John 1:3

Nothing is ever a coincidence with God. Whatever past, current or future situations we face, it is for our best. I'm grateful to know this truth and look at what God is trying to say to me in my situations. We all have plans, God knows better. He's been there, so trust JESUS️

#Grateful #Family #blessed #Fiji

AMAZING FACTS
Daily Devotionals

Adrift.

February 6th, 2026

On October 5th, 2010, three teenage boys from the remote South Pacific island of Atafu made a reckless decision. Without consulting their parents, the three cousins decided to attempt a journey across 50 miles of open ocean in a 12-foot aluminum boat to visit some girls from a neighboring island. They never made it. After weeks of searching, the two 15-year-olds and a 14-year-old were given up for dead. Hundreds gathered with their families to grieve and eulogize them in a memorial service.

Then, 50 days after the boys set out, a tuna boat was headed back to New Zealand by a route they didn’t usually take when they spotted the boys waving frantically from their tiny vessel. Their craft had drifted nearly 800 miles to a desolate part of the Pacific Ocean northeast of Fiji. The boys were dehydrated, exhausted, and anemic, with second-degree sunburns and fungal infections, but they were alive. The boys told reporters that they had begun their journey in a drunken haze and soon passed out in the bottom of the boat.

When they awoke, they had drifted out of sight of land. Eventually, they ran out of gas for their outboard motor. All their provisions—just 20 coconuts and a mayonnaise jar full of water—were gone within the first six days. After that, they told their rescuers, they survived by catching rain water on a tarp and eating the few raw fish that happened to wash into their boat. Once, they caught a sea bird that landed on their boat, which they also ate raw. Their rescue came just in time: medical staff said they wouldn’t have lasted another week.

The father of one of the boys told reporters that the entire village was so excited that they were crying, singing, hugging, and shouting the good news to each other in the streets. According to the Bible, a similar scene takes place in the streets of heaven each time one sinner repents! Jesus tells us that “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:7). And when we finally reach our heavenly home, God will do just what the father of the prodigal son did—bring out the best He has to celebrate our arrival!

Key Bible Texts

It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. (Luke 15:32 KJV)

THE ROAD TO SUNDAY LAW, THE FINAL EVENT, THE MARK OF THE BEAST, IT'S CLOSER NOW THAN IT'S EVER BEEN.
Please, share this lesson with your family, friends co-workers, and all who you can, for the expansion of the Kingdom of GOD.

“Truth is stranger than fiction” is a popular saying. Brace yourself. You are about to discover strange things, but they are factual. The Holy Bible predicts that during Earth’s darkest hour a sinister deception called “the mark of the beast” (see Revelation 19:20) will be legislated by earthly governments as a misguided solution to a global crisis. Finally, “no one may buy or sell except the one who has the mark” (Revelation 13:17). Those who settle into this delusion—after being earnestly warned by a loving Creator to reject the devil’s deadly mark—will reap the just “wrath of God” (see Revelation 14:9-11), and be doomed forever.
Sound serious? It is. Keep reading.
What is this mysterious mark? If you Google “mark of the beast,” you’ll find plenty of opinions on the Internet. But honestly, this topic is far too important to practice “theology by Google.” Instead, first and foremost we must examine what the Bible actually says. After all, the “mark” is a Bible topic. Here are the sober facts:
1. The “mark” is mentioned eight times in the book of Revelation (13:16,17; 14:9,11; 15:2; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4).
2. Those who receive this “mark” are “deceived” (Revelation 19:20). Thus the “mark” must be highly deceptive.
3. The “mark” comes from “the beast.” Thus we must correctly interpret who the beast is.
4. The “mark” involves false worship, for the Bible says, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark …” (Revelation 14:9).
5. By contrast, the Bible urges God’s people to “worship Him that made heaven and earth …” (Revelation 14:7).
6. Only those who “keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12) will avoid the mark (verse 11).
7. The “mark” is received in two places: the “forehead” (mind) or the “hand” (actions)—which are the exact two places God seeks to write the Ten Commandments (see Deuteronomy 5:6-21; 6:8; Hebrews 8:10; 10:18).
Thus those who wholly trust Jesus as their Savior, worship the Creator, and have God’s law written within them, will avoid the deadly mark. This is what the Scripture says.

Back to the beast.

For nearly 400 years—from the 1500s to the 1800s—millions of Protestant Christians like Martin Luther (Lutheran), John Calvin (Presbyterian), John Wesley (Methodist), Charles Spurgeon (Baptist), and Matthew Henry (world-famous Bible commentary author) interpreted “the beast” to be the religious-political system (not Catholic people) of the Roman Church, led by popes. Thus the “mark of the beast” comes from the Roman Catholic Church.
Does the Roman Church have a mark? Indeed she does. Put on your spiritual seat belts. According to official statements from Catholic sources, Rome considers Sunday—a day which the Bible never sanctifies as a special day of worship—to be a mark of her authority.
See for yourself:
"Of course the Catholic Church claims that the change [from the Bible Sabbath to Sunday] was her act … And the act is a MARK of her ecclesiastical authority in religious things.” (C.F. Thomas), chancellor of Cardinal Gibbons, in a letter dated November 11, 1895.
By contrast, the Ten Commandments, “written with the finger of God” (Exodus 31:18), identify “the seventh day” of the week (Saturday) as God’s holy rest day, not Sunday, which is simply “the first day of the week.” The fourth commandment thunders:
Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy … the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. … For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it” (Exodus 20:8–11, ).
If you study history carefully, you will discover that the Roman Church led the charge away from the biblical Sabbath and over to Sunday (“the day of the sun”), partly because of compromises with pagan sun worship, and partly due to hostility against Jews—which was then rationalized with the crowning argument that, after all, Jesus rose on Sunday.
But remember, the book of Revelation clearly states that those who “worship” the Creator (Revelation 14:7) and “keep the commandments of God” (Revelation 14:12) won’t get the mark. Now don’t miss this: the only one of the Ten Commandments about the Creator is Number Four, which commands us to keep “the seventh day,” which is our Creator’s original rest day (see Genesis 2:1-3).
Amazingly, the book of Revelation predicts that Rome’s “mark” will someday be globally enforced by law. Impossible! you may be thinking. No, it isn’t. In Pope Francis’s June 18, 2015 encyclical recommending solutions for the problem of global “climate change,” the Pope declared,
Sunday, like the Jewish Sabbath, is meant to be a day which heals our relationships with God, with ourselves, with others and with the world” (“Praised Be,” Section 237, emphasis added).
Believe it or not, Sunday closing laws have already been pushed or enforced to various degrees in Germany, Hungary, Greece, Poland, Chile, Fiji, Argentina, Brazil, and in other countries. News articles favoring Sunday legislation have also been recently reported on Fox News, CBS, CNN, The Guardian, Associated Press, and Time magazine. As Planet Earth falls apart, and as millions of desperate eyes look to the Pope for guidance, you can expect such agitation to increase, until finally, Sunday will be legislated worldwide.
Prophecy predicts it. You’ve been warned. Now you know. So forget Google and popular opinions. Instead, read Revelation 14:6-12 as if your life depended on it. As you do, you will discover that the real issue is trusting Jesus, worshiping the Creator, and keeping God’s law. Jesus Himself is our Creator (see John 1:3,10). He Himself is “Lord of the Sabbath” (see Matthew 12:8). It was our Creator Himself who died on a cruel cross for our sins and waywardness in breaking His Holy Law (see 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 John 3:4)—including the Sabbath commandment.
The bottom line is: who will you follow during earth’s final crisis?
Will it be Jesus Christ, our loving Creator, or the beast?

That choice is up to you.

Please, share this lesson with your family, friends co-workers, and all who you can, for the expansion of the Kingdom of GOD.

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Theme: “More Than Just a Game”

Occasion: U17 Rugby Family Day & Quarterfinals Preparation
Audience: Players, Coaches, Parents, Teachers, Supporters
Speaker: School Chaplain / Guest Speaker
Duration: Approx. 15–20 minutes

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1. Introduction

Warm greetings and welcome everyone – players, coaches, families, staff, and supporters.

“We gather not just to celebrate the sport of rugby, but the spirit it awakens in us: unity, discipline, resilience, and heart. Today’s theme — ‘More Than Just a Game’ — reminds us that rugby is not only about tries, tackles, and trophies. It’s about life, character, purpose, and legacy.”

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2. Scripture Reading

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 (NIV)

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize… I discipline my body and keep it under control…”

Key Point: The Apostle Paul compares life to a sporting event. Just like athletes, we train, persevere, and aim for something greater than momentary glory.

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3. Theme Exploration: “More Than Just a Game”

A. Philosophical Insight

Sport, especially rugby, is a microcosm of life — a mirror of what we face daily:
• Opposition → challenges
• Teamwork → community
• Strategy → wisdom
• Injury → setbacks
• Victory/defeat → humility and growth

Quote: “Sport doesn’t build character, it reveals it.” – Heywood Broun

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B. Biblical & Theological Reflection
• Discipline and Training: Just as players discipline their bodies, so must we train spiritually (1 Timothy 4:8 – “Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things…”)
• Unity in the Team: Rugby teaches koinonia – fellowship. Like the Body of Christ, each player has a role (1 Corinthians 12).
• Resilience and Endurance: James 1:2-4 – “Consider it pure joy when you face trials… so that you may be mature and complete.”
Injuries, losses, being benched — all build internal strength.

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C. Cultural Relevance (Fijian and Rugby Culture)
• Rugby is more than a sport in Fiji — it’s identity, pride, and a place where young men become leaders.
• Rugby in Fiji is a stage of national theology — where faith meets sweat, prayer meets boots, and communities rise together.

“We pray before we run, and we worship after we tackle.”

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D. Scientific Perspective
• Neuroscience: Team sports improve emotional resilience and brain connectivity, which helps with decision-making under pressure.
• Psychology: Playing for something greater than self increases performance. This is why faith, family, and school pride matter on the field.

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4. Message to Players

“You are not just athletes. You are leaders in boots, ambassadors of Suva Grammar, and witnesses of the values we preach.”

Before you step on the field:
• Remember your family watching
• Represent your school’s legacy
• Reflect your God-given gifts
• Remind yourselves: “We play to glorify.”

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5. Message to Families & Coaches

“Your words off the field matter as much as their actions on the field.”

• Support them not just in victories, but in valleys.
• Train them not only in rugby but in life’s virtues: humility, integrity, and teamwork.
• Don’t just raise champions, raise good men.

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6. Spiritual Application: The Ultimate Game
• Rugby will end, school will pass, trophies will fade — but character lasts forever.
• Jesus calls us not to just “play” life, but to live it with purpose.

“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world (or win every game), but lose their soul?” (Mark 8:36)

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7. Final Encouragement

Rugby may be a game, but your journey is a calling.

Whether you win or lose —
• Leave the field with honor.
• Play with heart.
• Trust God with the result.
• And always remember: You are more than just a player, because this is more than just a game.

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8. Closing Prayer

Prayer Points:
• Strength and safety for all players
• Wisdom and unity among coaches
• Protection and joy for all families
• Spiritual insight: That each player will know they are called by God to be more than just athletes — they are His light in the world.

"Missionaries we respect in the future have often been viewed as foolish in the present.

Didn't Carey have too many marriage struggles to go? I question the wisdom.

Hudson Taylor had weird views on support and funds. I question the wisdom.

David Brainerd was an emotional mess most of the time and drove himself to an early grave. I question the wisdom.

David Livingstone was reckless and drove his men to dangerous lengths. I question the wisdom.

George Stott had one leg and wanted to go to China. What org in their right mind would allow that. I question the wisdom.

"When James Calvert went out as a missionary to the cannibals of the Fiji Islands, the ship captain tried to turn him back, saying, “You will lose your life and the lives of those with you if you go among such savages.” To that, Calvert replied, “We died before we came here.”" I question the wisdom.

Those foolish missionaries in Ecuador. A frail lady with polio in the mountains of Irian Jaya among the Kimyal who couldn't even walk right. And now a young man who was an experienced wilderness EMT who was trying to reach tribal peoples in North Sentinel island.

All of these fools. I question the wisdom!

Over and over this week all over the internet, even American Christians degrading this young man who was killed in a good cause, "I question the wisdom," "I question the wisdom," "I question the wisdom."

~1 Corinthians 4:10: We are fools for the sake of Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute."

~2 Corinthians 12:2, " For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities...."

~"I am a fool for Christ...whose fool are you?" (Brother Andrew).