Opportunity

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” —Thomas Edison

Proverbs 16:3

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

Genesis 2:15

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.

Psalm 90:17

Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!

Quit complaining and go to work. That is how God takes care of our retirement. Give it some thought.

Gary

Mercy

My buddy had just bought himself a motorcycle. On a night way back in 1968, we had a case of beer that I was holding while sitting behind him. He only had one speed and that was fast. Have you ever tried to hold something while riding on the back of a motorcycle? Today, we are both old men in our seventies. Now can you tell me how we made it through that night and lived?

I’ll tell you that there is only one explanation, and it’s called mercy.

Matthew 9:13 

Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Psalm 23:6 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Give it some thought, because I sure did, and praise Him for it.

Gary

Kaw-Liga

In 1953 Hank Williams sang a song about two wooden Indians. The Indian maid wanted Kaw-Liga, the warrior, to talk to her but he had a problem.

He always wore his Sunday feathers
And held a tomahawk
The maiden wore her beads and braids
And hoped someday he’d talk

Kaw-Liga, too stubborn to ever show a sign
Because his heart is made of knotty pine

That heart of knotty pine was not only found in poor old Kaw-Liga but is indicative of multitudes.

Mark 8:17 

And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened?

Matthew 5:8 

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Kaw-Liga was heading for the furnace. Don’t let it happen to you. Give it some consideration.

Gary

Cups

“I came, I saw, I forgot what I was doing. Went back, got distracted and have no idea what is going on. Is this my cup?”

I read that on a cup and I said to myself, I’m that person. If you live long enough on this planet, that will be you. I’ll purchase the cup and you can have it when I leave.

Speaking of cups, here are a few:

Psalms 116:13

I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.

Jeremiah 51:7

Babylon was a golden cup in the Lord’s hand, that made all the earth drunk.
The nations drank her wine; therefore the nations are deranged.

Matthew 26:39

And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.

What does your cup say? Give it some thought.

Gary

Come On, Kid

I remember nights when my brother and I would be the only ones with loaded tractor trailers on an icy road. We’d be trying to get those loads into Canada without spilling. He’d be talking to me on the CB and explaining what was ahead because I was the kid and he was the lead dog. He was my big brother and I would follow his tail lights anywhere. In those days of fear, there was someone I trusted to get me through the dangerous hills and turns.

Half a century has gone by and I still fear the hills and turns. However, I hear someone else’s voice encouraging me to keep it on the road. No diesel fuel is involved now because it’s a spiritual journey.

Luke 11:28 

But He said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

John 10:27 

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

This world is made up of many a hazardous situation, but God can get us to our destination.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Alexander

The possibility of journeying through life without picking up some enemies is next to impossible. We, by reason of failure, create some of our own and the tragedy is placed at our feet. However, the ones who are the result of our walk with the Lord cause pain, but they are not something we need to handle alone. Those enemies belong to God and He will deal with them in His time.

2 Timothy 4:14-15

Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.

We don’t know much about Alexander, but thank God his end is in the hands of the Lord. We should feel sorry for him.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Yield Not to Temptation

My Irish grandfather sure loved his whiskey and partook every chance that presented itself. Fortunately for him, he married a tough French woman who didn’t allow alcohol in the home.  If she caught him near a drink, some serious reprimand would be in order. He learned at an early stage in his marriage that he lived under some strong supervision. She cared for him until he was admitted to the nursing home. That strong woman was one of the best things to have happened to a man who was orphaned at a very young age. The right mate sure can be a good thing.

Proverbs 31:10-12

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. 

Give it some thought and thank God for your mate.

Gary