Sunday Scripture - Philippians 1 v 21

Sunday Scripture is just simply a thought or two on a Bible verse that may have struck me afresh or maybe for the first time or has always been special to me.

Today I am looking at Philippians 1 v 21

Often we would hear the phrase

                           "The Best of Both Worlds"

and I believe today's verse for Sunday Scripture is one of the best examples we can have of that phrase.

While we live on earth in fellowship with Jesus we are in the best relationship there is for us.  

We have the joy of our sins forgiven and peace with God.

We know His steadfast Love and His new mercies each day.

We experience His guidance and wisdom every step of the way.

We live with no fear of death because Christ has overcome it.

We are truly Blessed.

Because as Paul says in verse 6 of this same chapter

Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ

When we die we will still be in fellowship with Jesus but have the joy to see Him face to face.

We will live forever with The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

We will know perfection in all things.

We will live a new life that cannot be described now because no-one can fully understand it now.

We are truly blessed to have such a future.

Can we have the best of both worlds?

Sometimes people talk only of looking to what is to come, that perfect life in Heaven.

But I think this verse wants to draw our attention to both lives so that we do not dwell on only what is to come but also on how we live with Jesus today.


We have Christ now today so let's "make the best of both Lives" and make today count for Jesus as Paul says in verse 27

that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel

Although Paul longed for Heaven in verses 24-25 we see he recognized that he had a role to play on earth to help others 

Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith

and we also have a role to play on earth to help others.

Let's think on this as we read and even memorize today's verse.

What Makes Us Truly Happy? - Coffee & Conversation

So often these days I read or hear about people blogging or writing or just sharing on Facebook or Twitter about how we need to concentrate on what makes US happy.
The focus is on the person themselves, they must always be the most important person in their own lives, they must always come first.

This is not what I have experienced as I have gone through life and I am not young so I have had many years of getting to know what makes me happy and it is not putting all the emphasis on myself.

Indeed I believe that if we only think of ourselves then we will never be truly happy.



Of course I am very happy that I have friends and a husband who make me laugh and smile.  
BUT
I am also very happy when I can be instrumental in helping others to laugh and smile.  
Thinking about this I thought I could make just a few suggestions of extremely easy ways in which any of us can help to put a smile on someone else's face, to bring them a little happiness.

Some ideas that came to mind were:

• Invite them for coffee or a meal.

• Bake a cake or cookies or buns to share with them.

• Send them a card.

• Write them a letter or email them.

• Visit them.

• Take time to talk to them or listen to them.

• Send them a picture (just for them) by email or text.

• Phone them 

• Make them feel welcome when they are around you

• Simply say hello and smile at them.

Why not go out and simply say hello and smile, it wont hurt you and it might put a smile on someone else's face.

Then when it puts a smile on their face it will put a smile on yours as well.

Why do I say this?
BECAUSE
I am very happy that I have friends and a husband who make me laugh and smile. 

If we only think of ourselves we will never be truly happy.

And let's not forget the people we may be meeting for the first time

And because I believe that the instructions we have in the Bible are for our good and the good of others.

DON'T FORGET!

Why not go out and simply say hello and smile, it wont hurt us and it might put a smile on someone else's face.

Sunday Scripture - 1 Thessalonians 5 v 16-18

Sunday Scripture is just simply a thought or two on a Bible verse that may have struck me afresh or maybe for the first time or has always been special to me.

Today I am looking at 1 Thessalonians 5 v 16-18

For years now I have heard lots of talk about

 "What is God's Purpose in Your Life?"

or

 "What is God's Purpose for you?"



Often I think that this is directed more at women than at men because of the fact that

 we might be "stay at home mums"!

or

 we might be "housewives"!

or

 we might be sitting in our church wondering "what our role is"!

I think that we need to remember two things 

when we are tempted to start listening to or reading 

what someone else has to say 

about our role or our purpose in life.

FIRSTLY

THE WESTMINSTER SHORTER CATECHISM

No. 1.

Q. What is the chief end of man?

A. Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.



SECONDLY

The verses we are looking at today 

When we focus on God and what he has instructed for all of us,

when we are rejoicing in our Salvation,

when we are in constant communion with Him,

when we can see our way to be thankful to Him for all He does for us each day; 

other things will fall into place. 

What should we be doing?

Then we will know

when something is right for us to do 

or

when we should say yes to the 

specific, unique things

 God has for us.

So we are left with two questions: 
  

What should You & I be Doing?

&

Are we willing to go back to His instructions and focus on Him first?