Tuesday, 30 June 2015

SS THOUGHTS.

Unable to post for a little while. Traveling. Some computer problems. Sorreeee......

Friday, 19 June 2015

SS Thoughts #23: Ticket to Fly

Suppose you received a free ticket to go to …… Alaska!  Would you be interested in going? Would you spend the time between receiving the ticket and the time to go being anxious and fretful—worrying about the cold, or how long the nights are, or where you will sleep? Oh no. You would probably be planning interesting things to do when you get there, and I daresay some persons would be so excited they wouldn’t be able to keep themselves from telling others about the upcoming trip!

Well to go on the trip, 2 things must happen first. The price for the ticket must be paid, and you must accept the gift of the ticket. Then you can be on your way rejoicing!

Going to heaven is a bit like that.  You have been offered a ticket – with your name on it! And the price has already been paid! (John 3:16; 14:1-3).  The only question is: Do you want to accept that ticket?

Hopefully the answer is—Yes! Yes!! Yes!!! And once you accept you don’t have to worry anymore!  You can spend your time preparing to go and getting to know the One who paid the price—with His life. And hopefully, you will be soooooo excited that you must tell others how to obtain a ticket, so that they too can go with you on that wonderful trip…….


Exciting news!!! I will be flying next week on a virtually free ticket – earned by surrendering my seat on a confirmed flight and taking the option to fly at a later time. The offer was made to anyone who had no deadlines to meet and therefore could fly later without any problem. And the incentives were tempting – a $500 flight voucher to be used at any time later + a confirmed seat on the next flight + a meal voucher + hotel accommodation and transportation voucher if necessary!

But now I’m wondering….. Could we be tempted to surrender our ticket to heaven with the option to fly at a later date??? DO NOT BE FOOLED!! The first flight (first resurrection) is for those who will spend a millennium in heaven and eternity on the new earth. The second flight (second resurrection) is for those who will be destroyed with Satan and his angels when the earth is cleansed of sin.

Wake up friends!! Jesus’ return is at hand. I want to confirm my ticket on that first flight. How about you?

Here's a wonderful song to listen to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_BB0NrSkKw  ("I have set my mind on another time" - Reggie Smith)

Thursday, 11 June 2015

SS Thoughts #22: Help! Help!!
[Developed from my SS remarks 06/06/2015)

Have you ever wanted to learn a trade? For example carpentry, or building construction – as it is now known? A good way to learn is to link up with someone who already knows the trade. This expert person can show you how to measure and cut, and hammer a nail straight – without smashing your thumb!


Or what if you wanted to learn to sew? Again, you can link up with an expert who can guide you in operating a sewing machine, cutting out a pattern, assembling the pieces of fabric together, and so on.


Medical students do not learn how to be doctors just by studying big heavy books! They also follow around more experienced doctors and learn from them how to diagnose and treat patients.


Even so called ‘dumb’ animals learn from experts. For example, an older matriarch leads elephant herds. Her decisions influence when the herd eats and where, when they spend time with other elephants, and when to leave the large groups of animals that form around feeding and drinking sites.


The death of a matriarch is almost inevitably followed by a period of confusion amongst the herd. The young elephants have no one to protect them, alert them to danger, or teach them social skills. The group basically falls apart and becomes wild and uncontrollable.

Yes, mentors/experts inspire us, motivate us, and help us to succeed. 

Pastor Samuel Telemaque (SS Lesson Outline #10 Q2, 2015) asks:


"So what do you do if you want to learn to live life well? Where do you go if you want to live in a way that corresponds to the way God created human beings to live? You seek out an example of a life that has been lived in that way. This is what Jesus offers when He says, “Follow me”.

        
Yes, follow Him and be His disciple. No, it will not be easy. It is a daily challenge that takes your hands, head, heart, time, means, and your prayers - everything. It demands your full surrender. But the reward will be worth it all. [Or as a pastor friend says, even if He rejects me I’ll serve Him anyhow….]

Listen to T. Marshall Kelly sing “It Takes Everything” at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfbZ8BItk5g  

Or listen to the Aeolians sing “It Pays To Serve Jesus” at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnTvwvyi2Tc

Friday, 5 June 2015

SS Thoughts #21: Emerging like Diamonds

Do you know that the lead (or graphite) in a pencil is very similar to diamond? They are both forms of carbon, although with a different crystalline structure.  However:

·      Graphite is dull and soft. It is inexpensive—you toss a pencil away without even a second thought!
·      Diamond is shiny and hard—it is the hardest substance known, and is used to make fine cutting instruments, e.g. for surgical procedures. Diamond is very expensive. You would want to think twice before throwing your diamonds away!
Here’s the interesting part. If graphite is subjected to enormous pressures and extremely high temperatures, it can change into a diamond! Almost unimaginable! From a worthless pencil lead to a valuable “diamond in the rough”!

But rough diamonds do not look much like the ones in rings and other jewelry. They must first be subjected to the cleaving, sawing, cutting and polishing of a master diamond cutter. This removes flaws; reveals the brilliance; and adds to the value. And all of this is possible because of the hardness of the diamond.

Many times, the sufferings and trials we go through cause us to be discouraged. Instead we can be encouraged if we think about them as part of the refining and reshaping process we must go through to bring out the best in us, and make us spotless to be presented before our Master. Submit yourself to the process…. Be patient…. Be strong….. God is not finished with you yet……