SS Thoughts #6: Take a Hike

83 campers went on a hike in a forest, but they were unprepared for the heavy rain and rough terrain. While crossing a swiftly flowing river, 18 persons were swept away – 2 were never found.

How could a perfectly planned hike end in disaster?  Were the hikers unprepared?  Did the guide ignore the signs? No one is sure.

We too have ventured on a rough journey. Here are 4 basic things we need to do, otherwise our journey could also end in tragedy.

1   Dress for the journey

      High heels, slippers or a fancy dress are useless on a rough hike. The Bible tells us that on our rigorous journey we should put on the helmet of salvation and the breastplate of righteousness. We must have our loins girded with truth, and our feet shod with the gospel of peace. (Ephesians 6:10-17)

2  Pay attention to the signs – they are clearly given (see Matthew 24)

3  Read the map – the Bible. It gives us the path we should follow, and the signs we must look for.

4  Follow the guide

      He is Jesus – our Master Guide. He knows the terrain and the rules. He is the only one who can guide us safely through.

Survive your hike. See you at the finish line.

SS Thoughts #5: Holding On

The Teacher’s Guide for Cornerstone students (15-18 years) shared a nice story this week. This is the essence of it:

While flying a commuter plane on a short trip, the pilot heard a loud sound coming from the back of the plane. Handing over the controls to the copilot he made his way to the rear and found the source of the noise. The back door had not been latched properly; and he was sucked out of the plane.

The copilot contacted the closest airport to make an emergency landing, and also reported the loss of the pilot. An immediate search was launched in the area over the ocean where the accident had occurred, but the pilot’s body was not in the water.

When the plane landed there he was – clinging to the ladder on the outside of the plane. He had caught the ladder and held on for dear life as the plane flew 190 mph at an altitude of about 4,000 feet.

It was reported that when the rescue personnel arrived on the scene, it took real effort for them to get him to let go of the ladder!!

Won’t we hold on to God’s hand like that? So that it will take real effort for anyone (including Satan), to remove our hands from His………….

SS Thoughts #4: Banished Words (2)

An update: ONE person from the Sabbath School submitted a personal list of words not to use in 2015 – Amen!!!! The list included words such as “fearful”, “can’t”, “angry”, “uneasy”, “worthless”. Interestingly the first word on the list was “I”. We should place less importance on that word "I", as in:

·       Putting self aside;

·       Accepting that we have not yet been made perfect;

·       Letting go of what is behind and straining toward what is ahead – the goal for which God has called us heavenward;

·       Learning to take hold of Christ’s hand in our journey 
(See Philippians 3:12-14 NIV)

Her 12^th word  – “Doubt” – finished it off nicely. Some references:

·       “He who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind’, (James 1:6, NIV).

·       “If you have faith and do not doubt, you can say to the mountain, go throw yourself into the sea, and it will be done”. (Matt. 21:21, NIV)

Doesn’t she deserve the reward?????

A Stra-a-a-nge Way

For the past several months I have taken on a ministry of providing a Sabbath meal every week for an elderly couple who are no longer able to attend church or do many of their other normal activities. She is 87 years old.

So every Sabbath morning I cook their meal and deliver it before going to church. I am humbled at the lady’s child-like faith! She tells people “Cynthia is going to bring my food”!! It appears that I cannot desist from doing this!!

But delivering the meal takes me away from my usual route to get to church – and I have to be early since the Sabbath School falls under my portfolio. This new route is dreaded because of its normal traffic congestion. But the amazing thing is that in the months I have been doing this ministry and taking this route, the roads have always had veery little traffic, and I have NEVER BEEN LATE for Sabbath School..... 

Str-a-a-a-nge mysterious ways of the Lord…..

SS Thoughts #3: Banished Words

Early this year the Internet published a list of 12 words that have been banished for 2015. This included “foodie” (an expert on food/food addict/glutton); "bae" (as in "I love you bae"); “skill set” (particular talents or abilities - why not use skills by itself?); and any word that has -nation added to it, e.g. Packer-nation and Brewer-nation.  To continue using these words is unfashionable.

The article led me to consider some words that as Christians, we should banish permanently from our vocabulary. Here are a few:

·      Weak – “We are strong in the Lord and His mighty power” (Eph. 6:10)

·      Afraid – “Surely He is with us always, even to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20)

·      Worried – “You cannot add even a single hour to your life by worrying” (Matt. 6:27)

The challenge last week was for SS members to compile their own list of 10-12 words, with a Bible reference to support each one. An incentive was offered for the first youth and adult to hand in their list on the following Sabbath (today).

Hmmmm…… Disappointing response….. Only ONE list was proffered, and without ANY supporting Bible references. Made me wonder how well we are anchoring ourselves in God and His Word in these faith-challenging times......

SS Thoughts: Follow up to "What's In Your Hand?"

A pastor friend observed that It is good to be willing to use our talents for God. However we are sinful and we fail. A higher level is when we resolve to submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit and place our lives completely in His hands. Thus we are standing in Christ with our talents in our hands.

SS Thoughts: What's In Your Hand?

(A serious question - my challenge to the Sabbath School today 01/03/2015 - illustrated with relevant props)

In my hand a basketball is worth about $25            

           In Lebron James’ hand it is probably worth $25,000,000

In my hand a football is maybe worth $50                 

            In the hands of Peyton Manning it could be worth $50,000,000

In my hand a stick is just a stick                                           

            In Moses’ hand it could part the Red Sea and lead the Israelites out of bondage and toward the Promised Land.

In my hands a slingshot is a toy                          

            In David’s hands it could kill Goliath and thereby defeat a whole army of Philistines

In my hands a hammer and nails could hang a picture                    

            In Jesus’ hands they could give eternal life.

                       

What’s in your hand? God has given you gifts. Won’t you use them for Him? Do not let Him have to raise up stones to do what He has asked us to do.