Do you want to visualize your most precious gift, the one you absolutely don’t deserve? It’s a gift that keeps on giving, one that can never be lost or stolen. Set your eyes on Calvary some 2000 years ago, to that horrible scene played out for you.

James 1:17 

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Romans 6:23 

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 Corinthians 9:15 

Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!

He’s the real giver. Give it some thought.

Gary

The lyrics implied that at a young age she learned how to open doors with just a smile. Now that is not a gift from God, but a work of the flesh to manipulate others. Someday, she would realize that those doors should never have been opened. So many doors to choose from in such a little time.

The Apostle Paul searched for open-door possibilities not brought about by smiles.

1 Corinthians 16:9

For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

2 Corinthians 2:12

Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord,

Careful when opening doors, but the ones God opens, enter in by faith. Give it some thought.

Gary

The singer said, “Life is best when left to chance.”

Based on life’s experiences, I’d say that that is a very dangerous philosophy for many.  The multiple uncertainties of life curse that belief system.  Wouldn’t it be better to leave the future to the only One who knows the days of our lives?

Proverbs 16:9 

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

James 4:13-15 

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

Don’t leave life to chance because it will end in tragedy.  Give it some thought.

Gary

I stared at one of the bricks in the wall of the high school gym in my hometown. I’m thinking, if that brick could only talk. It would bring back memories of youth, excitement, fun and all the drama that the teenage years bring. As teenagers, we didn’t have a clue about life and weren’t about to listen to the insights of the older generation represented by the brick I was now staring at. Truthfully, we couldn’t wait to get away from those bricks. Now an old man is staring at a brick in the wall. Someone needs to come and take me away because I’m listening to a brick.

John 10:20 

Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to Him?”

Ecclesiastes 10:13 

The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is evil madness.

Acts 26:25 

But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words.

I pray this devotional makes sense to you. It is just the reflections bounced off a brick.

Gary

“I am a rock” is a metaphor meaning that someone is emotionally strong, stable, and unyielding, like a physical rock, often implying a sense of isolation or detachment from others, as famously used in the Simon & Garfunkel song, “I Am a Rock.”

This theory does not hold any water in real life. We were not designed to be alone. Too much of a fulfilled life depends on the actions of others. The outcome is not only based on decisions made on our part, but also on the input of  those who helped to shape us.  Listen to Scripture.

Philippians 2:3 

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

1 Peter 3:8 

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

Give it some consideration and thank God for those who made you the person you are today.

Gary

“Knocking on Heaven’s Door” was a song written through the perspective of a dying sheriff living his last moments. His badge and gun were to be removed because he didn’t need them anymore.  If we heed the message, we’ll live as if our activities in this world will have an end.  Only if they had eternal value will they be taken with us into the next world.

Paul knew the yearning for the promise of heavenly peace and rest.

Philippians 1:23-24

For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless, to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Old Willie sang it and the tears came to my eyes. The lyrics left me haunted by the thoughts of what could have been.  Tragically, once loved ones are gone, it’s too late to show our appreciation.

The children of Israel were marching to Babylon with musical instruments that they could not play because of the thick fog of absolute depression. The only things that kept them going were the promises of God, promises that said there would be a day of return during which healing would occur.

Hang on to the promises of God.

Hebrews 10:23 

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

2 Corinthians 7:1 

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

Give it some consideration and quit listening to Willie.

Gary