Just suppose a person is guaranteed a lifespan of at least 94 years IF he or she is still willing to work at the age of 94. In January 2020 on Dallas Channel 11 News, Texas Country Reporter visited Francene (age 94) at her shop on the Kermit Highway in Odessa, Texas. For most of her career, she has owned and operated “Fran’s Sales & Services” where she sells parts, and, services oil field equipment. In more recent years, Fran wanted to make another dream come true so she opened “Francene’s Fancies” (located next to her oilfield sales and services) where she sells gifts, elegant dinnerware and handmade baby clothes and women’s apparel.

My husband and I work at our own business, a brick and stone distributorship. Lately, I have thought a lot about the day I can retire and wondering if it will ever happen for me (boo hoo). I have even allowed the thoughts to negatively affect my attitude at work even though I can pretty much come and go as I please as long as I stay on top of my work.

Francene’s story came along at a good time. It reminded me how fortunate I am to have a good mind and healthy body to go to work and to remember how I can use that opportunity to positively affect others and perhaps lead them to Christ. There is too much to do in the kingdom and too little time even if I were to live to be 194!

May we have the attitude of Francene if we are fortunate to have a job; and, whether we ever retire from secular work or not, let us purpose to do the Lord’s work until we draw our last breath. We must listen to our heart. If we know there is more we can do, then we need to be doing it. There are too many souls depending on it. To the work! To the work!

Just suppose you don’t make a New Year’s Resolution. Year after year, a countless number of the world’s population believe if they verbalize some area of their life they intend to improve in the upcoming year, it will happen – usually having to do with a healthier lifestyle. How often, though, do resolutions fail because, after all, it is up to us to implement the resolution!?! Did you know there is an easier way to be the best you can be? Consider the word of God, and, in particular, verses such as Jeremiah 17:7-8, “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

Take the pressure off and trust in the Lord. Have confidence that He will fulfill His promises. Picture yourself as a “healthy” tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream and its leaves are always green, and there are no worries (yay!). That is such a lovely thought. Now, let’s consider the final message in that verse, “never fails to bear fruit.”

Are we bearing fruit? Bearing fruit is not for personal gain; but, rather, putting the needs of others before our own. Do we sacrificially give of our time to improve the life of someone else? Instead of a New Year’s Resolution for personal gain, let’s consider helping someone else achieve his or her resolution. God will bless you. Happy New Year!

Just suppose the hustle and bustle of the season was going on around you but did not include you. For about 36 million people in the United States, this is probably the case; because, that number represents those living below the poverty level who not only lack monetary funds, but who quite possibly lack basic needs such as clean water, shelter, and food.

I wonder how many of those folks refuse to be saddened by their situation during the holidays (or, any other time of the year) because of their understanding and belief in verses such as James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” Let’s consider a few gifts that come from God:

• Life – “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living soul” (Genesis 1:27; 2:7).
• The Home – “From the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; and they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Mark 10:6-9).
• Children – “Lo, children are an heritage (gift) of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them…” (Psalm 127:3-5).
• Eternal Life – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16-17) and “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

If hustle and bustle we must, let’s do find time to pause and think about every good gift and every perfect gift from above. Truly, these are reasons to celebrate now and every day of the year — Merry Christmas!

Just suppose every day is Thanksgiving. One of the most life changing moments for me was truly understanding 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Rejoice evermore [always] and give thanks for “every thing?” That would include the good and the seemingly bad, wouldn’t it — things like marital issues, children issues, work issues, and the many other crisis that come our way? Of course it would!

Can you imagine this prayer, “Dear God….I am thankful my child disobeyed the teacher today…” (Personally, I would word it something like this: “Dear God…I am thankful for the challenges associated with being a parent. Please grant me wisdom to know how to address this matter and influence my child to do what is right…”) Notice, included in the prayer is a petition for wisdom to know how to proceed (James 1:5).

Every day we are affected by things we consider “good” and things we consider “bad.” I challenge you to experiment being thankful for both and to ask God for wisdom. If you do, brace yourself! God’s blessings (guidance, protection, hope, and happiness) will be overflowing and abundant. Every day is Thanksgiving.

This past September, I traveled to Granbury, Texas, with three very dear friends/sisters where we attended a concert of “The Malpass Brothers.” Afterward, as one thing often leads to another when a good time was to be had, we very anxiously looked up YouTube videos, websites, bios, etc. to learn more about these young artists who embrace and sing country music the way it was meant to be sung (“my opinion” of course). One of the videos we came across was a song entitled, “Just Suppose.” The lyrics go something like this:

Just suppose you could change eyes with God for just one hour, and look upon this world and know of all its shame. Could you accept the great number of excuses that’s made each Sunday morning when the church bells ring?

We have commentators and preachers who visit all parts of the earth, talking of world situations; newspapers carry stories of many problems, but yet unsolved. But, our greatest problem seems to be traveling the short distance from the home to the church [building]. Everyone who does not attend has an excuse, and if you’re among those who made an excuse last Sunday morning, let’s hope God will accept it. Just suppose you’ve turned down your last opportunity to visit with His people.

Just suppose that you’re the mother of a young baby, and you don’t go to church, and your excuse is, “the baby would cry and embarrass you in the congregation and possibly irritate the preacher.” Well, just suppose God should see fit to take away your excuse. Oh, you might hear a few complaints from those around you, and some might even wish you would leave, but that little baby’s cry won’t irritate God, no not in the least.

Just suppose you could change eyes with God for just one hour, and look upon this world and know of all its shame. Could you accept the great number of excuses that’s made each Sunday morning when the church bells ring?

Just suppose the scriptures throughout the Bible that speak of God’s desire to be obeyed and served is all that is necessary to gain a home in heaven – to hear Him say one day, “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:23). To some this seems like an impossible task. Yet, these same people, most likely serve their earthly masters according to their masters’ instructions. Why? Because they want to keep their job and they want to collect that reward on payday!

Though much time has been spent agonizing over serving God and how it seems impossible, it is literally one of the easiest things a person can do. We have the instruction manual (the Bible); but, like any manual, it requires reading and application. The Bible is still the best seller year after year. Folks want access to the word (because it seems the right thing to do); but, allow other things to interfere with their study of the word.

If you are not a Christian, but are interested in how to become one, the first place you will want to begin in the Bible is in the New Testament because the laws contained in the Old Testament were nailed on the cross with Christ (read Colossians 2). By rightly dividing the word, one will put together the following scriptures to know what is necessary to become a Christian: (1) Romans 10:17 hearing (by reading and studying) the word of God; (2) Mark 16:16 believing what we hear and that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God; (3) Luke 13:3 & 5 repenting of sins; (4) Matthew 10:32-33 confessing Jesus Christ; (5) Acts 22:16 being immersed in baptism – also see Romans 6 and, (6) living faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10).

If you are a Christian and want to know at a glance how to serve God, read the short book of James, described by some as “Practical Christianity.” Just suppose becoming a Christian and serving God all the days of your life is one of the easiest things you will ever do and oh the reward that awaits – a crown of life – yay!

Just suppose Genesis 1 and 2, the first two chapters in the first book of the Bible are true; and, God has always existed and He alone created our beautiful world including the vast oceans, the majestic mountains, and the sun rising and setting all of which take my breath away. Not to mention, His greatest and most complex creation — humankind.

I have been inspired by my husband’s late Uncle to begin this posting journey with regard to man’s purpose on earth. Bill Chandler was a Christian and desperate to share with others the love of God and His promises for a people who are willing to believe and obey. He, too, used this means at whenwillwelearn.wordpress.com.