Honda appears to be onto something here. Bringing back an affordable and
basic motorcycle, yet a motorcycle that someone would still wish to ride. Or to
be seen on. Back to the basics, seats, tires, motors, and brakes. Low entry
price, easy to maintain,and cheap to operate. Sign me up! And even the reviews
were praiseworthy, the bike got great mileage, was fun to ride, but when I got
to the pricing I was disappointed. What had started out as a $6999 cycle, was
now over $11,000! Add tax and license, fees, and set-up and freight, and you
have a motorcycle that is almost twice as much as advertised. Then it appeared,
*AS EQUIPPED! And after seeing the one loaded with accessories, the one
actually ridden in the test, that is the one people will want, and go into the
dealer looking for. For $6999. Check your wallet at the door, financing
available. Don’t check your brain.
A few years back I bought the 2008 Street Triple I own. New ones were hard
to find, Triumph’s best seller, and I found a used one, owned by the most anal
biker I ever met. Even the sprockets were shiny. He had an asking price that
seemed high, but had added over $1500 of accessories, most I had no interest
in. So we negotiated, and I got a fair deal, priced as though he had thrown in
all the extras for nothing. And we both agreed on the deal, I paid a little
more, he took a little less-such is negotiating. I bought it *AS EQUIPPED! I
knew what I wanted, and what I was getting, he knew what he had and what he was
selling. A fair deal, we both benefitted.
I am mystified by watching the dating ads on TV. Perception being the
truth to many, I wonder how many are extremely accurate in their assessments of
themselves. Take me for instance. Physically scars on both knees, abdomen, and
chest. Open heart surgery, Dacron aorta. Next please, and I am sure I would be
passed over. Good thing I am not in the market, *AS EQUIPPED, I appear to not
be the great deal my wife knows I am. Yet thousands use it, and I am annoyed by
one statement by a Christian based service, the woman stating “we never would
have met if it wasn’t for this service.” And somewhere in heaven, God rolls His
eyes. What had He done for over 6000 years when it came to romance? Was He
asleep? If only He had invented computers earlier, we all might be better off.
Did those of us who trusted Him take a chance, when a computer match-up was just
waiting for us? And when the marriage fails, do they seek God, or just right
click, and seek another perfect mate? One who might disclose all the faults and
personality quirks, one that would reveal all, who would be delivered as
advertised, * AS EQUIPPED. She even looked like the girl in the ad, just had
some extra baggage, not included in the asking price. Another no cost benefit,
of not trusting God. But she went to church, carried a Bible, even had Jesus
sticker on her car, how could God be so wrong? Truth is He wasn’t, and
isn’t-you didn’t trust Him. And since it takes two, were you equipped as
advertised? I wonder what she would say?
The Jews were looking for a Savior. They needed freedom from an oppressive
government, from slavery, from the laws, and legalism. The list goes on, they
wanted to have all the promises of God, with one extra-revenge. So when Jesus
came on the scene, He wasn’t quite what they were looking for. Consider His
file. Born of an unknown father, raised by a step-father. From Nazareth,
nothing good ever came from there. No formal education, part time teacher, full
time rabble rouser. Odd jobs held until age 30, then went into ministry full
time at no salary. Owned no property, used public transportation. Surrounded
Himself with other undesirables, and led a spiritual revolution, still going on
some 2000 years after His death. Tried and convicted, although proven innocent,
was crucified, and buried in a borrowed tomb. Later found empty, body never
found. Physically had nail holes in hands and feet, scars on head from thorns,
a mutilated back from scourging, and a hole in the side of chest, where a spear
had pierced it. Some facial disfigurement. No wonder so many reject Him today,
based on those facts, how would He be a perfect match for anyone? *AS EQUIPPED,
how could He claim to do the things He claimed to do? And how could He be who
He said was? Yet, as much importance as we place on the physical, it is the
spiritual we need, the soul that needs satisfying. Beauty starts on the inside,
and cannot be masked by a pretty face, trendy clothes, a good resume, or a good
road test review. And if bought on face value, for a price, no one could ever
see the value there, only His Father could. So shouldn’t we try to see things
via the Father? Meet the parent before we meet the Son? But Jesus tells us
that we must know Him first. And those of us who see Him for who He is-the Son
of God, and our Savior. And we get to see God, the Father.
Beware false claims from others who claim to have seen the Savior, or even
to be him. That their’s is the way. They are lies, and contradict the gospel.
Stay away from false claims of happiness, riches, and worldly goods. Keep your
wallet in your pocket, Jesus never asked for money, in fact, when it was needed,
He pulled a fish out of the water and took a coin from its mouth. He promises,
love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, self control, meekness, and long
suffering. He is all those things, and comes equipped to meet all your needs.
Not in hollow promises, or cleverly worded sentences, but according to His
riches and glory. Note-HIS, not yours, the church, your family’s, or your
friends. From Him-although He may use the former to deliver them. He is who He
says He is, with no *, or no *AS EQUIPPED promise. It takes faith to trust, to
believe, and then to obey. That is what it takes, not a big FICA score. He
doesn’t accept credit, no pay you later, give me the blessings today, He is for
right now-so don’t delay. And then, all these things shall be added unto
you...
No fees, set-up or delivery charge. No club to join, no forms to fill
out. He asks for your heart. So spend time reading His resume, and ask
yourself, isn’t He all I ever needed? And wanted? NO Jesus and do this to be
saved, no religion, no false promises. He is the only way to God, and is God.
No one will ever say they got to heaven without Him, but many will sadly know
they went to hell without Him. Make your decision today. It’s your
choice.
Jesus Christ-as advertised. As promised by God. No hype, no ends at
midnight sales. Nothing extra thrown in, He is everything. And He comes with a
lifetime guarantee. No one else can deliver what they promise except Him. Your
perfect match. *AS EQUIPPED. Operators are standing by. Such a deal He has for
you.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com