Scripture
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.
~I Peter 1:6, NLT
Quote
Examination of works today is better than forfeiting blessings tomorrow
~Robby Gallaty
When I run into the same subject two days in a row in my bible study, I usually see it as a flag, something to study deeper. I am preparing to teach the Winter Bible Study at my beloved home church, Sardis Springs and the writer of this years book is Robby Gallaty. Robby was saved from a life of drug addiction. He later answered God’s call to preach and graduated from Joe David’s Alma mater, NOBTS. The following paragraph sounds like Jack Bailey but I am quoting Dr. Gallaty.
Praise God for purging us through suffering. The purpose of God for your life is to conform you to the image of His Son. His goal is not to make you happy, although joy is a by-product of an intimate relationship with Jesus. His goal is not to preserve your health or to make you wealthy. His goal is to mold and shape you into the likeness of His Son...So dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, rejoice, consider it an opportunity for growth. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
I am far from perfect; I am definitely incomplete and I have many needs but Jesus has the power to make me perfect; to make me complete, and needing nothing. My response to Jesus making me holy… May His will be done and the sooner, the better.
Something to think about: How much humility have you learned from your success? We do not like failure or suffering but both are masterful teachers.
This Day is 2000
Carried my mother to Cracker Barrel for breakfast. Other than that, it was a routine Monday.
A few weeks ago I bumped into a man at a ball game, he said, “I heard you finally got you a job that you can do.” He was referring to my construction job with E-tech. One of his relatives told me later that he was kidding but I’m not so sure. I thought it was funny. There is something rewarding about hard work. I come home tired but it is a good feeling to know you have put in a days work. I’m back on the job today at Madison. The planes are landing right over my head. I have to leave the house at 6:15 and that is a challenge. Today is Mandy’s birthday: she is 39 and holding. Pray for Joe Fitz and Rebekah Hopper. Joe has surgery tomorrow and Rebekah Thursday.
I ran into a Yankee at Corum’s yesterday evening. He said, “There are still folks who don’t believe in Global Warming.” I should have held my peace but I said, “That’s right and I am one of them. Let me guess, you are from the North, right?” His accent gave him away. Reggie said, “Bro. Jack, did you have to engage him, he was about to leave.” We drew a crowd. He thought he was going to out smart me, he said, “Do you know the difference between a Yankee and a bucket of crap?” Only he didn’t say crap. Without hesitation, I said, “The bucket.” Everyone died laughing and he said, “I don’t think that joke is that funny.” I said, “come here, I want to show you something,” and I got out my phone to show him the Kia Commercial that makes fun of these global warming freaks. He wouldn’t watch it but everyone else did and we laughed. Guess who his favorite Presidents are? Lincoln and Obama! Obama is is first pick. Enough said!