John 16:33 AMPC
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
This current heatwave in the UK is not unprecedented - those old enough to remember the long summer of '76, like me, can testify that it was a longer, just as intense time. We survived!
It made me think of the spiritual "weather" forecast that Jesus gave before going to the cross, in the verse above.
We are promised that situations WILL be difficult as we follow Jesus.... you WILL have tribulations and hardship... it's a promise, a definite forecast!
Just like government advice, for this heatwave we should:
1. "Drink" plenty of "water"... Don't destroy yourself by getting drunk, but let the Spirit fill your life Ephesians 5:18.
Let the Holy Spirit hydrate your soul:
Psalm 63:1 AMPC
O God, You are my God, earnestly will I seek You; my inner self thirsts for You, my flesh longs and is faint for You, in a dry and weary land where no water is.
2. Wear loose fitting clothes - don't get bogged down with legalism - following rules and regulations:
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36
Galatians 5:1 AMPC
In [this] freedom Christ has made us free [and completely liberated us]; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off].
3. Keep out of the heat - stay away from anger and needless arguments:
2 Timothy 2:23 AMPC
But refuse (shut your mind against, have nothing to do with) trifling (ill-informed, unedifying, stupid) controversies over ignorant questionings, for you know that they foster strife and breed quarrels.
4. Stay at "home" if you can - John 15:5 AMPC
I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.
Live in the love of Jesus!
Stay cool in the Holy Spirit today and drink of the Living Water:
John 4:14 AMPC
But whoever takes a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty any more. But the water that I will give him shall become a spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling) [continually] within him unto (into, for) eternal life.
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