Every once in a while in that junior high class, something made sense and brought you out of a slumber. The teacher now had your full attention and you were enlightened. It probably didn’t last long, but it had a lasting influence on your life.

Matthew 7:28

And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching,

These people had experienced a lifetime of teachers who couldn’t connect and sermons that created lethargy.

Why not go to the source and see what the Master Teacher had to say?

Give it some thought.

Gary

Sometimes people are forced to consider the cross of Jesus Christ.  The man here in the verse I’m sharing probably thought he could just watch from a distance, but that was not to be.

Mark 15:21

Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross.

Individuals are sometimes compelled by forces outside their control to consider why the cross was meant for someone who never sinned.

How about your involvement?

Think about it.

Gary

Any of you out there entering the golden years will need to know you’ll need more than Social Security, Medicare, retirement plan and 401k.

The golden years are defined by some as “too old to work and too young to die.”

All of that may have a place, but without all of that you can make it with God.

Psalm 71:9
Do not cast me off in the time of old age; Do not forsake me when my strength fails.

You think the problems of youth and middle age are challenging. Just wait till you attain the golden years.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Do you think that any of your prayers impressed God? There was a man who prayed and found it placed in God’s Holy Writ.

1 Chronicals 4:9-10

 Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”  And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

Jabez considered the pain in his past, the promises of God, and his present need.

Are you a Jabez or just a pain?

Give it some thought.

Gary

I call it basting the turkey when someone is buttering you up just to have you for his or her lunch.

The Lord would occasionally hear from some high and mighty people like that.

Matthew 22:16

And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men.

Pharisees and Herodians are with us at the present time. The religious and the political combine their efforts to trip you up.

Give it some thought.

Gary

I was driving through town yesterday when I glanced in my rearview mirror and observed two Maine State Trooper vehicles following me.  As I checked my speedometer, the realization came to me that I was doing 35 in a 25 zone.  What can I say?  The law was broken.

They didn’t stop me because of some kind of grace on their part.

It reminds me of the grace God gives because He knows we can’t live up to His righteous standards.

John 1:17

For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Don’t be a lawbreaker, but be thankful that, when you do, grace is available.

Think about it.

Gary

Rebellion is something we’ve struggled with since the days of potty training.  It’s part of the sin nature we inherited from Adam. Whenever we chafe against the demands of the workplace it revels to us the rebellious nature is operational.

The only place “you can have it your way” is in the vintage burger king commercial.

Joshua 1:18

Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey your words, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!”

Consequences of rebellion for Israel coming through the wilderness seemed to be a national habit.

We see it played out today in the streets of our major cities and unfortunately in our own lives.

As the saying goes, “Jesus is the answer for the world today.”

Give it some thought.

Gary