Coincidence is a remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection. For instance, people get elected to congress, and in no time, they become multimillionaires. Botox is applied to the lips,  and the lips swell more than twice their size. No, I don’t believe in those coincidences, but this is what I believe.

Ecclesiastes 1:7 

All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again.

Matthew 5:18 

For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

Isaiah 40:8 

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God will stand forever.

No coincidence here. Give it some thought.

Gary

Compassion is defined as the feeling that arises when you are confronted with another’s suffering and feel motivated to relieve that suffering. Does the Bible address it? Glad you asked.

Mark 6:34 

When He went ashore, He saw a great crowd, and He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And He began to teach them many things.

Colossians 3:12-13 

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Galatians 6:2 

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

I‘ve discovered in life that everyone needs a little help. Give it some thought.

Gary

This dead man in Luke 19 never considered water as much of anything while he was alive, but now… He never considered prayer while he lived, but now… The spiritual condition of his brothers didn’t bother him before, but now… Attitudes certainly change after death.

Luke 16:24

“Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’

What is important to you while you live? Give it some thought.

Gary

Most fairy tales begin with ‘once upon a time’ or ‘a long time ago’, and end with telling the reader that the characters ‘lived happily ever after’. They are great for the imagination of little ones but, alas, they are only made-up stories.

Not true with Scripture. God created the heavens and earth. Adam and Eve were real. There was a flood. Jesus died for our sin and rose the third day. One day in the future, He is returning for His Church. These are facts and not fairy tales and should be taught to our children.

Deuteronomy 6:7 

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

Stick with the facts. Give it some thought.

Gary

How many can relate to the following statement? “A lifetime of suffering  exchanged for a moment of pleasure.” Some say the quote originated with Bette Davis. Does the Bible address it? Glad you asked.

Romans 8:6 

For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Galatians 5:16 

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Abraham’s offspring, apart from Isaac, have been a constant thorn in the side of the nation of Israel. These momentary lapses in morals can be devastating to many.

Give it some thought.

Gary

You’ve heard that dreaded statement. “Their mailbox is full. You can’t leave a message.”

It’s too bad our memory capacity couldn’t be like that, “I’m not accepting any more bad memories.”

Israel had a problem with remembering God’s intervention on their behalf.

Psalm 77:11-14 

I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old. I will ponder all Your work, and meditate on Your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? You are the God who works wonders; You have made known Your might among the peoples.

You could resolve to be focused on or bring forth only good memories from now on. Only good memories?  Impossible, but thank God there are good memories because they help quiet the bad ones.

Give it some thought and meditate on the words of the psalmist.

Gary

Someone once stated that happiness was just an illusion. To many in our world, that might get a thumbs up. However, the Bible’s definition is quite different and holds a blessing for many who apply its principles.

Psalm 144:15

Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.

Psalm 146:5

Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God:

Proverbs 3:13

Happy is the man that finds wisdom, and the man that gets understanding.

Give it some consideration and put on a happy face.

Gary