Menu

Hope

thumbnail_Bible Mean To You Blog Image

What does your Bible mean to you?

, , , , , , , , ,

If your house was on fire and you were only allowed to chose one object (obviously all the people and pets are safe in this scenario) to save, what would it be?

For me, it would be my Bible.

But why? Today, Bibles are not rare – more than five billion copies have been sold worldwide, and over 100 million last year alone. Not only are there millions of Bibles circulating in the world, but now, with the innovations in technology, there are so many free Bible apps that you could have a different Bible on every device you own!

Surely then, it is a strange object to save if you could choose only one. It is not unique after all.

For a moment, let us consider the following scene: a person bursts through a door shouting, loudly and excitedly, that he has just discovered the word of God for the first time! Just imagine it. Would you be excited?

Yet there was a time when it was truly exhilarating to find the word of God. This story is not fictional, but based upon an actual event. It is something that happened during biblical times, a long time ago. During Jeremiah’s time, Hilkiah the high priest found the book of the law and gave it to Shaphan, the scribe, who brought it before the king of Judah – King Josiah (2 Kings 22:8).

Imagine what it must have been like for the young king to hear the word of God read to him for the very first time. On hearing the law, the king was moved with such emotion that he told everyone in Judah about God’s holy ways.

Now bring this stirring account back to us. Are we excited about opening the word of God and reading it (Acts 17:11)2 Do we long to read our Bibles? Have you ever been so interested, so absorbed, in a section of scripture that you have spent hours studying it, even into the long hours of the night? Do you read the Bible daily to learn more about God’s plan? Do you consider it the most precious possession you have? Our answers are good indicators of how much we genuinely love and value the Bible.

The value of our Bible is not in its printing and binding but in its words. The words have come from God Himself, the author of this extraordinary book. Although many people own a copy, sadly few read it today – as predicted by Jesus when he said, “when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8).

Let us try to emulate the same level of excitement and enthusiasm for God’s precious word as Hilkiah, Shaphan and King Josiah. Read it every day and at every opportunity and love its words and message. And let us make it central in our lives and view it as the most precious thing we possess.

Tell others you have found the word of God!

Please share and like this post:
Prayer

A life of contentment

, , , , , , , ,

Contentment doesn’t feel like a word or topic that is discussed very often. We speak of people’s feelings, emotions and mental state, but not the idea of being content. Which is surprising, as when we think about it, we live in a very discontented world. Everything around us is driven by discontentment.

This discontentment can come from many things: being dissatisfied by a relationship, work, or the circumstances you are currently in.

These can take all sorts of forms in our lives and manifest themselves in many different ways, such as envying, anger, bitterness or even worry and anxiety. These emotions often come from a root of discontentment.

The Apostle Paul teaches us that we can achieve contentment in Philippians 4 v 11-13: “For I have learned that whatever state I am, to be content, I know how to be brought low and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Paul tells us that contentment is something we must learn. “I have learned.”

The only way to do this is through Christ who strengthens us, it is something God wants to teach us, something we must practise every day to achieve.

Do you want to find that contentment?

The best way to do this is to approach God, read his word The Bible and follow his ways.

As Jesus teaches us in Matthew 11v28: “Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

The word labour here is for those physically tired and the words heavy laden means mentally exhausted, when we are in this way we can find our rest, our refreshment and satisfaction in the Lord God.

In 1 Timothy 6v6-11, we are advised: “Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we carry nothing out … Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and into many foolish and harmful lusts … But flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.”

Please share and like this post:
Fruits Blog Header

Nourished by the Bible

, , , ,

We have become accustomed to our ‘five-a-day’ fruit and vegetables, recommended for the health of our body and brain. The food we eat affects our frame and functions! 

The Bible is the spiritual equivalent BUT there are nine of them! We find the ‘fruits of the spirit’ (as they are known) in Paul’s words to the Christians living in the first century in a place called Galatia – modern day Turkey. 

His message to them was urgent – they were not to falter in their faith. Paul was encouraging them all to remain true to the gospel they had originally grasped. That they would stand firm in Christ, that he died to provide freedom from sin by his sacrifice, once and for all. But being free did not mean indulging their sinful nature, developing hatred, discord, sexual immorality, and such like. Their freedom in Christ was to serve one another, to develop spirituality and to mature in themselves the mind of Christ. And so, we come to the nine fruits of the spirit given in chapter 5 of Galatians. They are love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.

To cultivate these is to develop our character, “to be transformed by the renewing of your mind” as Paul wrote to the believers in Rome (Romans12 v 2). This struggle to mind the things of the spirit is a thread throughout the Bible and is explicit in the New Testament books. The real emphasis is in being Christlike and then doing good will be the natural outcome. Let’s look at these lovely qualities of the Godly mind:

Love

It’s so much more than good neighbourliness and brotherly kindness. It involves considering how Christ would’ve behaved and talked to any individual. It is unconditional, constant-caring, underpinned by the wisdom of God.

Joy

A contentment and happiness within, regardless of circumstances because we are certain of God’s care and purpose and his love and mercy, giving us a deep-seated security.

Peace

This involves an ease of mind, essentially untroubled by stresses and strains because we are confident that God is in control. “All things work together for good for those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose”. (Romans 8 v 28)

Long-suffering

This quality is slow to anger, long-tempered with endurance. So it is unlikely to be hostile, give stinging remarks or angry glances! It’s a forgiving spirit too!

Gentleness 

Essentially this is a genuine kindness of heart, not out of obligation or from a social motive. An attitude which makes allowances, has generosity and bears with the person, having empathy. Kindness can be inconvenient to the giver!

Goodness

Not a bland, low-key quality. Rather, goodness combats ‘badness’. It works effectively against error, corruption and distortion, championing truth, judgement, and discernment.

Faith

This involves the realisation and certainty of what we hope for, it is a solid ground and carries conviction. Believers must believe! Faith needs to be personal and then it will transform our lives – because we know God exists “and rewards those who earnestly seek him”. (Hebrews 11 v 6)

Meekness

Not timidity, nor weakness! Rather it is strength and control arising from our security in the Lord. Being empowered by God’s word. It is strength with gentleness because the true Christian is God-reliant and not out to impress.

Temperance

An old-fashioned word for self-control but, really it is being controlled by the word of God, with its immense transforming power. “He who rules his spirit is better than he who takes a city”. (Proverbs 16 v 32) We need to control our thoughts which in turn influence our actions and habits. 

Fruits often grow on trees and the person who develops the fruit of the spirit has often been likened to one! The very first psalm describes it:

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.” (Verse 1)

“That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.” (Verse 3)

And how do we do this? 

“His delight is in the law of the Lord, and he meditates on His law day and night.” (Verse 2)

Please share and like this post:
Simple Self-Care Blog Post Banner (1)

How can the Bible help us overcome life’s problems?

, , , , , , , , , , , ,

We often become discouraged and bogged down with life’s cares. The fact that both the Old and New Testaments address this problem the same way indicates that God knows problems and worries are inevitable in this life. Thankfully, He has given us the same solution in both the Old and New Testaments:

“Cast your burden on the LORD and He Shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22

“Casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Contained within these two verses are some amazing truths:

· God will sustain us

· He will never let us fall

· He cares for us

Taken one at a time, we see first that God declares both His ability and His willingness to be our strength and support—mentally, emotionally and spiritually. He is able (and best of all, willing!) to take everything that threatens to overwhelm us and use it for our benefit. He has promised to “work together for the good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28. Even at times when we doubt Him, He is still working for our good and His glory. And He has also promised that He will allow no trial to be so great we cannot bear it and that He will provide a means of escape “God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you will be able to bear it” 1 Corinthians 10:1). By this, He means that He will not let us fall, as He promised (Psalm 55:22).

The third statement—“He cares for you”—gives us the motivation behind His other promises. Our God is not cold or unfeeling. Rather, He is our loving Heavenly Father whose heart is tender toward His children. Jesus reminds us that just as an earthly father would not deny his children bread, so God has promised to give us good gifts when we ask Him, (Matthew 7:7-11).

God reveals to us through His Word, the Bible that we can be of good “cheer,” that we can rejoice in our problems because God will use them to our benefit. “Knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope” Romans 5:3-4. We can see our “worries” as an opportunity to practice. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

So, each day, taking one step at a time, we should pray for God’s Word to guide us, read or listen to God’s Word, and meditate on God’s Word when the problems, worries, and anxieties of life come along. The secret to giving things over to God is really no secret at all—it’s simply asking Him and Jesus to take our burdens “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”. Matthew 11:28

God loves us so much that He sent His son “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” John 3:16

God is bigger than any of our problems.

Please share and like this post:
Ammanford Christadelphians

How will you use your time?

, , , , , , , ,

As humans we are confined by time, hours, days, seasons and years. Do we really appreciate that is God that has given us time?

“Then God said “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide day from night: and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years” Genesis 1 v 14

God created these on the fourth day, so that they were in place before He created man on the sixth day. The earth has been governed by time from the very beginning.

We wake each morning to a new day and many of us rush around looking at the clock to see how time is going.

We live in a society today that is becoming more aware of Wellbeing and making time for ourselves. One aspect of this is relaxing and meditation, to help with pressures of this life that lead to anxieties. 

Relaxing and meditation may help us for a little while but wouldn’t it be great if we could find something that can help us all the time.

Well we can, by taking time out to read (or listen to) God’s word the Bible we can learn that He has a plan for this world when all people will live in peace.

“The wolf shall dwell with the lamb…..and a little child shall lead them……..They shall not hurt or destroy……..For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea”. Isaiah 11 v 6 – 9

“There shall be no more death nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away”. Revelation 21 v 4

We can all called to have an opportunity to be part of this kingdom of God’s on earth.

Jesus God’s son said “Come unto Me all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” Matthew 11 v 28

As we begin another year, let us try to learn more about God’s purpose with the earth by using some of our time to learn more about Him.

Please share and like this post:
Christmas

The Greatest Gift Of All

, , , , , , ,

As we head into the festive season this year things feels a little different still … Nevertheless, our families and friends, are a special part of our celebrations. We look forward to gathering together to catch up with those we don’t see often (now more than ever). We enjoy our time together and look forward to giving and receiving gifts.

It’s a time when we can all get caught up in the excitement of the season and lose ourselves in the festivity of it all. Our supermarkets tempt us with cut price offers of boxes of sweets, biscuits and chocolates. Christmas puddings, cakes and mince pies, which made their appearance in early October!

I wonder how many people in our increasingly materialistic world will think about the birth of Jesus Christ. Almighty God, in His love for mankind, sent us all a marvellous gift – the gift of His Only Son, the pathway to salvation for those who trust in Jesus and in God, his Father.

The story is simple. God chose Mary, a virgin, to be the mother of His beloved Son. The angel Gabriel was sent to tell Mary.

“Then the angel said to her, “… you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Highest … The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore also that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:30-32, 35

So Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the city of his ancestor King David as it had been foretold many years before by the prophet Micah.

“….. Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel.” Micah 5:2

This humble birth sends an amazing message to us all. The All Powerful God chose to give us the gift of His Only Beloved Son Jesus, our Saviour and King, born as one of us, to reveal God’s character and His plan of salvation.

Jesus born in Bethlehem lived a perfect sinless life. He is our Saviour and High Priest who, by his death, is the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all who try to follow his example.

The Letter to the Hebrews tells us that:

“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15

So, as we look forward to Christmas, we must always remember why Jesus was born and give our grateful thanks to God for His Gift, Jesus the Saviour, as the apostle Paul did “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15

Quotations from New King James Bible

Please share and like this post:
Ammanford Blog Header Can We Save the Planet-3

Can we save the planet?

, , , , ,

At the moment there are over 100 world leaders attending the COP26 conference in Glasgow discussing climate change, they hope to agree on a plan of action that could save the planet from the effects of global warming. If nothing is done, some scientists predict that there will be an average rise in world temperature of between 2 and 5 degrees over the next 60 years. Why is this so significant? 

The world used to be finely balanced, rather like a greenhouse, which has a controlled temperature, and its atmosphere is regulated by the amount of water its plants receives. But the atmosphere around our planet (which is there to protect us) is now letting in certain types of harmful rays. The oil-based products (fossil fuels), which we have been burning for about 200 years, have created a sort of additional shield which has the effect of reflecting heat back down upon us. De-forestation is also having an effect upon our planet. All of this has changed, and is changing the natural cycle of our rainfall and our seasons, the sea and wind currents. Hot weather in some instances recently, has been very extreme and has caused massive damage and loss of life. The extra heat, is also causing the melting of polar ice, sending a deluge of fresh water into the sea which is changing salt concentrations, which in turn affects all sea life. 

Some have speculated that by 2050 many parts of the planet may not be able to sustain life. Fresh water supply is the critical element. Water has no substitutes. There is no industrial process, to make water or desalination of sea water fast enough, to satisfy demands. Water is going to be scarce. People in Africa and Asia already know all about this. So, what’s to be done? Is there a solution? 

Humanly speaking the outlook is bleak, but when God created the world, He said in Genesis chapter 1 that everything was “very good”. He designed our planet to be capable of sustaining life in perfect balance, and has promised a restoration to this state again when His Kingdom is established on the earth.

“For thus says the LORD, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: “I am the LORD, and there is no other” Isaiah chapter 45 verse 18. 

“For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, As the waters cover the sea.” Habakkuk chapter 2 verse 14, “… You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, and those that fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth.” Revelation chapter 11 verse 18. “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” Matthew chapter 5 verse 5.

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with a fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will burn up …

Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” 2 Peter chapter 3 verses 10, 13. 

God is going to create new heavens and a new earth, “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind” Isaiah chapter 65 verse 17”.

These promises were written over 2000 years ago and they predict a future which gives us hope for a complete reversal of today’s scientific predictions. God intends the earth to be an everlasting habitation for mankind and has a plan for its restoration and recovery, both physically and morally. 

God’s plan for the earth should fill us with hope instead of doom and gloom. He wants us to have a part in His Kingdom and He tells us how we can do so and how we are to prepare ourselves for it, in His Word, The Bible.  

Quotations taken from the New King James Bible  

Please share and like this post:
driven by

DRIVEN BY PRESSURE

, , , , , , , , , , ,

“No steam or gas drives anything until it is confined. No life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated, disciplined” Henry Emerson Fosdick. (an American pastor)

This quote teaches us a valuable lesson that is supported by Scripture. We may not like pressure but we have to admit that pressure focusses us to get things done.

The great apostle and preacher of the Gospel, Paul, was fully focussed on God and yet he writes: “for we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself, indeed we felt that we had received the sentence of death.” (2 Corinthians 1:8)

Later, in the same letter, he says “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed, perplexed but not driven to despair, persecuted but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed.”(2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

Of Jesus it is recorded: “although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.” (Hebrews 5:8-9)

Surely God is teaching us that life has its troubles and that we should accept the trials, the troubles and the chastening that come to everyone whom he loves. We all agree “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11)

While Paul, having been blinded by the light from heaven when Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-18) , wondered what was going to happen to him next , Jesus told Ananias, a disciple, when he was sent to find Paul, “For I will show him (Paul) how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” (Acts 9:16)

Paul did indeed suffer. Later in life he reflected upon the sufferings he endured for the Lord.

“Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one……with far greater labours, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings and often near death.” (2 Corinthians 11:23)

He was beaten with whips and rods, stoned, shipwrecked three times and survived many other dangers. (2 Corinthians 11:24-28)

Paul surrendered his own will to God, just as the Lord Jesus Christ did.

Paul exclaims, “…. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities. For when I am weak then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

As followers of God and of Jesus Christ we must try to adopt Paul’s attitude when we confront our personal problems and sufferings, knowing that God knows every pressure and hardship we will face. Rom 5:3 “More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings owing that sufferings produces endurance, endurance produces character and character produces nope (Romans 5:3)

We are being prepared for our eternal salvation. For this wonderful hope set before us let us endure the pressures and problems that come our way and look forward to the “crown of righteousness” that is laid up for us if we will put God and Jesus first in our minds and in our actions.

The words of this hymn are a prayer encouraging us to trust in God wherever our path may lead.

Give to the winds thy fears;

Hope and be undismayed;

God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears:

God shall lift up thy head.

Put thou thy trust in God,

In duty’s path go on;

Walk in his strength with faith and hope

So shall thy work be done.

Leave to His sovereign sway

To choose and to command:

With wonder filled, thou then shalt own

How wise, how strong His hand!

Through waves and clouds and storms,

He gently clears thy way;

Wait thou his time, so shall the night

Soon end in joyous day.

(Paulus Gerhardt 1607 -76 tr John Wesley

To find out more about our hope and how you can become a part of it, visit our website: www.ammanfordchristadelphians.co.uk.

Please share and like this post:

Forget about ‘New Year, New You’ … God loves you just the way you are!

, , , , ,

It’s a little like being Cinderella. The moment the clock strikes midnight everything changes. Except that rather than rags to riches we go from feast to famine, and instead of losing a shoe we lose the will to live.

The minute New Year’s Eve turns to New Year’s Day a peculiar change takes hold of the world as we know it. It throttles us until we bend to its will: NEW YEAR, NEW YOU.

Adverts that preached excess and indulgence at Christmas swiftly change their tune to discipline and determination. Bookshops mutilate their gift and humour displays, leaving in their wake dieting and de-cluttering manuals.

It is like falling victim to cultural whiplash. One minute we are festive, family-orientated and telling ourselves to be merry and bright. The next we are told we are nowhere near thin, pretty or talented enough. In the blink of an eye we have become desperately in need of a total lifestyle overhaul.

We fall for it every year, even though it makes us miserable. It’s another sales tactic. We know it, yet our fingers inch towards the self-help pages as if they have a mind of their own. Surely we realise that we aren’t striving for God’s ideal?

God didn’t create the world to breed jealousy, dissatisfaction and self-hatred. Jesus didn’t rise from the dead to sell something. No! He is GIVING us something. Not something we dare ask for because the gift of everlasting life is too great, and certainly not stocked in the John Lewis catalogue.

He gives us GRACE.

Yes, I find it difficult too. In a world where self improvement is an art form, where people have built their livelihoods on making us feel inadequate, where we are defined by our weight, our Facebook friends, Instagram likes and bank balances, it seems implausible that God loves us just the way we are. All he asks for in return is our commitment of obedience, faith and love.

Everywhere we look in the story of our Saviour this message is repeated.

We do not have to be strong: The apostle Paul wrote, “Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:8-9)

We are not made whole by great works or achievements: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

We don’t have to transform: “No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” (Acts 15:11)

‘New Year New You’ may be a good tag-line, perhaps an even better sales pitch, but it cannot buy you happiness, hope, or a happily ever after.

Our happily ever after lies not in guilt, or sacrifice, or resolutions, but in the acceptance of grace, to allow our imperfect selves to be loved, just as we are, by our Creator and his Son, who died, that we may live.

Quotes NIV

Please share and like this post:

It’s Christmas Countdown!

, , , ,

index

Black Friday is already behind us. Ahead lies the anticipation of Christmas, with excitement, and perhaps panic and sheer hard work for those who have to pull it all together. It’s just what we Britons do, spurred on by the media, many people over indulge in food and drink and generally having a good time.

Perhaps this assessment of the festivities is a little cynical. After all, beneath the tinsel and tack there is much charity and goodwill. There is, too, for some, the real reason for Christmas – remembering the Birth of Jesus over 2000 years ago. Nativity plays familiarise us with that Bible message. Seasonal services in church and chapel remind us that Jesus is real, his existence a fact of history.

images

Many passages from the Gospels (Good News) of Matthew and Luke ring out clearly with authority and excitement. Hear the Angel Gabriel’s message to Mary “….the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy – The Son of God”. Luke 1:35

Nine months later an angel pays a night time visit to Bethlehem’s hill country bathing shepherds and their flocks with the light of God’s glory.

His message “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour who is Christ the Lord”

”… and suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God …”Luke 2: 11&13.

Why such rejoicing for a baby? Decades later the apostle Paul writes “… Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” 1 Tim 1: 15. Jesus did this by living a sinless life, dying painfully and then being raised to immortal life “Consequently He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him since he always lives to make intercession for them”. Hebrews 7:25.

Have you ever noticed that nowhere in the Bible are believers told to celebrate Jesus’ birth, but they are commanded to remember his death? “Christ… will appear a second time…to save those who are eagerly waiting for him” Hebrews 9:28

Now that is something to celebrate!

(Quotes from English Standard Bible, ESV)

*To find out more about our hope and how you can become a part of it, visit our website: www.ammanfordchristadelphians.co.uk. Our next public meeting will be held at 6pm on Sunday, in our hall, Foundry Road, Ammanford. All are welcome to attend!

Please share and like this post:

Load More