about New Testament times because of preachers for profit.

1 John 4:1

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Jesus spoke to the apostles about the future in relation to this matter:

Matthew 24:11

Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.

Paul gave Timothy a warning:

1Timothy 6:9-11

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.

If any prosperity preachers are reading this, better take a shot of Eno because it won’t go down well. You’ll need some sodium bicarbonate and citric acid.

Think about it.

Gary

Famous athletes, singers, performers, and politicians can be, in many ways, a focus of one’s worship. I could name many from the sixties and seventies that today have a record of being scoundrels or fakes and were once larger than life. What happened to the individuals who worshipped them so? They either moved on to other deities or live in past memories of the way it was.

Over 2500 years ago there was a man who during insurmountable circumstances centered his worship in the creator God. His name was Jeremiah and he swam against the tide of popular opinion.

This is what he had to say:

Jeremiah 10:6–7

Lord, there is no one like you! For you are great, and your name is full of power. Who would not fear you, O King of nations? That title belongs to you alone! Among all the wise people of the earth and in all the kingdoms of the world, there is no one like you. 

Who or what receives your worship today? Everybody has by nature the need to worship someone or something.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Matthew 5:3–12 is a list of what is known as the Beatitudes. Each of the Beatitudes brings blessings into the life of a Christian.

However, the Beatitudes of Jesus led a certain person to come up with a version that is also quite inspiring to my generation.

“Another Beatitude”

• By Elizabeth Clark

Blessed are they who understand

My faltering step and shaking hand,

Blessed, who know my ears today

Must strain to catch the things they say,

Blessed are they who seem to know

My eyes are dim and my mind is slow,

Blessed are they who looked away,

I spilled my tea on the cloth that day!

Blessed are they who, with cheery smile,

Stopped to chat for a little while,

Blessed are they who know the way

To bring back memories of yesterday,

Blessed are they who never say,

“You’ve told that story twice today!”

Blessed are they who make it known

That I’m loved, respected and not alone,

And blessed are they who will ease the days

Of my journey home, in loving ways.

Think about it.

Gary

He had a banana sticking out of his ear. I didn’t want to say anything because we need to choose our words carefully when confronted by a situation like that. Generally we don’t understand why a person would have a banana extending from his ear. One far-out possibility is that it was a misunderstood prescription from a doctor.  Another explanation is that he comes from a family that practices that as some form of religious expression.  It could also be that he read where a high dose of potassium is good for you and that’s the route he chose. Lastly, the thought struck me that he might just be looking for someone to make a rude comment so he could argue with that person.

In the position I’m in, the banana is of no concern, for I’m only concerned for his soul. My belief is that if he can be made right with God the banana situation can take care of itself.

Paul left us such a thought.

1 Corinthians 9:22

to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men that I might by all means save some.

Look at the soul, not the outward man.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Before the start of a basketball game in high school, the captain from the opposing team and the captain from our team would meet with the referees to review some rules. Our captain would return and give us the scoop.

One gym we played in was so small the rule for taking the ball out was a foot had to be placed against the wall by the player. Any rule broken had a penalty.

Some people erroneously believe that being a Christian means being lawless and nothing could be farther from the truth.

2 Timothy 2:5 

An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

Jesus made it abundantly clear that his followers are not saved by keeping the law but have a healthy respect for it because they are saved.

Matthew 7:23

And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Galatians 2:16

know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.

Listen to the captain and go out there and play an honest game.

Think about it.

Gary