Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. Mark 5:19

Here are two true stories of individuals who buck the trend of how a lot of young people are portrayed in society today. Sport, within the church context, is not supported because of the industry being played out mostly over weekends, as is the case with most entertainment. However, especially with the huge amounts of money that sports stars can earn, it can be an attractive proposal for those born with that talent.

Carlos Vítor da Costa Ressurreição (30), is one such person. A talented goalkeeper, so much so that he was named Brazil’s player of the year, chose God over his career. You can read his inspiring story here.

Closer to home, for those living in Europe, Eddisson Munoz (15) who stuck to his beliefs by not playing his matches on the Sabbath was recently baptized. One of the reasons he cited as helping him make his decision, was the support from the worldwide Adventist family once they heard of his dilemma. You can also read his story here.

Isn’t it good to know that we belong to a family of believers? Every personal testimony is a blessing to someone who might be going through a similar struggle. Why don’t you share your testimony with someone today?

Continental Singers with Steve Green sing ‘You’re the only Jesus’. Click on the picture to listen.

‘He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes.’ 3:11

Minds for Eternity™ is the concept, taken directly from the scriptures, of Lorraine Daniel-Palmer, an international speaker who came to inspire a conference of church leaders recently. Originally from Birmingham she had an immediate connection with the target audience and encouraged us over the weekend to spend more time with God to develop our minds.

So what is ‘Minds for Eternity’? Essentially it is a method of evaluating each decision we make. When faced with a situation do we take the easy option and skirt around tackling it? Or, do we face, or ‘man up!’ as she put it? The second option is the premise of ‘Minds for Eternity™’ in a nutshell. As she helped us to realise, over the workshops, eternity is the one thing that the enemy of the soul cannot have because he sought temporary gratification. This is why he is using all of his energy to take us out of the prize which Jesus has already died so that we could inherit it, eternal life.

Do you want a mind for eternity? Well, why don’t you give it a try today? ‘Man up’ to those difficult decisions and lean on Jesus. He can take it.

As Lorraine Daniel-Palmer encourages "Be Authentic, Be Courageous, Be Extraordinary"

William McDowell sings ‘I give myself away’. Click on the picture to listen.

January 29-30 - Imagine 

We fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” (2 Corinthians 4:18 NLT, second edition)

Children have an amazing capacity to live in the imaginary moment as they play. They can’t see something physically, but they imagine it in their minds and it becomes real and tangible. Imagination is essential to living by faith, and children teach us so much.

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see” (NLT, second edition).

Faith is when we hope for something, and we just know it’s going to happen! The secret is, in order to hope for something, you have to picture it in your mind.

Hebrews 11 is God’s Hall of Fame. When you read through the heroes of faith, you realize that every one of them became heroes of faith because they used their imagination.

For instance, God said to Abraham, “You’re 90 years old, and you have no kids. But I’m going to change your name from Abram to Abraham, which means ‘father of a great nation.’”

He told Abraham to go outside at night and count the stars — that’s how many grandchildren and great grandchildren he would have in his family tree — the nation of Israel! What is God doing when he tells Abraham to go count stars? He is activating his imagination. He’s saying, “I want you to visualize what I’m going to do in your life.” If we would only do the same!

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 4:18, “We fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”

We can’t see the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, but they’re going to last for eternity. We can’t see our own soul, but it’s going to last for eternity.

The Bible says we need to focus on the things that will last — the things we can’t actually see with our eyes. So how do we focus on things we can’t see? You use your imagination.

Imagination shapes your life because it is essential to living by faith. 

'And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them”' - Mark 10:13-16 ESV

Today, Ivan Parker will sing “I Can Only Imagine.” Click on the picture to listen.

January 28

Crowns of splendour

“So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come” - Psalm 71:18 ESV

As our political parties jostle for votes and position much of their rhetoric in the public arena is about the place of older people in the community. Some of this stems from legislative changes that have taken place regarding retirement age and the ensuing issues of pension eligibility, and care for the frail and sick. For me, it highlights an even more fundamental question of what value do older people have in society today? We have a responsibility to be sensitive to their needs and have the right systems in place to protect and care for them as they become frail.

Getting older is one of those inescapable realities of life. I imagine we all want to believe that our lives hold meaning and purpose for their duration, not just for our younger, formative and energetic years. Yet today’s culture celebrates, and immortalises, youth. Consider the range of anti-ageing products on display in a well-known chemists —blenders, concealers, fillers and, Botox to re-plump. For mainstream society getting older is considered with a sense of dread – not as a valuable, worthwhile part of life’s journey.

As Christians we need to lead by example on this topic, regardless of whether that’s popular. We need to make sure that we truly value and engage those in our community who are at the later stages of their lives.

There's a story of a delegation of representatives visiting the United Kingdom from an Asian country where the church was flourishing and attracting thousands of young people. Asked what they thought of the United Kingdom’s Christian scene, the answer was surprising. “Your churches are full of old people,” they said. “It’s wonderful!”

Explaining their response, the Asian rep's said they thought it wonderful because it indicated that, rather than being something young people grew out of as they matured, the Christian faith could sustain people through a lifetime. Far too often Christians view older congregation members in a way that can be perceived as negative, whereas in reality older people are a sign of hope, and have a well of life experience that can be tapped.

Clement of Alexandria said, “We may not be taken up and transported to our journey’s end, but must travel thither on foot, traversing the whole distance of the narrow way.”

It is important that as a community we take time to consider the role that older people play and how we can find ways to give them the value and honour they deserve—not just for how long they contribute to the economy.

There is a great line in one of the verses in the book of Proverbs: “Grey hair is a crown of splendour.” What a difference would take place if this kind of thinking started to underpin the way that getting older was viewed by our government, and society today.

Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver presents “Let My Life Be A Light.” Click on the picture to listen.

January 26

‘There is…a time to be silent and a time to speak.’ Ecclesiastes 3:1

Yesterday I was faced with an awkward situation at work. I had to disagree with another colleague, actually my head teacher. Looking back, although uncomfortable, it was the right thing to do as it was a biblical difference. I read this extract earlier this year which helped prepare me for what was to come.

The Bible has a lot to say about not criticising and passing judgment. But there are times when silence isn’t ‘golden’, it’s deadly. For example:

1) Silence is deadly when you use it as a passive, retaliatory means of expressing your anger or displeasure. That’s called ‘emotional manipulation’. Jesus said,

‘If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother’ (Matthew 18:15 NKJV)

Jesus is recommending pretty assertive behaviour by commanding us to take the initiative in addressing the ‘trespass’. Trespassing is the unauthorised crossing of a boundary, and many times we feel like we’ve been trespassed against or wronged. However, rather than addressing the issue directly with the offender, we resort to sulking and pouting. Jesus says, ‘Don’t do that!’. Your lack of communication can leave the wrongdoer unaware of their behaviour and make them more likely to repeat it.

2) Silence is deadly when you fail to defend someone against unwarranted criticism or vicious rumours. Don’t let fear of alienation and rejection cause you to let slander and character assassination go unchallenged, especially when you’re aware of facts to the contrary.

3) Silence is deadly when it results in your making an undesirable decision by default. The fact is, silence can indicate consent. Prayer was taken out of public schools in the United States because the majority stayed silent instead of speaking up.

The Scripture says, ‘There is…a time to be silent and a time to speak.’ So have the courage of your convictions and speak up!

USB Word for Today 2016

Our music this morning comes from a Bryn find, ‘Storm waters’ by Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver. Click on the picture to listen.

^“ And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” 1 John 2:2

Isn't it is amazing what can be done with the power of one. The bible is full of accounts where one person mad the difference. Esther did not abdicate her responsibilities when the pressure was on, she stood up not only for herself but for her people and God. Jonah, whilst he did try and run away from God, went back and faced his own personal demons, resulting in the City of Ninevah being saved. David, when he heard about the giant Goliah, could have turned his tail and ran. Instead he ran straight towards the giant and slayed him in the name of the Lord.

The bible is full of individuals who stood out when the chips were down but the ultimate example of the power of one is Jesus, who gave the ultimate sacrifice, his life. If a book was written in your lifetime, would your name be written anywhere? Who or what are you standing for?

Stand for Jesus.

A beautiful song Bryn found is “I Can't Make It Lord Without You” by The Isaacs. Click on the picture to listen.

January 22-23 – Today is enough

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” - Proverbs 3:5-6

I was talking the other day with a neighbour who has become a good friend, and felt concerned that she was anxious and distracted – concerned, because I know, in the past, she has suffered from depression. A caring person, she takes on board everyone's problems. Add those to her own health and family issues, she begins to worry, and her mind has difficulty in settling on one thing at a time. A worried mind is a divided mind. Worry takes a meat slicer to our thoughts, energy, and focus, leaving us to pick our way through the pieces.

The most common word in the Bible for “worry” is “merimnate” (Greek), from the origin word “merimnao.” This is a compound of a verb and a noun. The verb is “divide.” The noun is “mind.” If we are anxious then, our minds are divided. Anxiety has chopped our attention into minute pieces. It has derailed our purpose, and scattered our awareness in a dozen directions.

As humans we worry about the past: what we said or did. We worry about the future: tomorrow, the family, finances, global warming, and world events – the growing violence that has caused millions to flee for their lives. Anxiety takes our attention from the right now and directs it backwards, downwards, then locks itself inside our hearts and minds, corroding the joy of our God-given lives.. My father used to say, “Why waste all of your energy worrying about something that may never happen – and if it does happen, you'll have no strength left to face the problem.” On occasions he would follow it up with, “You say your prayers, don't you?” Wise words that have taught me perspective, trust in God.

The challenge is to keep our attention on the “right now.” Here is a resolve that Max Lucado wrote and often re-reads:

“Today, I will live today.
Yesterday is past.
Tomorrow is not yet.
I’m left with today.
So, today, I will live today.

Relive yesterday? No.
I will learn from it.
I will seek mercy for it.
I will take joy in it.
But I won’t live in it.
The sun has set on yesterday.

The sun has yet to rise on tomorrow.
Worry about the future? To what gain?
It deserves a glance, nothing more.
I can’t change tomorrow until tomorrow.

Today I will live today.
I will face today’s challenges with today’s strength.
I will dance today’s waltz with today’s music.
I will celebrate today’s opportunities with today’s hope.

Today.
May I laugh, listen, learn, and love today.
And, tomorrow, if it comes, may I do so again.”

Max Lucado

Let us determine to leave our problems with God. He does not need our help, counsel, or assistance. Read His words - of life - of truth. Soak in them over and over, praying, until they became so familiar, they replace the other things in your mind that you've battled against. There’s power through them, because they’re God’s words.

Change will happen. Anxious thoughts will begin to diminish. Worry will let go of its constant grip. And though fear will sometimes still bethere, it no longer wields control, holding you back, paralyzing you in its grasp.

His words are “life” words, soothing to our soul, calming to our spirits, giving power to our days.

“I'm Not Gonna Worry” - LIVE is, aptly, the music choice today. Click on the picture to listen.

January 21 – Alone, not lonely

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39 NIV)

At some time in our lives, I'm sure each of us has experienced the pain of loneliness, the ache and feeling of isolation that comes with the dawning realisation that we are alone. For some this happens when they first leave the family home and go off to university in a strange town. For others it will be the breakdown of a relationship, or death of a spouse. They dread the days ahead as they look into an empty, bleak future. But did the Lord not say, 'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand' – Isaiah 41:10. There is no place we can go where God’s love isn’t. we’ll never be separated from God’s love.

Nothing — no circumstance, no situation — can separate us, because God’s love is everywhere: “Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39 NIV).

This is our antidote for loneliness: we will never be separated from God’s love. The fact is we do lose loved ones. If you’re married, one of you is going to die first. And you will grieve over that.

But as Christians, we may be alone, but we’ll never be lonely, because we can tune into God’s love. I’m not talking about religion; I’m talking about a relationship with Jesus Christ. His love lasts forever, and his love is everywhere.  He identifies with our feelings.  After all, He experienced a depth of feelings of loneliness and abandonment by His Father than we will ever know as He went through Gethsemane then hung on the cross.

We are reassured that we are never left alone - "Where could I go to escape from you? Where could I get away from your presence? If I went up to heaven, you would be there; if I lay down in the world of the dead, you would be there. If I flew away beyond the east or lived in the farthest place in the west, you would be there to lead me, you would be there to help me. I could ask the darkness to hide me or the light around me to turn into night, but even darkness is not dark for you, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are the same to you” (Psalm 139:7-12 TEV).

The music choice for today is the New Hinson's singing “God in Heaven Knows.”

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit 1 Peter 3:18

I won’t keep you long this morning, just a few words. Did you know that Jesus is dying to save you? Maybe upon first reading of that statement you thought I had the tense wrong, as in He died to save us. That is indeed true but follow my train of thought for a moment this morning.

According to my research, to be dying to do something, or for something, is to be eager to do or to have it. For example, ‘the young man was dying to receive his first wage packet’ meaning he was eager to have some of his own money rather than he received his first wage packet on his death bed! The phrase then is a hyperbole, which is ‘an extravagant statement or figure of speech not intended to be taken literally, as “to wait an eternity.”’

However, the reality is that every time we ignore the voice of the Holy Spirit and knowingly sin, are we not just doing that, as in crucifying him again?

Food for thought.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Timothy 4: 7-8

Northern Ballet is currently doing a performance of the Tortoise and the Hare. Whilst watching a workshop by the education arm of the company, for the first time I saw a spiritual connection I had failed to notice before.

For those who are not familiar with the story; there once was a speedy hare who constantly bragged about how fast he. Tired of hearing this a tortoise challenged him to a race. The hare is insulted, as he sees this as no match for his superior running skills, but takes the race as his ego is at stake. The hare races off at the start, top speed, and ran out of sight. After a while he slowed and thought to himself, “Why am I running so fast? The tortoise could never catch me so I may as well stop for a play.” So he hopped over a fence into a field and had a good time playing and rolling around in the grass until he got tired. He popped his head out of the field and looked down the road where the tortoise was nowhere in sight. So he decided to have just a little sleep.

When he awoke he realised that he had been asleep for some time as the sun was no longer high in the sky, so he set off running faster than he had ever run before. He crossed the line in a blur and sat down with a satisfied smile on his face. Only then did he see the tortoise smiling back at him with the winner’s medal. The moral; slow and steady wins the race.

Sometimes we set off on our spiritual journeys as if we are aiming to be the first to heaven, but fail to recognise that the more time we spend in the study of God’s work, the better equipped we will be in getting there. I recently heard of a new baptised member leaving the church due to not being grounded in the faith, finding it easier to walk than to stay and fight for his salvation. It saddens me as these stories are not new and I am sure will happen again.

Let us spend time reviewing our spiritual journey so far, making sure we steadily make it all the way to heaven.

The Cockman Family sing ‘Run this race’. Click on the picture to listen.