Friday Night Thoughts...

Gotta Love It...

Today is usually celebrated as a day of love; chocolates, wine and appreciating the appreciation of loved ones. Tonight’s thought won’t be based on such though. It’s actually on a lesson I was reminded of on Wednesday night. The speaker taught us that family problems have existed from the time man sinned. In other words, if your family is going through a problem, you aren’t alone.

That gives me some level of comfort as a Christian. Sometimes we behave as if we’re the only one going through some struggle or issue; and this causes us to retreat into a shell of supposed “safety”. However, God assures us that we aren’t alone in our difficult times. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:5-6, “For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.” This tells me that we suffer what Christ suffered mutually, even though it may seem exclusive of each other. Being a child of God warrants some level of suffering.

Thankfully, 1 Corinthians 10:13 shares a deeper insight to suffering, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” God helps us through whatever challenge we face. Not only do we have company, we have power to overcome.

Next time you feel like a lonely sufferer, remember that you’re not alone and that victory is promised.

Lord, help me to overcome with You. Amen.

John 16:33- These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Safe...

So last week, I tried typing my Friday Night Thought on Facebook directly, and somehow I cleared my apps on my phone and lost the draft completely. I had to then type it on another app before posting online. I learnt that it pays to be in a safe place before sharing.

1 Corinthians 9:27 reminds us, "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." This tells me that it's easy to take it for granted that you're ok when you're always sharing. But empty barrels can't give water. Sometimes we who are always in the habit of sharing (preaching, teaching, singing, praying, acts of kindness, hospitality, etc.) need to stop and receive for a moment. Get yourself in a safe place before saving others.

Lord, help me to share from saved position. Amen.

Mark 6:31, "And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat."

Planes, Strains and Heavenly Appeals...

Tonight after worship, I sat listening to a plane flying by. This particular one is loud, so I assume it's a large plane with huge engines. I hear those kinds of planes often whenever I'm home. However, no matter how loud they get, the noise dies out and there's calm again.

Planes fly by every day where I live. Hearing their sounds remind me that I live near the airport, and I'm not far from travelling if I need to.

Life serves us with different planes: planes of strife, fear, confusion, stress and difficulty. However, I'm comforted that while these storms come more frequently each day, the noise doesn't last. God's Word reminds us that His children outlast their problems. 2 Corinthians 4:8‭-‬9 says, "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;"

Likewise, the planes of life also remind us that we're travelling soon to a land where there will be no more planes; no more noise of distress and trouble. It's amazing how John 13 ends and John 14 begins. John 13 ends with Jesus telling Peter that he'll deny him 3 times. What a sad way to end a chapter. But John 14 begins with the Lord's promise of hope, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."

May God comfort us in the midst of noisy planes.

Lord, keep me safe 'til the noise passes by. Amen.

John 14:18‭-‬19- I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

Never Disappointed

So the march pass for Dominica's youth rally today didn't take place because of rain. I can't begin to tell you how disappointed children, teachers and parents were. The march pass is something everyone looks forward to. But it didn't happen. However, even if the months of practice and patience for the day were not rewarded as we wanted it to be, the discipline taught, the excitement of performing well, and the passion of our children did not go unnoticed or in vain.

And it got me thinking: what if the Second Coming doesn't happen? I'm sure many of us would be disappointed. To have our great hope that we looked forward to in great anticipation denied? That would be sheer pandemonium. But think about it; you've lived a healthy, safe life. You're morally upright and would have spent your life serving others and pleasing God. It's a life worth lived, even miserably without the hope of the second coming (1 Corinthians 15:19).

But guess what? Jesus must come. The weather won't stop Him; an organising committee won't postpone until an unspecified time. Hebrews 10:37 affirms, "For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry." There won't be an excuse for not being ready for His coming. So, are you ready to march?

Lord, keep me ready for Your great march pass. Amen.

John 14:1‭-‬3- Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.