To “fly by the seat of your pants” is an idiom that first referenced pilots who began flying at the beginning of aviation. Of course, we immediately think of Orville and Wilbur Wright. They had no instruments, previous experience, training or books. They flew by the seat of their pants, hoping all would work out to their benefit.

Following are some definitions I discovered for “flying by the seat of your pants” on the Internet:

• Without a clear plan or direction
• Sheer luck and use of intuition
• In a manner based on intuition and experience rather than method
• Using experience, guesswork, or instinct rather than some calculated or scientific method
• Using only your own experience and trusting your own judgment
• To decide a course of action as you go along, using your own initiative and perceptions
• To pilot a plane by feel and instincts rather than instruments

Obviously “flying by the seat of one’s pants” doesn’t require actual flight. It can refer to many circumstances other than aviation. For example:

Have you ever met _____ (pick a name)? He’s the guy who has a quarter tank of gas in his truck and knows there isn’t another gas station for the next 100 miles, but instead of stopping for gas, he thinks he can make it.

Then there is _____ (pick a name). She’s trying to use her cell phone, but notices it is powered off and won’t come back on. For some reason, this happens to her a lot. Let me think now. When did you say you charged it last?

And then there is Mr. _____ (pick a name). His wife just bought a very large swing set for the young ‘uns. It came with assembly instructions, but what does this guy do? He ignores the instructions and goes by the picture on the box. (I must confess. I’m guilty.)

Now, let’s don’t forget little Miss _____ (pick a name). Her high school English teacher is giving them a big test tomorrow, but it’s all “True or False,” so she has a 50/50 chance of getting the answers correct anyway. So she decides to enjoy herself at the dance tonight, and trust her luck tomorrow.

All of these dear souls are “flying by the seat of their pants,” just hoping it will work out for them. I shudder to think of how many people are in hell today because they spent their life “flying by the seat of their pants,” hoping it would all work out for them in the end.

If you run out of gas, it may be a miserable day trying to get that resolved, but it can be done.

You may have to wait for your cell phone to be charged, but it will happen.

If worse comes to worst, you can always pick up the assembly instructions and start over. Then the swing set will eventually look like the picture on the box.

If you fail the test, you can actually study for all the remaining tests and possibly improve your grade.

There is always some way to pick up the pieces. Bad decisions on earth can be corrected by making the right decisions in the future. A lesson can be learned by the silly things we do, thereby improving how we proceed in the future.

However, “flying by the seat of our pants” concerning our eternal souls cannot be altered once our body dies. There is only one way we can have eternal life, and that is through Jesus Christ.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

If we have placed our trust in Jesus, then die, all is well. He promised, and He does not lie.

Unfortunately, millions and millions of people are “flying by the seat of their pants” concerning where they will spend eternity. They’re thinking:

• I think I can get there with what I have in the tank or
• I think I’ll put it off just a little longer or
• I believe I can do it on my own or
• I think my luck will hold out.

Here’s something else to think about.

• When we live our lives with our trust in Jesus, our tank is always full.
• When we spend time in prayer, our battery is always charged.
• When we follow God’s instructions, we will resemble His Son.
• When we study His Word, we won’t have to guess; we’ll know what to do.

There is nothing in this world that is as important as our soul. Our soul, the real us, will live forever, and ever, and ever either in Heaven or hell. This earthly body is only temporary. When we go into eternity, God will give us a new body, one that is suited for eternity. Our soul, the real us, will live in that new body in either Heaven or hell. Have you noticed that it always comes back to Heaven or hell?

If we flitter away our lives here “flying by the seat of our pants,” we have nothing to look forward to but an eternity of indescribable misery in hell. Those who are wise will choose to rest their faith in the death, burial and resurrection of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who saves us. Only in Him can we have an eternity of indescribable joy with Him in Heaven.

Grant Phillips

Email: Phillip5769@twc.com

Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com

Rapture Ready: https://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html

I don’t usually address miscellaneous events that get my attention, but these just jumped out at me. I am not referring to national events. Most are local that I feel have a message for each of us.

KEEP THE CHANGE, YOU FILTHY ANIMAL (You might recall this phrase from the movie Home Alone.)

Since I’m retired, I’m the designated grocery shopper for the family. I’ve done this for several years now and probably know where items are as well or better than the employees of the stores I visit. It’s not uncommon for me to visit two or even three stores to purchase our groceries and household items. It all depends on who has the better quality and lower prices. By the way, lower prices aren’t always the best buy. To me at least, quality often wins out.

Anyway, after checking out at one national chain grocery store one morning, I was surprised to learn that they no longer give any change, such as pennies, nickels, dimes, etc., only paper money. Oh yes, this chain store and others are also allowing the customer to round up their cash purchase to the nearest dollar, but why won’t they round down instead?

Just minutes ago, I read that if a business in West Virginia wants to ban cash (paper money and coins) due to COVID-19, it is allowed. The business or businesses must post a notice on their storefront in order to not violate the Consumer Protection Act and other laws. So far, no businesses have followed suit.

I don’t know about you, but I smell a rat. My sniffer may not be as sharp in my older years, but even I can smell the pungent stink of ‘control of the masses.’ It makes me think of the death-angel mist seen in the movie Ten Commandments, as it slowly creeps from house to house.

APPOINTMENT WITH DEATH

The Bible says, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).

It is now mid-week, and already, this week, one man was killed while mowing. His riding mower fell over on him. Another man died when his UTV that he was riding hit a tree. A woman was drowned while swimming in a pond.

I may be wrong, but I believe all three of these deaths occurred Tuesday of this week. It is so sad when hearing of someone dying. My first thought is, “Were they saved?” Then I think of their family.

All three of these deaths were obviously unexpected.

Each of them got out of bed that morning not knowing that it would be their last day on this earth.

One man walked out of his house, got on his riding mower to mow the grass, and his own mower killed him.

Another man walked out of his house, got on his UTV for a day of enjoyment, and was killed by the very thing that brought him happiness.

A woman leaves her house and decides to go swimming in the pond, only to never touch land again … alive.

I believe I would be safe in saying that these freak accidents happen quite often around here, especially in the summertime. For example, it seems all too common to hear or read of a body being recovered from Lake Cumberland or Laurel Lake.

How many left their house that morning and were ready to meet God?

It is now just a few days later, and another man has died instantly when he rode his motorcycle into a tree. On the same day, a second man died instantly when he drove his car into a tree.

Folks, death can come without warning to any of us. Are you prepared to meet God?

WHO IS YOUR HERO?

My wife and I watched a movie one evening called Seven Pounds. Will Smith played a fellow named Ben who chose to do something very good for seven people. I won’t reveal any more about it in case you might want to watch it also. (You may want to click the fast-forward button at one point, as we did.)

I will say that the receivers of his gifts were very grateful, as would be expected. Have you ever considered how grateful we, who have received the greatest gift of all, should be?

God came down to earth, was born of a virgin, and lived among us. As a side thought, think about this: He is the only baby who ever named Himself before He was even born (Luke 1:31). That isn’t all. He also died for our sins, was buried and rose on the third day so that you and I could be saved if we would believe in Him (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

What Jesus did for us can’t be topped by any act by anyone. Every morning I awake I am thankful that I belong to God Almighty, and it’s all possible because of what Jesus did for me … and you. It really doesn’t matter what happens with me today because I know I am in His hands, and there is no safer place to be.

I must mention a brave little boy named Bridger Walker. He is from Wyoming, and he is six years old. You may have read about him.

Apparently, a German Shepherd mix lunged at his four-year-old sister. Little Bridger shielded his sister and took her place as he was viciously attacked. He had to undergo a two-hour surgery that required 90 stitches to his face. His dad asked him why he jumped in between his sister and the dog. His response was, “If someone had to die, I thought it should be me.”

Of course you know where I’m going with this. Sin has attacked every person born upon this earth (except Jesus). On the cross of Golgotha (Calvary), Jesus jumped between us and the hounds from hell and took our place. Only He who is without sin could pay our debt. God had to judge sin, and Jesus took all the wrath of His own Father upon Himself for us. Jesus is my Hero. Is He yours?

“You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross” (Colossians 2:13-15).

These verses are only applicable to those who know they are sinners and have put their trust in Jesus to save them. I have done so. Have you? We don’t know what tomorrow will bring. We don’t even know what today will bring, but if we have Jesus in our hearts, we have nothing to fear and everything to look forward to.

Grant Phillips

Email: Phillip5769@twc.com

Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com

Rapture Ready: https://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html