The scripture tells us in 1 Samuel 7:12 "then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called it's name Ebenezer, saying thus far the Lord has helped us".
As we see the end of 2022 and look back, what do we see? Monuments to failure/desperate time? Wasted opportunities?
When it comes to our failures, God says in Isaiah 43:25 "I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins"
When it comes to our wasted opportunities, God says in Joel 2:25 "I will restore to you the years that the swarming locusts has eaten." there are never wasted times with the Lord, He uses it for His purpose.
A wise man said "If we do not learn from the past, we are doomed to repeat it, it's okay to look back and learn, but if we drive and keep looking in the rear view mirror all the time, you'll end up in a ditch. Whether good or bad, don't get stuck in the past."
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In Isaiah 43:18-19 "Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old, behold I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth, shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert"
Isaiah 43:2-3 "When you pass through the waters I will be with you and through the rivers they shall not overflow you, when you go through the fire you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you, for I am the Lord your God.
Ecclesiastes 7:10"Do not say why were the former days better than these?"
Hebrews 13:8says "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever" and "God's promises are yes and amen".
As we see changes and uncertainty and challenges in the world and the church today, it is the time when we should let God the father and God the son and the Holy Spirit lead us and have our eyes fixed on Jesus. One of the dangers of growing old is that you become more excited about the past than you are about the future.
In Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope then you will call upon me and go and pray to me and I will listen to you and you will seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart.
God has a plan for us in this new year, so hats off for the past year and coats on to the future new year. So let us put our trust and hope in God our father maker and redeemer, who has a plan for us all and so we can wait in expectation for great miracles from Him.
Wishing all a very blessed, joyful, peaceful and prosperous new year.
Amen
Author: Herbert Jean
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It’s not restricted to the first one winning the prize; He is the Saviour for all people who believe
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Do you know a secret? Last year on my birthday, a whisper in my ear heralded good news! I couldn’t share it with others straight away, but happily a new grandchild has safely joined the family, thanks be to God.
Today we celebrate the fulfilment of a promise given to God’s people over 2700 years ago through the prophet Isaiah, it is written in chapter 9: ‘For to us a child is born, to us a son is given. And the government shall be on his shoulders.’In Luke’s gospel we read of its fulfilment as an angel appears to shepherds out in the fields at night: ‘… Do not be afraid. I bring you news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David, a saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord, this will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger…..so they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby who was lying in the manger.’
In ‘The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe’, C.S. Lewis conveys the moment of hearing a spiritual secret over a meal in a secluded place. The children hear the beaver whisper: “they say that Aslan is on the move..”. The individuals at the meal experienced varying levels of thrill or fear, even though they did not understand the full implications. They were roused for action by hearing this news.
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Some of you who have celebrated or attended an enactment of a Passover (seder) meal, may have heard about the ‘afikomen’. This is a piece of the unleavened bread which is wrapped in a cloth and put to one side. Sometimes, it is hidden for the children to find and then after the main meal it is unwrapped and eaten. There isn’t universal agreement about the significance of ‘afikomen’, but many commentators say that it comes from a Greek word meaning ‘he is coming’. They also say that it would have been part of the meal when Jesus celebrated it with his disciples.
So we reflect on the ‘afikomen’; being wrapped in a cloth, hidden away, found by children and then shared among those gathered. We read in John’s gospel chapter 20:
So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strip of linen lying there as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)
But, it’s not restricted to the first one winning the prize; He is the Saviour for all people who believe.
Unto us a child is born! Unto us a son is given, He shall reign in all the earth, He will be called Emmanuel.
Author: Mandy Windridge
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“We don’t have to know everything; we just need to know something!” The thing is that, that “thing” has to be the right “thing”
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As many know, I like Christmas films. They fascinate me for a number of reasons and its rare that you have to turn one off because the language is foul or the content is just awful. (Some would say that the content of all of them is just “awful” and mock me for that reason; but I mean “awful” in the sense of being amoral or too violent or too dark etc.) Last night I settled down to see the first of my 2022 “Christmas quota” and there was a film that I had seen before which told the story of a number of people caught in a power cut on Christmas eve. One of the scenarios was of four people in a hospital caught in a lift.
The group was made up of what I imagine were 2 medical students, a senior surgeon and a senior nurse. There was a patient on a gurney who was under anaesthetic. The patient was a young woman who was a Christian but was a hopeless case from a medical point of view, having an inoperable tumour. It turns out that the patient had asked the surgeon to pray with her before the surgery but he could not, because he didn’t believe in God because he was a “scientist”. The situation prompted a discussion about belief between the nurse (who was a believer) and the surgeon including a short exchange about the origin of the universe.
The nurse shared about an experience that she had, had. The result of the experience was that since the age of 10 she had been convinced that God knew who she was. She concluded by saying that “we don’t have to know everything; we just need to know something”. She was saying that she couldn’t explain how the universe came into being and she couldn’t explain why a young believer had been struck down with a terminal disease, but she could share what had happened to her and knew that it was real and life-changing.
I have also been fascinated to recently listen to some YouTube clips about the universe and what we know about it. The scale is mind boggling! It’s so big that we have to measure distances in “light years”. This is the distance that light will travel in a year. Bearing in mind that light travels 186,000 miles in a second, the distance that light travels in a year is more or less 6 trillion miles. The universe that scientists can “see” from where we are is 93 billion light years across. Light from the sun takes 4 hours to reach Neptune (the most distant of our planets) and 1.5 years to reach the field of comets that mark the outer edge of our solar system. Nevertheless, you could fit 4,550 solar systems between our solar system and the next nearest star! Space is big! (For more fascinating stuff about this try this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2YJ7aR25P0&t=906s).
What am I getting at? What’s the point of this blog? Well coming up to Christmas 2022 I came across this verse in Acts 13:41: ‘Look, you scoffers! Be astonished and die! For what I am doing today is something that you will not believe, even when someone explains it to you!’” This is Saul speaking in Antioch in Pisidia quoting Habakkuk to “Fellow Israelites and all Gentiles here who worship God”. Saul is quoting God’s answer to Habakkuk which was about God’s coming judgement on injustice. Saul quotes this to his listeners as a warning for them to heed news that the world’s saviour and salvation has come. He is quoting Habakkuk saying that it is vital that they believe the message, but there is a chance that like Habakkuk’s hearers, they will not listen nor believe the account that they are given.
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Even so today - God’s message rings out true and clear in every nativity play “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a saviour which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). The message is unheard and unbelieved. With the coming of Jesus, the message changed Acts 17:40 says: “God has overlooked the times when people did not know him, but now he commands all of them everywhere to turn away from their evil ways”. Jesus himself starts His famous prayer chapter in John 17:3 with: “… eternal life means to know you, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ, whom you sent”. To Martha, the person always serving and working, when she complained that Mary was not helping but listening at Jesus’ feet Jesus said: “You are worried and troubled over so many things, but just one is needed. Mary has chosen the right thing, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42).
“We don’t have to know everything; we just need to know something!” The thing is that, that “thing” has to be the right “thing”. Knowing about the universe is fascinating and for those involved, trying to work out what happened at the moment of “creation” is an amazing problem to try and solve – but is it the “right” thing? What do we need God to tell us? When we were talking to some men at a prison the other week, we talked about the need to hear what God is saying to us, who so desperately need His guidance to eternal life. This is what John Wesley said:
“I am a spirit come from God and returning to God; just hovering over the great gulf, till a few moments hence I am no more seen – I drop into an unchangeable eternity! I want to know one thing, the way to heaven – how to land safe on that happy shore. God himself has condescended to teach the way: for this very end he came from heaven. He has written it down in a book. O give me that book! At any price, give me the Book of God”!
Yes! That has been God’s answer – He has written what we need to know – the something that is the “right thing” down in a book! At the moment some of us are fortunate enough to have free access to what God has determined should be written – in Adrian Plass’ words – “A love letter saying “Dear (my name and your name) – the Bible! – Love God”. The word that brings life to all who truly believe. The message of Christmas is a message about a baby in a feeding trough. It is about the God who created a 93 billion light year-wide universe being constrained into a vulnerable human body. It is about the one who created this universe coming, and being subject to human abuse, and unbelievable cruelty, spite and provocation to show us the way to His Father and eternal life. This is THE STORY – there is no other – it’s the something – the right thing that above all else we need to know. God knows who I am – how amazing is that! He cares about me!
Jesus told me not to worry because I am worth a lot to Him… Not just me all of us. His love is the same no matter how many experience it. His salvation is just as powerful no matter how many accept it. His Holy Spirit – the promise to all who believe - is undiluted no matter how many receive Him. His words will last forever. We do not know these things because we understand how the universe was created. When we meet our saviour / creator we learn that there are far more important things to know. “We don’t have to know everything; we just need to know something”. Knowing Jesus is just the start of knowing important things – what does the Lord want to show us next?
Author: Chris Pearson
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At this time of the year the story of Jesus' birth becomes distorted and magical when in truth it is powerfully supernatural
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As a congregation we are asking the Lord to teach us to pray. I was led to Matthew 8 and the story of the centurion which made me think that it has a warning for this time of the year when we remember and celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus.
The centurion was part of the backbone of the invading Roman army in Israel; ruthless men of strength and character.
A most unusual trait of the centurion was his sensitivity towards his slave whom he valued highly, when we consider they used to let the old slaves die, shut in with no food or left out in the open air. They were treated as mere utensils and discarded when worn out.
This centurion had built a synagogue out of love for the nation of Israel. He sent some Jews to Jesus to ask Him to come and heal his servant. They pleaded earnestly with the Lord to do it as the centurion was so deserving.
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He showed unusual humility as when the Lord wasn't far from his house, the centurion sent his servants to tell Him not to trouble Himself for he didn't deserve to have Him come under his roof. And that was the reason he hadn't considered himself worthy to come to Him in person - just Jesus' word would be sufficient for his servant to be healed. Because the centurion was a man under authority he understood Jesus was under the authority of God the Father so he believed without hesitation that Jesus' word would heal his highly valued servant.
We say 'familiarity breeds contempt'. And at this time of the year the story of Jesus' birth becomes distorted and magical when in truth it is powerfully supernatural. A true historic account of God the Father sending His one and only Son to save us from our lack of understanding of authority.
Our individualistic ways have led us away from the Creator of heaven and earth and all mankind. Away from His wonderful plan of us being created for His pleasure, for communion and intimacy, for love and beauty and joy. We have ruined our lives and the beautiful surroundings that God created to give us an environment conducive to praise, worship, fellowship, creativity and well being.
And the coming of the Lord Jesus, righting our wrongs and offering the opportunity of new birth provides a new start.
Let us come afresh to the true historic account of the Lord's birth. The wonder of Heaven and Earth connecting in such a supernatural way for an encounter with Father, Son and Holy Spirit which is real and life giving.
Let's see the story developing and engaging in our daily living seeing baby Jesus becoming the Saviour of the world, having died for the sins of the whole world, resurrected and sitting at the right hand of the Father, waiting for the Father's command to return and reign and rule on earth fulfilling all His promises to Israel and the whole of creation. He is interceding for each one of us because He doesn't want anybody to be lost but everyone to accept His gift of forgiveness and eternal life.
Let us make room to go back to the historical accounts in Scripture from the Old Testament to the New Testament and be transformed by them. Let us be filled with the hope of eternal life in a perfect world where a God of love reigns and rules and we surrender willingly to Him.
Author: Betty Plumb
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No matter what our circumstances, our age, our health, our finances, the Lord can and will still use us to fulfil the plans He has for our lives
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We live in a society where youth is revered, where products marketed to make us look, feel, and act, younger are all over the shelves. Social Media makes celebrities out of teenagers who have millions of ‘followers’ and who make fortunes out of product endorsements to people of a similar age.
We celebrate having “the youngest ever Prime Minister” (who, to be fair didn’t last long) and pay huge sums to young men and women in their late teens and twenties for developing a skill with a bag of wind on a muddy field. Young people whose careers are deemed over in their mid-thirties.
For those of us of a certain age and in my case older, we could be forgiven for thinking that we no longer have anything to offer, as age, health issues and simple physical deterioration take their toll.
Well, I’ve got news for you. The Kingdom doesn’t work that way. In God’s plan, age is valued. The biblical requirements to respect elders still stand:
“You shall stand up before the grey head and honour the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the LORD. (Leviticus 19:32)
Grey hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life. (Proverbs 16:31)
Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days (Job 12:12)
I received an e-mail some time ago from a dear, godly, lady, who joined our church in Tamworth when she and her husband retired from the mission field after, I believe 40 years serving among the tribes in Northern Thailand. Her name is Emma and despite all those years abroad and being married to a lovely man from the Kingdom of Fife, still speaks with a Geordie accent!
She has been a widow for many years now but, despite having serious health issues remains a staunch prayer warrior and brings the fragrance of Jesus to all who meet her. She writes:
“Hi Allan, your scripture works even now 2022. Last week I gave a large bag of beautiful Thai rice to a needy family down the road from me. Then had two visitors bringing me a big bag of Thai rice from wing yip and a beautiful punnet of strawberries. Week before gave away to the Romanians last two little cardigans I'd knitted and on Sunday June came with a huge bag of beautiful new baby wool double knitting. How good is our God same yesterday today and Forever. Bless you real good."
The email was in response to the daily scripture I had sent out:
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One person gives freely, yet gains even more, another withholds unduly and comes to poverty. (Proverbs 11:24)
Emma must be in her late 80’s if not her 90’s now and could be forgiven for “taking it easy”. Not a bit of it. She still has the Lord’s work to do and people to bless and will do so until He calls her home.
Another ex-missionary friend of ours, Peter, served with his wife Thelma in Senegal for many years. Again, on retirement they joined our church in Tamworth where they were active in a number of areas. Peter continued to make himself available, as needed even after he became a widower and even as his health deteriorated. His many visits to hospital as an in patient in his later years were always seen by him as an opportunity to share the Gospel with staff and fellow patients. One love of his life was the translation of the Gospel into the tribal language of the area he worked in for many years a work which was completed just prior to his translation to glory.
I use these two lovely people as an example but you don’t have to be an ex-missionary to do the Lord’s work at any age. Whilst I was pondering this blog I read the following in the daily devotional “Every Day in His Presence” by Charles F. Stanley:
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“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart” Jeremiah 1:5
Many people wonder, God, can You really use me? Can You really make something of my life?
Yes friend – He can! No matter how old (my underlining) or young you are, the father has wonderful plans for you and is -even at this moment-training you by His Spirit.
How can you know this for sure? Because in Christ, you are God’s beloved child. You have been given the spiritually miraculous opportunity to have a personal relationship with the God of the universe. And because of that – not your strengths, intelligence, or talents; rather your relationship with Him – He can work through you in astounding ways that will thrill your soul.
You may not understand why the Lord directs you on a certain path, but if you are willing to obey Him and learn His ways, you will gain insight into His heart. Then His Spirit will enable you to carry out all the good works He planned for you to accomplish even before you were born. (Daily Reflection 21/8/22)
I felt really encouraged by this. I don’t mind admitting that there have been times during the last few years when frustration at my mobility and health problems has made me doubt whether I still have anything to offer.
But then, the example of Emma and Peter and this word of encouragement has really blessed me. No matter what our circumstances, our age, our health, our finances, the Lord can and will still use us to fulfil the plans He has for our lives. Housebound? We can still pray: “the prayer of a righteous man has great power as it is working” Physically restricted? We can still offer support and encouragement and the benefit of experience. Lock down has opened up whole new areas of what we call “church” to those who find physical access challenging through “Zoom” and “Whypay” even the dreaded Social Media can have a positive part to play in allowing those who were previously excluded to participate more fully.
So, brothers and sisters of the “Grey Brigade” be encouraged and look for ways that you can continue to make a valuable contribution to the Lord’s people.
Keep on Keeping On
Author: Alan Cameron
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The baby in the manger who left the riches of heaven for poverty on earth
In spring 2020 I wrote an article in the Coleshill Post about the notorious pair of donkeys at Southfields Farm – Eric and Ernie. The article was intended for publication just before Easter, to highlight the dramatic role that the donkeys play in the Palm Sunday parade in Coleshill. But, Covid kept the donkeys in their paddock. The lockdown meant that it was early summer when the Coleshill Post was delivered.
Now as we go into December 2022, preparations are being made at Southfields Farm for a schools event, ‘Journey to the Stable’. Guess who will be part of ‘the journey’?! Over the course of 2 days, 7th and 8th December, 12 classes of year 2 pupils from local schools will experience the Christmas Story. A large team of volunteers, mainly grandparents, will be helping to create an atmosphere of exploration and adventure. The costumes have progressed over the years; it’s a lot more than just a tea-towel around the head!
Having a real baby with its mother in the ‘Stable’, is always the icing on the cake; the children’s faces light up as they finally reach their destination. This year there will be another special baby and his mother, sharing the space with an assortment of 4 legged animals in a draughty barn. It probably won’t be as cold as the first year that Coleshill churches arranged ‘Journey to the Stable (J2S)’. In 2010, December 8th, the temperatures barely rose above zero during the day and the shepherds were looking for their frozen sheep on a white churchyard.
Now some of the readers will know that the bible narrative of the birth of Jesus does not mention a donkey, let alone two. Stories that get passed down the generations are often embellished, especially when translated into different languages and cultures over the course of 2000 years. Much of what we know regarding the birth of Jesus is found in the gospel of Luke, with further details in Matthew. Luke specifically mentions in his introduction that he has based his account on records from eye-witnesses. This is of vital, critical importance. I will illustrate this point: While writing this piece, I was trying to recall the details of the first time that I helped with J2S, I was convinced it must have been in the year 2008. However I contacted the lady who took the role of Mary and verified the current age of ‘baby Jesus’ and realised that I was 2 years amiss. Then I managed to check local weather records to verify what I thought had been an exceptionally cold day with day temperatures at -7, to discover that although very cold, it wasn’t that bad! Yes, our memories can quickly deceive us older ones!
But returning to Eric and Ernie, even if they weren’t in the original story, what would they make of it? Well, centuries before the birth of Jesus, there is an account in the bible of a donkey being given a voice to speak to his master! It was a stern rebuke to a foolish man who had acted against his better judgement in order to earn more money. So intent was he on his mission, that he had thrice beat his faithful donkey. (The whole saga is found in the book of Numbers 22-25). What a contrast to the baby in the manger who left the riches of heaven for poverty on earth. So, Eric and Ernie, who would you rather have for your master?
Carols at the Stable December 11th 4pm at Southfields Farm, Packington Lane Coleshill B46 3EJ
Author: Richard Windridge
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His purpose it to teach us that when all other hope is gone that the Lord Himself is the hope of our lives
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Recently John wrote a blog based on the book of Hosea reminding us of what the Lord said to His people through the prophet Hosea, and what He is saying to us today. The blog was a blessing in many ways, but for me it was a stirring up of an old promise that the Lord made very real to me many years ago while I was going through a tough time in my life both mentally and spiritually. That the Valley of Achor (trouble) would become a door of hope.
When I was 18 years old, I experienced a period of extreme anxiety which lasted for 2 years. This incapacitated me in many ways causing me to lose time from work and feel emotionally and spiritually drained, useless, full of doubt and fear and totally exhausted most of the time. There were many days during this experience I thought I would never be able to feel peace and fearless, and close to the Lord ever again. But as the Lord always does, he never left me but instead gave me many precious promises, including this one from Hosea.
`But then I will win her back again (allure her) and will lead her into the desert (or wilderness) and speak tenderly to her there. I will return her vineyards to her and transform the valley of trouble (Achor) into a gateway of hope. She will give herself to me there as she did long ago when she was young, when I freed her from her captivity in Egypt` (Hosea 2:14-15 NLT)
The verse assured me that sometimes the Lord leads us into desert times to both get our attention and to speak tenderly to us. At the time it can seem harsh to us and the desert (wilderness) is a place we don’t want to be, we fight it, we try and escape it and we complain to God about it, we certainly don’t welcome it! But through the words of Hosea (who understood periods of wilderness experiences for himself, and periods of seeing the restoration of the Lord through the experience of his wife Gomer), we learn that the wilderness is a place of transformation. God alone can make the valley of trouble (Achor) into a gateway of hope. And His purpose it to teach us that when all other hope is gone that the Lord Himself is the hope of our lives. It is a living, transforming, joy filled hope, that makes us not ashamed or disappointed, because it is based in Him and His eternal and fathomless love for us, and not on circumstance and situation.
Sometimes it is only being led into a wilderness time and space, and experiencing again the loving, transforming hope of the Lord, that we have the time and the space to again give ourselves totally to the Lord as we did when we first knew Him. The time when we realised, we had been freed from our sinful life and captivity. When the very awareness of who we were and what He did for us; dying on the cross to free us from sin and death; created such a desire to live so close to God and to listen for His every breath in our lives.
Reading and remembering this verse again was such a blessing and like meeting an old friend again. I recall how the Lord has taught me such a lot during this period of wilderness experiences in my life. But then there was a greater blessing still to come.
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During our recent day of prayer, the Lord led me to read Isaiah chapter 65. Its very challenging but all of sudden in verse 10 I found an old friend with an extra blessing attached.
`The plains of Sharon will again be filled with flocks for my people who have searched for me, and the Valley of Achor will be a place to pasture herds`.(NLT)
I was so thrilled by this verse I do not ever remember reading before. The Lord's promise to Israel and to us is that the valley of Achor (trouble) is not only a door of hope but through the goodness of God, and what we learn from being in the wilderness it will become a place to pasture herds. This spoke to me of the overwhelming love of God. That He would take the troubles and difficult experiences we go through both to give us hope and strengthen our faith and walk with the Lord, so that we can then share that hope and faith to pasture (feed and nurture) others. To show them in their valley of Achor (trouble) that God can both bring them through and be used mightily to feed and nurture others.
We know this is God's plan for us because Jesus confirms it in his encouraging and challenging words to Peter at the last supper.
`Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have prayed for you Simon that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again strengthen your bothers` (Luke 22:31-32 NLT)
They were all going to be sifted (we all go through difficult times and challenging experiences) but He said to Simon when you have repented and retuned to me and been restored (discovered that the valley of trouble is the door of hope) strengthen your brothers. In other words, feed my sheep, pasture my herds with what you have learned and experienced.
God never wastes anything, any experience we go through. Any time spent in the valley of Achor (trouble), being led into wilderness experiences, to grow closer to and become more dependent on the Lord is to be used to nurture and feed others. If we don’t, if we keep what we have learned to ourselves, if we are afraid to reach out to others and share our experiences, we do not fulfil all the Lord has ordained for us. Paul encourages us to do this in 1 Corinthians 1:3-5
`All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ the more God will shower us with this comfort through Christ` (NLT)
I am so grateful today that the Lord reminded me again in these difficult days we are going through that the Valley of Trouble (Achor) is truly a door of Hope and that Hope is then a gift we have to share with others going through Valleys of Trouble (Achor) The Lord's provision is truly eternal for each of our lives. Thank you Lord.
Author: Jan Pearson
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The Holy Spirit that lives in us can give us the endurance we lack in ourselves
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When I was at school, I was never any good at running fast. I had plenty of stamina but no speed. Cross country running on a Wednesday afternoon was never a favourite of mine or in fact of many of my friends. We would walk much of the way and then make a run for it through the gates back to school. After being a teacher for many years I have no doubt that our sports teacher was never fooled by this but was just glad that we had had the required fresh air and exercise for the day. As far as I can remember, we all finished the race, some earlier than others and in different ways, but we all got there in the end. The winner was not important in those sports lessons, just the ability to finish.
Our walk with the Lord is often likened to a race in the scriptures and, as in my illustration, the important thing is to set our eyes on the goal and finish the race. Everyone that perseveres to the end is a winner but even though there will be many winners we have to run in such a way to get the prize.
Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27Do 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. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
The race, of course, starts with actually getting going. I, for one, made many false starts over the years before I actually got on my way. There is no point just staying in or around the starting blocks. We have to get moving and then remain on course.
Then, of course, we have to run the race in such a way as to reach the goal. We have to perservere right to the end. The race is not over until we cross the finish line. Paul tells us that we need to go into strict training ‘to get a crown that will last’. We all need to spend time in the word, in prayer and worship to equip us to be fit enough to reach our goal.
Our goal is eternity with Jesus. We need to keep our mind set on Jesus and what he wants us to do. On our way along the road, we have to be active in the work of the Kingdom, helping to bring others to the starting blocks of the race and beyond.
Paul tells us not to run aimlessly, we have to run with direction and purpose. Purpose helps us to move forward with enthusiasm and energy.
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In Hebrews 12:1-3 it says: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
To make our race easier we need to throw off all our hindrances. Apparently, the Greek here means ‘heavy things’. These may not necessarily be bad in themselves but are slowing us down. This race is not a sprint it is a marathon and anything that slows us down needs to be thrown off along with the sin that ensnares us. This is often a difficult thing to do. As Paul tells us in Ephesians, it is hard to get rid of our old self and the enemy doesn’t help as he is happy for us not to finish the race. There will be struggles along the way but we have to ‘run with perseverence’ ‘fixing our eyes on Jesus’. I don’t know about you, but endurance is not always easy for me but the Holy Spirit that lives in us can give us the endurance we lack in ourselves. We must remember when we get disheartened with ourselves that God wants us to finish this race. He will give us all the help we need if we put our trust in him. We have to fix our eyes on Jesus, not ourselves. Scripture tells us that God’s power flows in our weakness. So, if we feel weak and unable to keep going, that is a good thing because we can step out of the way and let Jesus be our strength. We just have to admit that we can’t do it in our own strength and God will say: ‘My power is made perfect in your weakness.’ That is so encouraging!! With his power we can finish the race. God can use us and help us to do it.
In Philippians 3:14Paul says: I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
And that is what we must do, trusting in Jesus, who is ‘the pioneer and perfecter of faith’. He will help us finish this race. Paul says in Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
So I invite you to pray this with me. ‘You have started this work Lord and I am confident you will help me to cross the finishing line. Amen’
Author: Thelma Cameron
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God is requiring believers to stand in the gap in repentance, to intercede for His mercy. To bring in a great harvest of souls from “All Nations”.
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Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound the alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming, for it is at hand. Joel 2:1
Understanding the times
Biblical, prophetic history is being fulfilled rapidly in these days. It suggests we are rapidly heading towards a coming judgement upon the world. God is requiring us as individuals and the corporate church of Jesus Christ to rise up in a new measure of victory, power and authority.
To demonstrate that in the face of all satan will attempt to do, God through His people is able to do much more than we could ever think or ask. When it seems that things have gone too far, suddenly the Spirit of the Lord, will come and “raise up the standard.”
Not on man-made meetings or programmes, but on the in-gathering of true believers from all denominations who are standing on the prophetic truth of God’s word,
“not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as in the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25
What God requires
Now therefore says the Lord, turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning. So rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and He relents from doing harm. Joel 2:12
Many churches are in slumber, unaware of the urgent days we are living in, turning over in their sleep. Yet there is an urgency for the “Clarion Call” to go forth in these significant times.
God is requiring believers to stand in the gap in repentance, to intercede for His mercy. To bring in a great harvest of souls from “All Nations”.
Here in the UK, unrighteous laws have broken all the ten commandments, giving access to demonic influences, through sin and ungodliness, allowing the spiritual gates of our cities and towns to be torn down.
Our responsibility to Israel
God is also desiring the church to fulfil this responsibility to Israel. The covenant He made with Abraham, has never been revoked, and as Gentiles we have been grafted in.
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They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. Romans 15:27
As we have shared in their spiritual inheritance, we are indebted to minister to them also in material things.
A sobering thought.
For the nation and kingdom which will not serve you shall perish, and these nations shall be utterly ruined. Isaiah 60:12.
Our Response
Elijah took on his shoulders the prophetic responsibility for His people and His nation (James 5:17-18). Likewise the “Clarion Call” is calling us to adopt the Elijah spirit akin to His heart in these last days. To pray with God’s wisdom and prophetic understanding.
As darkness increases, and it surely will, God’s light will illuminate the darkness, pouring out His love, His blessing and His provision upon Israel, His chosen people and the Church.
Conclusion
God declares in Psalm 2:6, 'Yet I have set My King (Jesus) on My Holy hill of Zion.' Jesus is the Victor and all nations will come and worship at His feet.
And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. Blessed are those who do His commandments that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter through the gates into the city.Rev.22:12-14
Amen and Amen!
Author: John Yates
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