Radical Thoughts?

 

As I write this New Zealand enters the first day of a 'new normal' with what is called 'the Traffic Light System', as a way of trying to control the spread of the COVID virus.  It remains to be seen how effective this will be, but there are very clear guidelines as to how this works.  It is bringing a clear division between those who are vaccinated and those who are vax resistant (some for health reasons, but most out of personal conviction or choice).  Each of us gets to choose which way to lean and each now gets to live life in a certain way because of our choice.  Vaccination pass equals freedom, no pass, limited freedom; the choice is ours and the consequence of that choice is ours too.

As the world has radically changed these past 2 years, my thoughts as a Bible believer and Jesus follower have mulled over these events. Specifically I have been thinking about what Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24 and also the revelation given to the apostle John which we read in the book of Revelation. In these passages God clearly warns that things on this earth will get tough before "heaven and earth pass away" (Matthew 24:35). Yes, in spite of every human effort to save this planet, (and we should be responsible in our care of it), it will, one day, (possibly sooner, rather than later), pass away.  God has a timetable, and I agree with the scientists, who tell us that the clock is almost at midnight.

So, you may ask, what does this have to do with choice?  A great deal!  I have felt that the changes happening in our world are really just a 'warm up' for bigger things to come. Jesus referred to some of the things we are seeing now as ' the beginning of sorrows'.  And you shall hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that you are not troubled,  for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom.  And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.  All these are the beginning of sorrows. Matthew 24:6-8. We are certainly seeing these 'warm up' signs in the world now.

The other 'warm up' as I am calling it, is the vax dilemma. Many people were hesitant at first because of a lot of misinformation which has been, for the most part, debunked.  There will come a time for a choice that will have life-changing consequences, in this world, for those who choose to believe and follow Christ rather than accept the sign of a 'new world' worship system.  Let me quote......He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads,  and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark. Revelation 13:16-17.  Although Revelation is acknowledged to contain a lot of 'picture language', I think God has made this particularly clear to believers so that there will be no question in our minds about it when it comes to pass. Refusing that mark, however it is given, is going to be an affirmation of the choice we have made to follow only Jesus Christ and worship only Him.

It's not only the governments in this world that are calling people to make what are life-altering choices.  God, our creator and sustainer, also requires an eternity-altering choice from you, from me, from every person who has ever walked this earth.  We only get to make this decision while we walk this earth.  And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment. Hebrews 9:27. There is no second chance, no re-incarnation as some would like to think.  

As Christmas fast approaches, decorations go up, carols are sung, take a thought again about what we are really celebrating.  You may have made it about people, families, parties and presents but the real reason for the celebration of this season is the world-changing arrival of Jesus Christ, the son of the living God who says, I am THE way, THE truth and THE life.  No-one comes to the Father except through (believing in) Me. John 14:6 (Parenthesis mine).  He was God in the flesh, born with the express purpose of reconciling sinful humanity to God.  Our sins have separated us from God BUT Jesus' death and resurrection have made a way back to the Father.  Consider Him and make your choice.  The apostle John reinforces the need for choice when he writes...  He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.... 1 John 5:12-13.

This is the biggest choice and most important choice in life you are called to make.  Choose thoughtfully.

Prayer:  Creator God, maker of all mankind, speak to my heart and show me your truth. Amen.

Facing the Fire

 Everywhere we look today, it is so easy to see people surrounded by trials, tribulation and tragedy.  We see displaced people suffering at borders, drowned trying to escape to a safer place, senseless murders, unexpected flash flooding, wars, hatred, distrust.  Closer to home I have friends with cancer, fighting for their lives, families divided, and some facing great financial hardship.  This is life and it's hard.

Jesus warned his followers that even they would not be immune from difficulty.  He said, "In the world you will have tribulation..." John 16:33.  This word tribulation can mean pressure, anguish, affliction, distress, persecution. All of us experience some of this at times, no life is trouble-free in this fallen world.

If you are facing the fire of tribulation or trials today, I have some words of comfort for you.  Also in John 16:33 Jesus said the words he had been speaking to his disciples in these hours leading up to his most pressing trial to encourage them.  He said, "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."  Jesus suffered much in his few years on this earth and his greatest trial was about to happen, the fiery trial of beatings, mocking, scourging, culminating in a cruel crucifixion.  He knows about facing the fire because he's been in it and triumphed over it so that, eventually, we can dwell with him forever in a place where there are no tears or sadness, only peace, and joy.

This morning I was reading in Daniel 3 the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who were Jewish boys in captivity in Babylon who refused to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar's huge statue when the appropriate music was played.  When challenged they were given a choice, bow or be thrown into the fire. Their response was, "If this is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O King.  BUT IF NOT, we will serve no other God, nor will we worship the golden image you have set up."

These young men believed God was able to deliver them from the fire and he did, BUT they first went through the fire and Jesus was seen walking with them in the fire. When the king saw the power of their God, he had them brought out of the fire.  The amazing thing was that not a hair of their head or their clothes were affected, and they did not even smell of smoke!! And, Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged their God as the One to be feared.

Can you say with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that your God is able to deliver you but if not, you will still worship him?  Their trial did not make them angry or bitter or discouraged. Your fiery trial can be a place of closeness to God that you couldn't experience any other way. God will teach us lessons and refine us in every fire, if we just put our trust in Him, and in His faithfulness and love for us.

If you walk with Jesus through your fire you too can come through without 'smelling of the smoke' of bitterness, anger, disappointment and the other things that spoil our witness and trust in God.

Maybe you are not facing the fire right now but you know many who are, nearby, and across the world.  Pray for them, feel with them, give to them, that they might be strengthened and encouraged, that they might know the peace of God that passes all understanding in their trial.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, our faithful God, I praise and thank you for your love in never allowing your children to go through the fire alone.  You have promised to never leave us or forsake us, and so I ask today for your presence, your power and your grace to be with those who find themselves in any fire of affliction.  May they be comforted and strengthened by you as they trust in you.  I ask in the mighty name of Jesus Christ who died for us.  Amen

What are you thinking!

In the craziness of our world today what is uppermost in your thoughts? What occupies or exercises your mind the most?  For some, maybe many, it will be COVID....and when will it ever end? For others it will be your health struggles and keeping track of your medical appointments.  You may be wondering how to 'make ends meet' this week and the stress of dealing with the needs of your family. Again, it could be the pain of what is going on in your family that you are helpless to fix.  

Yes, there are many things that preoccupy us and cause us distress.  It is good to take stock of what we are thinking because our thoughts affect our mental health, our relationships, our actions and reactions. There are many 'gurus' who have advice to give on this subject and some is good, but the best advice we can take is from the "handbook on life and living' AKA The Bible.  

Paul writes to the Philippians, "Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." (4:8)...in other words, think happy thoughts. That's easier said than done, you might be thinking.  That is true, but there's a reason for these wise words, and the reason is they are to do you good.  Paul goes on to tell the result.... peace of mind, and that's unarguably what we all want.

Grab a Bible, from your bookshelf or go online.  Read Philippians 4:4-9 and then try doing it.  I promise you that it works.  If that's too hard right now, just look around you at the flowers, the birds, the amazing night sky, the intricacy of an insect, and be thankful to the One who gave us such beauty to enjoy.

Do yourself a favour, make a mental shift today and turn your eyes from things you cannot change, to the One who can change you, the only One who can give you lasting peace in the midst of chaos, Jesus Christ.

Prayer:  Lord, you know my struggles, my fears, my tears.  Help me today to fix my thoughts on the things that will bring me peace and joy.  Help me to commit to You the things I cannot change. Amen 

Shaken, not stirred......

                                                                                                               

 

Many of you will recognise the title of this post, 'shaken, not stirred' which I have borrowed from James Bond 007. It has nothing to do with martinis, but it is all about being shaken.

In life things happen to us that cause us to feel shaken up; a traumatic experience, the loss of a dear one, a near miss on the road, a difficult encounter, or even an unsettling conversation with someone.  As our bodies age, various ailments may cause our body to develop the shakes.  All of this is uncomfortable at best, unnerving at most.  Let's face it, life is full of shakes, especially here in New Zealand AKA "the shaky isles".

As we watch what is happening in our world right now, it is very obvious that there is a great shaking happening on many levels;  in families, in society, in political systems and climate changes. Just in the last 2 weeks we have seen unprecedented floods in some unusual places including England, Belgium, The Netherlands, India, China and so many other places, many which have not even touched our news.  Added to that there have been landslides, and sinkholes in many places (that are also rarely reported on our news), wildfires in Turkey, the USA and Canada.....and so it goes on with wars, famines and pestilences,  serious earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.  Newsreaders are starting to use the word 'apocalyptic' to describe some of these events.

We are certainly living in unprecedented times on so many levels that it has given me much pause for thought.  It reminds me of Jesus' words to his disciples in Matthew 24 when they asked him what would be the signs of his coming again, and of the end of the world.  He said, "And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. ……  And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold." (NLT)

Yes, our world is being shaken and many are fearful and growing hopeless in it all.  How can we be shaken, yet not be stirred?  This week I randomly read some verses of Psalm 46 which speak right into these days.  Even though they were written hundreds of years ago, it was as though they were written for us today.  Here is a clip from it; you can read the whole psalm for yourself......

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.

Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge

….The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble,

God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts!.......

 Come, see the glorious works of the LORD: 

 See how he brings destruction upon the world…..

 “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honoured by every nation.

 I will be honoured throughout the world.”

Psalm 112 speaks of the one who fears (reverences, bows the knee to) the Lord.... the righteous one, not trusting in his own good living, good works etc but he is trusting in the righteousness that can only come through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who has taken our sin and made us righteous, before a holy God.  This is the one who will not be shaken.  Yes his eyes will see all that comes; the carnage, the loss, the hopelessness, the anxiety, yet his heart will be steadfast, trusting in the Lord. (Psalm 112:7) This is the one who has hope for eternal peace.  If your heart is shaking in fear of things coming upon the earth, you can choose to find peace if you will put your trust in Jesus, he gives a peace that passes understanding.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, I thank you that you are the only one who can truly give us peace in these troubled times.  I pray for those who feel fearful and shaken, that they will choose to put their trust in you and find peace.  Amen

      

 

Blessings

 It is 3 months since I last posted a Daydrops.  It's been a time of grieving, a time of wilderness walking (spiritually), a time of joy in reunions with family and friends, a time of seeing God at work in the big things and the little details of life which always gives rise to thankfulness for his faithful blessings.

We had booked to fly to Sydney on 28th January and Cathy was booked to join us on 4th February and we were to pick Paul and Leah up from quarantine on 5th.  A few days before our scheduled departure, NZ had a new strain of COVID, so our flight to Australia was cancelled. You can imagine the disappointment! At times like this we are so thankful that we know that God has our times in His great hands.

We re-booked out flight for the 4th and waited in hope for Australia to open its border to us, quarantine-free, which it did just in time for us to slip into Australia before the border closed again a few days later. Blessing #1 - flying to Australia with Cath.  

Early next morning we made our way to central Sydney to pick up Paul and Leah.  A car slipped into the pickup area just ahead of us and it turned out to be 'Bakes', recently returned from the USA. (He had supported Paul with great care and compassion through Sandy's crisis in the USA.)  He was the second car needed to handle all the luggage we had between us. Without knowing quarantine rules outside the hotel, we all got out of our cars and hugged our thanks to this wonderful man, an act which ruffled the feathers of the military who came running, ordering us back into our cars...NOW. Whoops!! Blessing #2.

What a joy to see Paul and Leah, but....patience required.  No hugs till we stopped up the road for a break. Blessing #3.  We were kindly hosted by 2 families for our time in Newcastle. Blessing #4. On 6th February we were able to attend Paul's 50th birthday party which Leah had masterfully arranged from quarantine and one of Paul's bosses and his wife graciously hosted. Blessing #5.  It was a time of joy but also a time of tears as we remembered our dear Sandy.  There was a lovely canvas print of her in the party area.

About now I feel like the writer of Hebrews as he related all the heroes of faith but said it would just take too long to tell of them all.  It's the same with the blessings of the trip which included.....

• lovely catch ups with our other 2 grandchildren, Jess and Daniel and also with old friends
• strength, particularly for Col, to help Paul sort and move much stuff that had been in storage
• provision of a friend's covered trailer to move lots of stuff from Newcastle to Canberra and back again with more unwanted items to donate to a ministry.
• the joy of being able to help Paul & Leah unpack and settle into their apartment in Canberra
• the wonderful hospitality of friends for 2 weeks in Canberra 
• family dinners and lots of fun
• for Cath who is 'salesperson supreme'.  She sold stuff large and small for days on end, working with great energy, organisation and coordination.  The blessing was that I didn't have to do it! Not my gift.
• that Leah secured herself a part time housekeeping job in serviced apartments nearby which, coincidently, are straight across the road from where Daniel is flatting with friends.  He and Leah are both studying at different universities now.  Leah doing distance education.

We loved our time in Canberra.  The photo above is on one of our regular routes between the place we stayed and Paul's apartment, 15 minutes drive.  We got to know the road pretty well. The weather, which we had feared would be very hot as it usually is at this time of year, was very kind to us and we were very comfortable in the 20'sC.  The Australians were complaining that they were not having a REAL summer!

Another major blessing came in the form of a reassignment of flights (and quarantine) for us and for Cath. Our original bookings had been 2 days apart but now we were put on the same flight.  That has turned out to be such a blessing as we are in rooms across the hall from each other (it's now Day 5 of 14) and we are allowed to visit and walk together as we are a 'bubble'. We also tend to meet in our room for lunch and dinner.  Our every need is catered for.  How very blessed we are.  Added to that we were transported from Auckland to Christchurch for our quarantine and can now enjoy a nice drive home in a few days.

There are so many more blessings which bring to mind that little Sunday School song that is going through my head....."Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done."  God has demonstrated his faithfulness to our family in so many ways through these challenging months.  I hope this will give you pause for thought, and cause you to take time to count your blessings and give him praise.

It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to the Most High.

It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening..Psalm 92:1-2

Prayer: Faithful God we thank you for your kindness to us, your attention to details in our lives even when unasked.  You certainly direct our steps and for that we thank you and give you praise.  Help us to live in a way that brings joy to your heart and praise to your name.  Amen