With a week of 2019 already behind us, there are lots of interesting things planned for the rest of the year in Canada and the world. Here’s a few: A federal election is planned for October; we might have a new Prime Minister. A new rocket-launching spaceport will begin its construction phase – in Cape Breton. The Toronto Raptors and Maple Leafs are currently doing so well, we might see them reach the playoffs. And in the tech world, 3-D printing will become so developed, dentists may be able to print out a set of false teeth for those who need it. With so many discouraging things happening in the world right now, there are always interesting things to look forward to. Let’s hope some of them will be beneficial to man.

However, these things only affect us in the physical world around us.  Peter reminded us that the entire universe is destined to come to an end at the day of the Lord (2 Pet.3:10-11). Therefore, there are more important things that will affect people eternally, and these should occupy our minds. Things like sharing the gospel that saves man from judgment (Mk.16:15-16), helping people improve their lives as Christians so they will be effective and happy, relieving the sufferings of brothers and sisters (1 Jn.3:17-18), showing mercy and kindness to people around us, and strengthening the church, which is “the pillar and support of the truth” (1 Tim.3:15).

We can enjoy the achievements of man, but it is a greater joy to be involved in triumphs of the faith. Let’s especially pay attention to these.    

– Tim Johnson

One day Solomon thought about the labours of man, and wrote, “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labour. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.” (Eccles.4:9-10). In his day, most people worked on farms and in the fields where it is hard for one person to handle large animals and heavy harvests. Injuries were common, but easier to survive with friends helping out.

Jesus taught his disciples to do things together. He sent them out in pairs (Luke 10:1), and told them to love and care for each other (John 15:12).  Jesus Himself was part of the tri-une Godhead, always working hand-in-hand with the Father and the Spirit. We are called into a fellowship with them, and with other people. While there are many things we must do alone, it is better to seek out others to help you accomplish things, work on projects, and go see people.

There are times in life when some people must work in solitude. It was that way for Jesus on earth. Many missionaries and preachers must labour alone. If it continues too long, the results can be tragic. It is always best to have the help of at least one other person.

Solomon’s concern seems to be for the results when one “falls.” This means illness, injury or discouragement. These are hard to handle without friends.

Remember the wisdom of two.

– Tim Johnson

It was only five months ago that a soccer team in Thailand became trapped in a murky cave system inside a mountain. The world was riveted on efforts to get them out. Imagine how stressful it must have been for those boys, all 14-15 years old, and their coach as they huddled on a muddy slope in the dark waiting for somebody to find them. It took a week before they were discovered. Parents and friends quickly gathered at the cave entrance to pray and encourage each other. It took 18 days to figure out how to rescue them and successfully get them out. Along with their parents, the whole world longed for hope, and remarkably all 12 boys and their coach were brought to safety.

The Bible is a book of hope. To the Christian, hope is steadfast, sure, an anchor to the soul. It is a dynamic of the faith. Romans 15:1 says, “For everything written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.” Sometimes the circumstances are dire, and we wonder if there is any hope. It could be illness, surgeries, tests, job loss, and dark days, etc. But with God there is solid hope.

1 Corinthians 13 speaks of the greatness of faith, hope and love. Love is the greatest and faith can move mountains. Hope is also real, important and necessary.

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” The passage not only defines faith, but it also defines hope.

Hope is important for us. We need anticipation for our lives and for the church. When Jesus burst forth from the cave-like tomb, He gave us hope. It makes a world of difference.

– Tim and David Johnson

Growing up in the Niagara peninsula, our house was surrounded by orchards of fruit trees and vast vineyards. The temperate climate and lots of water from two of the Great Lakes made it possible. Some of the most fertile land in the world is the result of water supplies available for irrigation.

The apostle John ended the New Testament with a description of “a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb” (Rev.22:1). It’s a remarkable river because it feeds the tree of life on either side. These are trees with twelve kinds of fruit with a monthly crop! John says even the leaves are useful, for they heal disease.

We have to remember this is a vision and it’s found elsewhere in the Old Testament, especially Ezekiel 47:1-12 where the river’s water causes dry land to become fertile and salt water to become fresh. Joel 3:18 says that the source of this remarkable river is the house of the Lord. John is more precise and says it comes from God’s throne. And Zechariah says it will come from Jerusalem (14:8). If God is its source, no wonder the water is remarkable.

All of these visionary predictions aim to comfort God’s people who have been ravaged by enemies. God is saying He will help them recover and life will be much better, more secure and prosperous. Certainly, John’s description had the Roman threat in mind, but he also gives us a figurative echo of our eternal reward.

Our world presents us with many dangers and uncertainties, but God nourishes us like a river of life flowing down from His throne. Jesus said the to Samaritan woman, “Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life” (John 4:14).  

When life is hard, picture the river of the water of life. God is there for you.

– Tim Johnson

During WWI a sad letter arrived at my great-grandfather’s home in Manitoba. It was from army headquarters explaining that his son, Chris, was missing and presumed dead. Knowing that he had been training in Quebec and hospitalized with illness, his dad refused to believe the letter. In fact, he rode the train all the way to Quebec and found him in an army hospital. Sometime later Chis was sent home to a happy reunion with his family. All sadness was turned to joy.

This story, which has been handed down through the Johnson family, reminds me of the circumstances surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For a brief period of time after He rose, few seemed to believe it. When word reached the apostles from the women who had seen the empty tomb, “these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them.” (Luke 24:11). But Peter and another disciple ran to the tomb and had a look for themselves. John says, “So the other disciple who had first come to the tomb entered then also, and he saw and believed.” (Jn.20:8). Some doubt persisted, but all believed when Jesus Himself appeared. One of the last holdouts was Thomas, to whom Jesus said, “Reach here your finger, and see My hands; and reach here our hand and put it into my side; and be not unbelieving, but believing.” (Jn.20:27).

The disciples had their doubts at first, but their belief was tougher than we sometimes give them credit for. Two thousand years have gone by and millions still believe.

How about you? Be not unbelieving, but believe.

– Tim Johnson