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Thought for January

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Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations…’ Deuteronomy 7:9

As we begin another year we arrive at that time again when we make our New Year resolutions. We make promises to ourselves and to others about what we will or won’t be doing. Gym memberships will increase as people pledge to be more active and then there will be the New Year diets. People will promise their bosses to work harder and their families that they will work less and there will be the promise that this will be the year when we achieve XY and of course Z. Unfortunately by the end of January (I’m being generous for New year) most of these promises will probably have been broken. You might see me running on the 1st but the novelty will probably have worn off by the 2nd but what scripture tell us is that when God says He will do something He is true to His word. The whole of the Bible is testament to the fact that God keeps His promises and that as His people we are able to trust Him. We look back over a year where we have seen so much change in the world around us. There have been shifts in so many different areas such as in the political spheres with Brexit and then the American Presidential elections, in the world of fame so many famous figures have passed away and even closer to home we realise what a rapidly changing world we live in but what we know of God is that He never changes. His love, His mercy, His grace are still as strong and perfect as they were yesterday. So as we look forward into this New Year we can look as the world does with trepidation and uncertainty or we can look forward in the certainty that God is faithful to His promises and is working out His plans despite of all that will happen in 2017 and beyond. The amazing thing for us as believers is that He is such a wonderful and loving God that we are included in those plans. God does not need us but He amazingly chooses us for His work and His kingdom. Let us as individuals and as a fellowship seek His will and His ways for this year and trust in all His promises whatever this year may bring.

May I wish you all a happy and blessed New Year and I pray that 2017 will be a year where we trust more deeply in the Lord wherever that may take us.

Every Blessing

Gordon

Thought for December

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‘The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…’ 1 Timothy 1:15

 

At this time of year the festive season is beginning to get into full swing. Some folks are even so organised to have wrapped and delivered Christmas presents whilst the rest of us have still to begin the wrapping or even the buying of gifts. It is a busy time of year with much to be done, lots to get organised and many family traditions to take place. As I write, the various things are beginning to appear in the church such as the advent candles, a star, a tree with lights and decorations. All these things this year will be a reminder to us of the real reason for the season, even the tree and its decorations will help us this remember important parts of the Christmas story but as the shops begin to fill and preparations for the festivities begin to come together for many, the very One central to the message of Christmas will be absent. The story is told of a young woman with a couple of young children franticly trying to get around the shops to complete the Christmas shopping. The children pointed at every new shiny toy and asked ‘please mummy’. She edged her way through the throngs until she finally reached the lift at the end of a hectic and harassed trip. As the lift door opened and she corralled the children through the doors she exasperatedly cried out ‘whoever invented this Christmas nonsense should be shot.’ Immediately a soft voice from the back of the lift said ‘Haven’t you heard we have already crucified him?’ In the rush of life and of the season it is easy for the one central to the season to become side lined. It can quickly become about so many other things but the wonder of Christmas is that God sent his Son into this world in the form of an infant, Immanuel, God with us, the One that would grow and would go to Calvary’s cross for our sins. God in his wisdom and mercy made a way for those separated from him to be reconciled to Himself through the shed blood of Christ. Let us remember this season as we look to the manger that without that gift of God’s Son lying there we could not look to the cross and the forgiveness and love of a Saviour. As you celebrate this wonderful event in the coming days may you be blessed and may the Lord reveal more of His glory. Have a wonderful Christmas and let’s look forward to what God has planned for the coming year.

 

Every blessing

Gordon

Thought for November

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For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15 ESV)

As the clocks change and the nights begin to draw in we get to that time of the year when we remember those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to Queen and Country. We remember those that have lost their lives in two world wars and numerous other conflicts since. It is a time to remember the cost that our freedom has been, and continues to be, bought at. We also remember those touched by the effects of war such as the families of the fallen, veterans and those still serving. It is good to be reminded of these things, to have time to reflect, to pray and to give thanks for those that have been willing to risk so much. It is also a reminder to believers of the one who paid the greatest sacrifice at Calvary’s cross. We have been blessed to just have had our communion weekend where we remembered the greatest ever sacrifice given for our freedom, Christ willingly and in perfect obedience to the Father suffering and dying on a cross to secure freedom from the power of death and sin for all those that believe in their heart and declare with their mouths that Jesus is Lord. The poppy has become the symbol of remembrance for the fallen and at the Lords table simple elements speak of all that Christ has done in the shedding of his blood and the giving of his body and yet we did not come to the table mourning but in thankful celebration that we serve a risen Saviour, death is not the end and all those that trust in the Lord can have new life as they share in his resurrection. This life is one that knows the joy of serving the risen saviour and one day being with him in his glorious presence for eternity. As the dark nights close in we remember that even with all the spiritual darkness in the world the light of the good news of the gospel has broken in and that it is spreading and Christ’s kingdom is growing. So as we approach Remembrance Sunday this month we come with hearts that are heavy from the loss that conflict brings but we also remember that there is one conflict that has been won, through the sacrifice of one, Christ has conquered sin and death and there is hope, life and joy for the believer in the Masters service.

Every blessing

Gordon

Thought for October

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While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, day and night shall not cease. (Genesis 8:22 ESV)

Then he [Jesus] said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few, therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.’ (Matthew 9:37-38 ESV)

The first verse above is part of the promise made to Noah after the flood and it shows Gods commitment to sustaining his creation. It is a promise that the seasons will come and go, the sun will rise and fall and that there will be a time of planting and a time of harvest. God has been faithful to these promises from the time of Noah and we come to the time of year when we give thanks for the harvest that has been gathered in and the provision the Lord has made for us of the past year. We once again acknowledge that every good gift comes from the Lord and we rejoice in His faithfulness. Yet we also know that we need more than just food for our physical bodies and we give thanks also for the way that he has provided for us spiritually as we have been able to feed upon his life transforming Word. It is a Word that uses the illustration in the second verse above of a harvest to speak of another, greater and more important harvest that is taking place. When Jesus talks about the harvest in Matthew he is talking about those that will hear the good news of the Gospel and respond. He talks of about how great this harvest is but at the lack of laborers to do the work, to tell of this good news and what is His solution, it is again that theme of earnest prayer that we have heard of in our services and bible study. As Charles Price writes ‘ Our task is not so much to run around and do everything but to allow the Lord to direct our path and bring us in touch with the right people in the right place at the right time to reap the ripe harvest.’ Let us be encouraged to do just that, to be in earnest prayer that the Lord may use us for His glory where He has put us and with those that he has directed us to. One day that harvest will be gathered in and we will be surprised in the ways God has used us to speak to others if we have been faithful to his leading. May the Lord encourage you in His service.

Every blessing

Gordon

Thought for September

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And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.  (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)

As a new session begins to get underway and the various organisations of the church get back into full swing it is good to remember why we meet together as believers. These verses sum up the importance of fellowship with each other so that we can encourage each other and stir up one another in love. Meeting together allows us to share, to learn and to love together and it makes the people of God stronger. As Donald Guthrie notes ‘Close and regular fellowship with other believers is not just a nice idea, but an absolute necessity for the encouragement of Christian values.’ Indeed the New Testament lends no support to the idea of lone Christians because a lone Christian is a vulnerable Christian however a believer who is part of the community of faith should be loved, cared for, strengthened and taught. When believers stand together there is strength in their unity that makes them more resisted to attack and discouragement (more resistant but not immune). We as a fellowship are fortunate to have the opportunity to meet together for the very reasons these verses give. Alongside our regular times of worship, we have an active Women’s Guild, a growing Men’s Breakfast, opportunities for Bible Study and prayer and to add a slightly different dimension we will be starting our Food for Thought evenings that will be on the first Wednesday of the month instead of our regular Bible Study. This is an opportunity to gather around a simple meal to enjoy fellowship and then listen to a speaker on a variety of interesting topics. It is a time to receive food both for the body and the soul, to stir one another up to love and good works. The taster we held before the summer break certainly gave us much to think about so please pray for this new venture as we seek to learn and grow together.

Every blessing

Gordon

Thought for August

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All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV)

As we look at these 2 short verses we are told of how important the Word of God is for our lives and from whom it comes. As Christians we hold the inspired Word of God as our highest standard, nothing else comes even close because it is the words of the very God of the universe whom we serve that it contains. His statutes and laws and teaching are perfect and they help us navigate through this world that we live in.

Recently within the church we have sought to establish a church library, a place where resources are available to help us as we dig deeper in God’s word. The Lord has gifted many people to write good, solid and reliable books that can be used to help us deepen our understanding of the scriptures and inspire us in our Christian life and witness. The library is still in its infancy but it is hoped that over time it will offer a rich collection of useful tools that will help us apply the wonderful teaching found within the pages of our Bibles to our lives. We plan to be decidedly picky as to what the library contains as we want the best and most useful resources that we can provide to be available. Unfortunately along with the large number of excellent books available there comes some decidedly questionable material and your prayers for discernment in this area will always be a great help.

Along with the library we are excited to be able to partner with 10 Of Those who are a distributor of some excellent Christian material. Anything they stock or sell must fit within their statement of faith which is available on their website. Their work is seen very much as a ministry and not as a business so that they can get useful material into the hands of believers. Through partnering with them we now offer an online bookstore on our website that stocks thousands of titles. Please have a look and see what might be useful for yourself, family, children or grandchildren.

May God bless you as you continue to study His Word and seek His ways.

Every Blessing

Gordon

Thought for July

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He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. (Psalm 121:3-4 NIV)

At this time of year we see the schools finish up for the summer break, we see folks start to head off on their summer holidays and things start to wind down at the church over the summer months. It is a time for everybody to take a break from their normal everyday activities and to get some time to unwind and relax. It is important for all of us that we have sufficient time to rest from all the rigours of life and to spend time with God, indeed that is the way God designed us but as we go through the summer month’s life will continue. For some that time will be a joyous occasion, an opportunity to spend more time with the family but for others it will be a sad or difficult time, a time that may bring new problems or it may bring back old memories.

As we look at this verse from the psalms we see a great truth that can bring great comfort to us. Yes we may need to rest and take holidays but God never does, he doesn’t take two or three weeks off in the summer to get a break from sustaining the universe and leave it to its own devices (could you imagine the chaos). Thankfully the God that watches over his people will neither slumber nor sleep, he will never be found on vacation for he is such a mighty and awesome God that created all and continues to sustain all. How we, as Gods people, can take comfort in the words of the psalmist, we can take comfort in knowing that through these months and far beyond that he is always there. This means at any time of day, any season of life we can approach the Lord God almighty and bring everything to Him. We can bring the joys of life to him and praise Him for those blessings and we can seek Him when life is difficult and we need the comfort and the care of our Heavenly Father. Never be afraid to take it all to him for we know that he hears the prayers of His people. So may you enjoy these summer months and be richly blessed in these days knowing that the one that loves you and cares for you neither slumbers nor sleeps.

Every Blessing

Gordon

Thought for May

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 “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:37-38 ESV)

In the middle of this month we will remember what some refer to as the birthday of the Church, what we call Pentecost. It is a time when we remember the events recorded in Acts 2, seven weeks after the resurrection of Jesus, where the Holy Spirit was poured out on the first followers. There Peter preached his first sermon and spoke of the words of the Old Testament prophet Joel. And when he had finished the crowds asked ‘what shall we do?’ To this Peter replied ‘repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’ Acts tells us that on that wonderful day 3000 people heard his words, were baptised and were added to the church that day. Not too bad for a first sermon!

Often we can in our own tradition focus simply on the first two persons of the Godhead, God the Father and Jesus the Son but we must remember that it is the trinity, one God three persons, that we acknowledge as being God. The Holy Spirit is the third and equal part of the godhead and as such we must remember the work and power of the Spirit. God pours out the Spirit upon all who put their trust in Jesus Christ. It is a time for us to reflect on how we live day by day: Are we reliant on the power of God’s Spirit? Are we listening to the guiding of the Spirit? Are the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) evident in the lives we live out in front of this world. Sometimes we underestimate the power of the Spirit and we miss out on the comfort and guidance He can bring. Let us not miss out on blessings as the Holy Spirit works within us and through us. We also notice that the Spirit was poured out onto a group of people, the early church. We should not forget the power of the Holy Spirit within the life of our church. As Dr Mark Roberts notes: ‘Pentecost invites us to consider our own participation in the fellowship, worship and mission of the church. It is time to renew our commitment to live as an essential member of the body of Christ, using our gifts to build the church and share the love of Christ with the world.’

Every Blessing

Gordon