A staggering amount of drama in a minimum amount of time is the way I would describe the Book of Ruth. She was someone, like the woman at the well recorded in the New Testament, who didn’t stand a chance at salvation.

This drama records what God does in the lives of the hopeless. Have you experienced such grace?

Ephesians 2:8-9 

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

James 4:6 

But He gives more grace. Therefore, it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Does your life reflect a staggering amount of drama in a short period of time?  Think about it.

Gary

When attempting to rescue a person who is drowning, one must approach the situation carefully. The reason being the rescuer is in danger of being pulled under by the one needing salvation. That is also true spiritually and Jude gives us the warning.

Jude 22-23

And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

Many are perishing, but be careful out there in your rescue attempts. Give it some thought.

Gary

It was a line by Oddball in Kelly’s Heroes that came out in 1970.  He said, “Don’t hit me with them negative waves so early in the morning.”

Let me relate to you the waves that need to pass over us in the morning.

Psalm 143:8 

Let me hear in the morning of Your steadfast love, for in You I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul.

Psalm 5:3 

O Lord, in the morning You hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for You and watch.

You don’t have to be an oddball to appreciate what can roll over you in the morning. Give it some thought.

Gary

It was a line by Oddball in Kelly’s Heroes that came out in 1970.  He said, “Don’t hit me with them negative waves so early in the morning.” Let me share some negative waves found in Scripture.

Ephesians 4:29 

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Proverbs 18:21 

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

You don’t have to be an oddball to appreciate these verses. Give it some thought.

Gary

People often complain of an emptiness deep inside. It’s not something that can be relieved with food, although some obviously attempt that. The gathering of stuff also doesn’t seem to do the trick because more greed and emptiness seem to be the result of that endeavor.  Does the Bible address this phenomenon? Glad you asked.

Ephesians 1:13-14 

In Him you also, when you heard the Word of Truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory.

Revelation 3:20 

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to Him and eat with Him, and He with Me.

“There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of each man which cannot be satisfied by any created thing but only by God the Creator, made know through Jesus Christ.”                                                  ― Pascal

Is it possible that Pascal had that one right? Give it some thought.

Gary

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” —Winston Churchill

Does the Bible address courage? Glad you asked.

Joshua 1:9 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

2 Timothy 1:7 

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Whether you experience success or failure, have your mind made up to keep going. Give it some thought.

Gary

Tamar was married to the son of Judah. However, the son died young and left her no children. She played the part of a harlot and conceived twin boys by her father-in-law, one of the sons of Jacob. Can you believe this account is recorded in Scripture and that she is in the genealogy of Christ in Matthew’s gospel?

Something even stranger than that is the fact, that if you have received Christ, your name and mine is in the Book of Life forever.

Revelation 3:5

He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

Give it some thought and fall on your knees and thank Him. These stories and more are recorded to show the grace of God toward a repentant sinner.

Gary