The light of Christ and living water. Part 1
The opening of the Games held in Paris was startling.
What resonated with me was the Countries of the world participating going down the Seine river.
People lined along the lit sides of the river waving their flags and having a wonderful time. The fact that the rain came down relentlessly did not matter at all.
It took me back to when my daughter and I were on a boat in 2017 also on the river Seine
The heavens opened and the rain fell relentlessly on our trip as well.
Rain cannot dampen the spirit. Mother Nature relies on rain for sustenance and growth.
In the days of Christ, John the Baptist said in Matthew 3:11 I will baptise you with water, but the one who is coming will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Then sometime later the opening ceremony took place near the Eiffel Tower. Wow, the Eiffel Tower swirling flashes of light showering the full length and breath radiating up and down. Jumping pulsating outwards, upward, swirling. Olympic circles radiating beaconing.
Colours of gold. Aiming high is the reward of hard work of perfecting achieving the ultimate result of winning.
Do you ever consider the tears that are shed when athletes try so hard that it feels like failure?
A bit like failing the glory of God. When we let ourselves down by not living the commandments that God has, by not loving our fellow man. All the Gold in the world is not worth a penny if we cannot live with a free spirit of love with our fellow man.
Our reward as Christians is going towards the light of Christ. To be with him when our time on earth has come.
If we ask for forgiveness for our failings he will bless us and rest in him for eternity.
Let's aim for Gold. Let's love your fellow men. Put aside wars and all things that leads us away from the light that Jesus offered and died for . He loves and wants only the best for us.
Let's pass on the light.
The light of Christ and living water 2
Not Gold. Fools gold.
With the Para Olympics still on our minds and with the courage our Olympians show to pursue their aim to be the best in their chosen fields of competition, is to be no 1 and to have that
precious gold medal hung around their necks.
What is gold? A combination of copper tin and iron. When gold is refined it is everlasting,so much prized.
Then there is fool's gold.
Weathered Mica can mimic gold, as can Chalcopyrite Crystals used in jewellery and sculptures can also appear gold-like.
Digging for gold. Fools gold looks sparkling but is often mistaken for gold, so it can fool the best of us as it is not valuable. Fools gold is made up of iron Pyrite and Crystal-like structures. Often has a sulphur smell.
So what is a fool? In proverbs14:16 a wise man sees evil coming and avoids it, the fool is rash and presumptuous.
So what to avoid.
Something that you think to be very successful but is not. Or a flashy but worthless investment.
Quick rich schemes that sound to good to be real are usually too good to be true.
American John Huston’s 1948 film adaptation of the Treasure of the Sierra Madre tells about “Three geezers” who are skint and they put money together to get equipment to go looking for Gold. Then they betray each other. Gold becomes so powerful. Then they find Gold to be a curse as well as a blessing.
In Proverbs 14:31-15.17 says. Trust in our fellow men comes from the lips of the wise. Spread knowledge and the love of God.
Do not turn to Gold as idols do. According to Hosea 8:4 Silver and Gold idols are doomed to destruction.
Gold Idol's Eyes have they but do not see. Ears they have, but cannot hear……………
Levi 19:4 Do not turn to Idols and cast no Gods of metal.
So what are we to do? Faith in the God of heaven is the one to turn to.
As in Peter 1:17, That faith is more precious than Gold
Fools do not understand the deep thoughts of God. Psalm 92:6 Stupid men are not aware of this and can never appreciate this.
For those Athletes who think they have failed can be reassured of God’s love and healing.