Text: ‘You know how, when you were a small child, you were taught the holy Scriptures; and it is these that make you wise to accept God’s salvation by trusting in Christ Jesus’ – 2 Timothy 3:15 – The Living Bible Thought: BBC News reports that The Folio Society commissioned a YouGov poll to ask 2044 British Adults to rank books from a list of 30 works, according to their significance in today’s world. They made their selection based, not on enjoyment or popularity, but for their influence on humanity. The Bible was named the world’s most influential book! So it is! Written for humanity by men who were inspired by God’s Holy Spirit.¹ Look around the house and the chances are there’s a bible or bibles lying around somewhere, collecting dust. Like an undiscovered diamond, few know the Bible’s true worth, particularly in the Western world. Many of these bibles were presented to children and teenagers during school. Once read, now forgotten. Where do we get the true Christmas story from? The Bible and archaeology proves it to be one of the most accurate historical records man has ever had. But it’s much more than that. It contains the words and the way to eternal life. My first...
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Text: ‘I saw the dead, great and small, standing before God; and The Books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to the things written in The Books, each according to the deeds he had done. The oceans surrendered the bodies buried in them; and the earth and the underworld gave up the dead in them. Each was judged according to his deeds.And Death and Hell were thrown into the Lake of Fire. This is the Second Death—the Lake of Fire. And if anyone’s name was not found recorded in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the Lake of Fire’ – Revelation 20:12-15 Thought: They say that death is the only certainty in life. We prepare for it by taking out life insurance and writing a will. However the uncertainty is that we do not know when that day will be. The goal of most people is to reach old age, relying on the medical health service to keep their bodies going, and the financial world, taking out pensions and saving plans to ensure they have enough money to make life enjoyable throughout their retirement. Also, wishing to leave something worthwhile for their surviving relatives. All sorts of events can end our life...
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Text: ‘Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content’ – 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NLT) Thought: Christmas will soon be upon us! Adverts scream out to buy, whether on the TV, in newspapers and magazines, via our mobile phones or alongside the bus shelter! Wherever people are and go, one can be sure adverts will be there too. Even in one of Africa’s poorest nations, I saw the Coca Cola bottles everywhere and Manchester United football shirts! Having just spent nearly three weeks in Burundi and Uganda, I couldn’t help but be struck by how little they do have of this world’s goods, yet at the same time, they exhibit a richness in faith, thankfulness and the ability to still laugh and smile. I ‘survived’ hotels without any water to wash with and was nearly electrocuted by poor wiring in the bedside lamp! My ten nights in Lira saw the power off virtually every day from 7am – 8pm, and even during the night, unable to cool the room and having to read...
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Text: ‘But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified’ – 1 Corinthians 9:27 Thought: September ’14 sees an exciting development – launching a midweek link group in Saltash. My wife Jenny is heading this up, commencing with a five week training programme on friendship evangelism, drawing on her skills as a personal development trainer. Giving an open-invitation to the church we attend in Plymouth, we were pleasantly surprised by the number who expressed an interest in doing the course, especially when the musicians’ practice night was changed so that people could come. As this launch came about quite suddenly, there is an air of excitement. However, as with anything we do or that needs to be done, there are some key steps. First there is: Desire – I want to! The old adage, “You can lead a horse to the water but you can’t make it drink” remains true when it comes to Christians sharing their faith on a one to one basis. Most want to do so, but many find it a challenge to say the least. They have a desire which is good, but this leads us on to the next step: Discipline...
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Text: ‘Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you’ – Acts 24:25 Thought: Opportunities to do things come across our path every day. It’s all too easy to miss them, either deliberately or unintentionally. Sometimes we will never get that same opportunity again. Zig Ziglar, the well-respected motivational sales speaker, often recited a poem to would-be customers hesitating over spending their money, despite wanting the product. “The Bride, white of hair, is stooped over her cane, her footsteps uncertainly guiding. While down the opposite aisle, with a wan, toothless smile, The bridegroom, in wheelchair, come riding. Now who is this elderly couple thus wed? Well you’ll find when you’ve closely explored it, That here is that rare, most conservative pair, Who waited till they could afford it!” While Zig used this example as a way to overcome sales objections regarding the cost, it will strike a chord with many people about life in general. Sometimes we wait far too long to do things we really need to do now! The proverb says, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” Unless we act on them, they become meaningless The Bible records when the Apostle Paul was under house arrest.¹ Felix, the...
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Text: ‘I go to prepare a place for you’ – John 14:2 Thought: Time has flown since the last Today’s Teaching due to moving house. What mixed emotions and feelings we have experienced during the last five weeks. There was delight in finally finishing with solicitors and having the removal company complete the planned two day move in just one day, thus avoiding the heavy rain. Also in discovering plants hidden beneath the over-growth and seeing our pictures up on the walls again. The experience of discouragement as the job list began to grow. We soon realised that more needed to be done than was first envisaged, but what to prioritise as we want everything done at once? So we had to discipline ourselves with a real determination to work slowly through the list, making the most of the lovely weather to sort out the garden, enjoying some barbeques and alfresco breakfasts, leaving the indoor work to the more cloudy and rainy days. Finally there is the desire not only to make our home a place to enjoy and invite people to, but to build bridges within our new community so we can share God’s blessing in our lives as well as our faith. An Open Home Day like...
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