When I left for college, I was not stupid but I was certainly not academic. I received good grades, but I was also in a school that made it easy. I had never written a paper; I had no clue what it meant to put thoughts together and research in order to present an organized paper of twenty to thirty pages to a teacher. I simply had not been taught, neither had I grasped reading. I could do a word problem in math or memorize and use a geometry theorem. Reading and comprehending a book was something different, and it intimidated me.

Proverbs 24:10 “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.”
In this verse, we see that some who face adversity will faint. People who face trials will simply give out or give up, or in weariness, turn aside from the fight.

Patch the Pirate is certainly a favorite character among the children of our church. In his adventure story, “Kidnapped on I-Land,” there is a character called “King Me First.” We all know the Scripture passage that says “love thy neighbor as thyself,” but we could add a few words from Philippians 2 which says, “look not every man also on his own things, but on the things of others.” Most people have heard someone in a pulpit mention the subject of putting Jesus first, others second, and yourself last.

As our nation becomes more alienated from the Bible, we also see unscriptural agendas promoted more often through immoral behavior, wrong family values, national leadership, or environmentalism. These facts are sure: the Bible affects people in dramatic ways, and the lack of Bible affects a society dramatically.

As society changes so quickly, I thought of the quotes and phrases that younger people do not hear nowadays:

Each morning, we get up and have to start fixing things. The task may be our hair or clothing, but it will eventually get to our house or yard (pulling weeds, washing dirty cloths, doing dishes, etc). Correcting messes is a lifelong project. In some cases, we end up fixing a major fiasco we caused ourselves.

Matthew 7:15 “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”

During our Christian Education month, we spent much time teaching on the development of our young people.  For a moment, indulge me while I deal with a very unpopular issue – technology!

David had been chased by Saul for a long time.  Hiding in caves, forests, and other countries, David sought to avoid a fight with the king.    When David finally heard that Saul had died, he was broken – not glad.  His reaction to the news was proof of his spiritual mindset.

The spirit of the believer is to be filled with gratitude and praise.  

I believe the greatest influence in the life of young people is their friends.  Of course, there are many avenues for good or evil influences, but most come through the friends they have.  Many people can relate to a first cigarette or drink of booze that happened because of a friend.  In our culture, friends influence dress, social media, phones, and activities.

While praying for our missionaries in Africa and the South Pacific, I was very conscious of the weaknesses of these dear friends and the fierceness of the enemy they face. Some of these missionaries I prayed for have been my friends since college or the early years in our ministry.  For over a third of a century, these faithful servants have served; and as I watch them age, I pray more for them and their families.

While out of town recently, I preached on Proverbs 23:23 "Buy the truth and sell it not…"  The next speaker read his opening text, Psalm 85:11 “Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.”

If you have not read the first part of the lesson on overreacting, please do so, for it will set the stage for these thoughts better.

2 Samuel 9:3 “And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.”

When driving, it is important that one act deliberately. Often, overreaction does more damage to one than the obstruction in the road, or the losing of traction on loose gravel or even ice. I grew up where there were many deer, and it was not unusual at all to have a deer run into the road right in front of your car. Some drivers have gone over a cliff, some ran into a tree, others hit the deer, and in each case a split decision had to be made. One thing is sure – overreacting is bad.

Romans 13:7 “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”

Some people truly deserve to be treated with honor; it is DUE THEM.

God never intended us to face many of our most difficult circumstances. Consider the trouble Israel faced in the wilderness.

Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.”


I have heard people criticize the idea that we want and expect abundance. We have become very comfortable. We enjoy the nicest and most prosperous nation on the planet.

Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” 
Psalm 27:14 “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." 
John 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled…”


Quotes like the above are nice but difficult to truly live when your spouse is in surgery or your child has been diagnosed with cancer.