OCTOBER 9-10 – The beauty of frost

“It was good for me to be afflicted so that I may learn your decrees” - Psalm 119:71

The first frosts of autumn have been forecast this week. There is little to rival the beauty of a heavy hoare frost that hangs thick on the trees and gardens. While we are shivering and shaking in our boots and anaraks, this amazing freezing blanket covers a profusion of flowers just waiting to burst forth – crocus is usually the first to venture it's head above ground.

A theologian who knew a bit about gardening once said, “The nipping frosts of trial and affliction are often needed if God's trees are to grow. They need the cold to revive and bud.” What is true for crocuses is true for people, as verse 71 declares are God's way of helping to create something beautiful in our lives.

There are days though in our lives when we feel windblown, raw, and exposed-times when everything seems to be breaking loose - beyond our control.  But the God who brings so much beauty out of a hoare frost, promises to bring peace and beauty to our hearts and lives

Joni Eareckson Tada asks, “Do you feel the nipping fear of loneliness or the biting cold of loss. The icy sting of rejection or the numbing chill of heartache?” Just as flower bulbs need the frost to revive and blossom, hardships have a way of helping peace and joy blossom in our lives. Patience can flower out of failure, and self-control and kindness can bud out of the freeze of brokeness.  The cold of winter will pass.

Our song today - “The Wonder of it All” - LIVE.  Click on the picture to listen.

OCTOBER 8 – Let go

“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT, second edition)

Life in the twenty-first century has brought it's own problems, peculiar to this age. Access to computers, iPads, tablets. Smartphones and social media sites intrude into our homes and private lives. A TV programme this week revealed how the security services are able to monitor our every move – turn on our technology – even though we have turned it off – and tap into our private conversations....as if we don't have enough problems to concern us! Should we be worried? Should we add these concerns to our already overloaded bags we carry around?

The Bible tells us not to be concerned; 'Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me” - 2 Corinthians 12:9/

What is grace? That’s when God gives you what you need, not what you deserve. Grace is when God says, “I’m going to take your problem and make it my problem.” Grace is God’s Riches given to you At Christ’s Expense.

The Bible says, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT, second edition). In other words, you can’t earn your way to Heaven no more than you can work your way through your problems yourself.

Rick Warren, ex Lifeguard says, “Every lifeguard knows you can’t save people as long as they are trying to save themselves. If somebody is drowning and flailing around in panic, a lifeguard knows to just stay back for a few seconds and wait until that person gives up. Because if you try to save others while they’re trying to save themselves, they will pull you under, too. When they finally give up, they relax; you put your arm around them and just swim back to shore. It’s really quite easy.”

God wants to save us, you and me. Jesus Christ wants to save us from our hurts, our habits, our hang-ups and our problems. He wants to save us for his purpose and by his grace. But we have got to quit trying to do it ourselves. We’ve got to relax. We need to let go and let God be God.

“Stand Still and Let God Move” - The Isaacs, with lyrics, is today's choice of music. Click on the picture to listen.

‘Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.’ Colossians 3:2

October is student month. It is the time not only when children go back to school into a new year but also when many young adults leave home and sample university for the first time.

There are so many choice to be made. First there is the university, which is sometimes chosen by the question; how close to home do I want to live to my parents?! Then there is the cost, we mustn’t forget the costs. Gone are the days when further education was a right not a privilege. But probably the initial and over ridding factor is the course, specifically the course content. Nowadays you can find a course that is exactly tailored to what you want to study. You can even get a degree in ‘Star Trek’!

Naturally after working so hard to get to university there a lot of expectations about the course. According to research carried out in 2014 only 1/3 of students thought that their courses offered value for money. Some were paying up to £9,000 a year so they obviously this cost had to meet with their high expectations. Because we are all made uniquely and therefore have need of different things we are going to find fault in everything here on earth.

This was probably Paul, an educated man himself counsels,

‘Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.’

Firstly heaven is free, the only thing you have to do is accept the invitation and make plans to be there. And secondly, it will not disappoint you.

If you know of a student in your church, reach out to them, invite them to lunch and encourage them take God on their academic journey.

The song today is an old one, ‘Satisfaction guaranteed’ by Chris Christian. Click on the picture to listen.

⁵⁹ And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. ⁶⁰ And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts 7: 59-60

Last week a gun man who was also a student at Umpqua Community College, Oregon, USA shot and killed nine students. President Obama is quoted as saying ‘this has become routine’. As shocking and devastating as this is, according to a witness who was shot and survived this was a religious motivated killing. He asked this question to each student one by one before he made the decision to shoot and kill them.

“Are you a Christian?” If they responded yes, then he said “Good because you’re a Christian, you’re about to see God in just about one second!” Then he shot and killed them. Amongst the Christians who died was a Seventh-day Adventist mother, Sarena Moore, 44. Please pray for her family and the church community.

When I heard about the motive I have to be honest and say that I questioned what my response would have been if I were in that classroom. He apparently asked them to stand individually. The eight who stood after watching their fellow Christian friend being gunned down had a faith that did not fail. What would you say?

Time has been called on their lives, the evil one can no longer tempt them and like Stephen their faith cost them their life. Do we love Jesus enough to give our lives to Him? How long will we continue to play with religion? Please pray that each day your faith will become more grounded and deeper so that when tested you will come forth like pure gold.

The song is one I have used recently but the message is appropriate nonetheless. ‘Will you love Jesus more’ by the Heritage Singers.

OCTOBER 2-3 – Mutual blessings

“But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be....The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don't need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don't need you!” - 1 Corinthians 12:18,21.

Is it false pride that makes us so reluctant to ask for help, to admit that we can't cope and need help? Surely through our experiences and the suffering we have witnessed in the lives of other people, we must have learned that we need one another.

Jenny met this dilemma facing her as she nursed her husband, who was totally incapacitated for two years. Like most of us Jenny resisted asking for help even though she felt needy and weak. But God showed her early in her husbands illness that He wanted to teach her whole family to trust Him to meet their needs, and He wanted to teach her local church members the true meaning of serviing him.

Jenny's family were blessed by the people who brought meals, repaired appliances, trimmed hedges and cut lawns, sat with Jenny's husband, John, to give her the opportunity to go out and meet friends once in a while.

People were blessed because they were learning to give, to sacrifice and to put their faith in action. God showed Jenny that not asking for help, not sharing her family's needs, was actually robbing others of receiving the blessings that would change their lives. Let us reach out, share our needs, and embrace the needs of others.

“We Need Each Other/ Reach out And Touch (Somebody's Hand), our music today. Click on the picture to listen.

OCTOBER 1 – we have a choice

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; For whatever a man sows, this he will also reap” - Galatians 6:7. “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” - 2 Cor. 10:3.

Our minds are a wonderful miracle of God's creation, but oh, how we allow them to be used, abused, and tarnished. Perhaps for you it's a problem with daydreaming. Keeping track of another's wrongs. Stewing over worries. Whatever, God expects us to take responsibility for the ponderings that we allow to creep into our brains. We are accountable. Thank God His Word and His Holy Spirit are alive and powerful – there for us to call upon whenever we have a temptation dangling there in front of us – whenever our minds are tantalised. His Word clears our minds for the choice we have to make.

Charles Swindoll writes of a day he says he will always remember,,,,the day he had a choice to make, and make quickly. He writes:

“I had been out of the country for more than a week. After a long day, I was in the reception area of my hotel hungry, lonely, and feeling sorry for myself as I really missed Cynthia and the chikdren. I made my way to the lift, the doors opened, and two attractive women followed me in. I punched the button for the sixth floor, but the ladies didn't press theirs. “What floor?” I asked. One of the women looked at me, smiled rather sensually and said “How about six?” The lift door closed.

Now, I'll be honest. We were alone in that lift. In another country. These women were available. I was lonely, and to be frank I was momentarily flattered. After all, nobody ever mistakes me for Brad Pitt. In that moment between the first and sixth floor, I had an all-important decision to make.

You know what flashed through my mind? My wife and family? No, not at first. My reputation? Nope. Not right away. The possibility of being set up? Not really. God brought something else to mind: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, this he will also reap” - Galations 6:7

After remembering that verse, at that moment, my thoughts turned to what I would “reap”....the destruction of my marriage to Cynthia, the devastation of my children, my future grandchildren not wanting me to officiate at their wedding for lack of respect, and the total loss of my ministry. It was then easy to look at the women and say rather calmly, “My evening is already full. I'm really not at all interested.” They looked at me like I'd just fallen off the turnip truck.

The doors opened on my floor, and I got out – alone. During that lift ride, the powerful, life-changing Word of God had rescued me.” 

Let us allow the Holy Spirit to set up watch, keep guard, and prevent harmful thoughts and temptations roost in our heads. We don't have to fight with the weapons of this world. Remember, Satan's strongholds are nothing but human dungeons – and it's time to break out of prison.

“Ask the Holy Spirit to stand guard over your mind and to help you banish harmful, unhelpful and unholy thoughts from creeping in. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a spirit of power and love and self-discipline so that your thoughts will be pleasing to God” - 2 Timothy 1:7

Another choice of Bryn's for our music today - Kenny Vaughan - “Don't Leave Home Without Jesus.” Click on the picture to listen.

¹⁸ And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. ¹⁹ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: ²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV)

What kind of a witness are you? One of my prayers daily is that I am given the courage to take advantage of the witnessing opportunities which God gives me every day. I know for myself I bottle at times when I should be speaking out. Hopefully you are different to me.

I came across this article whilst searching for something else and it immediately caught my attention for a couple of reasons. Firstly I was intrigued as to why someone would want to walk around dressed up like Jesus. Secondly, the fact that he says that he was not claiming to be Jesus. And thirdly, why he was walking around the streets of Philadelphia carrying a cross on wheels.

The clip is here, which I highly recommend that you watch but here is the back story.

Michael Grant is 29 years old has been walking through the streets of Philadelphia dressed up like Jesus, carrying a smart phone. He has over 4,000 followers on his @PhillyJesus instagram account and has become a local celebrity. Mr Grant can't walk a single block without being stopped by fans, who want a selfie with him. Is he a street performer looking for fame? Is he an unconventionally creative preacher? Or does he really believe he is Jesus?

Now his story is that he was a rap artist who got caught up in drugs and went to prison which is where he found Christ. He says that he uses his passion for performing arts to bring the gospel of Jesus to the streets. He says instead of going up to them people are naturally intrigued to him and that is when he tells them his story. He also plainly says that he DOESN’T think that he is Jesus, he is a born again Christian who is just trying to tell other people about him.

Now there are lots of questions that could be posed here like; why does he have to dress up like that, why is he pretending to be someone he clearly isn’t etc. But quite frankly all of these question could be levelled at us, me when I put on my Sabbath finest and go to church at the weekend. Once we get past the method he is using the question we need to ask ourselves is how are we witnessing? Are we doing enough?

Steve Camp sings our music today. It is called ‘Ambassador in chains’ Click on the picture to listen.

‘And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’ Matthew 16:18

I am reading a marvellous book called ‘Revolution In The Church’ by Russell Burrill. In it he makes this statement.

‘Laypeople are the front-line soldiers for Christ. Their ministry occurs not in church buildings, but in factories, offices, neighbourhoods, and health clubs. In the midst of the normal activities of life, they minister for Christ. That is where real ministry occurs – not in the church building on Sabbath morning. In this sense, “laity” are more “ministers” than clergy.

… The unchurched person confronts the church through the average member in the neighbourhood, at work or at a social gathering. That is where the world meets the church.’

Peter had no idea that he would deny Christ when he in Matthew 16: 15 -16 he answered this question,

¹⁵ He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? ¹⁶ And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Can you even imagine the guilt he must have felt after this had happened?  Jesus knew this would happen even if Peter didn’t, yet and still he called Peter the rock on which the church would be built. This tells me that Jesus knowing our hearts, our weaknesses, our insecurities is not only willing to work with us but trusts us to do the work.

How does that make you feel? Do you feel like you are at ministry when you are going about your daily tasks or do you wait until you get to church at the weekend in order to serve? We can never do enough to repay the debt which Jesus paid for with his life. Make today count and share Gods love with at least one person whom you wouldn’t normally have.

The song today is by my favourite group ‘Faith First’. It is called ‘Come living water’ - Bryn chose it. Click on the picture to listen.

SEPTEMBER 25-26 – What is happiness?

“Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity” - 2 Corinthians 8:2

Early in the week Ken Dodd, the family entertainer, was being inteviewed on local radio about the secret of his long career, and apparent state of perpetual, bubbling happiness. Think of Ken Dodd, and his recording of the song “Happiness” immediately comes to mind. People who have attended his stage shows come away with the weight of their worries and cares lifted from their shoulders. For a few brief hours (Ken's shows go on for a LONG while!) they were happy. If only that applied to everyone and life in general. But let's face it, some people are never going to allow themselves to be happy/

Maybe it's a family trait – in their genes – of perhaps they are in a dead-end marriage – single, lonely, feeling the odd one out. Or at loggerheads with their supervisor at work. Women (men too) despair of never losing their spare tyre....that extra 25 pounds, or the monotony of the daily grind at times, feels more than they can bear – a never-ending drudgery of the same old routine.

Are you this way? Do you feel as though true happiness has somehow passed you by? The fact is, life is hard-for - some more than others. If happiness relates only to an evening of entertainment by the likes of Ken Dodd and his 'tickling stick,' or our “present circumstances, it may always dance ahead of us like the proverbial carrot on a stick to a donkey. - just out of reach. The answer is not to get rid of unhappiness but to find a new definition for it.

Someone once suggested that true happiness is found in duty and honour, sacrifice and faihfulness, commitment and service. Circumstantial happiness may seem fleeting and elusive, but perseverance and hope grow out of faithfulness; and committed service to our Lord and others will bring an overflow of joy and happiness

Regardless of what a person’s situation may be, our Creator God wants to be present with us and empower us through His Spirit. Our countenance—the expression on our face—will change from sad to joyful as a result of His divine help and presence.

Our song today is “Blessings” sung by Laura Story. Click on the picture to hear.

SEPTEMBER 24 - God can use you

“All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27 NLT, second edition)

We need to be connected to a church family if we are to fulfill our calling to serve other believers in practical ways. The Bible says, “All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27 NLT, second edition).

Our service is desperately needed in the Body of Christ — just ask any local church! Each of us has an important role to play. There is no small service we can make to God; it all matters. Likewise, there are no insignificant ministries in the church. Some are visible, and some behind the scenes – the support workers who by their service, enable God's work to progress. All are valuable. Small or hidden ministries often make the biggest difference. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus”- Galatians 3:28 ESV.

The lights in the main rooms of our homes are likely the most important lights, but the little night-light that keeps us from stubbing our toes when we get up at night givees an invaluable service. In the same way, there is no correlation between size and significance when it comes to service in the Body of Christ. Every ministry matters because we are all dependent on each other to function.

What happens when one part of your body fails to function? You get sick. The rest of your body suffers. Imagine if your liver decided to start living for itself: “I’m tired! I don’t want to serve the body anymore! I want a year off just to be fed. I’ve got to do what’s best for me! Let some other part take over.”

What would happen? That's rightt, your body would die. Today thousands of local churches are dying because of Christians who are unwilling to serve. They sit on the sidelines as spectators, and the body suffers.

God has called you and me, to a service far beyond anything you could ever imagine. He created us a life of good deeds, which are ready and waiting for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).

Whenever we serve others in any way, we are actually serving God, and one day soon we will hear Him say “.... Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” - Matthew 25:21. .

Acknowledgments Rick Warren

From Bryn's selection of music I have chosen “Bind Us Together” as today's music. Click on the picture to listen.