The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV)

After much planning and preparation we will, this month, be celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the church. It is not a celebration of bricks and mortar but of the faithfulness of God down through 80 years of our fellowship. Over the weekend of the 9th and 10th of September we will have the opportunity to gather together as a fellowship to give thanks for how the Lord has been at work in the lives of His people down through the generations since the founding of the church and the establishment of a place of worship. It is a time to look back over the years that have gone by and the faithful servants that have gone before us. It is also an opportunity to give thanks for the Lords leading and guiding in these years and His many blessings but it is, importantly, an opportunity to think of what the coming years will hold. None of us know what the future holds and what blessings we will experience and what challenges we will face but looking to the Lords faithfulness in the past means we can be sure that He is trustworthy for whatever the future holds. We seek to continue to build on the bedrock of the ministries and work that have been and to establish ways to connect with a new generation or generations. As plans come together for the celebration so other plans are being considered for the life of the church beyond these celebrations. In many ways it is these plans that are important because we cannot rest on the past victories and successes but must be continually pushing forward in our life and witness to the world around us. We seek to be faithful to the Word of God, to the unchanging Lord and the call to be His witnesses in an ever changing world. We continue to look to the Lord and we ask that He will give us a vision of what He would have us do and how He would have us do it. Great steps of faith were taken in the past as the church stands testament to and great steps of faith will be needed in the days ahead but as the verse above declares ‘The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.’ In this joyful period of celebration in the life of our congregation please take time to reflect on the faithfulness of the God we serve and in the business find time to be still before Him and see glimpses of His glory.

Every blessing
Gordon

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
(Matthew 7:13-14 ESV)

This week I sat one evening and looked through the options of films to watch on Netflix. As I scrolled through the options there was something for every taste, the action movie, the romantic comedy, the documentary and so the list went on. There was so much to choose from that I struggled to make a choice at all. I started one and then part way through changed to another before finally watching a sports documentary. Why do I share this with you? Let me explain. I was struck by the sheer number of different options to choose from and if I didn’t like one I could simply try something else. It is a bit like going into a sweet shop as a child and being able to pick and mix what you want. We live in a world that says life is like this. You can chose one path one day and if you don’t like that you can choose another the next. Even our young folks look at TV and films and think that’s what real life looks like and are left disappointed when it doesn’t work out like that, but it’s ok because we can just choose another path in the worlds understanding. The scriptures do not set out before us a plethora of different options or paths; they simply give us two roads that the verses above speak of. However the world tries to sell us a lie that we can just mix and match and see what works, maybe find a middle road. There is no such road, it is just a hopeful fantasy, and we all have a decision to make. Too many options can be unhelpful but in a world where we are bombarded by choice this seems too few. Even believers can be sucked into this kind of thinking trying to straddle both roads but to be on one road is not to be on the other. One road is a life of service and submission to Christ that leads to a glorious eternity in the presence of the Lord God Almighty the other is the road of worldly pleasure, rebellion to God and pleasing self but this leads to an eternity forever separated from a loving God, a truly terrible thought. Let me leave you with the words of John Piper:  ‘May God give us in perfect proportion the fruitful balance of loving heaven and fearing hell.’ May the Lord help us guide more around us towards the narrow path.

Every blessing
Gordon

And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” (Acts 17:6-7 ESV)

At our recent family service we considered these verses from Acts which we have been working our way through in our evening services. Acts as we have discovered is a book with the mission to spread the good news of the gospel as its heartbeat. It charts the growth of the early church and the amazing spread of the message of salvation from Jerusalem, to Samaria and Judea and on to the ends of the earth. It is the beginning of a work which we as a church, even today continue, that of bringing the message of salvation to the end of the earth. The unprecedented spread of this truth and growth of the early church shows the power of the gospel and the work of the Spirit which was poured out to Jews and Gentiles alike. That gospel message that was proclaimed then should be the same one as we proclaim today and that same Spirit that led and guided the early church is the same Spirit that leads and guides us today and who works in the hearts and minds of people as we seek to faithfully proclaim the saviour. The verses above talk of the accusation brought against Paul and Silas in Thessalonica of ‘turning the world upside down’. I find it a wonderful accusation, some would say, a back handed complement. It is the accusation of turning everything a different way up. The world claims it to be the wrong way up whereas we see it is the right way up for the world we live in is in turmoil, it is the wrong way up. Recent events that have rocked our nation and events further afield just confirm this truth and people continue to search for answers and some sort of hope. Imagine for a moment the difference that we would see in this world if every believer could face the same accusations and be found guilty, of turning the world upside down or in God’s eyes, the only ones that matter, the right way up. Over the summer period our organizations finish which allows us, even more, to move our focus from within the walls of our church to out with and to those around us. I hope you have a wonderful summer and I ask that you consider how to use it for the glory of God and the work of turning the world upside down.

Every blessing in your labours for the Lord

Gordon

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts! Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the Lord! For he commanded and they were created. (Psalm 148:1-5 ESV)

As we have journeyed out of winter through spring and into summer proper it has been an opportunity for me to get out and explore more of this beautiful part of the world we live in here in Lossiemouth. Myself and Laura have enjoyed walking the dog in new places and discovering places we have not been before to enjoy, whether it be in the peace of the woods, the beauty of the coastline or watching the sun setting as we finish a walk along the beach. Each sunset is different, the tides are constantly changing the shore line and the variety of flowers and wildlife always make for interesting pictures and memories. Sometimes life can become busy and we miss the opportunity for such experiences but when we have time to slow down and appreciate our surroundings we discover the beauty and wonder of the creation which continuously points to its creator. Whether it is the sheer power of the sea or the delicate flowers it reminds us of the God we serve. He is the one that controls the oceans, that keeps the earth spinning or that puts the colours in the leaves and the plants as they bloom. We see the power of our God in creation, we see the gentleness of our God in creation and we see the creativity and beauty of our God in creation. He has created a world we can enjoy that is not black and white but full of vibrant colours, not static but ever changing beauty, we can smell, touch, taste, hear all that is around us but if we enjoy the creation, as many do, but do not acknowledge the creator we will be left wanting. Everything is designed to bring praise to God, all creation, including us. We are designed for worship and bringing praise but often that worship is directed at the wrong things. Our aim in mission as we reach out is to see that worship directed towards God. As John Piper notes ‘Mission exists because worship doesn’t’. Let us as we enjoy the creator point others to him so that they too can rightly direct their praise and their worship to a wonderful, holy and perfect God. The Lord bless you as you enjoy him and his goodness in these days.

Every blessing

Gordon

Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. (James 4:14 ESV))

Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow. (Psalm 144:4 ESV)

I don’t know about you but the beginning of this year just seems to have rushed by. Others have said to me how they don’t know where the time has gone or how we are into May already but as the saying goes ‘Time waits for no man.’ The verses above describe the brevity of life which you may think is a fairly depressing topic to choose as we go into the summer months but bear with me. These verses would be thoroughly depressing reading without the hope and promises we have as believers but in actual fact they are of great encouragement to us. Our lives could seem insignificant in light of these verses and the universe we live in but the wonderful thing is that if we trust in Jesus and follow him then the Bible tells us we are known and loved by the God of the universe. This means our lives, short as they may be are important and what we do with them and the choices we make are important. It is what we choose to use that time for that will make a difference. Our lives in this world might be short but we are eternal beings yet many spend so much time concentrating on this life that passes like a mist, choosing to ignore the life that lies beyond and where they will spend it. The passing attractions of this life may seem desirable now and give short term satisfaction and the road we are called to walk as believers look unappealing but the wonderful truth is that whatever this world has to offer and whatever we may suffer in it will pail in the light of an eternity spent in the presence and glory of God. Equally whatever pleasure and gain is made still living not knowing and trusting in the Saviour will seem worthless in an eternity separated from the love and glory of God. Our purpose in this life and the next is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever and when we make the decision stirred by the work of the Holy Spirit to do just that then we will live satisfied and fulfilled lives on this earth. As we enter another summer let us remember that this life is a passing season but one passing into something better and more glorious for those that trust and believe all that the scriptures have to teach and who follow the Master. It is not the message the world wants to hear but it is a message it needs to hear. May the Lord equip us and grant us boldness to do just that.

Every blessing

Gordon

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lam. 3:22-23)

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Heb.13:8)

As we approach Easter once again we do so knowing and experiencing that we are living in an ever changing world. We live in times of constant cultural flux and just when you think you have a handle on technology, culture, politics and a myriad of other things the goalposts seem to move. Yet in the midst of all this people are looking for constants, for something to hold onto that won’t move or change direction. One senses how unsettled our society is and people, many well-meaning people, point to a raft of solutions but even then they point to things that have no more as solid foundation than the next but there is a constant that we can look to, that constant is the love of the Lord. It is a love so great that the events of the first Easter are what we celebrate as God’s people. It is at Easter that we celebrate the defining truths of our beliefs, it is here we see:

• That we are sinners in need of a Saviour
• That God gave us a saviour in the form of His only begotten Son.
• Jesus, God’s son, took upon himself our sins and put them to death in His death.
• Jesus rose from the dead and brought new life in his rising to those who trust and obey Him.
• And from the God’s right hand, now ascended into heaven he now rules and reigns over His kingdom, through His church.

Yet these truths are not simply for Easter they are what define our lives and the life of our fellowship. It is these constants that we rejoice in at Easter, these actions of an unchanging God that show that he does not love us today and will abandon us tomorrow. They show that his steadfast love never ceases and that in a world in change there is one who is unchanging and unchangeable, that there is one who in the midst of our troubles, our trials, our joys and celebrations we can call upon, not as some genie in a bottle who is there at our beck and call but the one who will be there for those that love and trust him. In a world of shifting sands Christ is the solid rock for as the hymn declares ‘All other ground is sinking sand’. We pray many would hear and accept these truths for themselves this Easter.

May the Lord bless you at this wonderful time of year for the believer.

Gordon

‘… you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’

(Acts 1:8 ESV)

This month we will hold our Mission Sunday Service where our focus is on the work of Christ’s church to reach out with good news of the gospel, locally, nationally and internationally. We may use this Sunday to specifically consider the work going on in different areas along with the work we support as a fellowship but mission cannot and should not be simply something we think about only at certain times of the year, it must be the very heartbeat of the church. In an age where people are bombarded with different, ideas, ideals, religions and where we are told that everyone can be right the question we need to ask ourselves must be: ‘Is the amazing, life changing and counter cultural message of the gospel being heard over the noise of all that the world promotes?’. It is a message so radical and so wonderful that all need to hear yet a message that is often whispered so quietly and spoken of with so little regularity beyond our church walls that it is not being heard. The love of a Saviour so great that he would lay down His life for sinners such as us so that the perfect justice of God would be served but not on us but on one so willing yet so undeserving, the Lord Jesus Christ. Not only that but His resurrection means new life for us and His ascension means that he rules and reigns over his now established kingdom. Now importantly for mission the power of the Holy Spirit has been given to believers so that the ministry that Christ began on earth may continue through His church as he rules and directs from the realms of glory. As we have considered in our evening services in the book of Acts, the ability to be Christ’s witnesses to the end of the earth does not lie within us but by the power of the Holy Spirit. We may feel inadequate for the task, or unable to share the good news with others but we have all been given different gifts for the kingdom work and witness and he who calls us equips us for the task ahead. We do not do mission in our own strength, relying on our own abilities but the Holy Spirit empowers the believer to be bold and courageous but we need to take those steps out in faith and at each step we will be surprised what the Lord can do in us and through us. Mission is what the church is called to do so we pray that it will remain our focus not just on Mission Sunday but every day and in every aspect of the life of our fellowship. May the Lord bless you as you witness for Him.

Every blessing

Gordon

‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.’  John 3:16

‘For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.’  1 Corinthians 1:18

We come to that month in the year where cards are bought, gifts given and meals enjoyed as people celebrate their love for one another. February 14^th is Valentine’s Day (just a reminder for all the husbands and boyfriends out there) and has become big business and another opportunity for our consumerist society to cash in on a commodity that we can’t put a price on, love. Millions are spent on that one day in a multitude of different ways that people want to use to show the one they love just how much they care for them. High prices are paid for gifts, sacrifices made to spent time with those we love and great (or foolish) acts undertaken all as displays of love but as we look at the scriptures we see in history acts by our great God that display His love for his people. He sent his only begotten Son into this world to live a perfect life amongst us, to die a horrific death on a cross, to rise again on the third day and then ascend into heaven from where he rules and reigns at the Father’s right hand. That giving of His son is the greatest gift of love the world has ever seen and cost more than we can ever comprehend. It is what shows us the depth of love that the Heavenly Father lavishes on us His children. It is a love open and available to those that trust and follow the Lord Jesus Christ, it is a love that means eternal life in the glorious presence of the creator and sustainer of this universe. The world may see the cross as foolishness (the scriptures tell us that) but the gospel turns the world’s thinking on its head. For every believer it is far from foolishness but the symbol of love, forgiveness, a relationship with the living God and a fulfilled life. It is a message that we can’t keep to ourselves. So as you begin to see all the cards and the gifts and love hearts fill the shelves, think for a moment on something that you won’t find there, the cross and all that it means. As we explore how to become a more missional focussed church in the coming year we seek God’s leading in how to best share this wonderful message with our community so that they too would know this love.

May the Lord bless you in His service.

Gordon

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 2^nd 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

‘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