He was just another kid who liked being funny. For example, a popup flyball was coming down towards him, so he lay face down on the sod and put his glove over his head. It was a funny scene. The years passed and he sold some drugs to a boy who later wrecked his car.  It wasn’t a joke anymore. The boy’s life ended on the asphalt, and the seller’s emotional well-being ended right along with it.

Lesson: Life is unpredictable, and our actions are not always humorous but can be deadly. The way we bring up children, our plans for the future, and our lack of responsibility as Christians can bring death to others.

Is this a new concept? No, it started six thousand years ago.

Genesis 3:1-24 

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”

And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’”

But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” …

Careful out there. Give it some thought.

Gary

Tree trimmer dies after co-worker’s hydraulic grapple prank goes horribly wrong. This tragedy was reported in the news. Good-old-boy was fooling around with some heavy equipment and killed a coworker.

Playing the fool is dangerous. Does the Bible address it? Glad you asked.

Proverbs 28:26 

Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

Proverbs 10:23 

Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.

Don’t be a fool; ask God for wisdom and work safely. Give it some thought.

Gary

The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you’re still a rat.

Lily Tomlin

Lily sure had that right. It can also be illustrated in the human experience. Some humans certainly are a lot better than many humans. However, that doesn’t change them from being human.

What does the Bible have to say about the downside of these creatures? Glad you asked.

Ecclesiastes 7:20

Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.

Isaiah 40:6

All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.

Psalm 103:14

For He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust.

You might be better than others, but you are still you. Give it some consideration.

Gary

There was a young lady of Kent.
Whose nose was most awfully bent.
She followed her nose,
One day, I suppose,
And no one knows which way she went.

Following your instincts is a national tragedy.

Jeremiah 17:9

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.

Proverbs 14:12

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death

King Saul and Esau in the Old Testament are great examples of following your instinct instead of the promises of God. The results are tragic.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Never argue with stupid people; they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.

–       Mark Twain

Does the Bible address these common occurrences? Glad you asked.

2 Timothy 2:23-24

Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

Proverbs 15:18

A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.

Don’t let them do that to you. Know when to hold ‘em; know when to fold ‘em; know when to walk away and know when to run. That is not only true during a card game. Give it some consideration.

Gary

“I came here without being consulted and will leave without my consent.”

I don’t know where I dug up that statement; however, it describes the majority of popular opinion about existence—I didn’t ask to be here and can’t be in charge of when I leave.  How does the Bible address such thinking? Glad you asked.

1 Timothy 6:7

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

Psalm 116:15

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.

The Bible opens our minds about existence and is the only theory that has believable answers. Give it some consideration.

Gary

There are so many roads to choose from.  The United States has 4.2 million miles of public roadways. Even Maine has 22,848 miles of public roads. I would like to travel them all, but that is certainly not in the cards. I’ll choose a few and call it good.

Considering the road less traveled, what has been your decision about which road to take in this brief life? Of course, you know I’m referring to spiritual decisions. Does the Bible address it? Glad you asked.

The prophet spoke on this subject over 2500 years ago.

Isaiah 30:21

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,
“This is the way, walk in it,”
Whenever you turn to the right hand
Or whenever you turn to the left.

Psalm 32:8 

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.

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.

The right road makes all the difference when you consider eternity. Give it some thought.

Gary