In 1969, Neil Diamond sang “Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show.”
This song was written about a revival meeting he attended, just for the fun
of it, in Jackson, Mississippi. The charismatic preacher led him to have a
career as a charismatic singer.

People have mocked these gatherings and sometimes it was a mockery of
the gospel message. However, many times the preaching brought folks to
salvation and had an effect on the spiritual condition of the country.

It’s not the eloquence or dynamics of the preacher, but the power of the
Holy Spirit when the Word is presented that leads people to Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:3-5
I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech
and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in
demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the
wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Give it some consideration.

Gary

In Acts chapter 8, we read about a man who professed to be a believer, but time proved that profession to be empty. He wanted something out of Christianity that would be prestigious and monetarily valuable. He wouldn’t be the first phony, nor would he be the last. People like him attend church every Sunday.

Does the Bible address these phenomena? Glad you asked.

Philippians 3:18

For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

They were in the church of Philippi and they are in your church.

Give it some thought.

Gary

When Elvis was a young singer, he sang this song to sell records to the Christian community. Whether he believed the words or not, some day we will know. However, this should be the driving force of every believer.

Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I’m tired, I’m weak, I’m worn
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to light
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home

Psalm 31:20 

In the cover of Your presence You hide them from the plots of men; You store them in Your shelter from the strife of tongues.

Psalm 51:10-12 

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

I certainly want my hand in His until I reach the other shore.

Give it some thought.

Gary

My grandson and I are caught in a severe thunder storm. The rain is torrential and the logging road we’re riding on with electric bikes looks like a river. Though I’m a seventy-one-year-old, I’m screaming like a seventeen-year-old and so is he at the age of twenty-one. We were having an experience together that neither one of us will ever forget in this lifetime. However, a generation from now, that experience will never be brought up.

Speaking of experiences, the Apostle Paul was the master. Once he was scourged with thirty-nine lashes, three times he was beaten with rods, and he was stoned once and left for dead. He suffered shipwreck three times and faced drowning while adrift in the sea for a night and a day.  Hounding him across the Roman Empire, certain Jews sought to kill him, and false brethren betrayed him (2 Cor 11:24-28).

His are the experiences that count for eternity.

Give it some thought.

Gary

We were teenagers canoeing down the Allagash River, where at the falls there is a need to portage. Looking upstream, we noticed a canoe coming in the center of the river; its occupants were obviously unaware of the danger they were in. In the nick of time, our yelling caused them to head to the right shore.

I can’t remember if they ever thanked us. That incident reminds me of the ten lepers Jesus healed. Only one returned to give thanks.

1 Chronicles 16:34 

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!

Ephesians 5:20 

Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Be thankful because Jesus saved you from some awful stuff. Give it some thought.

Gary

“Sing Me Back Home” was a song by Don Williams. It was about a prisoner on death row who heard a church group that came to the prison to sing a few old gospel songs. It reminded him of home and the life he’d traded in for the world. Sadly, only memories remained of a life that could have been. How many are incarcerated in their minds, if not in an actual prison, because of missed opportunities to be right with God?

Hebrews 11:6 

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.

1 Chronicles 16:11 

Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually!

When you check on your memory folder, is God found in there?

Give it some thought.

Gary

This eight-grader was bored and balling up a small piece of paper in his hand. No one was looking and he snapped the projectile into the air, aiming at nothing. He watched as it descended into the blouse of a pretty redheaded girl in the next aisle. She turned, looked at him, and both of their faces took on a red glow. Nothing was said, but both were extremely embarrassed.

What’s my point? Glad you asked. Trouble can come your way by being careless and experimenting with things you don’t fully understand. It can embarrass you and others also.  I was so ashamed.

Case in point to avoid shame:

2 Timothy 2:15 

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Isaiah 50:7 

But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.

I never did that again and I will never forget it.

Give it some thought.

Gary