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Biblical Reminders

After a year when our lives have been full of restrictions and rules on how we live, it’s understandable that many of us may be feeling anxious about what the future holds.

We might be finding it difficult to move forward with our lives, after such a long time of being told only to travel short distances, which has meant some of us have had to stay in one place for a long time.

We may find ourselves getting anxious over simple things such as shopping or meeting friends.

There are many verses in the Bible which can help us through these times, here are just a few.

“For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11

“There are many plans in a man’s heart. Nevertheless the LORD’S counsel-that will stand.”

Proverbs 19:21

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.”

Psalm 32:8

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts. Nor are your ways My ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth. So are My ways higher than your ways. And My thoughts than your thoughts”

Isaiah 55:8-9

When we have faith in God and His plan and purpose, not just for the earth but for us as individuals, we have nothing to worry about. 

“Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7

Quotations taken from the New King James Bible

Find out more about what we believe and how you too can share in our hope. https://www.ammanfordchristadelphians.co.uk/about.php

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Take me to The Beach

With foreign holidays looking more and more unlikely this year. I think about how fortunate we are in this country to have so many wonderful places to visit. For me, the first place I venture is The Beach!

There is always a moment, as I smell the salty air, hear the waves crashing on the shore and my toes first feel the warmth of the sand, that I feel closer to God than at any other time. This for me is a moment of calm, I feel at peace as I breathe in the fresh sea air.

The sea although beautiful to look at has a whole world under the waves, a perfect balance and order, where oceans work together in such harmony needing no human intervention.

“You alone are the Lord,

You have made heaven,

The heaven of heavens, with all their host,

The earth and everything on it,

The seas and all this is in them.

And You preserve them all” Nehemiah 9 v 6

If God has this kind of love and care over the creatures of this world, how much more love does He have for each one of us?

“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 v 16

How blessed we are to have a God who taught us love, He reminds us and strengthens us by allowing us to view His incredible creation.

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power.” Romans 1 v 20

So next time you visit the beach, take a moment to pause and consider that great love of God. To be thankful that He is watching over us and pray that we all will soon feel that peace in His great Kingdom that is to come.

All quotes from NKJV

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Be strong and of good courage

We are all afraid at times, it is a fact of human experience. But we should not to be ashamed when it occurs, because we all have fears, worries, concerns, which change as we pass through life. Some of our fears are “private”, known only to oneself, and some are evident for all to see.

As children we might fear the dark; being left alone by our parents; not being liked by other children; and a multitude of other small problems which appear as enormous in a child’s mind.

As we grow up there is the typical fear of not succeeding at school, and of having to “stand up and be counted” when we are resolved to stand against the permissiveness and evil of our present world.

Husbands, have particular worries concerning making a success of their work and looking after their children. Wives, might be concerned about family problems, and both partners might well be concerned about their children, their education, their friends, and the influence the present evil age might have upon them.

The older we are, the more we fear increasing ill-health, the pain and suffering, trials and loneliness, or loss of independence, that might come with increasing age.

But God, who knows our weaknesses, gives us reassurance, if we align our lives with His, and seek to do His will, instead of being on our own, He says “… I will never leave you or forsake you.” Hebrews:13v5

Jesus was once asked by his disciples to forecast the events that would lead up to his return to the earth from heaven.

He foretold precisely what has happened in the intervening years since then, wars, famines, earthquakes and illnesses, would increase as things got progressively worse, ultimately Jesus said people would be terrified for the future.

“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” Luke:21v25-28

How well those words describe the days in which we now live, giving assurance to Bible Students that Jesus’ return cannot be far away.

But notice also, how these two things are brought together in the passage above:

1. When people in general are distressed by the things that are coming, when they say among themselves “Whatever next?”

2. the believer need have no fear for the future.

Because, the believer who has prepared his or her life for what is coming next – the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth – knows that Christ is coming to redeem and rescue those who are his, and to reward them with righteousness and immortality for faithful service, and an abiding place in God’s Kingdom that Jesus is to establish upon the earth.

No wonder then that Jesus bids them, “Look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

So when Jesus tells his faithful servants to, “Be not afraid” he gives them a positive message as well, to be firm and resolute in his service, because  whether they are alive or dead at his return, they are all assured of a reward for faithful service, as the words of 1 Thessalonians tell us, and they were to be comforted and edified by these words.

“For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words …
For God did not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” 1 Thessalonians4:15-18; 5:9-11.

Quotations from The New King James Bible

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The Chicken or the Egg?

We are grateful to scientist who are able to teach us so many amazing facts about our wondrous planet and natural world.

Right at the beginning of The Bible we are told all about Creation.

“So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird after its kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth. So the evening and the morning were the fifth day. Then God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind; cattle and creeping thing, and beast of the earth each according to its kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, and cattle according to its kind. And God saw that it was good”. Genesis ch 1 v 21-25

Sadly some scientists have dismissed God’s Word and have replaced it with a theory, a story of gradual development over long periods of time. The idea of evolution is the product of human imagination and designed to “do away with God”

Every creature that God created has been endowed with amazing characteristics. Both the educated and uneducated marvel at the perfection of bodily shape, at their ability to survive in their particular environment. The way creatures function, has been perfectly designed to allow the creature to live and reproduce after its own kind.

Reproduction is, in itself amazing! When we consider the numerous and variety of ways that creatures reproduce it is truly amazing. Some creatures lay eggs, some bear live young, some are produced inside a special sac, to mention just a few examples.

Consider the egg of a domestic hen. It is made up of three parts, the outside shell, the yolk and the white which surrounds the yolk. The yolk in the middle is the food for the chick that forms from the white of the egg.

A brooding hen has to gently sit on its eggs to keep warm them. It rises from time to time to roll the eggs over to ensure that the eggs are evenly warmed for the period of incubation. Which is about twenty one days.

When the time comes for the chick to emerge from its shell the hatching process begins. The chick taps the shell using its egg tooth which has developed on the top of its beak to pip (chip or break) the shell, it continues to pip the shell until it has gone all the way around the shell. This process can take between twelve and eighteen hours. When it is ready the chick kicks off the egg shell and flops out wet and tired.

All this has been designed by God, the all wise Creator.

So, which came first, the chicken or the egg? The answer is, of course, the chicken.

Did you know that not all bird eggs are the same shape? There is a distinct difference in shape of the eggs of ground nesting birds from those that nest in hollow trees or on top of trees.

Take for example the Canada Goose its eggs are elongated so that they do not blow away in windy conditions. If they move slightly their pointed end acts as a pivot.

When we consider the information and precision required in these examples of design, special, instantaneous, pre-programmed creation is the only satisfying answer to the amazing phenomena outlined.

What is the alternative? What are the chances that something of such precision could have happened at random? Who created the circumstances? Can we be absolutely certain that it was not created by a power that is infinitely more superior to anyone who has ever lived?

God’s Word, the Bible, tells us that God is the Creator of the universe and everything in it.

In the book of Isaiah we are asked to consider the Creator of heaven and earth, His wisdom and power which can be seen in the wonders of the world around us.

“Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and measured heaven with the span, and calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? Weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or as His counsellor hath taught him? With whom took He counsel, and who instructed Him, and taught Him in the path of justice? Who taught him knowledge, and showed to him the way of understanding? To whom then will ye liken Me? or to Whom shall I be equal? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and see who hath created these things, Who brings out the host by number: He calls them all by name, by the greatness of His might and the strength of His power; not one is missing”. Isaiah 40:12-14, 25-26

*Quotes are taken from the New King James Bible

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

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Engaging Children with The Bible

In the Bible we read what God and Jesus say about teaching children.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength. And these are the words I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up”. Deuteronomy 6 v 5-7

‘Then the little children were brought to Him (Jesus) that he might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven”. And He laid His hands on them, and departed from there’. Matthew 19 v13-15

The Bible is for everyone no matter what their age, however sometimes it can be difficult as a parent, grandparent or Sunday school teacher to engage children with God’s word. We want them to fall in love with the Bible like we have and want them to learn more about God and His plan for us.

To do this sometimes we have to think a little bit differently, to find a way that it will relate to them and the things they like doing. We all learn in different ways so in order to make the Bible engaging for children we need to find a way that it will really engage them.

From young babies, singing songs and simple Bible stories books especially those with animals is a great way to start teaching them about the Bible.

For children sometimes just reading through passages of scripture doesn’t excite them, so it can be good to pick topics or themes that are of interest to your children. If your child likes super heroes, then look at heroes in the Bible, even looking at the villains in the Bible can be fun providing many lessons for them.

If your child likes acting you could try getting them to put together their own little plays about parts of the Bible you have been reading together.

Bible journaling is also a great way to engage children, especially those who love drawing or painting, it doesn’t need to be fancy it can be as simple, like after reading a passage together, ask them to draw something about what was read. They could even write out and illustrate a favourite verse.

Music is another great way to get them to enjoy God’s word, singing songs or making their own songs relating to something that has been read.

Anything that makes it fun for your children. It doesn’t have to be particularly structured, it may just be making a point of talking about a Bible story or verse as they play, when out for a walk or over a meal. Having biblical songs and hymns playing in your house, may spark your children to ask questions.

If your children are older get them involved by asking them what part of the Bible they would like to read or study. This may help them to take ownership of what you are doing and to be invested in it.

Most importantly make it fun and age appropriate. Let them see how passionate we have for God’s word the Bible and what it teaches us as well as them.

Quotations taken from New King James Bible

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A time for every Season

Although we are still in the winter months, there is hope of a new season around the corner. As we walk in our gardens, on country lanes, or paths and roads where we live, we are likely to see Snowdrops now appearing in garden borders and under hedgerows. They are nearly always the first sign of spring. They will be followed within the next few weeks by Crocus, daffodils, wood anemones and much more. The days are lengthening and we should be cheered by the brighter days to come, with warmer sunshine, leaving those darker days of winter behind us.

There is beauty in all four of the seasons that God created, more unseen in the winter months because that’s the dormant season. Winter is natures support mechanism so that it can rest, ensuring that life can continue through the following year.

The Bible tells us of seasons not just of those concerning nature, but those concerning man and woman and our lives too.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Ecclesiastes 3 v 1-8

It tells us that there is a time for every season and every matter under heaven. God’s intention was to allow mankind all aspects of life’s experiences to come into their lives. These same experiences will come to everyone, but perhaps in different ways. There will be sorrow, joy, love, hate, anguish, weeping, laughter, work, toil, happiness. We are told that these things and feelings will happen in our lives. We must remember that with this inevitability of life as we live each day, week, month, year, these are like the natural seasons, they will come and go.

There is a hope which we can all share in. It’s called the call of the gospel. We can reach out to God the Creator of all things to help us through the difficult times. Just like God controls nature, if we come near to Him in hope and faith (which is trust), we will then start to see His love and guidance in our lives.

If we have faith and hope, and we pray for guidance, we can trust that things will work out at some point for us, however hard a situation we may find ourselves in. The disciple Peter tells us to “…..Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. Casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you.” I Peter 5 v 6

Jesus told his disciples “Therefore I say unto you do not worry about your life, what you shall eat nor about your body, what you will put on………. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than birds?……Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil or spin…….If then God so clothe the grass……how much more will He clothe you.” Luke 12 v 22 – 24

Although nature is so important to God and we see His hand at work within the natural seasons. Our lives mean more to Him. We can take comfort from these thoughts. In all the seasons of our lives, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter God is always there for our needs. The snowdrop gives us joy of life emerging from a beautifully created natural world, a life sustained by God.

Quotations taken from New King James Bible

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A New Year Reflection

It’s that time of year again where we all start making plans for the coming year, we set ourselves goals and make resolutions. But actually it got me thinking about the year which has just passed. Surely if 2020 is anything to go by, we have all learnt that we can make all the plans we want, but in reality none of us know what will happen next month, next week or even tomorrow.

So, here are the five main lessons we can learn from 2020 and help to focus our minds for the coming year:

  1. God is in control

“Yours, O Lord is the greatness, the power, and the glory, the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and You are exalted as head over all.

Both riches and honour come from You and You reign over all; In Your hand is power and might; in Your hand it is to make great, and to give strength to all.”

1 Chronicles 29:11-12

  1. If we are with God, he will be with us and will not forsake us

“Fear not; for I am with you: Be not dismayed; for I am your God: I will strengthen you; Yes, I will help you; I will uphold you with the My righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10

“Draw nigh to God, and He will draw near to you.”

James 4:8

  1. As believers in Christ, we have each other for comfort and support

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

Always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,

For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.”

Philippians 1:3-5

  1. Christ is coming back to set up His kingdom on earth

“And there shall be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

Men’s hearts failing them from fear and expectation of those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

Then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”

Luke 21:25-27

  1. We’re nearly there

“Now when these things begin to come to happen, look up, and lift up your heads; because your redemption draws near.”

Luke 21:28

So as 2020 comes to an end and we stand on the precipice of a new year in these uncertain and sometimes frightening times, let us always remember,

“Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7

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THE BIBLE SAID IT FIRST

It is truly amazing that the Bible has had so much influence on our day to day conversations. There are at least 75 commonly used phrases that have their origins in the Bible. Be sure to look up the passages below, just a sample of these sayings, in your Bible. In some of them there are powerful lessons for us all.

All these quotations can be found in the King James Version of the Bible.

Did you know that in 1947 a collection of the oldest manuscripts of the books of the Bible were discovered in a cave in Wadi Qumran, near the Dead Sea? Among them was a 23ft leather scroll containing the complete book of the prophet Isaiah. This copy is a unique proof of the reliability of the Holy Scriptures. The text agrees exactly with what we have in our Bible today. Many more books of the Bible were discovered in 11 caves nearby. A special museum, The Shrine of The Book, was opened in Jerusalem to house many of the scrolls.

Let us not neglect the Bible for its pages contain a message from God, a message of hope and salvation for all who read His word, believe it and try to follow the example of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

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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.

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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

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