“You can never have too many friends”

“You can never have too many friends,” it says under one slide of the “Adventure Time” “Jake & Finn Slide Show” for children, I picked up at McDonald’s.

Underneath another slide I read, “Always be kind to others.” The Collins Concise Dictionary helps us to define “kind”. Here are the first two definitions: “having a friendly nature and attitude”, “helpful to others or to another: a kind deed.” I want to think about these definitions.

In the Bible we are also reading that “love is kind.” You find that in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. (First Corinthians 13:4)

The message of the third slide is “Always tidy up after yourself.” Now, that is a big problem for all children it seems. I remember writing to my children when they were small to tidy up their rooms while I was for a longer trip in Germany.

Most of all I am thinking about the first slide mentioned, that says, “You can never have too many friends.”

There is one friend you must have, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ says in John 15:14:

“YOU ARE MY FRIENDS IF YOU DO WHAT I COMMAND.”

At the Beach

“What’s in a name?”

Yesterday in the evening I came across this question Romeo asked in Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet. 

This morning in my quiet time I read “‘By what power or by what name did you do this?'”

This is the question Peter and John were asked by the Sanhedrin in the book of Acts chapter four verse seven.

In Acts chapter three Peter heals a crippled beggar.

What does Peter answer?

He says, “It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, ….., that this man stands before you healed.”

But Peter carries on and tells the rulers and elders of the people also that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth we must be saved.

He says:

“‘Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.'” 

“What’s in a name?”

Followers of the Lord Jesus Christ know well the meaning of that special name “Jesus”. Mentioning the name Jesus brings them healing and salvation. (Comfort, cheer, joyful hope)

THE CROSS

“They

Acts 2:42,43

Intr.:

devoted themselves

1.  to the apostles’ teaching and

2.  to the fellowship,

3.  to the breaking of bread and

4.  to prayer.

End:

Everyone was filled with awe, …”

“GOD’S ULTIMATE PURPOSE”

At the moment I am reading the book GOD’S ULTIMATE PURPOSE by D M Lloyd-Jones.

The book has 447 pages and I am on page 281.

A quote from the book:

“The sealing with the Spirit, or the baptism with the Spirit, is clearly experimental and experiential.” 

“…, LOVE IS KIND.” –  First Corinthians 13:4

How do you feel, when someone is extremely kind to you? How do you feel when someone does more for you than you expect?

Power Outages affect us badly

Whenever we have a power outage, and we have had two lately, we have trouble with our automatic garage door.

Several times now we had a tradesman come to our place to fix the door.

Without going into details, let me just tell you, that the service we received was more than we expected and it was all without charge.

I don’t know how you feel when people are kind to you; but I find it is easier to cope with unkindness than with kindness.

And I remember also what it says in Proverbs 25:21,22 and Romans 12:20:

“IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, GIVE HIM FOOD TO EAT; IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM WATER TO DRINK. IN DOING SO YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD AND THE LORD WILL REWARD YOU.”

Although I don’t know the name of the flower, I like it

“Who has understood the mind of the LORD, or instructed him as his counselor?” – Isaiah 40:13 and Romans 11:34 

Another beautiful flower

“… he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6