EXPECTATIONS

Everyone on planet Earth has their own expectations.We expect that people will be nice to us,that we will all be in good health, there will be no negative change in our circumstances,that nobody will rock our fragile boats, that we will have faithful friends and successful marriages.But what do we do whan life does not live up to our expectations? In fact, rarely does life tune in to our own whims and fancies.Things will go wrong and they will.Maybe for you-people have not lived up to your expectations and you are terribly disappointed.The Bible is full full of people who got into horrible disappointments.Joseph,John the Baptist and Paul were all in prison.When we get stuck in a difficult position its difficult to be positive.But Paul said that his suffering was actually furthering the gospel.(Phil1:12)

Maybe its an uncertain future that you are facing. Difficult situations at home and at office or a troubling relationship that saps your energy and leaves you exhausted.Do not suffer alone-talk to someone who will pray together with you.Or if you dont want that-Take time alone to be with yourself and sit in some corner with a Bible.The truth is,everyone is going through something.So you have to deal with your journey. "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Psalm 23

Paul's only expectation- for Christ to be honoured no matter what.( Phil 1:21)

TEMPERS

Learn to keep your temper under control.Each time you are in disagreement or others did not do things your way,or see your point of view-do not immediately bare your fangs and growl fiercely.It just proves that you are ruled by negative emotions which inevitable cloud everyones reasoning faculties.The next time you find yourself in such a situation,take a deep breath and resist that rising spirit within you.Do this and you will not lose your personal peace.Ignore this advice,and others start pushing your buttons and literally rob you of your peace and move on.

ANTICIPATION

One of the thrills of life is the feeling of anticipation.A whole lot of emotions surround this feeling.When I was a young boy,the most earnestly anticipated event was Deepavali.First the buying of new clothes,then the making of "murukku" and other Indian delicacies,and the sending out of Deepavali Cards.Then finally the day arrives,and the whole family all dressed up in our new clothes,and then the arrival of the guests and the endless feasting.The anticipation and the reality.On Deepavali's eve,one can sense the celebrative mood in the very atmosphere.

I think about the thrill of anticipation and what it can do to the human heart.In Psalm 30:5 the Psalmist is sharing with us that while we may be going through a tough time here and now- this weeping,enduring and trying to make sense out of it can be a difficult time for everyone.Is your heart overwhelmed by some sorrow that seems to persist,to endure? The truth is that the weeping cannot endure forever.The darkness may be intense but it must giveway to the first rays of the morning sunrise. So it is with our sorrows.

For those who weep can dwell on hope instead of hopelessness and anticipation instead of sorrow. It may be nightime in our hearts, but just ahead lies the dawn of eternity and with it God's promises-" Behold I make all things new and He will wipe away all tears from their eyes." Now thats a real promise which cannot fail.

LUKE 12:16-19 YOU HAVE LESS THAN 24 HOURS LEFT

Then he spoke a parable to them saying , " The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully.And he thought within himself saying,"What shall I do,since I have no room to store my crops? So he said," I will do this: I will pull down my barnes and will build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods.And I will say to my soul,'Soul you have many goods laid up for many years, take your ease, eat,drink and be merry." But God said to him ' Fool! This night your soul will be required of you.Then whose shall those things be which you have provided?"
So is he who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich towards God.

If you became a millionaire overnight, would you change your lifestyle? What would you change immediately? New home,new car and fancy clothes? And not forgetting that expensive pen,Rolex watch and of course- the dream vacation.We all have our inclinations.It is said that our real colours only appear when our wallets are bulging with new found prosperity.

I feel somewhat sorry for the man in this story.He was right in many ways but was deadly wrong on one final point.He got his prosperity. Finally he was seeing some real money. Firstly, he renovates his own property, this tearing down and building greater.Lots of people renovate their property. But no Christian should feel bad for doing so.All Christians need comfortable homes to live in and should not feel bad about having a nice home and enjoying the good things in life.

Secondly he is finally planning on retirement.And that too is a wonderful decision. Why do people keep on working long after they have made enough money? But this man is saying "I have enough,I am going to relax."

Thirdly he has decided to stop working and enjoy life.Wonderful.Indeed on some days I dont work but just go out for a wonderful meal then come back read a book and relax.That's a very blessed time.But the sad and tragic part of the story is this-he thought he had many years left to live,lots of time to unwind.And in doing so,he miscalculated his personal life situation.

Moving into new homes,renovation,retiring and taking it easy are all within our control.We can decide on these matters but there is a terrible limitation-We can't decide the day of our departure from this planet.This man miscalculated his remaining time- He thought he had many years left,but God said -You Fool!You have less than 24 hours left.You see,my brothers and sisters- nobody has got even a remote clue as to how much we have left.In spite of all the technological gadgetry available to us, nobody can tell us what is going to happen in the next 24 hours.Because the sum and substance of life is unpredictable.

God help us not to miscalculate life.In whichever situation you find yourself in,its much safer to say "Thank you God for all that you have blessed me with and please bless my remaining days.Grant me strength and faith to continue this journey of life without making fatal errors." Vijay