How Christians should face difficulties

Sometimes we go through a life experience that can leave a bitter taste. It can be a financial crisis, a betrayal of a friend, or even the death of a loved one. It can even be something that you did not see coming, something that you did not have control over, something that was unfair. 

This was the case with Naomi in the Bible. She was married, had two sons, moved to another country because of famine and there she lost both her husband and two sons. Coming back to Bethlehem Judah, "the whole town was stirred because of them. And the women said, “Is this Naomi?” She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty, has dealt very bitterly with me." Ruth 1:19‭-20 

And all the while, daughter-in-law Ruth was accompanying Naomi and witnessing this whole event. 

Fast forward through the book of Ruth we see that although Naomi had this bitter experience, she saw an opportunity in their customs and traditions, to give Ruth a chance at a better life. The field in which Ruth picked up grain, belonged to Boas, who was a relative of her deceased husband.  

“The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.” Ruth 2:20 ESV 

It so worked out that Boaz redeems (marries) Ruth, and they had a son. "Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! 

Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her lap and became his nurse. 

And the women of the neighbourhood gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David." Ruth 4:14‭, ‬16, 17 ESV 

I am sure that when Naomi nursed Obed, she tasted a sweetness that came with nursing her grandson, a sweetness that soothed the bitterness she experienced when she lost her husband and sons. Our lives, like Naomi's, are filled with bitter-sweet experiences. May we not get stuck in the mud of bitterness, but may we see honey-sweet opportunities despite it. 

Don't despise the bitter in life. Don't isolate the bitter moments and focus on them, but mix them in with the sweet and life will be more palatable.

I want to end off with Rom 8:28 with a bitter and sweet remark: 

And we know that for those who love God all things (bitter and sweet) work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

#alwaysintune 

@Always.in.tune

Jesus cooked - Spiritual act of love

 

Do you like or dislike cooking?

As someone who have to cook everyday and prepare meals three times a day, 365 days...I`m not a fan. But you may like cooking or baking and that is okay, you are in good company! 

In the bible eating and feasting is a big deal! Remember what happened to Eve with her apple eating and Esau who gave away his birthright for lentil stew. There are many celebrations recorded in the bible and God even command his people to keep their festivals. As God’s children we celebrate Easter and Jesus’ Birth with food. We also read In Revelation that in the end we will have a seat at the table of the Lamb’s wedding feast.

Jesus also love feasts and eating - he even cooked!  What a refreshing thought that Jesus cooked for his friends. 

After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias.  

Now this is how he did so... Jesus, the risen Lord, cooked his disciples a meal!

Something so simple and mundane becomes an spiritual act of love demonstrated by the Master himself. Jesus could have done a million awesome and powerful things - but he cooked a meal. Maybe that's just it, cooking a meal can be a powerful thing. If you are like me and cooking is not your favorite thing, then it becomes a sacrifice of love. Some love cooking and for them it is an act of love and devotion. Whatever the case may be, we are blessing people.

Jesus showed me that cooking a meal is not just a mundane thing. It is a powerful demonstration of relationship and love. 

So lets get cooking and show some love!

@Always.in.tune

Communion (Audio)

 

Timeless monument of Christ - Take this bread and wine

 

Timeless monument of Christ

Monuments are usually a part of history. To remember a great person, a great battle, a great deed. We see these monuments of remembrance everywhere in every country, city or town. Some are religious and some are not. Some are clean and some are covered by debris.

Thinking of these great monuments and statues, I marvel at the monument of Christ. The way he chose to be remembered - not by a statue or monument or a physical building - but by the breaking of bread

His words to those following him were:'do this to remember me.

For centuries this is what the church has been doing. They remembered him by breaking bread and drinking wine. An unusual statue that transcends time and space. One that survived wars and destruction. One that can be remembered and celebrated anytime, anywhere.

A monument not made by the hands of man. A monument made by the simple daily needs of man, eating and drinking - so easy, so simple and so cheap, anyone can do it.

The Lord Jesus Christ, Lord of Life is remembered by bread and wine. 

Hope

 

My friend went for a therapy session with Hope - her name is really Hope. The wonderful thing is, she brings hope to people by just doing her Job. Giving people glimpses of hope for the days to come. 

I keep thinking there must be a greater hope. One that will lift our Souls so that we can prosper as our souls prosper. 

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:11

He restores my soul... Psalm 23

Why is it that we know these verses, but the reality is in stark contrast with what we read?

What is our way out? 

Surrender

Trust

Trust that cultivate hope and hope will not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 

Without hope our faith is dead and our love only nostalgia. Hope is the catalyst of life. 

May God restore your soul so that you will always have hope. He is a good Father. 

A Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles 2 Cor 1:3, 4

God is a redeemer, Saviour, Helper, comforter. If you need him - ask and keep on asking. 

Prayer:Lord help me. Let my soul prosper so that I can prosper.